We've all done it. You get in the bathroom, start inspecting your skin, and suddenly, pores be damned! You're not leaving this mirror until every blackhead, every whitehead, and everything in between is thoroughly removed from said pores. No prisoners here.
I had done just that before I went in for my facial at Arcona Studio. Allison Marks, the spa director and an esthetician at the studio, let me in on a little secret. Well, it's not so secret, but it's a tip we all choose to ignore time and time again: stop picking your skin. It causes irritation, scars, and usually more acne than what you started with. You think you're extracting what's in the pore, but really, you're just spreading the bacteria. Allison explains the science behind it all, plus gives useful tips for reducing breakouts in general.
On Kirbie: Rachel Zoe dress