Meet Pore-fessor Plump:
Your Guide to Glowing, Hydrated Skin
Welcome! I am your new skincare bestie, science nerd, and hydration-obsessed guide to better skin! If you're struggling with skin troubles, feeling lost in the overwhelming world of skincare, or just want to understand how to take care of your skin beyond prescriptions, you’re in the right place
Why I started this blog
I’m an Asian man in my 20's who grew up with oily, dry, and troubled skin—a frustrating combination that made my skincare journey feel like an uphill battle. My skin struggles affected my self-esteem, and for the longest time, I thought the only solution was medication from my dermatologist. I spent years on prescribed treatments, but one thing I noticed? My actual skincare routine was never discussed.
I blindly followed medical treatments, believing they were the only way to fix my skin, without realizing how much my daily skincare routine mattered too. I wish I had known earlier that combining good skincare habits with medical treatments could have made a difference.
The moment everything changed
On top of everything, I had a severe reaction to an antibiotic prescribed for my acne—an experience that definitely scarred me for life (no pun intended). That was a turning point for me. I started wondering:
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"What if I focused on taking care of my skin first before resorting to medications? Would that help my skin heal better?"
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So, I took matters into my own hands. I dove into skincare, but let’s be real--I started off doing everything wrong. I picked harsh cleansers that stripped my skin, thinking that “squeaky clean” meant healthy. I didn’t even moisturize my skin properly for years. It was all trial and error.
Quick skincare myth-busting: Do you really need a toner???
One of the biggest skincare myths I see everywhere is the need for a toner in every skincare routine.
The truth? You might be wasting your money.
Toners were originally formulated to rebalance the skin’s pH after using harsh, basic cleansers that left skin feeling cracked and squeaky clean. Back in the day, when cleansers were more alkaline and stripped the skin, toners played an important role. But today’s cleansers have advanced! There are now plenty of pH-balanced cleansers that do the job without the need for a toner.
Unless a toner has specific, targeted ingredients (like exfoliating acids or calming botanicals), many toners today are just glorified humectant waters—and if you’re already using a serum and moisturizer with humectants, adding more might just lead to irritation, product overload, and wasted money.
Skincare isn’t cheap, so be strategic! If your toner isn’t adding something truly beneficial, you don’t need it.
What I’ve learned & why I’m here
Through the years, I educated myself through mainstream media, my own research, and even my university studies. Skincare isn’t just about looking good—it’s about feeling good, understanding your skin, and making informed choices.
Now, I want to share everything I’ve learned with you. I want to help others who are going through what I went through. This blog is here to provide honest, no-BS skincare advice, science-backed knowledge, and real product reviews to help you navigate your skincare journey with confidence.
What you can expect from Pore-fessor Plump
🔬 Science-backed skincare insights: Breaking down skincare myths and translating the complicated science into real, easy-to-understand advice.
💡 Practical skincare knowledge: Helping you choose the right products, understand your skin type, and build a routine that actually works.
💖 Honest product reviews: No sugar-coating. If a product sucks, I’ll tell you. If it’s amazing, I’ll explain why it works.
Join me on this skincare journey
I created Pore-fessor Plump to be the resource I wish I had years ago. If you’ve ever felt frustrated, lost, or overwhelmed by skincare, I get it--I’ve been there too. Let’s navigate this world together, one hydrated, well-moisturized step at a time.
➡️ Stay tuned for skincare deep dives, product breakdowns, and everything you need to achieve your best skin yet!