Some of the best aestheticians in this industry are the ones who truly understand what it feels like to struggle with their skin and Michael Razzano is one of them. Originally from Albany, New York and now based in Philadelphia, Michael entered the world of aesthetics after dealing with acne throughout his teens and early twenties. What began as frustration eventually turned into purpose, leading him to leave retail management behind and pursue a career that genuinely changed his life. Today, Michael is a licensed aesthetician known for his work in acne and acne scar revision, helping clients rebuild both their skin and their confidence. He specializes in treatments such as chemical peels, microneedling, LED Light Therapy, Cryotherapy, Hydrafacial and customized facials. What stands out to me about Michael is that his approach is rooted in compassion. He understands the emotional side of acne, which makes his connection with clients feel authentic and deeply personal.

Barrier repair is a major focus in his philosophy. He speaks often about the importance of ingredients like beta glucan, ceramides and bisabolol to strengthen and support compromised skin, while still utilizing active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, AHAs and BHAs to target inflammation and breakouts effectively. His results speak for themselves, especially when it comes to smoothing acne scars, something that is incredibly difficult to treat successfully. Michael’s dedication to the industry has not gone unnoticed. He received the highly competitive Esthetician of the Year title at Skin Games 2026, an achievement that speaks volumes about both his skill and reputation among his peers. He also works closely with Face Reality and Bio Skin, two brands respected for their results-driven approach to acne management.

What I personally enjoy most about Michael is the way he connects with his audience online. He blends humor with education in a way that feels approachable and genuine. I also deeply respect his willingness to publicly acknowledge when his opinions have evolved over time. In my opinion, that type of honesty builds trust. It was such a pleasure to sit down with Michael for The Beauty Vault Podcast-now streaming. I have a feeling this conversation is going to resonate with a lot of people.

Now streaming on YouTube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts (or click photo to watch now)

Q + A with Michael Razzano

Acne is often treated very aggressively online right now. In your experience, what are the biggest mistakes people make when trying to clear their skin and why is barrier repair so important in the process?

With so many TikTok trends and influencers promoting products, I find people falling in the trap of trying what’s working or what’s popular when it might not actually be a great product or right for that persons skin. I also see so many clients coming in with so many active products and not much hydrators/anti-inflammatories and their skin is super sensitized or dehydrated. When the skin is in a fragile state, effective ingredients for acne will further compromise the skin and the
skin can’t fully take advantage of these more powerful ingredients. I also see people introducing these active ingredients too quickly/frequently in routines which can also cause sensitivity. You’ve had impressive success treating acne scars, which can be incredibly difficult to improve.

What treatments or combinations do you personally find most effective, and what do you wish people understood about the patience required during scar revision?

Scar revision can be even more stubborn than treating the inflammation and requires patience and consistency. Treatment options really depends on the clients lifestyle/budget. As an esthetician working under a plastic surgeon, I get to perform microneedling which is less invasive, a lower price point and requires more treatments. Clients looking for more budget friendly options, less downtime due to a busy lifestyle, and don’t mind coming in more frequently
will more likely choose this option. Patients with more budget flexibility that don’t mind having more downtime might be more interested in a more invasive treatment like CO2 laser that my boss, Dr. Spalla, performs. Less number of treatments for this procedure for desired results is also an incentive with CO2.

Because you personally struggled with acne, how has that changed the way you communicate with clients emotionally? Do you think going through it yourself made you a better aesthetician?

Absolutely. It gives me an opportunity to have more empathy and relatability in the treatment room, allowing me to better understand connect with my clients. I’m also better able to educate on the acne process/journey having gone through it myself.

You’ve built a strong social media presence by blending humor with education, which isn’t always easy in the aesthetics industry. Why do you think authenticity matters so much right now and how do you balance being entertaining while still delivering credible information?

Thank you! Something I learned very early on in my career and utilizing social media to my advantage is that the funny feels and posts get traffic, but it was hard converting that traffic into followers. It definitely took sometime getting comfortable on camera but I realized I needed to post more valuable content to convert these views and that’s when I got really serious about educating and found a love for sharing my knowledge. I’ve loved building a platform that marries
humor and education because that’s how I like to learn and engage myself, and I like that I am that source for other people. Authenticity is important in not only building a relationship with youraudience but with clients and potential clients too. Showing up as your true, authentic self allows your audience to feel comfortable and almost feel like their building a relationship with you and that really makes your platform sustainable for your business in the long run.

One thing I respect about you is your willingness to publicly admit when your opinions have evolved over time. In an industry where trends move fast and misinformation spreads quickly, how important is humility and continued education for skincare professionals today?

Love that you brought this up! This industry is always changing, new technologies, formulas, studies coming out all the time and it’s really important to go with the changes and always beopen to learning and challenging yourself. My opinions are constantly changing, sometimes almost completely and I think having humility in an every changing industry earns respect and trust. I’ve realized that some providers are fearful of admitting when they may have misspoke or
have a different opinion that challenges something they’ve said in the past, but I personally feel like and in my experience that being able to own those moments and grow from them, publically, earns more trust in the long run.

Michael's Transformation Photos

Inside Michael’s Routine

Michael’s results-driven approach starts with intentional ingredients and professional grade products that support long term skin health. Here’s a look at the products he currently incorporates into his own skincare routine.

Face Reality

Ultra Gentle Cleanser
Use am/pm

Skinbetter Science
Lines Serum
Peptide-powered serum designed to soften the appearance of expression lines

Skinbetter Science
Even Tone Intensive
Targets the appearance of pigmentation and promotes a more even-looking complexion

Skinbetter Science
Clearing Serum
Treatment serum designed to support clearer-looking skin

Face Reality
Mandelic Serum
Gentle exfoliation for acne-prone skin and uneven pigmentation

Contact Michael Razzano on Instagram @michaelrazzanoskin or visit https://phillyplasticsurgery to shop his routine.

Michael Razzano

Aesthetician

Philly Plastic Surgery

Philadelphia, PA

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Michael Razzano: Turning Personal Struggle Into Purpose

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