Dr. Dustin Portela
Dustin Portela is your go-to dermatologist & doctor with content around skincare, healthy living, optimizing sleep, and fitness and exercise.
Gaining over two million followers on TikTok and other social media, Dustin Portela has become the go-to dermatologist on the internet for skincare. His straightforward approach and honesty has built trust in people of all ages to be a voice of reason in the internet age of outlandish skin hacks and shortcuts, misinformation, and countless products that promise to make us look younger, tighten our skin, erase our acne, etc.
Dustin Portela, DO, is a Board Certified Dermatologist and Dermatologic Surgeon. He is certified through the American Board of Dermatology, the largest national group of board certified dermatologists.
Dr. Portela’s professional memberships include the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for Mohs Surgery, and the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.
Dr. Dustin Portela
This is my patient James. I share his story with permission.
James has always been a hard-working and caring individual, devoted to his family and his community. As his doctor, I have witnessed his strength and resilience firsthand. Not only is James a melanoma survivor, but he has also faced unimaginable challenges in recent months. A few weeks ago, James experienced a heartbreaking loss when his son passed away after a long battle with cancer. The grief has been overwhelming for him and his wife, and just as they were trying to find their footing, tragedy struck again.
While still mourning, James was targeted by a scammer who managed to steal his entire retirement savings. This devastating financial blow has left James and his wife facing significant stress and uncertainty about their future. On top of this, they have had to replace their furnace and now need new brakes for their car—expenses that only add to their worries.
James has worked hard his entire life and deserves better than what has happened to him. My hope is to help restore his retirement savings and give him and his wife peace of mind as they continue to age and face any additional expenses that arise. I took an oath to help my patients, and while this isn't ordinary, it would be life changing for James and his family to receive support in this extremely difficult time. Please consider joining me in supporting James.
gofund.me/476cf6235
2 days ago | [YT] | 68
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Dr. Dustin Portela
Which winter skincare myth do you want me to debunk next?
6 days ago | [YT] | 5
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Dr. Dustin Portela
Which winter skin problem are you dealing with most?
1 week ago | [YT] | 5
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Dr. Dustin Portela
Clear skin doesn’t have to be expensive — let’s break down what really works.
Swipe 👉 to see the derm-approved drugstore products that actually make a difference for acne.
1 week ago | [YT] | 57
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Dr. Dustin Portela
🔥 Love your heating pad a little too much? Your skin might not!
Heating pads can feel amazing on sore muscles — but overusing them can actually damage your skin. Prolonged heat exposure can lead to erythema ab igne (also known as “toasted skin syndrome”), a mottled, brownish discoloration caused by repeated, low-level heat. 😬
Over time, it can make your skin thin, irritated, and even increase your risk for burns or infection.
If you use a heating pad often, here’s how to protect your skin:
🕒 Limit use to 15–20 minutes at a time
🌡️ Always use a cloth barrier between your skin and the pad
💧 Keep your skin moisturized afterward
Your muscles might love the heat, but your skin deserves some care, too! 💆♀️
Do you use heating pads often? 👇
1 month ago | [YT] | 6
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Dr. Dustin Portela
🧊 Do your hands and feet crack in the cold weather?
You’re not alone, when temps drop, the air gets drier and steals moisture right from your skin. That’s why your hands and feet can get rough, tight, or even start to split and crack. 😣
Here are a few quick fixes that actually help:
🧴 Apply a thick moisturizer or healing ointment right after washing
🧤 Wear gloves when you’re outside (or even while sleeping after moisturizing!)
🦶 Use a foot balm or urea cream to keep heels soft and prevent splits
💧 Don’t forget to stay hydrated — inside and out!
Cold weather doesn’t have to mean cracked skin. How do you keep your hands and feet healthy in the winter? 👇
1 month ago | [YT] | 15
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Dr. Dustin Portela
❄️ Eczema flare-ups in the winter? You’re not alone!
Cold weather, dry air, and indoor heating can all strip moisture from your skin,
making eczema symptoms worse this time of year. 🥶
A few simple tips that can really help:
🧴 Use a thicker moisturizer (think creams or ointments over lotions)
🚿 Keep showers short and lukewarm
👕 Wear soft, breathable fabrics
💧 Run a humidifier to add moisture back into the air
How do you manage your skin in the winter? Drop your favorite eczema-friendly products or tips below 👇
1 month ago | [YT] | 9
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Dr. Dustin Portela
How to Safely Remove Halloween Makeup (Without Wrecking Your Skin) 🧴
After the party’s over, resist the urge to scrub! Many costume makeups contain heavy pigments, waxes, or adhesives that can irritate your skin if removed too harshly.
Here’s how to do it right:
💧 Step 1: Start with an oil-based cleanser or makeup remover, it helps dissolve thick face paint and waterproof makeup.
🧼 Step 2: Follow with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser to remove any residue.
🧴 Step 3: Moisturize right away! Your skin barrier needs hydration after all that makeup and cleansing.
⚠️ Pro Tip:
Avoid using alcohol wipes or harsh scrubs, they can leave your skin red, dry, and irritated (aka, post-Halloween regret).
Keep your skin happy long after the costume comes off. 🕸️
1 month ago | [YT] | 9
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Dr. Dustin Portela
If you could cast one skincare spell… what would it fix? 🎃🧴
Fine lines? Breakouts? Dark circles? Maybe even dull, zombie-like skin? 👻
Here are a few “magic potions” I’d recommend for each:
🪄 For fine lines:
– Skinbetter AlphaRet Overnight Cream — powerful retinoid + AHA combo that helps smooth and firm.
– La Roche-Posay Pure Retinol Face Serum — gentle, dermatologist-tested option for sensitive skin.
🧛 For breakouts:
– CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum — great for post-acne marks and texture.
– PanOxyl Benzoyl Peroxide Wash — keeps those under-the-mask monsters away.
🦇 For dark circles:
– The Ordinary Caffeine + EGCG Solution — helps de-puff tired, vampire eyes.
– Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream — lightweight hydration that brightens and smooths.
💀 For dull, “zombie” skin:
– Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum — brightens and revives.
– Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser — gives that clean, fresh glow before you rise from the dead.
So… if you had one skincare spell to cast this Halloween, what would you fix first? Drop your answers (and favorite products) below 👇
1 month ago | [YT] | 7
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Dr. Dustin Portela
🎃 Before You Go Full Halloween Mode… Patch Test That Makeup! 👻
Not all costume makeup plays nice with your skin, especially if you’re acne-prone or sensitive. Here’s how to keep your Halloween look fun and not itchy:
🧴 Step-by-step patch test:
1. Apply a small amount of the makeup to a clean spot on your inner arm or behind your ear.
2. Leave it on for 24–48 hours.
3.Watch for redness, itching, or bumps — if you notice any, skip it!
💡Derm Tip:
Even “non-toxic” or “hypoallergenic” products can trigger irritation, especially when layered over heavy face paint or glitter.
Play it safe, patch test first, and keep your skin feeling good, not scary. 👻
2 months ago | [YT] | 15
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