How Lissy Kotter’s Lifelong Struggle With Acne Inspired Her Popular Brand, Lissy Skincare
After years of struggling with stubborn fungal acne and trying every possible solution to clear it, Lissy Kotter decided to take matters into her own hands.
First, she became a master esthetician. Then came her viral skincare brand, Lissy Skincare. She began the company with just one important product—the same Mandelic Serum that finally resolved her own acne woes—and the company has since grown in both popularity and scale, featuring four essential products that have worked together to help thousands of customers overcome their own acne struggles. The brand's focus is on items that are actually acne-safe, hydrating rather than stripping, to help customers everywhere feel confident in their own skin. In the interview below, Lissy shares her story.
Name: Alyssa Kotter
IG handle: @lissyskincare
Hometown: Richfield, Utah
1. Lissy is a licensed master esthetician who struggled with acne for most of her life.
"As soon as I learned what an esthetician was, I knew it was what I wanted to be. I chose to go into esthetics in the hope that I could learn how to clear up my own acne and help other people do the same."
-Lissy Kotter
(via Lissy Skincare)
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2. Her struggle with acne began in her early teens.
"From small flare-ups to inflamed acne covering my entire face. My skin was my biggest insecurity, and at times, I didn't even want to look at people because I felt they only saw my acne. I tried acne product after acne product, doctors' appointments, harsh topicals and all the skincare treatments you could think of. Nothing helped my skin long-term. Once I became an esthetician, the insecurities only grew because now it was my job to clear up acne, and the professional products that I would suggest to my clients did not help my own skin. I felt completely stuck."
-Lissy Kotter
3. She decided to name the brand after her lifelong nickname, "Lissy," because it was fun and unique.
"This skincare brand was so me! Right from the colors of the packaging to the formulas that finally cleared up my acne, it just felt right."
-Lissy Kotter
(via Lissy Skincare)
4. The brand's mission statement is: "We believe in supporting a healthy skin barrier while improving acne, fungal acne, hyperpigmentation, acne scarring and overall skin tone and texture."
"The difference between Lissy Skincare and other brands is that all of our products are acne- and fungal acne-safe, and we never want to over-dry or strip your skin. Most products that are labeled 'acne safe' are still full of fungal acne-triggering ingredients. Also, historically, acne products tend to dry the skin out. We want all of our customers to feel confident that they can use any of our products and have clearer and healthier skin."
-Lissy Kotter
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5. If she had to choose just one must-have skincare product, it would be the brand's Mandelic Serum.
"This product is so important to me because it is the product that started Lissy Skincare, and it is the product that fully cleared up my acne. It completely gave me back my confidence."
-Lissy Kotter
(via Lissy Skincare)
6. The best advice she ever received came from another successful esthetician who told her to invest in herself.
"Because of this advice, I have taken many courses and been in many business masterminds that have given me invaluable knowledge, connections and resources."
-Lissy Kotter
7. She says that trusting her gut and intuition has gotten her to where she is today.
"So many ideas have come to my head that seemed crazy and impossible, but as I trusted my gut, each of those ideas came to life in such an amazing way and each were a stepping stone to get me to my ultimate goal, which is Lissy Skincare."
-Lissy Kotter
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8. The most important skincare tip she can share is that acne does not define you or your beauty, as hard and as debilitating as it can be.
"When you are looking for a skincare routine for your acne prone skin, do not overdo it. The goal is not to dry out your skin. Healthy skin is always the goal!"
-Lissy Kotter
9. The most rewarding part of her work is seeing customers get amazing results with Lissy Skincare products.
"And having a huge boost of confidence!"
-Lissy Kotter
10. The one thing she wants people to know about her is that she's a 25-year-old mom of (almost) two, and that she gets to live her dream of being a mom and owning a successful skincare business thanks to the brand's incredible customers.
"I am so proud of our amazing community and all of the support Lissy Skincare has."
-Lissy Skincare
(via Lissy Skincare)
For more on the entrepreneurs who inspire us, click HERE to read our interview with 1987label founder, Jen DeAngelis.