Women Who Rock
This is something that I'm really excited about for the blog! I've met some super cool chicks over the years who are all brilliant in their chosen field and I want to share their awesomeness with you! So every few weeks I'll be sharing a quick interview to break down their beauty/style/food philosophies! Fun, right!? I'm starting this week with the ah-mazing Ann Duke, owner of Serenity Skincare in San Diego. I met Ann through a close friend who knew that I need a skintervention and I've had the pleasure of getting regular facials from her for almost a year. I have to say not only is she a genius, she’s one of the most loving and friendly people I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet.
What drew you to a career in skincare? I was in corporate America for 13 years as a consultant for Sales, Customer Service and Presentations Skills workshops. I found that I didn’t have control of my time or income. I wanted to have my own business and wanted to find something to do that I loved. I read “What Color is Your Parachute” and one of the things she recommended was to look at what you read for fun. I realized the stack of magazines next to my bed, were all about make-up and skincare not how to run a better training class, so I went back to school and never looked back. I worked for other people for about 7 years to learn the business then opened my own in 1998. Now, I see clients and am back to doing workshops for one of my product companies, teaching other estheticians our product line and treatments. I’ve come full circle!
How would you describe your personal skin care philosophy? Cleanse, correct and nourish. Every skin condition needs to incorporate these steps. Most people over moisturize and under cleanse. Use a clean, white washcloth each time you wash your face. This way you make sure all the make-up is removed.
What’s your best advice for ladies with acne? Besides coming to see you ;) Acne is a hereditary condition that is comprised of: 1. Skin cells that don’t want to slough off 2. Thick sticky oil 3. Inflammation 4. Hormones 5. Inability to fight off the p-acne bacteria
We can’t do much about hormones, but you can use products that exfoliate the skin, reduce inflammation, kill bacteria and break up the oil. Sometimes people over-treat acne, overstimulation creates more inflammation which can exacerbate the problem. So it’s important to balance clearing, drying products with hydrating (not clogging) soothing products to help heal skin. Ice is a great tool for underground, papules. Placing ice on the area for 5 minutes helps reduce the inflammation and lessens the size of the bump.
What is the biggest mistake women make when it comes to their skin? They don’t remove their make-up, they forget to reapply sunscreen, and they think sunscreen means they can stay in the sun all day with no repercussions.
If you could only use one product for the rest of your days, what would you choose? Rhonda Allison Daytime Defense, it’s an all-natural 30 UVA/UVB sun protector. 90% of aging comes from sun damage. This man was a truck driver and the right side of the picture is where he had sun exposure from the driver side of his window.
Anyone else thinking it's time to reapply sunscreen?? I, too, love the Rhonda Allison Daytime Defense. It's a great product that protects, but doesn't break out my skin! Make sure to check back Wednesday for an outfit post!