Meet Emilie Duke

Speaker 2 0:30

Hi, my name is Emilie Duke. I am a master esthetician, acne s- holistic acne specialist, and I am the founder of E Skin Forte Holistic Acne Clinic, which is located in Ashburn, Virginia.

Speaker 0:45

When you graduated high school... Sorry, this is, this is a personal question that I'm asking, not for- Mm. But when you graduated, was it, like, um, were you planning to do something different before or, or you kinda just dove into it?

Speaker 2 0:58

Um, no, actually. I don't know what I want.

Speaker 1:01

Okay.

Speaker 2 1:02

I have no idea- Yeah that. I don't even know that job fair was, you know, it says esthetician, and usually if you're, like, right after high school and you're- Mm it's hard for us to find a job right away. And when, you know, when when it says, "Oh, high school graduate," like, "Oh, okay."

Speaker 1:20

Yeah.

Speaker 2 1:21

I don't know what's that, but yeah, maybe I should try it." Yeah. And then they said esthetician, but I have no idea what esthetician means.

Speaker 1:28

Okay.

Speaker 2 1:28

Who knows? It's like a construction worker. I have no i- I have no idea. I just went ahead and jump on it, and then they explained what it is, you know, like, uh, skin care. You'll do facials and stuff like that, and I was like, "Oh, wow, okay. I like that." Yeah. You know, since m- my siblings were in the beauty industry anyway,

Speaker 1:48

oh,

Speaker 2 1:49

that's cool. And it just happens to be. Yeah.

Speaker 1:51

You've been in aesthetics for more than 20 years and originally began your career in the Philippines before moving to the United States. What was your journey into aesthetics, and what ultimately inspired you to create E Skin Forte?

Speaker 2 2:03

So I started right after high school. It's actually, It wasn't intended, like I wasn't intentionally looking for to become an aesthetician. It's just hap- I happened to land on that job. Uh, right after high school, um, I saw a job fair, and I, you know, I was one of those like, I like to, you know, jump on, like, opportunities. And so I, not knowing what exactly is the job, like aesthetician back then, I just- took it.

Speaker 2:38

Mm-hmm.

Speaker 2 2:39

And they explained to us, like, what was esthetician, like skincare and all of that, and I was very happy because, oh, like I'm gonna learn about skincare, and that's how it started. And ever since then, I fell in love with just the skincare itself, you know, like facials and all, learning about your skin, which is not a ve- a very common thing that, you know, um, back then, you know. It's, it's not as, as much right now. Yeah. And so that k- actually kind of led me to work in in Dubai as well, um, another, esthetician opportunity. And then I went back home to the Philippines again and, um- Okay, so and then I move here, and that's when I become another, again, a esthetician again

Speaker 3:29

yeah, that's awesome. I... How was Dubai? How was-- How did you feel, like the-- Did the aesthetics differ? Was it different from the Philippines than it was in Dubai, and then versus here in the United States?

Speaker 2 3:41

Oh, yeah, absolutely. Yeah. I think that's what's so fascinating about it. It's because you're, you know, like, you're learning different, beauty culture, you know, what's their beauty standard and what makes, like where, where it's just like very unique-

Speaker 3:56

Mm-hmm

Speaker 2 3:56

for, you know, every places or, you know, um, different

Skincare Across Philippines Dubai US

Speaker 2 4:00

kinds of people, you know, what their, interpretation of beauty and what, like, interpretation of uh, self-care and things like that, yeah.

Speaker 4:08

Yeah. That's interesting to be able to learn like different cultures through one-

Speaker 2 4:15

Yeah

Speaker 4:15

similar career.

Speaker 2 4:17

Right.

Speaker 4:17

Yeah. And then your own experience with acne played a role in shaping your career. How did having acne influence the way that you care for and connect with your clients?

Speaker 2 4:29

For me, acne is uh, has been very personal 'cause I have dealt with it, so I've experienced it firsthand along with my siblings. Actually, my mother, I remember her, I was very little. Uh, I remember her, uh, having pimples on her chin all the time. Uh, you know, I saw her, like, and my siblings, even my siblings, I saw them, like, icing their face back then. So in my thought "Oh, well, acne is kind of normal, right? So I'm gonna go through that

A Teen Acne Story That Stings

Speaker 2 5:00

phase myself." And so I wasn't, like, very I wasn't very surprised if I, you know... I kinda, I thought I was prepared for it, you know, 'cause it's expected. But actually when I was in high school, um, I had my very own I would say, really traumatizing experience- Mm um, during that time 'cause I was 14. I was 13, 14, and I was a bit of, like, a tomboy-ish. I hang out with a lot of boys, kids- you know, playing in the street and stuff like that. So, I didn't really care so much about, like, skincare for... Now I would say, like, they're on, like, middle school, right? And I remember having, you know, that's when my acne starts really going, it started to come really bad, and it wasn't bothering... So it, it's not really, it wasn't bothering me until there was this one instances where me and my, like, group of friends, we hang out on, like, I don't know, it's gonna be very different from, you know, like, from here, but we have, like, some kind of, like, Halloween thing where you go to, like, the cemetery and then- anyway. It's a funny story because- Okay I remember I was a, with a group of friends, and I remember someone was screaming my name, and someone say... No, not actually not my name. Someone was screaming something like, uh, "Puss face. Puss face."

Speaker 6:19

Oh, man.

Speaker 2 6:19

Like a puss.

Speaker 6:20

Yeah.

Speaker 2 6:20

And I didn't think it was me, right? Yeah. So I was, like, ignoring it. As we're getting closer to this group of people, she actually just started to, like, she, like, screamed my name. Mm. Like, "Emilie, puss face." And that right there and then is when things have obviously, like I don't know how to respond to it. Mm. I kind of, like, pretend it didn't hurt, you know? Yeah. 'Cause, like, obviously they're being kids. It wasn't right. But, ever since then, I remember coming home and I started washing my face. Yeah, but it, that scarred me. Like, I'm, like, 40-something now. Yeah. And that scarred me, like, and I, that just kinda, I think that was my very first experience, like, understanding the, the emotional toll it could take on someone's- confidence. Yeah.

Speaker 7:12

Yeah.

Speaker 2 7:13

And that's when I... I didn't think of it like, "Oh, I'm gonna be an acne specialist." No, n- none of that. I just know it hurts.

Speaker 7:20

Yeah.

Speaker 2 7:20

And but the first thing I did was obviously wash my face the next day. Mm-hmm. You know? I started to like, "I need to wash my face."

Speaker 7:29

Yeah. It's interesting how personal experience can help us care for people more- Mm-hmm 'cause we've been through it as well- Mm-hmm so we know what it feels like- Right and we're able to, you know, better help them through that personal experience. But yeah, a lot of people think of acne just as a cosmetic issue. Um, but it definitely can have some emotional impact. What do you think are some challenges that people with acne experience that other people might not understand?

Speaker 2 7:58

That's a good question. It's like an eye-opening, the emotional toll it could take. Yeah. Absolutely. We... I think I know people are just trying to be kind by just pointing things out, the obvious. Mm-hmm. But it's also very... If- sometimes it's better just to just, like... if you're not being asked for advice, you know what I'm saying? Unless

The Emotional Weight Of Acne

Speaker 2 8:22

that person, like, ask, I would not point things out right away.

Speaker 8:26

Mm-hmm.

Speaker 2 8:27

You know? And because sometimes, let me just say this. Sometimes it's... Again, it's different culture, you know? Um, some people become very comfortable just bringing things up. Mm-hmm. You know? When that person will have it, been struggling to kind of just regulate its, you know- Yeah its emotion to just make things, like, show up. You know? So, y- it's almost like every day is a struggle for them to is it gonna be a good skin day or is it gonna be a, bad skin day?

Speaker 8:57

Yeah.

Speaker 2 8:58

Just be more kinder, I guess, you know? And yeah.

Speaker 9:01

And it's interesting, uh, people have different perspectives. Like, one person might think, um, they're being helpful by, you know, pointing- Yeah something out and be like- Right "Oh, what are you gonna do about this? You have this." Right. Um, but it can be, it can affect the person on the receiving end of those comments, um, in a deep emotional way.

Speaker 2 9:17

Correct.

Speaker 9:18

What gap did you see in the skincare industry that inspired you to create eSkin Forte?

Speaker 2 9:23

So when I start working here, actually I just started as an esthetician. And the, the acne specialist just happens again because I became obsessed with like understanding acne itself. It actually kind of brought me back to, my days back then, my own personal experience because of this one instance, okay? I have this client she was

Why She Opened Her Own Clinic

Speaker 2 9:49

high school and, uh, she came to me actually her mom brought her. I actually thought she was a, um mute 'cause she doesn't talk. Oh. She's very, just she's very timid. Um, when she came to me, she, you know, she, her mom was looking to get her help because first off, sh- just hair removal and then, like, her skin, her acne. And, um, she's, you can tell that her confidence is, like, almost, like, nonexistent. Mm-hmm. She's very timid. And I don't know, for some reason it kinda like, it, it brings back that kind of feeling when I was on her issue. And, uh, she, her mom asked me to help her. And during that time already, like, starting to dig more about acne. I'm learning, like, the pathophysiology of acne, how it's happening, you know, and things like that. Um, she was actually the one that kind of inspired me to open up my own place, which is eSkin Forte. Mm-hmm. Um, I was working for someone and during that time, and they weren't, like, specializing with acne. They're more of um, like a skincare, uh, brand. Like they are more like what do you call this? Like, they're, they're more like, uh, skincare m- brand bias, I would say like- Mm-hmm 'cause they, that's the company. Um, so I, in order for me to help her, knowing what acne is, I have to actually, do my own approach. So I decided to open up my own place. I rented a very small room really just because I wanna help her out of my own expense. I, um, opened up my own room so just I could start working with her, and she was my very first acne client, um, that I've hel- helped. And that's when I, like my, you know, I start learning more about acne, like nutrition. I started getting all the certifications and all the continuing educations that I could get to, you know, like help help not just her, but you know, like acne clients and understand it more.

Speaker 12:00

Yeah. That's amazing how you were able to, you know, you went above and beyond for after seeing one- Yeah one client, right?

Speaker 2 12:08

Yeah.

Speaker 12:08

Over the years, what have you learned about the connection between clear skin and confidence?

Speaker 2 12:14

That clear skin and confidence, So let's just say if someone is being, you know, like What I have noticed with clients is they, uh, this is unfortunate, you know, because we all like look at like the social media and looking, seeing all the beauty standards, it's very, very unrealistic. Um, and up to this day, it's still happening to that, you

Confidence Through Skin Understanding

Speaker 2 12:44

know. And I always explain to them, you know, like, "You wanna do things for yourself, not for other people." I think more, mo- for the most part, like the confidence starts the moment they understand their own skin, you know? Not necessarily, It actually flip the narrative of like what is perfect skin, they're not even chasing that clear, like perfect clear skin anymore. They're just chase- they're just after like understanding their skin and what can I do to sustain that clear skin. Like for instance, they're okay now, you know, realizing, "Oh, I have a little bit of like marks in here." It's okay. We're all human, you know. Like that's actually what it's supposed to do. A bit of you know, like pore that are a, a bit visible, that's o- that's completely fine. A little bit of fine line here and there, it's just completely fine. And that kind of builds their confidence for the most part because again, they learn to accept their, you know, they learn to accept their own skin and they feel more confident, like wearing their own, we- wearing their own skin and they, you know, they tend to show up more. They no longer hide photos, you know, like, or social events, which is happens a lot.

Speaker 13:52

Mm-hmm.

Speaker 2 13:52

They try to avoid social events a lot because of that or like dating and things like that.

Speaker 13:58

Yeah.

Speaker 2 13:59

You know? Now they... It's, I just, I see that all the time- Yeah how it shift, yeah, confidence.

Speaker 14:05

It, yeah. It's amazing how you're able to walk with them through that journey to- Mm-hmm like educating them about acne and then helping them understand their skin even more. Um, and you mentioned that you worked with clients through major milestones in their lives from gaining confidence to dating to getting married and buying homes and starting families. What has it felt like to be a part of those journeys?

Speaker 2 14:32

That is, is such an amazing feeling because being part of someone's you know, milestone like that, it's not something that you'll find all the time, that just goes to show you that you have built such great relationship with that person, not just in the professional... Yes, it's professional, but you've also, imagine having someone, complete strangers that to develop relationship, you know, like a trusting relationship where they feel very comfortable sharing you all those details that they o- don't often share to everybody. Every time they come to the clinic, they would like, "Hey, let me tell you something what happened." We're all like- just celebrating things, you know, like, "Oh, guess what? I, I got a new job," or, "Guess what? I'm- we're buying a house. Guess, guess what? Like, you know, I'm pregnant." So i- it's amazing because, like I said, it just feels very, I don't know. Like, it's a different kind of fulfillment, you know? Mm-hmm. It, it feels I'm doing something that are far greater than just, you know, just skin itself.

Speaker 15:34

Yeah.

Speaker 2 15:35

It's like helping them build the person they are-

Speaker 15:38

Mm-hmm

Speaker 2 15:39

you know?

Speaker 15:39

I love that. And then you're also building that long-term relationship- Yeah as well. Yeah. And what changes are you seeing in the skincare industry when it comes to how acne and chronic skin conditions are being treated?

Speaker 2 15:55

That's another good question. Actually, I'm m- I'm more excited more than anything now because I think we are shifting now. I've been seeing a lot of, like, m- more in the medical field are actually starting to understand the the conventional approach

Nutrition Hormones And Acne Reality

Speaker 2 16:15

and the, you know, nutrition and all of that can actually... I- it's better if we are, like, utilizing them both together and, you know. Now they're... I can see that they are looking into, Now they're, they're looking into, like, the, um, importance of diet, which is I'm afraid to say that back then it, it wasn't. Like, it's often, like, brushed off. Um, now they're understanding or they're realizing like, yeah, the diet actually is contributing to that because obviously if your, you know, diet is full of just like, you know, highly inflammatory food, then it will manifest itself through skin, and that's just the nature of it, you know, 'cause our skin is obviously, uh, right?

Speaker 17:00

Yeah.

Speaker 2 17:00

It's the, it's the, the largest organ, you know. Yeah.

Speaker 17:03

It

Speaker 2 17:03

will show up.

Speaker 17:04

That's so interesting how what happens inside our body can reflect, like, on the outside of our- Yeah like where our skin is. Yes. Um, yeah Yeah. So kind of tying into that, um, you mentioned that nutrition and other internal factors can play a role in skin health. What are some misconceptions that you've heard that people have about what causes acne?

Speaker 2 17:31

There's a lot. Yeah. Um, it's actually 'cause acne is a multifactorial. Uh, there are so many variables. There are so many factors that, you know, but not, it's not always going to be just one. And I think the most common one is, uh, the misconception is dirty skin, you know? Mm-hmm. I think that's the most common one. Or you're not washing your face enough or, you know, like, or you're not doing this, or you're eating pizza, which is ki- kind of, but that's not just one thing, and I think those are, uh, a few things that are, you know-

Speaker 18:10

Yes

Speaker 2 18:10

a very, very, very common thing-

Speaker 18:12

Mm-hmm

Speaker 2 18:13

that's causing acne. But it's, it's multifactorial, you know. Like, it's gotta be the diet, the hormones, the gut health, the, you know, like, even the p- the products that we're using. Mm-hmm. It's, it's, it's a combination of, you know, different things.

Speaker 18:29

Yeah. It's so interesting because a lot of... I hear a lot of the times where people will say it's, it's one thing, but it can be a combination of all those things.

Speaker 2 18:37

Ab- absolutely. Yeah.

Speaker 18:39

Where do you see the future of skincare moving, and what role do you hope holistic approaches will play?

Speaker 2 18:48

As far as like where the skincare, um, industry is moving, I w- what I notice as well is people are becoming more and more educated when it comes to skincare ingredients you know, skincare professionals are, we are not quiet anymore neither. 'Cause we used to be just like, we're not like influencers, so we're like just

Online Trends That Wreck Skin

Speaker 2 19:09

let them you know, let the influencer do the influence thing. So but now we are realizing that we actually have to step up and like speak as well, like, and educate clients, people just like how we educate clients, so that way we can prevent those, you know, like mistakes or we can, we can, uh, people can prevent those like m- it can be costly mistakes if, if, you know, it c- could hurt their skin further, it won't help. It's just going to make it worse, just like I've seen so many times.

Speaker 19:41

Mm-hmm.

Speaker 2 19:42

Yeah. I've, I've had a few instances where a client will come to me and their skin is completely, you know, like it's really not in a good place, I should say. Because they they did something that they saw on the internet you know, and they tried it and they did it and obviously it, it was not a very good thing.

Speaker 20:05

Yeah. Uh, I think that w- that was, that was a good answer to my question. But yeah, I think that's why it's so important to, with so much information online, it's so important to go to a professional before you try, you know, the trends that you see online- Right and stuff like that.

Speaker 2 20:21

Yeah.

Speaker 20:22

Um, and then if someone has struggled with acne for years and they feel like they've tried everything, what would you want them to know before giving up?

Speaker 2 20:33

Don't give up. Really don't give up because you need someone who first off could explain to you or make you understand your own personal First off, your own, your own personal skin your personal acne, meaning the type of acne

Don't Quit Learn Your Triggers

Speaker 2 20:52

that you have. Acne is very confusing. If you don't know what you're looking, um, y- it, it can, you know, it can look so many things. It, it- 'cause it could mimic so many skin, skin issues. Um, and sometimes, um, you're treating it with the wrong, not just say products, but you're treating it the wrong approach could actually make things so much worse. But I would highly recommend, like, really looking for a professional look at your skin, and don't fully rely on skincare. Never just rely on skincare because you have to also look into 'Cause like I said, skin, skin, skincare is just one thing that could help. It's a tool, but it's not going to put off the fire, which is usually happens inside the bodies. It's gotta be approached from the inside out and outside in. It's not just 'Cause you hear that, like, term all the time, "Oh, you gotta fix the skin from the inside out." What about the skin from the outside in? It's gotta be, right- Yeah simultaneously hit on two, two different, right- Direction.

Speaker 22:01

Yeah. That's interesting. And then- I feel like it's a journey as well. So like-

Speaker 2 22:06

Yes

Speaker 22:07

their skin has its ups and downs, right?

Speaker 2 22:09

Correct, yep. Yeah. And I, I think with that as well, what's so beautiful about it, it's you actually l- get to learn your own skin. So when I say and this is what I think what I like about what I do like working with clients one-on-one, it's because it's not just I'm relaying the message. I'm actually l- l- teaching them what to look for, and then I'm not going to just tell you, "Hey, you gotta stop doing that. You gotta stop eating that." You know what I'm saying? That's not how it's gonna work. They need to understand first why.

Speaker 22:40

Mm-hmm.

Speaker 2 22:40

Why, why is it happening first, right? And then you explain to them why, and then you also have to make them observe their own skin. 'Cause y- you can't just be keeping an eye on them themselves, like on their skin. They need to understand how their skin is, you know, reacting to products or food, or if, you know, there, uh, there's certain lifestyle that triggers their, their skin. You want them to actually recognize those, 'cause i- if I'm gonna just put it all, you know, give them direction- then I'm just gonna be just like everybody else. You know what I'm saying?

Speaker 23:16

Mm-hmm.

Speaker 2 23:16

I want them to learn their skin, learn what are their triggers, and how to recognize them, test their skin, and then, just, yeah. It's, it's, I think that's how it should be.

Speaker 23:26

Yeah. No, I love that you're able to educate them and teach them to look for certain things so that they're learning as well.

Speaker 2 23:33

Yeah, you want it to be very sustainable, and I don't want them to be fully reliant on me forever.

Speaker 23:39

Yeah.

Speaker 2 23:39

I want them to be able to, like, "Okay, you're a big girl now." Yeah. You know, like, "You got this." You go. Yeah, 'cause when they have kids, it's something that they can pass on, you know? Yeah. Taking care of their kids, if they have siblings, you know, instead of just fully relying on... Plus, again, you know, it's empowerment. Yeah. You know, um, the knowledge of it, like you can read any or they can watch anything on the internet. If you know what you know, which is what I'm so grateful about the people I, I work with clients, because they know it already. They're like, "Ah, that's not true." They're like, "No, that's not what..."

Speaker 24:15

You

Speaker 2 24:16

know? Yeah. And

Speaker 24:16

they'll like- That's not what Emilie told me.

Speaker 2 24:17

Oh, yeah. And they even tell that to their like husband, "Did you know that?" They can debate.

Speaker 24:23

I love that. And then for those who would like to learn more about eSkin Forte, connect with you, or work with you, where can they find you?

Speaker 2 24:33

We are located in Ashburn but they can reach out to us, like anywhere. We're Instagram, Facebook, yeah. We're trying to be more active in social media. Like I said, it's because I believe it's really time for us to like be, you know, um, uh... reach out to more people

How To Find ESkin Forte

Speaker 2 24:55

rather than, you know, like ex- I guess, you know, be more visible.

Speaker 24:58

Mm-hmm.

Speaker 2 24:59

So we could help more people and not just,

Speaker 25:02

awesome. And then as we wrap up, is there anything you'd like to add that we haven't talked about today?

Speaker 2 25:08

I'd say like if they're struggling with, with acne, it's not that because they haven't, like it, it's not because they're a failure, it's just they need help like finding their own personal root cause and guidance to get them, you know. Like, and don't chase that perfect clear skin, you know? They don't exist, it's genetics. If someone never had it, like, you know. So Yeah.

Speaker 25:40

Awesome. Well, thank you so much, Emilie, for joining me on the podcast and sharing your knowledge, passion, and inspiring story with us. I wish you the very best in all that comes your way in the future.

Speaker 2 25:52

Thank you so much again for having me here.