Interview with scrub me's owner!
Five years ago I wrote I blog post called “Meet the Owner” so I could introduce myself to new faces. I thought now was the perfect time for another get-to-know-me blog! A couple of things sparked the idea for this interview-style blog post. In my 2016 article, I answered the question “Where do you see scrub me in 5 years?” I thought it would be really fun to revisit that question and a few others from that blog. I’ve also been reading Lauren Evarts Bosstick’s newest book “Get the F*ck out of the sun” and I love the series of skincare questions she chose to ask the gurus she interviewed. Her questions were so great I wanted to answer them myself. Hope you enjoy!
What was your journey to becoming an esthetician?
The realm of beauty has always been something I’ve been interested in. When I was younger I enjoyed reading books about makeup, skincare, and hair care. I also liked trying out fun DIY beauty treatments. In high school, I developed a passion for collecting makeup, makeup books, and I loved doing makeup for my friends.
As a teenager, I was already receiving facials to treat breakouts and I looked up to my esthetician. I chatted with her about attending makeup school after high school and she suggested I look into esthetics school so I could learn both about skin science and makeup techniques. With some research, I decided that I wanted to attend esthetics school at Aveda Institute in Chicago. That’s where it all began!
scrub me secret: esthetics school ended up being an amazing place for me to learn about the different options I had in the skin and makeup industry. at the end of my program skincare became my passion more than makeup.
How did scrub me™ start?
One of my favorite parts about becoming an esthetician was the skincare ingredient knowledge I would learn while at work and in training classes. I had a fondness for essential oils and was inspired to create a body scrub for myself using my ingredient knowledge. My skin, including the skin on my body, has always been sensitive, reactive, and easily damaged. I wanted to treat my sensitive skin, bumpy texture, red markings, and stretch marks. I created a sea salt-based body scrub with a blend of ingredients that I thought would treat my needs. I loved the scrub, and my peers did too!
In 2013, with the help of my family, I started my handmade body scrub and whipped shea butter company, scrub me™.
scrub me secret: while working at a spa as an esthetician I used my extra free time and money to make scrubs & shea butter as well as promote the products. I delivered sample products to local stores and got booth space at local shopping events. my family was such a help during this time! They definitely have done their fair share of labeling.
What is your favorite skincare product under $50? And your biggest splurge?
My favorite product under $50 is most definitely the nourishing serum facial oil for $24. I may be biased because I make the product but it really is the best facial oil I’ve ever used. I use it every day for oil cleansing and facial massage. The biggest thing I like to splurge on for skincare is serums. Antioxidant serums, peptide serums, and serums that stimulate cell turnover only work well and give results if they are exceptionally formulated. I feel like sometimes you need to spend a little to get a really effective serum. My favorites right now are AO Reverse Longitude serum and PCA Resvertrol serum.
What is the most practical advice you’ve received about skincare?
Know what’s in your skincare. Read your skincare labels, get to know ingredients in your products, and keep note of what your skin likes and doesn't like. At first, it seems overwhelming but over time, with more learning, you’ll be able to look at a skincare ingredients label and identify a lot of what’s on there. Google stuff if you need help! The main goal is to be able to look at the label and identify if there are ingredients that are harmful to your skin and also if there are ingredients to help you achieve your skincare goals.
scrub me secret: my blog post “Shop smarter for skincare” has great info and tips that will help you be able to better navigate your skincare ingredients labels.
What is some of the worst advice you’ve heard when it comes to taking care of your skin?
Some of the worst advice that I have actually heard repeated a few times in my life is that you need to change your products up every couple of years so they don’t stop having an effect. While I do agree that our skin is ever-changing and sometimes will need something different added to or taken away from the skincare routine, I don’t believe that after a few years of daily use a product stops having an effect. I have been using the same eye cream and vitamin C serum for well over 5 years and I am still receiving the same, amazing results.
What habit have you developed over the years that makes a difference in your skin?
I have quite a few rituals and habits that I do to help keep my skin pristine. I always talk about my love for sun care and skin protection so even though that is such an important habit I’ll pick something else to talk about today. I started incorporating tons of fruits, veggies (greens especially), and fresh juices into my diet in my early 20’s. The habit of eating colorful berries, veggies, and leafy greens every day is something that helps my skin glow from the inside out. I have a drinkable vitamin mix that I have daily as well, This is an important skin health habit.
scrub me secret: one of my recent blog posts lists superfoods, vitamins, and elixirs that I have found helpful for skin health. “6 superfoods, supplements, and drinks that improve your skin.” is one of my favorite posts.
What steps do you take for your daily skincare routine?
I am a morning person, so the AM is when I do the majority of my skincare. I cleanse with a gentle cleanser, sometimes I will use my foreo for exfoliation, saturate my face with rose water, apply eye cream, apply vitamin C serum, resveratrol serum, AO reverse longitude serum, and a hydrating SPF. I use an ILIA tinted SPF over all of that. I also use a cold facial roller most days when I get into work to make my face look youthful and contoured!
In the evening I’m usually exhausted so I oil cleanse away my tinted moisturizer, mascara, and lip gloss; then follow with CBD toner or rose water. On nights I’m feeling super lazy that is all that I do. Other evenings I follow up with my gentle cleanser, apply more facial oil and give myself a gua sha massage.
scrub me secret: this is a skincare routine that is actually kind of an unusual one and isn’t typical for what I suggest to my clients at home. I have a great suncare protection routine and the privilege of having led Light treatments, enzymes, facial peels, and more at my fingertips at all times. this gives me some leeway to have an out-of-the-box routine.
What would you say to your younger self about skincare?
Do not pick at, attack, or try to scrub away your pimples. I remember thinking that the more I used my little facial buffing sponge, the quicker my breakouts would go away. I was so wrong and was often left with painful scabs or areas that took a long time to heal. If I could send my 13-year-old self my blog post “Don’t pop that pimple - do this instead.” I totally would.
What is an unusual or somewhat weird practice you do to keep your skin youthful?
I have a friend that also does this so I’m not sure how entirely unusual it is; I do my best to not make expressive facial movements. I wear sunglasses, hats, or shield my eyes with my hands vs. squinting from the sunlight and I actively remind myself not to furrow my brow or raise it high up. I also make sure to not pucker my lips a ton so I don’t get fine lines around my mouth.
scrub me secret: looking down at our phones all the time can cause more sagging on the neck skin and create creases in the neck area. I do my best to hold my phone at eye level when I look at it or lay down and raise it above my head while I’m relaxing and scrolling.
What are your thoughts on facial plastic surgery or cosmetic procedures?
For myself, I like the idea of combating aging with facial massage, LED treatments, diet, and topical skincare. Preserving my skin and making it healthy is my main goal. I’m not always sold on things that are a “quick fix” to a problem, I find it’s much better to slowly work towards a goal. I have faith that with that plan I will always feel and look youthful enough.
For my clients, I always say do your research first but do what makes you feel your absolute best! My one suggestion always is to try facial massage, peptide serums, eye creams, and facials from an esthetician before you move on to cosmetic procedures like botox and filler. Those are my personal thoughts.
Where do you see scrub me in 5 years?
5 years ago when I answered this question I had a very clear idea of where I wanted scrub me to be as a company in 2021. It was 2016 at the time and I really wanted to open up a skincare space of my own where I could retail my products and service my esthetic clients. A little over a year later scrub me skin care studio opened! 5 years from now I see major growth for all facets of scrub me, the blog, the skin care studio, and the products. I expect there will be some additions to the scrub me team 5 years from now. I know for a fact I will be enjoying everything along the way because I really love what I do.
Want to read the throwback “Meet the Owner!” blog from 2016? Click here!