Sharon McGlinchey of MV Skintherapy shares six skin truths for holistic, natural, and mindful skincare practices.
Sharon McGlinchey is one of Australia’s most sought-after celebrity facialists, yet she’s not a household name, at least not in the way the beauty industry usually promotes its stars. Her client list reads like a who’s who of Hollywood: Sienna Miller, Emma Watson, Harry Styles, and many others who trust her honest, ethical approach to skin health. Sharon is a pioneer in the green beauty movement, focused on sourcing the highest quality raw ingredients rather than flashy marketing campaigns. Her skincare line, MV Skintherapy, reflects this philosophy: products designed for real skin health, not passing beauty trends. Here, she shares six skin truths she wishes everyone knew, some might surprise you.
Truth #1: Less product is often better for your skin
The modern skincare landscape behaves like a blockbuster franchise: sequels upon sequels until no one remembers the original plot. Skin, especially sensitive skin, thrives on quiet, not chaos. Most skin health woes, from acne, eczema, and sensitivity, to hormonally influenced issues like PCOS or menopause, stem from an impaired skin barrier. Overburdening the skin with multiple products often fuels inflammation and disrupts the microbiome, rather than creating a happy, healthy complexion. “When clients come to me with a skin concern and I examine what they are using, I almost always reduce the load,” Sharon explains. “Keeping it simple and skin-centric is key. Using multi-functional products that perform many functions is not only a smarter choice for your skin, but also more sustainable and economical. Win, win, win.”
Truth #2: Do you really need an eye cream?
The beauty industry has done a brilliant job carving the face into micro-zones, each conveniently requiring its own $120 solution. The skin around the eyes is delicate, yes, but not magically disconnected from the rest of your face. Sharon recalls meeting an industry-leading formulating chemist almost three decades ago, who casually remarked, “An eye cream is like a cash cow: dilute the formula, pop it in a tiny, fancy jar, and slap a hefty price tag on it.” She left the meeting repulsed, not just by the deceit, but by the waste it created. In reality, a lighter touch with your favourite facial cream or oil, blended with a spritz of hydrating mist and gently applied around the orbital bone, gives the area exactly what it needs. The skin naturally pulls the product close without irritation, much like blotting paper absorbs oil.
Truth #3: Essential oils are not the enemy
In recent years, essential oils have been unfairly cast as villains, often incorrectly lumped together with synthetic fragrances, or misused in formulations. High-quality essential oils, however, are therapeutic and powerful, so much so that they are expensive and rarely suited for mass-market, profit-driven products. When used thoughtfully, they can soothe even the most sensitive skin and form part of a sensory ritual that calms the nervous system, showing benefits on the skin itself. Sharon says, “it is about harnessing nature’s potency to support both skin and wellbeing simultaneously.”