InMySkin: Skin-Care Influencer Cormac Finnegan Shares His Story

We have a passion for scouting out skin-care influencers on the ’gram. We’re drawn in by all of the lovely skin-care flatlays, extensive captions outlining important skin-care knowledge and zoomed-in shots of (perfect) skin imperfections. A recent quest for new profiles led us to @skintcare, an up-and-coming account on IG, started by a passionate skin-care lover named Cormac Finnegan. Ahead, we chat with him to learn more about why he started the page, where he discovered his passion for skin care and his daily and nightly skin-care routine.

Tell us a little bit about yourself (and your skin, of course)!

I’m Cormac and I'm 26 years old and from Ireland. I have a background in fashion design. I love being creative, but I also love sleeping, laughing and smiling. I have oily, acne-prone skin that gets easily dehydrated. For years, my skin and I have had a love/hate relationship, but thankfully we are more on the love side nowadays.  

When did you discover your passion for skin care?

From the day I started getting acne is when my interest in skin care began. Did I know what I was doing or how to take care of my skin properly at the age of 16? Not so much. But I sure did try! I used to wash and wash and wash my face thinking it was the best way to clear up my skin, and admittedly, I thought that tight feeling from overwashing was a good thing for your skin. But my real passion for skin care really developed when I was in my early 20s. I was getting so sick of the daily struggles of spots and overly producing oil. Recurring cysts around my nose were the bane of my existence and people asking me what was on my face was getting tiresome.

I only ever felt confident with my skin when it was covered up with heavy makeup — I didn't even care about how cakey and obvious it looked, just as long as it was covered. That's when I remember starting to develop my routine and sticking to it. Slowly but surely, I started seeing results.

When did you start your skin-care Instagram account? What was the purpose?

I started my Instagram page in October 2018. I had just graduated college and honestly, I needed a break from the stressful world that is fashion. But a part of me was missing being creative and I always wanted a space to learn and share my love for skin care. So @skintcare was born and is fulfilling my desire to learn and share while nurturing my creativity.

Can you share your daily and nightly skin-care routines?  

My skin-care routine is pretty simple. I think it is so important to listen to what you skin needs. I've definitely discovered that overwhelming my skin with excessive amounts of product can stress my skin out.

In the morning I either wake my skin up by washing it with lukewarm water or just go in with a mist. Then, I use a hydrating toner or serum, moisturizer, SPF and an eye cream. Some days, I will use all five products, other mornings I will only use SPF and eye cream. First, I go in with a cleansing balm and then I go in with a gentle cleanser. I try and work both of these products in for at least a minute. Then I use a chemical exfoliator twice a week, and the other days I use a hydrating toner. As for serum, I will choose one based on what my skin needs. Usually it’s a hydrating serum, a serum for redness or a serum that tackles congestion and sebum production. Finally, I’ll lock in everything in with an eye cream and moisturizer.

One skin-care ingredient you can't get enough of at the moment:

Niacinamide.

What's your biggest skin-care tip for readers?  

Speaking as someone with dehydrated skin, the biggest thing that’s helped my skin is only washing my face once a day. But in saying that, this tip isn't going to work for every skin type. So, my revised tip would be to know and listen to your skin. It’s so important to be aware of what your skin is telling you.

What's the one skin-care product you could never live without?  

SPF! Wearing SPF daily has evened out my complexion and has really helped with fading dark spots.

What's the last skin-care product you finished? Would you get it again?

Banila Co Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm. I've already repurchased it!

What's the most-asked question in your DMs?

“How do I get rid of acne?'' It’s always flattering when someone comes to you for advice like this. But everyone has different experiences with acne, and all I can ever do is recommend products that have worked for me and mention antibiotics that helped with clearing up my acne.

How has your relationship with your skin changed since the start of your skin-care journey?  

My skin went from being a part of me that I was ashamed of to a part of me that gives me confidence. My skin is nowhere near perfect but embracing my oily skin has helped hugely with me learning to love it.

What's your favorite thing about skin care?

My favorite thing about skin care is the self care that comes with it. Emptying my mind, turning on some music and applying my skin care is ten minutes of heaven.

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