“Glass skin” is a beauty trend that originated from South Korea and has gained global popularity. The term refers to skin that is so smooth, hydrated, and luminous that it resembles the flawless, translucent surface of glass. It’s not about makeup but focusing on skincare to achieve this glow from within.
Achieving glass skin requires a well-rounded skincare routine, patience, and consistency. In this guide, we’ll break down the essential steps and products needed to help you get that coveted dewy, glass-like skin.
Step 1: Double Cleansing
The foundation of any skincare routine starts with cleansing, but for glass skin, double cleansing is key. Double cleansing ensures your skin is free from impurities, excess oils, sunscreen, and makeup residue.
How to Do It:
- Step 1: Use an oil-based cleanser or cleansing balm. Oil-based cleansers effectively dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and sebum without stripping the skin. Massage it into dry skin to break down impurities, then rinse with warm water.
- Step 2: Follow with a gentle, water-based cleanser. This will remove any remaining residue and deep-clean your pores without drying out your skin.
Best Products for Double Cleansing:
- Oil Cleanser: DHC Deep Cleansing Oil or Banila Co Clean It Zero.
- Water-Based Cleanser: La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser or CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser.
Step 2: Exfoliation
Exfoliating is crucial for achieving smooth, glass-like skin. It helps remove dead skin cells, revealing a fresh, radiant complexion underneath. It also helps your skincare products penetrate better.
Types of Exfoliation:
- Chemical Exfoliation: Use AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) like glycolic or lactic acid or BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) like salicylic acid. These work to exfoliate the skin at a deeper level, promoting cell turnover without physical scrubbing.
- Physical Exfoliation: If you prefer a physical exfoliant, opt for gentle scrubs like rice powder exfoliants, but avoid harsh scrubs that can irritate the skin.
Exfoliate 2-3 times a week depending on your skin type.
Best Exfoliating Products:
- Chemical: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution or Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant.
- Physical: Tatcha The Rice Polish or Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant.
Step 3: Toning
A toner helps balance your skin’s pH, hydrate, and prepare it to absorb the next steps in your routine. For glass skin, hydrating toners are essential because they create the plump, hydrated base that is necessary for a dewy look.
How to Apply:
- Apply a few drops of toner onto your hands and gently pat it into your skin. Avoid using cotton pads as they may absorb too much product.
- For extra hydration, you can follow the “7-skin method,” which involves applying up to seven thin layers of toner.
Best Hydrating Toners:
- Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
- Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion
Step 4: Essence
Essences are lightweight, water-based products that contain active ingredients to hydrate, brighten, and improve skin texture. They are a staple in Korean skincare and essential for achieving glass skin.
How to Apply:
- After toning, pour a small amount of essence into your hands and gently pat it onto your face until absorbed. Focus on areas that need extra hydration or have uneven texture.
Best Essences for Glass Skin:
- Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
- Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence
Step 5: Serum
Serums deliver potent active ingredients deep into the skin to target specific concerns like dullness, fine lines, or hyperpigmentation. For glass skin, hydrating and brightening serums are ideal.
Key Ingredients to Look For:
- Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrates and plumps the skin.
- Niacinamide: Brightens and evens out skin tone.
- Vitamin C: Protects against free radicals and enhances radiance.
How to Apply:
- Use 2-3 drops of serum and pat it into your skin. Let it absorb fully before moving to the next step.
Best Serums for Glass Skin:
- Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic (for brightening)
Step 6: Moisturize
To achieve glass skin, hydration is non-negotiable. A lightweight yet deeply hydrating moisturizer will lock in all the moisture and create a supple, dewy look. Look for a moisturizer that’s non-greasy but nourishing.
How to Apply:
- Apply a small amount of moisturizer and gently massage it into your skin in upward motions.
- Focus on areas prone to dryness, such as your forehead, cheeks, and around the mouth.
Best Moisturizers for Glass Skin:
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
- Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb
- Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream
Step 7: Eye Cream
The delicate skin around your eyes needs special attention, especially if you’re prone to dryness, puffiness, or dark circles. A hydrating eye cream helps create a smooth, youthful appearance and prevents creasing around the eyes.
How to Apply:
- Gently dab a small amount of eye cream around the orbital bone using your ring finger.
Best Eye Creams:
- CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
- Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
Step 8: SPF
Sunscreen is the most important step in any skincare routine, especially for preventing sun damage and maintaining youthful, glowing skin. UV rays can break down collagen and cause dark spots, making sunscreen essential for achieving and maintaining glass skin.
How to Apply:
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day, even if it’s cloudy. Apply it as the final step in your morning routine.
Best Sunscreens for Glass Skin:
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk Sunscreen SPF 60
- EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
Step 9: Facial Oils (Optional)
For an extra layer of moisture and glow, you can add a lightweight facial oil. Oils help seal in hydration and give your skin a natural, radiant finish. Choose a non-comedogenic oil if you have oily or acne-prone skin.
How to Apply:
- Use 1-2 drops of oil and press it gently into your skin, focusing on the high points of your face like your cheekbones and forehead.
Best Facial Oils:
- Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil
- The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
Step 10: Sleeping Masks (For Night Routine)
At night, using a sleeping mask can give your skin an extra boost of hydration while you sleep. These masks work overnight to replenish moisture and ensure you wake up with plump, glowing skin.
Best Sleeping Masks:
- Laneige Water Sleeping Mask
- Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask
Extra Tips for Achieving Glass Skin:
- Hydrate from Within: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated from the inside.
- Use a Humidifier: A humidifier adds moisture to the air, which can prevent your skin from drying out, especially in cold or dry climates.
- Sheet Masks: Incorporate hydrating sheet masks into your routine 2-3 times a week for an added moisture boost.
Conclusion
Achieving glass skin requires dedication to a thorough and consistent skincare routine. The key to this glowing, flawless look lies in proper cleansing, intense hydration, and layering your products effectively. With the right approach and products, anyone can achieve that luminous, radiant glass-skin finish.
Patience and consistency are essential, but with time, you’ll notice a significant transformation in your skin’s texture, hydration, and overall glow.