We have officially entered our Glowy Skin Era, where a healthy glow has become synonymous with youthful, vital, radiant skin.

 

One of the recent skincare trends leading the charge of the #GlowMovement is the ever-so-coveted “Glass Skin” look that has amassed over 6B views on TikTok. While it gives the appearance that someone has just dipped their face in a vat of oil, people are actually achieving this South Korean-inspired translucent, dewy appearance through a multi-step, meticulous skincare regimen that prioritizes cleansing and exfoliation as the primary tools for the ultimate glow.

 

Before you scream, “Multi-step routine?!” don’t worry, we’re going to go step-by-step, and from what we’ve learned, glass skin is actually not that inaccessible, regardless of your skin type.

 

So what exactly is glass skin?

 

The name “glass skin” is a really good name. The word “glass” evokes the exact look of the skin, which is so smooth and glowy that it is almost reflective. In some ways, glass skin is the opposite of traditional makeup that aims to conceal imperfections and cover up the skin’s natural beauty. Glass skin is all about enhancing the skin’s natural radiance, giving it a bright, flawless appearance from within.

 

But before diving into how to get that glass look, it’s important to break down the key characteristics of this Korean skincare trend.

 

What are the key characteristics of glass skin?

 

Transparency: The skin appears translucent with minimal visible pores and blemishes. (What an achievement!)

 

Smooth Texture: Glass skin feels incredibly smooth to the touch, devoid of roughness or unevenness.

 

Radiance: The skin has a radiant, dewy glow that seems to reflect light. There is a certain vibrancy to the skin that looks distinct.

 

Hydration: Glass skin is well-hydrated and moisturized, which is helpful in soothing skin and combating inflammaging.

 

If you haven’t seen glass skin in the flesh, you can certainly find some examples of it on TikTok. Glass skin tends to be so radiant that it almost looks like you’re walking around with a filter on—but in reality, you just have highly cleansed, treated, and glowing skin.

 

Double cleanse like it’s your job.

 

You’re probably already cleansing in your daily skincare routine because… obviously. But are you double cleansing? When prepping your skin for its glass skin potential, it’s mission-critical to leverage an oil-based cleanser followed by a gentle foaming cleanser in the hopes of removing any and all impurities. This level of cleansing creates a blank slate for the following steps to penetrate more deeply and work more effectively.

 

Even though the goal is to remove absolutely everything from the skin, we don’t want you to completely abandon your skin barrier and compromise healthy skin. Opt for a cleanser with hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, of fermented glycolipids like the ones found in our purifying whipped cleanser to maintain the skin's moisture balance.

 

Don’t miss a beat when it comes to exfoliation.

 

In some skincare regimens, exfoliation is more of a suggestion, or something you might incorporate only 1-2 times per week. If you’re looking to achieve glass skin, however, you will want to exfoliate regularly.

 

Exfoliation is crucial for achieving smooth and radiant skin because it sloughs off dead skin cells that can dull the complexion. Once you knock enough of the riffraff out of the way, your skin will start looking more and more translucent.

 

Getting that glass skin look usually requires using a chemical exfoliant like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). These exfoliants, alongside the need for double cleansing, help to deeply unclog your pores in order to reveal more vibrant, radiant skin. If you’re looking to achieve glass skin, you will likely want to up your exfoliation routine to at least 2-3 times per week. That way, you’ll ward off the dead skin cells that cause dullness.

 

All that cleansing means you should hydrate intensely.

 

Hydration is always key to effective skincare, but when you’re looking to achieve a glass skin look, you may want to up your focus on hydration. After double-cleansing and exfoliating, your skin can be quite thirsty and dry. Therefore, incorporating a hydrating toner into your routine can help to replenish lost moisture and further plump up your skin.

 

When it comes to choosing toners, you may want to look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide. Generally speaking, these ingredients help to improve the texture of your skin and ensure that all of the work you did during the cleansing phase doesn’t strip your skin of hydration.

 

Plump and brighten your skin with soothing serums.

 

At this point, you’re probably thinking, “Hasn’t my skin been through enough already?” But we’re not done with the skincare products yet. A part of keeping your skin protected and nourished throughout this transformative process is through a hydrating serum or face oil.

 

Using a lightweight serum / facial oil that contains potent antioxidants will assist the skin barrier in supporting the skin during exposure to free radicals (and therefore inflammaging).

 

Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, squalane, niacinamide, and peptides help to address skin concerns, brighten the complexion, minimize the look of pores, and improve your overall skin texture.

 

Our skin-strengthening serum is the perfect balance of hydration, repair, and antioxidant support with core ingredients like niacinamide, biomimetic tripeptide, upcycled date seed extract, and our favorite do-it-all polyphenol, naringenin (which has been clinically proven to outperform comparable actives in targeting the visible signs of inflammaging).

 

Lock in your moisture with an effective moisturizer.

 

Getting the glass skin look can take a toll on your skin barrier. Therefore, a reliable, effective moisturizer is highly important for keeping your skin soothed, especially in the face of everyday environmental stressors—and especially if you generally have dry skin to begin with. You’ll want to choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer that won’t clog pores (because, hey, you just spent a long time unclogging them).

 

When it comes to providing ample hydration and moisturization for your glass skin, you will want to opt for a moisturizer that directly targets dryness and uneven skin tone. (Remember, glass skin is all about achieving an even, uniform tone). Additionally, the moisturizer should be able to support skin elasticity by maintaining hydration and locking in all the effects of your toner.

 

Also, we think the absolute best moisturizer to build into your skincare routine is one that can go with you wherever you go. Whether you’re seeking glass skin or not, it’s important that you choose a product that you enjoy using(!)

 

DEINDE’s moisture-locking face stick is a one-size-fits-all moisturizer that can be used in your glass skin routine. Here are the key ingredients in the moisture locking-face stick that make it such a powerfully reliable moisturizer:

 

+ Naringenin: Naturally found in polyphenols like grapefruit, Naringenin helps target all the visible signs of inflammaging by strengthening skin and sustaining firmness and elasticity

 

+ Squalane: A lipid that binds moisture to the skin for a softer, smoother, lightweight feel.

 

+ Ceramide NP: An essential lipid for binding cells together, locking in moisture, and fortifying the skin barrier.

 

As you work on your glass skin look, keep an eye out for unusual dryness or dehydrated skin. With a moisturizer in your go-bag, you can always address everyday stressors on your skin and maintain your glass skin look.

 

Give your skin extra support with the right kind of mask.

 

Using masks 1-2x per week can be a really nice way to add an extra boost of moisture and nutrients to your skin. Look for masks infused with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and ceramides to replenish hydration levels and promote a plump, radiant complexion.

 

Some other options include clay masks that help to reduce inflammation of the skin by pulling out any impurities or toxins, and therefore cleansing and reducing the appearance of pores without over drying the skin.

 

We also love sheet masks for added hydration and an instant glow appeal. If you have the wherewithal, you can opt to make your own mask using ingredients found in your kitchen, like manuka honey, which has potent cleansing properties.

 

Sunscreen, seriously.

 

Have you ever seen a glass mirror reflect sunlight in the middle of July? It’s blinding.

 

When it comes to glass skin, sun protection is a non-negotiable. That’s because the cleansing / exfoliating routine leaves your skin bare and especially vulnerable to UV rays. Therefore, it’s critical that you apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day.

 

Sun protection is non-negotiable when it comes to skincare, especially if you're aiming for glass skin. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every morning, even on cloudy days, to shield your skin from harmful UV rays that can cause premature aging and damage. Don’t forget to reapply throughout the day!

 

Broad-spectrum sunscreens are the best protection for glass skin because they protect against both UVB and UVA rays. Protection against UVB rays means you’re protecting against the immediate damaging effects of a sunburn. When you’re addressing UVA rays, you are helping to prevent skin aging, wrinkles, and deep skin damage. Therefore, getting a broad-spectrum sunscreen (which addresses both UVB and UVA rays) is essential for addressing all the effects of the sun.

 

Treat your skin from within.

 

You are what you eat, and your skin is what you put in (we just made that up). In addition to a consistent skincare routine, adopting healthy lifestyle habits can also contribute to achieving glass skin from a more holistic POV.

 

Staying hydrated is, of course, essential—we always suggest drinking half your body weight in ounces per day, given that your skin is your body’s largest organ. Eating skin-nourishing foods like healthy fats (think: fish, avocado, and nuts) and antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables that are low in sugar and high in fiber will also help to support the microbiome as well as fight free radicals and oxidative stress from the inside out.

 

Aside from eating a well-rounded diet, getting enough high-quality sleep each night (7-8 hours) will give your skin the time it needs to fully repair and regenerate on a cellular level. Lack of sleep can lead to dullness, puffiness, and dark circles, detracting from your glass skin glow.

 

Let that glass skin shine.

 

Achieving glass skin is…well…quite an achievement! However, preserving that special glow requires consistent effort and care. Here are some tips for maintaining the Korean beauty glass skin look:

 

1. Stick to your routine. No matter what you’re hoping to achieve with your skincare, consistency is key. Stick to your daily skincare routine and avoid skipping steps, even on busy days.
2. Monitor your glass skin. The glass skin routine involves a lot of steps. Pay attention to how your skin reacts to each step and various products. If ever you feel like there are more risks than benefits, adjust your routine accordingly. If you notice any irritation or sensitivity, scale back on active ingredients and give your skin time to recover.
3. Protect your skin from environmental stressors. Everyone’s skin faces environmental stressors like pollution and UV rays. Maintaining a baseline skincare routine can help soothe your skin against inflammaging.

Even as you head out on your glass skin journey, it is critical to maintain four simple skincare regimens: everyday cleansing, treating with a serum, moisturizing, and protecting with SPF. DEINDE products do just that, allowing you the foundational skincare routine you need in order to embark on exciting, new skincare horizons—like glass skin!

 

Sources:

 

Double Cleansing Method Explained: Should You Try It? | Cleveland Clinic

 

Skin anti-aging strategies | PMC

 

Moisturizers - StatPearls | NCBI Bookshelf

How to safely exfoliate at home | American Academy of Dermatology.