Glass skin, characterized by a soft, youthful complexion, first debuted in South Korea. Since then, its global impact has dominated skincare conversations beyond K-Beauty and social media feeds. The glass skin trend rose in 2013 thanks to prominent Korean figures like Alicia Yoon and Sarah Lee.
It’s dewy, hydrated, and seemingly poreless, locking in moisture and radiance. More specifically, “glass” refers to the translucence of healthy skin.
Therefore, you must nourish your skin and body with the right ingredients for a glassy glow. You can research hyaluronic acid, peptides, and marigold extract benefits that are holy grail ingredients for moisturized skin. Fortunately, our Skin Health Experts have compiled a guide to help you treat, hydrate, and brighten your skin.
What Is Glass Skin
“Glass skin” entered the vernacular when makeup artist Elle Choi’s detailed skincare routine went viral. It’s chiefly defined by skin that is:
Clear
Dewy
Poreless
Smooth
Luminous
Sounds lovely. Fortunately, it’s easy to achieve in a few simple steps with our glass skin routine.
Step One: Double Cleansing
Glass skin requires a complete extraction of dirt, grease, and impurities to encourage a clean, refreshed complexion and prepare your skin for the products that will follow. To this end, double cleansing is part of the regime.
You can use the same cleanser for both rounds or an oil-based cleanser followed by a foaming cleaner, depending on your skin type’s needs (oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, or combination skin). Either way, you may want to wash your face with cold water and use a non-abrasive, gentle cleanser to prevent overwashing and irritation.
Gentle cleansers also detoxify your skin without stripping it of its natural oils, ultimately helping you achieve and maintain the deep hydration at the heart of the glass skin look.
Searching for a new face wash? Kate Somerville’s Goat Milk Moisturizing Cleanser is infused with nourishing ingredients to remove impurities while helping your skin seal in moisture, such as:
Manuka honey
Goat milk
Jojoba and avocado oils
Step Two: Exfoliate
Your skin is constantly at work, combatting free radicals and shedding dead skin cells to make way for healthy, new cells. In addition to supporting this natural process, exfoliating can also:
Increase circulation
Brighten your complexion
Improve skin texture
Help your skin absorb certain products
ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment is jam-packed with ingredients to renew your skin and soften your pores, including ultra-moisturizing aloe vera, honey, and vitamin E.
If your skin is prone to dryness and irritation, consider implementing this step only once or twice a week to ensure your skin stays hydrated and healthy.
Tone
Gone are the days of the highly astringent toners we used as teens to abolish acne. Today, many toners brim with nurturing ingredients that banish blackheads clear your pores, and clarify your complexion.
Apply the toner you choose delicately with a cotton round to keep your skin glossy and vibrant.
Serum Up
The juicy look that makes glass skin stand out from the crowd results from beautifully hydrated skin–and a moisturizing serum with potent, active ingredients.
This is where HydraKate Recharging Serum comes in. The rich but lightweight serum quenches your skin’s thirst and delivers a “plump” appearance with the inclusion of:
Blue-light activated algae
Hyaluronic acid
Peptides
Moisturize
Moisturizers such as our HydraKate Recharging Water Cream provide enduring hydration to targeted areas and naturally achieve a smoother texture. One of the hydrating ingredients of this moisturizer is calendula oil, which is found in marigolds. The marigold extract has been dated back centuries and is known to nourish the skin barrier and even improve skin texture.
Apply one to two pumps of the cream you’ve chosen and allow it to sink into your skin before moving on to the next step.
Protect
Sun damage is often at the root of skincare concerns, with some research suggesting that harmful rays are responsible for 80% of the signs of aging, such as:
Fine lines and wrinkles
Dark spots and uneven skin tone
Dry skin
Dull complexion
While we can’t undo the years we spent in the sun, we can diminish its evidence with products and treatments that protect and nourish our skin. UncompliKated SPF 50 Setting Spray offers maximum protection without leaving behind any sticky residue to curate a skin tone that glows in all the right ways.
Note: Consistency is vital in any skincare routine. To achieve glowing skin, repeat this six-step process daily.
How to Get Glass Skin: The Other Essentials
Glass skin isn’t just a matter of following the steps outlined here and using high-quality products. As your body’s largest organ, your skin reflects your overall well-being. With this in mind, you can incorporate whole-body health rituals into your routine to ensure your skin stays healthy and happy. This can include:
Reducing stress – Chronic stress can wreak havoc on your complexion, leading to inflammation, the development of fine lines and wrinkles, reduced elasticity, and hyperpigmentation. Curb stress with practices that promote inner strength and serenity, such as yoga and meditation.
Piling your plate with antioxidant-rich eats – Antioxidants help your skin combat the stressors it encounters, including air pollution and UVB radiation. Berries, colorful vegetables, and dark leafy greens can help support a radiant complexion.
Prioritizing sleep – Glass skin is well-rested, while poor sleep may impair the health and integrity of your complexion. Your skin performs most of its healing while you sleep; give it a chance to do so by persistently aiming for seven to nine hours of rest per night.