How to Achieve K-Beauty Inspired ‘Glass’ Skin
May 28 | 5 minute read
Words by The MECCA Memo
What is glass skin?
Put simply, it’s skin that’s so clear and smooth it looks like it was made from glass. And it's all thanks to a cushiony layer of water directly under the surface of the skin. Glass skin feels springy and plump, while looking juicy and dewy.
How do you get glass skin?
It’s more than just moisturiser. While makeup can work faux-glow wonders, real glass skin – that almost airbrushed sheen – is all about a consistent skincare routine, ensuring you cleanse properly, exfoliate correctly and include a combination of hydrators, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and sun protection.
Keep in mind; glass skin originated in Korea, where elaborate skincare routines every morning and every night are very common. Curious about what that looks like? A typical K-beauty skincare routine will generally include double cleansing (oil and foaming), exfoliator, toner, essence, serum (or face oil), moisturiser, sunscreen (day) or sleeping mask (night). Try doing that on your daily commute!
What are the best products and routines for glass skin?
And for those who maybe don’t have the resources or mental capacity (we get it), brands like Glow Recipe and Tatcha offer a range of products that deliver glass skin without a marathon routine. A few product swaps might be all you need! Our top tips: focus on layers of lightweight, hydrating products, never overdo it with actives or acids, and be consistent.
1. Prepare your skin for success
Thoroughly cleansing and exfoliating your skin will help ensure every product that follows is working to its full potential.
Add a light, hydrating cleanser to your morning routine to wash away any oil, sweat and last night’s product residue. In the evening, double cleansing (once with a balm or oil cleanser, then with a cream or gel) will remove all traces of product and debris. Ultimately, this means all the products you’re about to apply will be more effective.
You‘ll notice a real difference in your skin‘s clarity when adding an exfoliator to your routine once or twice a week. Our skin’s natural exfoliation process slows down as we age. Left untouched, those dead skin cells can build-up on the surface of the skin, dulling your shine and preventing your skincare from absorbing effectively. Regular exfoliation, whether it’s chemical or physical, will help keep your skin smooth, clear and glowing.
Product picks:
Eve Lom Cleanser
Tatcha The Deep Cleanse
Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel
2. Mask more regularly
Masking is key to achieving glass skin; these nurturing products have been specifically designed to hydrate and nourish with care. So if you save your masks for weekends or big events, think about incorporating them more frequently into your regimen. It doesn’t have to be every single day, but even just one extra mask session a week and you will reap all the glass skin rewards.
Whether you prefer a sheet or cream mask, look for one that incorporates ingredients that will complement your skin type or treat a particular skin concern, like hyaluronic acid for dry skin, niacinamide or vitamin C to brighten dull skin, or aloe vera, cica or panthenol if your skin is feeling sensitive.
Take it to the next level with the DIY version of one of our favourite professional treatments. Schedule regular at-home sessions with your LED mask, and your glow factor will be off the charts.
Product picks:
Go-To Transformazing
REOME Hydra Plasma Veil Mask 5 Pack
Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask
Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite™ FaceWare Pro
3. Look for a multitasking toner
Product picks:
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-Tight Toner
MECCA MAX CLEAN SWEEP Gentle Exfoliating & Brightening Toner
Cosmetics 27 Toner
Tatcha The Texture Tonic
4. Don’t skip the essence
Product picks:
rhode Glazing Milk Ceramide Facial Essence
Glow Recipe Cloudberry Essence Toner
Augustinus Bader The Essence
Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ The Essence
5. Always, always apply a serum
Product picks:
Sunday Riley C.E.O 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Fresh Day Serum
Emma Lewisham Skin Reset Serum
Omorovicza Daily Vitamin C
6. Load up on moisturiser
It’s good to experiment with textures, too, so you can cater your routine to your skin type or however your skin is feeling on any particular day or time of year. Lightweight lotions and gels are ideal for skin that’s oily or prone to congestion or all skin types in warmer weather, while thicker creams, balms and butters will coddle dry and dehydrated skin.
Product picks:
Facile Barely There Hyaluronic Acid Lightweight Moisturizer
MECCA COSMETICA Rich Cream
Mimétique Skin Restore Plumping Face Cream
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturising Cream
Want to get glowing now?
Waiting not-so-patiently for your glass skin routine to show results? (It'll happen, we promise.) Easy! A layer of luminous makeup is your express ticket to glow town. Discover the glow-getters to mimic a glass skin look here.
