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You’ve seen it on social media, read about it in magazines, and seen advertisements for products claiming to help you achieve it… we’re talking about one of 2021’s biggest skincare trends: Glass skin.
Korean beauty products and trends have taken the skincare industry by storm in recent years, which has led to the rising popularity of ‘glass skin.’ As opposed to a satin, matte finish, glass skin is all about embracing the dewy look to its fullest.
So what exactly is glass skin, and how do you achieve it? Keep reading to learn all about this buzzworthy skincare trend.
The term ‘glass skin’ is as simple as it sounds—making your skin appear as shiny and smooth as glass. This means skin that’s hydrated, poreless, even-toned, and luminous. Glass skin is almost transparent-looking, and gives off a youthful, lit-from-within glow. Think about it as the ‘dewy skin’ trend, but taken to the next level.
Glass skin originated in Korea, the mecca of all things skincare and creator of the famous 10-step skincare routine. It first became popular in the United States thanks to makeup artist Ellie Choi’s viral skincare routine—and since, bloggers, brands and skincare enthusiasts around the country have adopted the term.
Now, to answer one of the most commonly asked questions: “How do I achieve glass skin?”
There’s unfortunately not just one product that can provide you with the coveted glass skin look. Instead, glass skin requires caring for your skin from the inside out, which means following a great skincare routine.
It’s important to note that skincare is unique for everyone—the products that work for you might not suit someone else. However, there are universal steps that can be followed to keep your skin looking and feeling its best.
The key to achieving glass skin is keeping your skin hydrated and smooth. Follow along as we walk you through a 9-step glass skin routine.
One of the most essential steps of any skincare routine (whether it’s in the morning or at night) is cleansing. This is a critical first step, as it washes away dirt, grime, and makeup to create a clean canvas for the rest of your products to lay on top of.
To ensure your skin is fully cleansed, consider following the double cleanse method, which is another Korean skincare trend. Essentially, this uses two cleansers to give your skin a deep clean.
The first step of a double cleanse is to use an oil cleanser or a micellar water. This will help to break down makeup and any dirt or grease that has accumulated on your skin throughout the day or night. Once you’ve washed off this cleanser, it’s time to move to the next step.
While your skin may appear to be clean after your first cleanse, it’s vital to follow up with a second cleanser. This is what will really penetrate the skin and go beyond just the surface to provide a deep clean.
Depending on your skin type, you can opt for a hydrating cream cleanser or a gentle foam wash, which may be more ideal for oily or acne-prone skin.
There are thousands of different cleansers out there to choose from. Just be sure to use a product without any harsh ingredients like sulfates, as this can strip the skin of its natural moisture and cause irritation.
A smooth skin texture can’t be achieved without exfoliating. This step will slough away dead skin cells to prevent clogged pores and dullness.
When it comes to exfoliating, you have several options:
If you have dry or sensitive skin, a chemical exfoliator may be a better option because it doesn’t involve any scrubbing. Oily skin types, on the other hand, may benefit from physical exfoliation. It all comes down to your personal preference!
Toners serve a variety of different purposes, depending on the ingredients they include. If you’re looking to achieve the glass skin look, you’ll want to choose one that’s designed to hydrate the skin.
Natural toners, like the Rose Water Calming Face Toner by Herbal Dynamics Beauty, will help to soften and soothe the skin. Overall, toners are great to use after cleansing because their lightweight consistency allows them to easily absorb into the skin and prep it for the next product in your regimen.
Essences are often confused with toners, as they look and feel similar on the skin. Some brands even combine toners and essences into one product.
However, when applied separately, an essence will take your toner to the next level. Many of them contain hydrating ingredients that will help to get your skin glowing. Depending on the formula you choose, you can also find essences that help to accelerate cell turnover and smooth skin texture.
While toners are typically applied to a cotton pad and swept across the skin, essence can be applied to your hands and pressed directly into the skin to ensure full absorption.
Serums are one of the most effective products you can incorporate into your skincare routine. They contain a high concentration of active ingredients, and because of their thin texture, they absorb right into the skin.
As with any product, different serums are designed to provide different benefits. Some of the best ingredients you can use if you’re going for the glass skin look are hyaluronic acid and vitamin C.
Hyaluronic acid will help to hydrate the skin, giving it a plump, dewy look. It’s designed to be applied to damp skin and works to really lock in moisture. Vitamin C, on the other hand, is known for its ability to brighten the skin—giving it an overall radiant look.
These two ingredients can be applied together or separately. For example, you may decide to use a hyaluronic acid serum at night, and a vitamin C serum in the morning to ensure your skin reaps the benefits of both.
Once your serum has fully absorbed, it’s time to move on to eye cream.
Eye care is critical, yet is a forgotten step for many. The skin around your eyes is much more delicate than the skin on the rest of your face, so it’s important to use products specifically formulated for this area. Plus, the eyes are one of the first areas we start to notice signs of aging—so giving them extra attention is essential for maintaining a youthful appearance.
There are many different eye creams on the market to choose from, such as cooling, brightening, firming, or contouring creams. It all comes down to your specific goals. For example, if your main concern is aging, you may want to choose a firming or contouring product.
If you had to choose just one product from this entire list, you would want to choose moisturizer. Face moisturizers not only hydrate the skin, but they also provide a layer of protection from environmental factors.
For that dewy, glass skin look, you’ll want to choose a moisturizer that provides maximum hydration. Look for a product that protects the skin barrier and renews the skin with antioxidants. A face balm like Herbal Dynamics Beauty’s Precious Rose Concentrated Face Balm is perfect for drier areas of the face, to get the super hydrated dey glow.
Tip: When doing your skincare routine in the morning, you’ll want to ensure you use a moisturizer with SPF or layer on a separate sunscreen after this step to keep your skin protected from the sun.
For a finishing touch, pat a few drops of a facial oil into your skin. Not only will this help to nourish the skin and lock in moisture, but it will add a beautiful sheen—which is key if you want to achieve glass skin.
Squalane is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a lightweight oil to use. If you’re looking for something even more hydrating and dewy, consider argan oil or rosehip seed oil. Once you’ve completed this step, you’ll have a glow that’s out of this world!
Glass skin is all about taking good care of your complexion. In addition to following a regular skincare regimen, it’s important to give your skin some extra TLC from time to time.
While going to get a facial at the spa is always an option, you can also do at-home facials using treatment masks. To do so, apply a thin layer of a face mask, like Herbal Dynamics Beauty’s Diamond & Pearl Firming Mask, and allow the product to sit on the skin for 15 minutes before rinsing it off. Doing this 2-3 times per week will add an extra boost of nourishment to the skin.
Another option is to use an overnight mask like the Hyaluronic Acid & Oat Overnight Recovery Mask, which will hydrate and repair your skin as you sleep.
When all is said and done, the glass skin trend is really all about embracing healthy skin. Once you find a routine that works for you, stick to it. You’ll start to notice results in time!
