“Glass skin” has been a buzzy term in our beauty vocabulary for quite some time now. The trend originated in Korea and describes skin that looks ultra-dewy and radiant (like glass). Over the last few years, countless K-beauty brands (like Peach & Lily and Glow Recipe) have launched products tailored to achieving glass skin. Not to mention, tons of step-by-step tutorials from creators continue to hit our feeds, showing exactly how to achieve the glossy look.
If you're intrigued by all the hype surrounding glass skin and want to get in on the complexion trend, we've got you covered. Here's what you need to know about glass skin—and how to achieve it—with advice from board-certified dermatologists.
What Is Glass Skin?
Dr. Li says glass skin is "largely even in color, smooth, shiny, and voluminous." Dr. Yadav echoes this description, adding that this trend refers to "skin that is so plump and radiant that it appears to look like glass."
It’s important to note, though, that glass skin isn’t about having “perfect” skin (you can achieve a glossy look even if you’re dealing with acne). Instead, this trend is about bringing your skin to its healthiest, most luminous state.
The quest for glass skin look isn’t just about using the right skincare products, either. Our experts say adhering to healthy lifestyle habits can also be helpful, like getting enough sleep, eating a nutritious diet, keeping your alcohol intake to a minimum, finding ways to minimize stress, and staying hydrated. “While topicals are important to achieving the glass skin look, your skin will still not be able to reflect as much light without proper hydration from the inside out,” Dr. Yadav adds.
How to Achieve Glass Skin
Double Cleanse Your Skin
A single cleanse may not remove all the dirt and grime on top and underneath your skin. That’s where double cleansing comes in—which is particularly helpful for those who wear oil-based makeup or sunscreen, according to Dr. Li.
“You should use an oil-based formula first to cut through makeup, sunscreen, and facial oil,” Dr. Yadav says. “Try concentrating your cleanser on the areas of your face prone to congested pores. Then, follow with a water-based cleanser to remove anything left behind. For those with drier skin, she recommends using a hydrating water-based cleanser since hydration is key to achieving glassy-looking skin. If you’re prone to acne, she suggests using a cleanser with salicylic acid, an ingredient known to reduce comedonal acne.
Incorporate Exfoliation
Exfoliating helps remove dull, dead skin—in turn, preventing clogged pores and smoothing uneven texture. “By removing [dead skin buildup] through exfoliation, you’re able to help the healthy skin below, which naturally reflects light, shine through,” Dr. Yadav says.
You have a few different options for exfoliating your skin. Dr. Yi recommends using a gentle cleanser with an active keratolytic, like salicylic acid, to give your skin a more even texture. He prefers this to an exfoliating serum because the cleanser gets rinsed off and is less likely to contribute to irritation.
Dr. Yadav recommends using a chemical exfoliant, such as a peel pad. “Chemical exfoliation using alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), and poly-hydroxy acids (PHAs) will help break the bonds securing the dead skin cells to the surface of the skin, sweeping them away and revealing that fresh, new skin,” she says.
Thinking of using a scrub that contains a physical exfoliant? You may want to reconsider. Both dermatologists we spoke to aren't advocates of these products, mainly because they can irritate or potentially even damage your skin.
Hydrate Your Skin
Hydrating your skin may be the most important step of all. “Dry skin just can’t reflect light the way that hydrated skin can,” Dr. Yadav says. “You want to use hydrating essences, [toners], and serums, possibly several layers of them if you’re prone to dry skin.”
Rather than simply rubbing these serums into your skin, she suggests using a pushing motion to press them in and help your skin absorb them. If you're using multiple products, let each one fully dry before adding another.
Wondering which hydrating ingredients to look for? “Products that contain ceramides and hyaluronic acid are great because they help to repair the skin barrier to create a smoother appearance and also give the skin a plumper, more voluminous appearance,” Dr. Li says.
Applying a non-comedogenic face oil to seal in moisture and hydration may also be beneficial. "Those looking for truly reflective skin may love the effect [a face oil provides]," Dr. Yadav says.
Wear Sun Protection
Wearing SPF daily is a must—even when it’s cloudy. “The ultraviolet radiation from the sun leads to skin discoloration, uneven tone, and reduced volume due to damaging the collagen in a process known as solar elastosis,” Dr. Li says.
“Healthy skin glows with ease, but it takes a lot of work to help sun-damaged skin look its best,” Dr. Yadav adds. “Using SPF as a protective measure is a no-brainer.” When it comes to sun protection, you have plenty of formats to choose from. You can use sunscreen lotions, sticks, oils, or mists. If you’re looking for a new one, we’ve rounded up the nine best sunscreens for the face here.
The Final Takeaway
Glass skin is in. The K-beauty trend has provided us with a roadmap to achieve glowing, glossy skin. Though the routine requires several steps and products (from double cleansing to layering hydrating products), the results are worth it. And following the helpful tips our dermatologists shared will give you your healthiest, happiest skin yet. As always, if you're unsure which products to use or how your skin might react, check in with a board-certified dermatologist before diving in.