HOW TO GET THE “GLASS SKIN” LOOK EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT
More than half a decade ago, the Western world was introduced to the Korean beauty trend "glass skin". So, why is it so popular on TikTok and Instagram right now?
And I am not talking about the porcelain glass skin looks we saw during Maison Margiela’s Spring/Summer Haute Couture show back in January. The "glass skin" effect refers to a seven to 12-step skincare routine that leaves your skin entirely smooth and well-moisturized, with an overall translucent shine. It represents life and is one of the most desirable traits in Korea. The origins of glass skin may be traced back to the Korean beauty industry, which is recognized for producing creative and sophisticated skincare products. Korean women have always been recognized for their beautiful, youthful-looking skin, and the glass skin trend reflects their commitment to obtaining a perfect complexion. In the early 2000s, Korean beauty bloggers and influencers used the term "glass skin" to describe the perfect skin texture. It soon gained popularity and has moved to Western skincare culture.
Achieving the glass skin look emphasizes having a bright and moisturized complexion with a multi-step skincare regimen that involves mild exfoliation, hydration, and nutrition. This trend has also impacted the use of lightweight, water-based skincare products, such as essences and serums, to obtain a glass-like finish.
Hailey Bieber achieves the glass skin look using Medicube’s Age R Booster-H.
Today, the glass skin trend has extended beyond Korea and is a global phenomenon, with many beauty aficionados attempting to obtain the desired glass skin look. Celebrities from Hailey Bieber to Kylie Jenner are on top of the glass skin trend, utilizing K-Beauty devices and “glass skin sets.” In one of her TikToks videos, Hailey Bieber reveals the staple device she uses to get ready for photoshoots, the Medicube Age R Booster-H. This K-Beauty device uses electroporation to push your serums and essences into your skin, deep into the dermis. By using electrical pulses of energy, this allows your products to penetrate deeper into the skin, giving you that dewey, hydrating look in minutes.
From skincare products to cosmetic methods, Korean beauty and the glass skin trend continue to alter the beauty industry and inspire people to accept their inherent beauty. Jackie Park, Korean sculpting specialist and celebrity esthetician of Skin Worship, Beverly Hills, reveals how she uses exosomes on her client so they can achieve the glass skin look:
“I perform collagen induction with microchanneling. I love using Elevai Enfinity, a product filled with high exosomes. Exosomes are great during treatment because it helps regenerate the skin faster, gets rid of hyperpigmentation, old acne scars, and pigmentation. Exosomes are the locking key, signaling other cells to repair faster. It;s almost like the cells are mailing each other messages telling them to regenerate, restore, and heal. It’s a great non-invasive way to quickly get your skin looking luminous, bright, and even toned.”
If you are not looking to pay over $300 on a facial or on a device to get the glass skin look, there are cheaper ways of achieving this look at home.
Many Korean skincare brands are priced lower than you think. One popular Korean brand all over TikTok and Instagram that you might have seen is Peach and Lily with products ranging from $30 to $50. Yesstyle.com and Songofskin.com are great and credible sites to purchase affordable Korean skincare products that work efficiently. Brands such as Beauty of Joseon, Anua, and Centella are other great brands that sell serums, essences, toners, and everything you need in order to achieve the glass skin look.
So how can you achieve the glass skin look? I have created an easy 5 step routine to showcase how I get glass skin (in an affordable manner).
Instead of using the Medicube device, I prefer Nion’s Luxe Plus, a 2-in-1 facial cleansing device that has changed the game in my skincare routine. One side has medical-grade silicone that contains negative ions. Acting like tiny magnets, they draw out the skin’s dirt, oil, and makeup out of the skin, compared to using a rough towel on your face. The other side has a medical-grade steel plate that uses ultrasonic infusion to penetrate your serums deeper into your skin!
Combining kinetic skin cleansing and sion technology, the Luxe Plus:
Rejuvenates and restores dull skin
Stimulates blood circulation
Boosts microcirculation and cell metabolism
Drives skincare products deeper into the skin, for better performance
Step 1: Double-Cleansing
Double cleansing is key to achieving the glass skin look. Double cleansing is when you use an oil-based cleanser then a hydrating water-based cleanser right after. Jackie Park states that double cleansing is key because “it helps remove make-up, grime, and pollutants that could be tucked deep into the skin.”
The oil-based cleanser I have been a fan of is Living Libations Best-Skin-Ever in Summer Shimmer Tropical. This is a gentle cleanser that removes the dirt and impurities from my face. I add a couple droplets of this on my Luxe Plus and let the vibrations massage the product into my skin. After this, I use Skin Worship’s Cleansing Ritual, a super light, water-based cleanser. Using a water-based cleanser is essential because it removes the less obvious dirt on my face without dehydrating my face. Plus, it smells amazing.
Step 2: Exfoliating
Exfoliating is key to the glass skin effect because it removes the dead skin cells and unclogs pores. This is a step that doesn’t need to be done every day (I recommend at least two to three times a week). My favorite is Anua’s 77% Heartleaf Toner Pads.
Step 3: Toner
Toners are used to reset balance your skin’s pH which is needed for the next steps in this routine. I love using Epicuren’s Enzyme Protein Mist for this step because it’s a spray-on toner that keeps you feeling hydrated and refreshed as you go through your skincare.
Step 4: Serum
In my opinion, the serums are the best part of this routine. Like Jackie said, serums with exosomes and stem cells are great for speeding the regenerative process of your skin to give you that glowing complexion. Using the steel plate on the back of the Luxe Plus, I add Guru’s Cell Renewal Serum that is infused with human placenta and drag it all over my face. Stem cells and exosome serums are beneficial to the glass skin look because they repair the complexion of your skin and stimulate growth factors to boost collagen and elastin!
Step 5: Moisturize
After letting my serum set, I use Skin Worship’s Hydrating Ritual 2. This moisturizer has a weightless texture and provides great hydration, leaving the skin smooth, plump, and lighted, with no sticky or greasy residue.
I know that it can be difficult to find the right products for your skin, which is why I shared these specific products with you. Each of these products were made with organic ingredients for users who are looking for an easy skincare routine. I have been doing this exact skincare routine for the past 6 months and I can vouch that this is the easiest way for anyone to achieve glass skin. I can now say that I am ready to walk when I graduate this Spring, showing off my glass skin complexion on the jumbotrons at Angels Stadium.