How to get Korean glass skin?

Korean cosmetics is perhaps best known for the term glass-skin, which means clear, translucent,  glowing and smooth skin with no visible pores. Of course, this ideal skin that Koreans strive for is not really literally achievable, but instead the aim is to have as healthy and glowing skin as possible. This is achieved with a good skin care routine and accentuated with make-up.

Glass skin routine

If you want to achieve glass-clear and glowing skin, the key word is layering. Various skin care products that moisturize, even out and brighten are layered in multiple light layers. Glass skin is not achieved overnight, but requires a long-term routine for at least 2-3 weeks before you can expect results, often even longer depending on individual's skin.

1. Double cleansing
2. Toner / toner pads
3. Essence
4. Serum(s) and/or ampoule(s)
5. Moisturizer and sunscreen
6. In addition, face masks and exfoliation as part of the weekly routine

Double cleansing is an important first step in your evening routine if you want to achieve glass skin. In double cleansing, makeup, sunscreen and dirt accumulated on the skin during the day are first cleaned from the face with an oil-based cleansing product. After this, the skin is cleansed with a water-based cleanser suitable for your skin type; with cleansing foam, milk, gel, whichever product suits your taste and skin needs. It is important that the cleansing products do not dry the skin (too much). In the mornings, you can either wash your skin with just water or with a water-based cleanser, if your skin particularly needs it.

Toner is added immediately after cleansing to bring the first dose of hydration and prepare the skin for the following products. If you have time, you can put a few toner pads on your face as a mini-mask; e.g. one per cheek and one on the forehead, and let them work for a few minutes. If you want to moisturize the skin even more effectively, you can add an essence after the toner. Essence is light, but slightly thicker in consistency than toner and contains more active ingredients than toner, but less than a serum or an ampoule.

In the so-called 7-skin method toner is layered on the skin more than once, and the moisturizing effect of the toner is enhanced thanks to the layering. It's not necessary to layer exactly seven layers on the skin, but the amount that seems suitable for your own needs.

Next product should be an ampoule or a serum or both. Serums, essences and ampoules all contain active ingredients in different amounts, and those ingredients are absorbed deep into the skin to work their magic. Active ingredients are used with skin's needs and concerns in mind. When aiming for glass skin, good ingredients are e.g. niacinamide (to even out the tone), Vitamin C (to brighten), hyaluronic acid (to bring hydration) and Centella (to calm and even out redness).

Moisturizer together with sunscreen complete the moisturizing skin care routine. Choose products that leave a dewy finish to create the impression of glass clear skin.

The skin should be exfoliated regularly to remove dead skin cells and thus make the skin brighter. The active ingredients of skin care products are also absorbed better when you exfoliate your skin once or twice a week. Read more about peeling.

Face masks whether washed off, left on overnight or as a disposable sheet mask, are an excellent addition to your skin care routine if your goal is to have smooth, glass-like skin. Masks can bring the little extra needed to your routine and you can achieve impressive results by adding some to your routine.

 

Glass skin products

Our selection includes a large number of different products, which you can use to build a glass skin routine that suits the needs of your own skin. Prefer skin tone-evening, brightening, moisturizing and plumping products. Also remember to take care of your own skin needs and concerns, for example impurities or oilyness in the pursuit of glass skin to get the results you want.

Toners and essences

• [Numbuzin] No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner
• [MediAnswer] Vita Collagen Glow Pad
• [Isntree] Hyaluronic Acid Toner
• [Skinfood] Yuja C Dark Spot Clear Essence

Serums and ampoules 

• [Anua] Peach 70% Niacin Serum 
• [SKIN1004] Centella Tone Brightening Capsule Ampoule
• [Beauty of Joseon] Glow Deep Serum : Rice + Alpha Arbutin
• [Purito] Deep Sea Droplet Serum 

Moisturizers and sunscreens

• [Beauty of Joseon] Dynasty Cream
• [House of HUR] Weightless Sun Fluid
• [Thank You Farmer] Sun Project Shimmer Sun Essence 

Peeling products and masks

• [Numbuzin] No.4 Pore Zero Peeled Egg Toner Pad
• [Some By Mi] Yuja Niacin Brightening Peeling Gel
• [Ariul] 7days Mask Lotus + N
• [Mary&May] Rose Hyaluronic Hydra Wash Off Mask Pack

 

Glass skin makeup and makeup products

The smoothness of the skin is accentuated with light BB, CC or foundation or alternatively with a tinted tone up sunscreen. In addition, you can emphasize the highest points of the face with a highlighter, as well as dab a little bit of face-refreshing liquid blush. Read more about creating glass skin makeup.