How To Get Korean Glass Skin: Step-By-Step Routine

If you haven’t heard of at least one K-beauty trend by now, you’re probably living under a rock. With its unique ingredients, groundbreaking formulations and fun-to-use packaging, it wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that Korean skincare and beauty products are taking the world by storm and are definitely here to stay. Among the many beauty trends originated from South Korea, “glass skin” may just be the most alluring and enchanting trend to hop on. So stay with us as we tell you how to get Korean glass skin with a step-by-step routine.

To achieve Korean glass skin, you must use hydrating and moisturizing skincare products so that your skin packs a good amount of water and moisture. Look for moisturizing agents (humectants) in your skincare such as; hyaluronic acid, glycerin. It’s also important to use exfoliators as the surface of your skin must be extremely smooth without any bumps and must look clean. Let’s take a look at what glass skin is and the glass skin regimen step-by-step.

What Is Glass Skin?

There are various different ‘definitions’ all over the web and social media for this very hyped-up term. Overall it comes down to having skin that is so flawless, moist, smooth, poreless, dewy and somewhat transparent-looking that it has the appearance of glass. One might even describe it as ethereal. Is it easy to achieve? No. If we know one thing about Korean beauty trends, it’s that it won’t end in a few steps. Just take a look at their elaborate 10-step skincare regimen. It’s a long regimen but it’s definitely worthwhile if you stay consistent. 

Step-by-step Routine For Glass Skin

The main steps for this regimen is somewhat similar to the 10-step Korean skincare routine. As in, you start with double-cleansing and follower similar steps. However, what makes a crucial difference is the type of products you use in each step and which products to layer-on and use more. Let’s begin.

1. Always Double Cleanse

Not double cleansing is a crime in the K-beauty world. It doesn’t matter whether you didn’t use make-up; double-cleansing is a must to remove not just make-up but dirt and grease as well. A water-based cleanser alone is not capable of fully removing dirt and make-up that’s not water-soluble. This is why using an oil-based cleanser (such as a balm cleanser or a cleansing oil) first is a must to remove oil-soluble make-up and dirt before you finish this step with a water-based cleanser (such as a foam or a gel cleanser).

Here are some amazing K-beauty skincare products you can use for this step. (Click for more info on each product.)

Banila Co. – Clean it Zero Cleansing Balm (Award-winning Balm Cleanser)

Celimax – Derma Nature Fresh Blackhead Jojoba Cleansing Oil (Oil Cleanser)

COSRX – Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser (Water-based Gel Cleanser)

Some By Mi – Bye Bye Blackhead 30 Days Miracle Green Tea Tox Bubble Cleanser (Multi-purpose water-based Gel Cleanser that also works as a mask.)

2. Use An Exfoliator

When it comes to exfoliators, you can use a chemical exfoliator such as a toner or a physical exfoliator such as a peeling gel or a scrub. For this step, choose whichever kind of exfoliator that best suits your skin. If you have sensitive skin, it’s best to avoid using a scrub. A peeling gel is a gentler alternative to using a scrub and can be used 1-2 times a week or even 3-5 times a week depending on how well your skin handles it. On the other hand, using a toner daily is a must as it offers a chemical exfoliation to help remove dead skin cells and prevent your pores from getting clogged. K-beauty toners are formulated to not only exfoliate and maintain a good pH level, but also to offer hydration and various other benefits with their unique ingredients.

Try these products:

Some By Mi – AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner (This toner exfoliates, fights acne, whiteheads, blackheads, shrinks pores and also fights blemishes.)

TI’AM – My Signature Red Toner (A vitamin toner that brightens your skin while also exfoliating.)

SKINFOOD – Black Sugar Perfect Essential Scrub 2X (A scrub and a wash-off mask all-in-one. Contains twice the size of their original best selling product.)

CNP Laboratory – CNP Invisible Peeling Booster (Get a free sample of this product with every purchase through our website.)

3. Include An Essence

An essence is a concentrated formula that targets specific skin concerns. Facial essences originated from the Korean beauty industry and they come in various different consistencies. To achieve glass skin it’s best to opt for an essence that’s watery or gel-like, or somewhere in-between. With liquid essences, it can help your skin soak up all that goodness and leave you feeling plump. Choosing a liquidy essence with hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, glycerin and ceramides would be the best way to go about this. 

4. Use A Hydrating Ampoule Or A Serum

Just like the next step in the Korean 10-step skincare routine, the next step is using an ampoule or a serum. What’s the difference between the two? In comparison to serums, ampoules are more potent as they have a higher concentration of active ingredients targeted to treat specific concerns and can give your skin a much-needed boost. Try the Some By Mi – AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum which works to soothe and moisturize your skin while minimizing the appearance of pores. This serum is formulated with AHA to slough off dead skin cells, BHA to remove excess sebum and PHA to retain the skin’s moisture. 

5. Use A Sheet Mask With A Facial Roller

Another K-beauty trend we’ve all come to know and love is sheet masking. They’re face-shaped sheet fabrics that are soaked in liquid-goodness. The concentrated serums or essences used in sheet masks are packed with various beneficial ingredients. Why is this an important step? Simply because the sheet prevents the evaporation of the watery essence or serum, which allows more time for the ingredients to penetrate into the skin. Use a facial roller and a gua sha for an extra help in absorbing the contents of the sheet mask. Try the SKIN TREATS – Rose Quartz Roller & Gua Sha Set.

6. Use An Eye Cream

The under-eye area tends to be drier than the rest of the face, which is why it’s crucial to use an eye cream that’s formulated specifically for this delicate area. You can’t achieve glass skin if you have dry patches under your eyes. The great thing about Korean eye creams, just like almost all of their other products, is that they’re formulated with some amazing and unique ingredients you may have never even heard about before in western skincare. For this step we recommend you try out the COSRX – Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream which is formulated with snail secretion filtrate and peptide to restore elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines, as well as niacinamide to brighten dark circles. Its hydrating and fast-absorbing formula comes in a light texture that’s suitable for all ages. 

7. Use A Lightweight Moisturizer

Now it’s time to lock in all the layers of products you’ve used in the previous steps. Moisturizer is also important to lock in moisture and gain that radiant glow you’re going for. To achieve glass skin, it’s best to use a moisturizer that has a watery-gel-like texture which is lightweight. The great thing about a lot of Korean skincare creams and moisturizers are that a lot of them have a watery-gel-like texture that moisturizes your skin without making you feel greasy or sticky. Why is it important for your moisturizer to have a watery-gel texture? Because to achieve glass skin there must be a large amount of water and moisture under the surface of your skin, to give you that porcelain look. For this step we recommend you try out the Some By Mi – AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Cream which is a very lightweight cream that works as a moisturizer while also minimizing the appearance of pores. For your night-time skincare routine the award-winning Laneige – Water Sleeping Mask is a must try! 

8. Apply An Aqua Sun Gel

No matter which routine you are following and what type of look you’re going for, sunscreen can never be skipped during the day! Even if it’s cloudy outside, you must always wear sunscreen to prevent your skin from skin cancer, hyperpigmentation and premature aging. As you are going for glass skin in this routine, opt for an aqua sun gel. K-beauty is definitely at the top of the game when it comes to sunscreens with their lightweight formulations and amazing ingredients in their sunscreens. And did we mention? There’s a variety of different types of sunscreens you can choose from! To achieve glass skin, opt for an ‘Aqua’ sun gel. Aqua sunscreens are more hydrating and moisturizing in comparison to other types of sunscreens. There are several K-beauty aqua sun gels and sun creams in the market but we love the MISSHA – All Around Safe Block Aqua Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++ as it is formulated with ice plant, glacial water, antozone-rose and thanaka extracts to refresh, hydrate, moisturize and reduce blemishes on the skin. Also the lightweight non-sticky formulation feels amazing and very refreshing!

How To Achieve A Glass Skin Look With Makeup

Doing a ‘glass skin look’ with your makeup is a temporary option if you’re trying to get your skin to look absolutely flawless and ethereal for a special occasion. For a temporary faux version of the glass skin look, choose a watery primer and a dewy foundation instead of a matte foundation or a primer that mattifies your look. Also, instead of going for a full-coverage foundation, opt for a medium-coverage foundation that can help show your skin underneath and give you that transparent look that comes with having glass skin. Instead of using powdery blushes, bronzers and highlighters that may mattify your look, go for creamy ones which will definitely give you that extra radiant glow. Instead of a matte lip, go for a glossy lip and try to keep your makeup natural and subtle to help your dewy skin stand out more. Finish your look with a dewy setting spray that will make you glow all over. 

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