If you’re as skincare as obsessed as we are (and if you’re here, we can make a good guess that you are!), you’ll know that South Korean beauty is finally getting its moment in the Western world. The South Korean beauty market (or K-beauty for those in the know) is known for its advanced tech-driven products that have turned into a global market. Think powerhouse ingredients that clear your skin and give you that plump, dewy look. Seriously, where has this been all our lives??
Thanks to platforms like Instagram and TikTok, it has never been easier to dive into the wonderful world of South Korean skincare. One of its most iconic looks is glass skin. Don’t freak out, it’s not as crazy as it sounds! Let us explain...
What is glass skin?
Glass skin is basically just a fancy term for ultra clear and luminous skin; almost reflective - like glass! Picture the most flawless skin you can think of. That’s what we’re aiming for here! The trend is about cleansing and layering lightweight, hydrating skin care products to create a glowing, dewy appearance.
Jude Chao, a skincare blogger and K-beauty expert, is a master on the topic. “Glass skin is a term for exceptionally smooth, even-toned and lustrous skin that’s so flawless it has the appearance of glass.” She suggests that the secret is intensely moisturised skin to give a gorgeous “lit-from-within glow”.
Skincare brand founder and K-beauty pro Sarah Lee said, “Glass skin or ‘yuri pibu’ in Korean, refers to translucent skin that is clear, radiant, poreless, and smooth.” We don’t know about you, but that is all sounding exactly like what we want. Sign us up!
Now of course, not all of us are blessed with skin naturally like that but don’t despair, there are a few steps (and some saviour products) to get you to airbrushed skin (without the Facetune).
The 'glass skin' routine
You might have heard that achieving that luminous K-beauty look means setting aside hours for a 37 step routine. Come on, who has time for that? Luckily, you can reach glowing skin heaven by making a few small adjustments to your current routine. In a nutshell, the process involves layering hydrating and nourishing products. You’ll see how easy it can be…
Cleanse & exfoliate:
Clean your face with your favourite cleanser. Your best bet is one that isn’t overly stripping (that should be a basic rule always, but especially for hydrated, glowy skin). Check out all of our cleansers here to find the right one for your skin type.
Follow this up with one of our Gentle-Foliants to remove any dead skin cells. The physical and chemical exfoliating properties leave you with the perfect base, ready to absorb all of those yummy, nourishing ingredients.
Layer your serums
The next step is your serum (or serums if you’re feeling extra luxe). If you’re new to skincare our Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum is the best place to start. Perfect for all skin types, this is the ultimate skin hydrator and our secret weapon for glass skin.
If you need something a little more targeted but is still going to give you that oh, so flawless skin, we have a few options. For super sensitive skin, the Probiotic Skin Mylck plus Hydration repairs your skin barrier while keeping things nice and dewy - the dream!
Keep pigmentation at bay with our Pomegranate Brightening Serum. It enhances the skin's luminosity and clarity with that hydration we all know and love.
Another great all-rounder with some powerful anti-aging properties is the Hydrating and Nourishing Acai Duo. Fine lines are not on brand for glass skin so use this luxe serum to keep them at bay.
One of our favourite things about K-beauty is their love of layering serums, so no need to choose just one! Go hard or go home, we say.
Dab on your eye treatment
Brighten up the area around your eyes with our Eye Serum. Use a rice-sized amount to target dark circles with a unique blend of plankton extract, active ingredients, and peptides. Looking bright and super awake is what we’re going for here.
Then dab on the Eye Delight Reflection Eye Balm with the cooling tip to firm, hydrate, and reduce puffiness. You’ll be looking fresh as a daisy in no time!
Lock in that hydration
The beauty of moisturisers (no pun intended) is that they create a barrier that keeps all of that wonderful hydration locked in. Since the key to Korean glass skin is being plump and dewy, you want to keep all of the good stuff where it should be. A light gel moisturiser is best in this case.
Finish with sun protection
Fine lines and pigmentation, the main signs of sun damage, are the last things you want for flawless skin. Making sure you never leave the house without SPF is so. Damn. Important. Try something lightweight like our Skin Shield Natural Sunscreen, with skin boosting ingredients like carrot root oil and green tea extract.
How long does it take to achieve glass skin?
We’re sorry to break it to you, but achieving that glass skin glow isn’t an overnight process. It is a long-term commitment but trust us, it is so worth it! Becoming religious about your glass skin routine will keep you well and truly on track.
As with all things skin though, other factors play a part and work together to get you the skin of your dreams.
Your diet is a huuuge contributor to the state of your skin. Hey, we love chocolate and burgers as much as the next person (add some fries and we’d be more than happy), but eating foods high in salt and sugar can wreak havoc on your skin. A diet high in processed foods won’t help your cause (and will even lead to premature aging - hard pass) but there are heaps of foods that sure will! Foods high in fatty acids and leafy greens are your ticket to clear, glowy skin.
Getting a solid sleep and exercise routine down pat will also work wonders on brightening your skin. Your skin repairs itself while you sleep, so it only stands to reason that getting your full 8 hours reduces fine lines which along with feeling ready to face the day, is a major bonus.
Moving your body is the last piece of the puzzle. Exercise boosts blood flow to the face to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the skin. This promotes collagen production and keeps the cells fit and healthy - just like you!
Shop our Skin Treats range here for active ingredients to target skin concerns and achieve glass skin.
