How To Get Glass Skin, According To Korean Skincare Experts
Korean beauty has been popular for almost a decade now—making “glass skin” a sought-after goal among skincare buffs. But if you’re not sure exactly how to get glass skin, you’re not alone. It’s simply “your skin at its healthiest,” says Peach & Lily founder Alicia Yoon, who coined the term. In other words, it’s when your skin is so balanced and hydrated that it has luminosity, clarity and smoothness that resembles glass.
Korean beauty has been popular for almost a decade now, making glass skin a shared goal among … [+]
The good news is that it’s much more attainable than it might sound. It’s really a matter of refining your skin texture and amping up your hydration, according to Savor Beauty founder Angela Jia Kim. “Moisture is key, even for those with oily or acne-prone skin—as it’s the Korean beauty philosophy that proper hydration helps balance oil production and prevent breakouts,” she says. Here, our experts share what you can do to get glass skin for yourself, as well as our top skincare picks for achieving this radiant look.
Best Skincare Products For Getting Glass Skin
- Oil Cleanser: Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm
- Foam Cleanser: Shani Darden Cleansing Serum
- Exfoliator: Banila Co Clean It Zero Brightening Peeling Gel
- Essence: Schwanen Garten Treatment Essence
- Face Serum: Peach & Lily Glass Skin Serum
- Moisturizer For Oily Skin: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
- Moisturizer For Dry Skin: Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich Face Cream
- Sunscreen: EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46
How To Get Glass Skin
Step 1: Begin With A Double Cleanse
While cleansing can seem like a basic step, it’s still one of the most important. For one, it allows anything you apply to your skin to better absorb. And secondly, it helps remove excess oil, grime and makeup from skin, all of which can keep you from getting radiant, glowing skin. And as straightforward as it might sound, there’s a right way to do it. “It’s key to cleanse skin properly—that means thoroughly without irritating skin,” says Yoon.
That’s where the concept of double cleansing comes in. A staple step in Korean beauty, it begins with an oil-based cleanser which can “most effectively remove oil-based impurities like makeup, SPF and excess sebum,” Yoon says. Once you’ve rinsed off your first cleanser, follow up with a water-based face wash.
Step 2: Prep Skin To Brighten And Smooth
To get the kind of gleam that resembles glass, getting rid of dead skin cells is key—and exfoliation makes that possible. A regular yet gentle routine “can help to remove dead skin cells, revealing a smoother, brighter complexion,” says Kim.
Then, prep and rehydrate your skin with a face essence. Popular in Asian cultures, these formulations are intended to dampen and nourish skin to help it better absorb products that follow (like how a damp sponge absorbs better than a dry one).
Step 3: Plump And Hydrate Skin With Nourishing Ingredients
Next, layer on a hydrating serum. “It’s important to keep skin extremely well hydrated, nourished, calm and supported with antioxidants, given external stressors we face daily,” says Yoon. You could use a formula infused with hyaluronic acid—the beloved humectant that helps draw in and retain water, thereby plumping and smoothing skin—or another packed with antioxidants, which brighten and protect skin.
Finally, it’s “key to seal in all of this with a moisturizer that’s right for your skin type,” says Yoon. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, she recommends looking for an oil-free moisturizer.
Step 4: Protect Skin From Potential Sun Damage
Sun exposure unleashes free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can break down collagen and elastin, contribute to dark spots and create cellular damage. So, if you’re in the market for glass skin, “it’s essential to protect skin with SPF and reapply adequately, rain or shine,” says Yoon.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
At Forbes Vetted, we’ve researched and written countless skincare stories, including articles about the best Korean skincare products.
- Contributor Deanna Pai has been covering beauty and wellness for over 13 years.
- This story was assigned and edited by deputy editor Jane Sung, who oversees the beauty & grooming section. She has over 15 years of lifestyle journalism experience and has tested hundreds of skincare formulas.
- We gathered key insight and guidance from two aestheticians who are also experts in Korean beauty. Angela Jia Kim is the founder of Savor Beauty, a holistic spa with locations in New York City, and Alicia Yoon is the founder of Korean skincare brand Peach & Lily.
What Is Glass Skin?
Glass skin describes skin that’s so smooth, hydrated and radiant that it resembles the gleaming, light-reflecting quality of glass. And it can apply to anyone, since it’s a matter of “achieving your healthiest skin,” says Yoon. “In the many years I’ve been giving facials, I have seen so many people transform their skin to achieve a luminous glow when it is deeply nourished, calm and hydrated.”
In fact, creating a glass skin routine can actually help in its holistic approach to healthy skin—rather than throwing various active ingredients at a skin concern and simply hoping for the best. “Incidentally, when skin is supported the right way, oftentimes the specific skin concern you’re noticing can improve,” says Yoon.
How Can I Get Glass Skin Naturally?
Not only will the right skincare products help you get glowing skin, but it’s possible to get glass skin naturally through the right lifestyle habits. “Proper hydration, quality sleep, a balanced diet and stress management can play significant roles in achieving glass skin,” says Kim. Healthy water intake can help keep skin hydrated from the inside out, while proper sleep gives it time to repair and renew itself.
Inflammation also plays a major role, since your complexion can reflect what’s happening inside your body. “Inflammation can kickstart various negative chain reactions for skin, making it more challenging to achieve your healthiest version,” says Yoon. To that end, consider your diet and make sure you’re eating water-dense, antioxidant-rich foods. Kim also recommends managing your stress, which can help keep cortisol levels in check. That can “reduce inflammation and prevent stress-related breakouts and dullness,” she says.