"Glass skin" effect: what is it and how to have such skin?

"Glass skin" or transparent glowing skin, is a beauty term of Korean origin that describes extremely healthy, smooth and hydrated skin that looks as smooth and flawless as glass. It does not refer to a "makeup" effect, but rather a skincare result achieved through layering and deep hydration.

Key features of “glass skin”:

Intensely hydrated: Skin looks “plumped”, supple and “dewy”.

Clear and radiant: Skin glows from within, looking clean and radiant.

Smooth: Skin is very smooth, with no visible pores, resembling a polished surface.

Healthy, radiant: It is important to understand that this is not an oily sheen, but the glow of healthy, well-groomed skin.

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How to have “glass skin”?

First of all, “glass skin” is more than a beauty trend; it is the visible result of consistent habits and practices that a person applies every day. Achieving this look requires a holistic approach that combines a consistent skincare routine with healthy lifestyle habits.

We all have different skin types and needs, so there is no simple solution that fits everyone. The secret lies not only in a perfect makeup routine, but also in a consistent and effective skincare routine that promotes skin radiance from within.

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1. Make sure your skin is properly hydrated

The most important thing to achieve "glass skin" is to meet the basic needs of skin care. This includes double cleansing, using a facial moisturizer that is suitable for your skin type, and applying sunscreen daily. The idea is to create a skin care routine that keeps your skin well hydrated so that it looks smooth, soft, and plump.

When it comes to ingredients, look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramide, and squalane, all of which are good for all skin types.

Exfoliating your skin at least once or twice a week also helps maintain your skin's moisture levels. It removes dead skin cells and unclogs pores for smoother, softer skin. Exfoliants come in many forms, including cleansers, toners, clay masks, and more. AHAs (like glycolic acid and lactic acid) and BHAs (like salicylic acid) are the original chemical exfoliants that smooth skin texture and reduce excess oil. PHAs (like gluconolactone) and LHAs (like lipohydroxy acid) are newer options that gently exfoliate, making them better suited for dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin.

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2. Layer your skincare correctly

Remember: knowledge is your superpower. An easy way to remember the correct skincare routine is to start with the thinnest and work your way up to the thickest consistency. Double cleanse: Use an oil cleanser to remove makeup and SPF, followed by a water-based cleanser to remove deep-seated impurities. Exfoliation (1-3 times a week): Use a gentle chemical exfoliant like AHA (glycolic or lactic acid) or BHA (salicylic acid) to remove dead skin cells and smooth out skin texture without harsh exfoliation. Hydrating toner: Apply an alcohol-free hydrating toner to balance pH and prepare your skin for better absorption of products. For example: oil-based cleanser → water-based cleanser → toner → serum (optional unless you want to address specific skin concerns) → eye cream (essential, especially if you’re over 25) → moisturizer → sunscreen (morning only). At night, use a retinol or bakuchiol serum and replace sunscreen with an overnight mask. You can also keep all the benefits at the very last step by using a hydrogel mask.

But your skincare routine doesn’t end there! It’s equally important to know which formulas and textures work best for your skin type.

For dry skin: Rich and creamy formulas with humectants like hyaluronic acid, fillers like ceramides, and/or emollients like shea butter strengthen the skin’s barrier.

For cleansing: Dr. Althea Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Amino Acids

Serum: ANUA Niacin Serum

For moisturizing: Dermastir night refreshing face cream

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For oily and combination skin: Light and refreshing formulas, watery or gel-like textures, that moisturize without clogging pores.

For cleansing: Amill cleansing facial foam with grain and seed extracts

Serum: Coscell Pore-Cleansing Anti-Aging Serum

For moisturizing: A'PIEU Moisturizing Gel Cream

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For sensitive skin: Hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and fragrance-free formulas with soothing ingredients such as oatmeal, green tea, aloe vera and cicada.

For cleansing: Gold Energy Snail Synergy cleansing foam with gold and snail secretion

Serum: Arencia face serum with blueberry extract

For moisturizing: AXIS-Y Skin Smoothing Protective Face Cream

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For mature skin: Nourishing formulas with anti-aging ingredients such as PDRN, retinol, peptides and vitamin C to increase skin elasticity.

For cleansing: Arencia Rosehip & Rice Mochi Facial Cleanser

Serum: G9 SKIN brightening facial serum with milk protein extract

For moisturizing: Berrisom Moisturizing Anti-Wrinkle Facial Essence

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3. Review your lifestyle choices

Healthy skin doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Having the right skin care routine is a given, but you also need to review your overall lifestyle and daily habits. It’s worth thinking about and asking yourself a few questions. Am I drinking enough water? Am I getting enough sleep? Am I exercising regularly? Am I feeding my body the right foods? If you answered “yes” to all of these questions, then you’re already on the right track!

Hydration plays a huge role in skin health. Eight glasses of water a day not only supports overall body function, but it also increases skin moisture levels and elasticity. This helps flush toxins from the body, resulting in clearer, smoother skin.

A balanced diet rich in protein, fruits, and vegetables provides essential nutrients and antioxidants for optimal skin health. Regular exercise improves blood circulation and promotes cell renewal, which could explain that post-workout glow! Finally, getting plenty of quality sleep is crucial.