Move over baby skin, there’s a new #skingoal in town. We’re talking about a complexion so smooth, so translucent, so clear that it looks like, well, a pane of glass. It’s called—you guessed it—glass skin and its calling card is a super smooth, ultra-glossy, reflective-like finish. How to make it happen in real life? You’ll need to continually (but gently) disintegrate dull, dead skin cells and keep skin hydrated to the max. Here’s how:
Step 1: Double Cleanse
You won’t achieve glass skin by haphazardly swiping a cleansing cloth over your face at the end of the day. For a truly poreless complexion, you’ve got to dissolve every trace of makeup, oil, sweat, dirt, and pollutants before calling it a night. Most regular cleansers won’t cut it either, especially if you’re dealing with long-wearing formulas or heavy-duty sunscreen.
To thoroughly cleanse without stripping, massage an oil-based cleanser like Yuri Pibu [which translates as “glass skin” in English] Grante Cleansing Oil on dry skin first. Rinse with lukewarm water (it breaks down residue better than cold), then do your second cleanse with a hydrating formula like Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser. To keep flakes at bay and pores clear, swap in an exfoliating cleanser like Dr. G Brightening Peeling Gel a few nights a week. When you’re done, let your face air dry—every drop of water on it means more moisture for your skin.
Step 2: Do the 7 Skin Method
The secret to getting glass skin at home is a hydrating toner—and lots of it. You’ll want to apply multiple layers—seven to be exact—to get a lit-from-within glow. It may seem fussy, but doesn’t actually take that long and ends up feeling more like a treatment than a chore—promise!
The how-to: While skin is still damp, use your fingers to press on a dime-sized amount of toner. We like Whamisa Organic Flowers Deep Rich Essence Toner; it’s packed with aloe vera and oat kernel extract, which help give skin that bouncy feel. Let it sit for a few seconds before repeating six more times. What you’ll see is noticeably plumped up skin—like your face just drank a tall glass of water. Really can’t be bothered with extra steps? Cheat hydration by applying a moisturizing sheet mask like this one from Whamisa at least twice a week.
Step 3: Apply an Essence
It’s no surprise that the glass skin routine requires a hydrating essence. After all, it’s the signature move of every Korean woman’s beauty ritual. Look for a glycerin and squalane-laced formula like Yuri Pibu Artichoke Power Essence: The former ingredient pulls water from the atmosphere into your skin, while the latter helps strengthen barrier function so it looks more even over time. Pat—don’t rub—it in to prevent tugging, which can stretch out the skin and cause wrinkles.
Step 4: Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
By now you know that glass skin can’t happen without major moisture. You may have a bounty of creams on your vanity, but what you need is something containing serious skin-plumping and moisture-trapping oils like the ones in Make P:rem Tension Cream. They lock in hydration, leaving normal, dry—even oily—skin smoother, softer, and slightly shiny in a really good way. Another good idea if you’re dry: A few spritzes of face mist on top for an instant boost of hydration. Our go-to: Whamisa Hydrating Double Layer Mist.
Step 5: Protect with SPF
You’ve made an investment in your skin, so don’t blow it on UV damage. During the day—rain or shine—use a broad-spectrum sunscreen to guard against fine lines, wrinkles, and brown spots. Our holy grail of SPF, Make P:rem Blue Ray Sun Gel, sinks right in and imparts that lit-from-within glow that glass skin requires. Plus, its lightweight texture makes it perfect to sport solo or under makeup.
Extra Credit
Want quicker results? A gentle water-based exfoliant like Blithe Patting Splash Mask Rejuvenating, applied two to three times a week in the shower, can further boost cell turnover and make way for a fresher, smoother complexion. Follow up with a supercharged face mask like the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask to seal in moisture while you catch up on Z’s.
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24 Comments
Hai can I have glass skin if my skin is oily
WOW! I love these products because I really care for my skin!!!!!!!
Hi,I am 60 years old ,can me too get the glass skin?I want to try some skincare routine for glowing and plump skin,which products would you suggest me and how to use them. Presently I have glowrecipe watermelon sleeping mask and cacay oil I am using alternate day .
When should I do this regime? Should I do it twice a day, or before bed?
I still have not received a respond from my email to you gwormser@roadrunner.com 310 2773281
I love the Korean 10 Step Program. My face looks and feels so much healthier and I enjoy taking the time to pamper/have some me time. It's made it easier to start a regime where I treat my whole body the way it deserves. I will follow your instructions using the products I already have. Using the toner multiple times sounds interesting.
Thanks so much Luci! Let us know what you think of the new multi-toner application method :)
I just wanted to say thank you for this article! It has been about 3 days since I do this routine, I have to say my skin already feels super smooth and it actually looks brighter.
We LOVE hearing this feedback, thanks for sharing!
Hi, what is the best product that i can use for pimples & pimple marks?
I have lots of pimples and spots if I use any product it affects my skin what shall I do???
I have lots of pimples and spots if I use any product it affects my skin what shall I do???
Thanks for asking! The Whamisa essence toner mentioned in this article is a best-seller for those with acne-prone skin. Also make sure to wear SPF every day as sun exposure can inflame breakouts. Check out our Cloudless Skin Routine on Glowrecipe.com!
Hello please give me some advice and tips on how I can help my daughter with her acne its just devastating her self esteem. TIA
Hi Gina! While our products are gentle, harsh-chemical free and in some instances organic and vegan, if your daughter is very young, we'd recommend checking the ingredients lists of any product with her doctor before having her use them. Email us for more personalized information - love@glowrecipe.com :)
Hi, Im using pixy exfoliating toner. Where should i add that on this steps? Thx
Hi Citra. Use this toner on clean skin, before your serum and moisturizer steps.
You exfoliate between the double cleanse and the moisturizering toner. Look up the Korean 10 Step Program. There are plenty of sites that cover it, but koreanmakeup.com spells it out rather nicely.
Hi! After you've washed and dried your face but before you moisturize. I use the same Pixie toner. The toner before moisturizing allows for your skin to really drink up the product o make sure to use lots of moisturizer.
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I'm using a dark spot treatment from Murad that is working well to lighten my hyper pigmentation. Where would I add that step in this glass skin regime?
Hi Rebekah! Layer your dark spot corrector on after essence. Give it a minute to sink in and then follow up with your moisturizer. Let us know how your glass skin journey goes!
If I'm using the Whamisa Flowers Toner would I use a more watery essence like AMOREPACIFIC Vintage before or after?
Hi RZ! Even if your essence seems watery, you'll still want to apply it after your toner, which actually helps prep the skin so it can readily absorb all the skin-benefiting goodness of said essence. When it doubt, follow the product layering rule of thumb and go from thinnest to thickest.