If you have been on beauty-tok recently, you’ve probably seen influencers and beauty gurus zooming in on their poreless cheeks and showing off their newest additions to the glass skin routine. Though there are many variations of how to create this look, we chatted with beauty experts—including dermatologists and makeup artists—about how to achieve glass skin with both skincare and makeup.From cleansing and exfoliating to using a primer and a setting spray, here's everything you need to know.
- Tiffany Libby, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and MOHS surgeon.
- Marnie Nussbaum, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.
- Eddie Duyos is a professional makeup artist.
- Carly Giglio is a professional makeup artist.
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What Is Glass Skin?
“Glass skin is a Korean beauty skincare trend that reflects skin that is smooth, clear, ‘glowy’ and appears pore-less,” says Tiffany Libby, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and MOHS surgeon. The skin is so flawless and reflective it looks like, well, glass.
Like its well-known siblings, dewy and bouncy skin, glass skin is uber-moisturized. In order to achieve this, Libby emphasizes the importance of nurturing your skin’s moisture barrier. “Many of the steps centered around achieving ‘glass skin’ are basically healthy skin habits. [These habit] work to increase skin cell turnover to improve [the] brightness and luminosity of skin and optimize the hydration of skin to minimize the appearance of lines,” she says.
How to Get Glass Skin With Skincare
If you are looking to optimize your skincare routine for dewy, glossy skin, follow the expert-recommended steps below.
1. Double Cleanse
Libby recommends starting with a cleansing oil. Then, follow with a hydrating face wash, likeGrown Alchemist Gentle Facial Cleanser, to wash away dirt, oil, and makeup. You want to make sure that you're working with a clean palette.
2. Chemically Exfoliate
Marnie Nussbaum, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, suggests following your cleanse with a toner or an exfoliating pad. This eats away at the bonds between skin cells and sloughs them off. YSE Your Favorite Ex Exfoliating Pads are packed with both glycolic acid and PHAs that lightly resurface without irritating the skin.
3. Refresh with a Toner
Using a toner after exfoliating helps to rebalance your skin's pH and remove any residue from the exfoliant. It can also help soothe any potential irritation from harsh exfoliants. Essentially, a toner prepares your skin to better absorb the next skincare products you'll use in your glass skin routine—like your essences, serums, and moisturizers—to improve their effectiveness.
If your skin needs a little bit extra—even after you've cleaned, exfoliated, and toned it—you can toss in a hydrating sheet mask, too. Unlike the rest of your daily glass skin routine, however, you should only use a sheet mask one to two times a week. (Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid.) When you take it off, pat your skin to absorb the product before moving on to the next step.
4. Treat with an Essence
Essences are sometimes confused with toners because they have a similar lightweight texture. However, essences are water-based and chock full of active ingredients that brighten and nourish the skin. Unlike toners, they tend to target specific concerns like dullness, fine lines, or uneven texture. An essence will deeply penetrate your skin, delivering its blend of potent ingredients and setting the stage for your serums and moisturizers to work even better.
5. Apply a Hydrating Serum
Both Nussbaum and Libby recommend applying a hydrating serum next. “Look for ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid,” says Nussbaum. Peach and Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum has both for plumping and brightening, as well as a peptide complex that helps smooth.
6. Seal with a Moisturizer
The next step is a good moisturizer. This will help seal in water, so your skin looks and feels bouncy for longer. Infused with Japanese purple rice and hyaluronic acid, Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream Plumping and Hydrating Moisturizer promotes radiance and boosts luminosity. Plus, the texture is so light and fluffy that application is a breeze.
7. Finish with an Oil Moisturizer
Applying an oil moisturizer after your cream moisturizer isn't a necessary step, but some beauty gurus choose to add this to their glass skin routine. The oil can help to further seal in the moisture from all of the previous products, especially in particularly dry areas of the skin. The oil essentially creates an added barrier that prevents water loss. It can also add an extra layer of radiance to enhance that dewy, luminous look.
8. Apply an SPF
Applying sunscreen is arguably the most important skincare step. An SPF 30 or higher protects your skin from harmful UV rays and “prevents skin damage, which can lead to dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles, and photoaging,” according to Libby. Look for an SPF that won't leave behind a white cast.
How to Get Glass Skin With Makeup
Skincare lays a base for this type of look, but if you want to make sure your glistening cheeks last all day long, we asked two professional makeup artists about how to create this look with makeup.
1. Prep with Skincare
Professional makeup artist Eddie Duyos emphasizes that, when creating this glass-skin look, prepping and setting are the most important steps. If you are short on time, try abbreviating the steps above before applying your makeup.
2. Use a Primer
Ace your base. Primer provides a smooth canvasand a tacky surface to which cosmetics can stick. Professional makeup artist Carly Giglio recommends applyingBareMinerals Prime Time Hydrate and Glow Primer in thin layers to avoid a cakey or crumbly appearance.
3. Lightly Layer Foundation on Top
To solidify your glow, apply a hydrating or glowy formula over top of your prepped skin. Duyos advises using cream or liquid formulas. “Intentional placement of shine and satin finishes are key,” he says. Giglio also adds to focus on the high points of the face.E.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter Glow Boostercan be worn on its own or mixed into your normal foundation for a glow finish.
For a skin-like finish, use your fingers or a damp sponge (we loveBeautyblender Original Beautyblender Makeup Sponge to apply your complexion products).
4. Finish with a Highlighter and Setting Spray
Highlighter is essential for a glistening glow. Apply to the top of your cheekbones and down your nose for a lifted look. Then, finish things off with a spritz of a setting spray. Duyos loves MAKE UP FOR EVER’s Mist & Fix 24HR Hydrating Setting Spray. “It will not only elongate the wear of your makeup, but will also increase hydration, giving your complexion a super healthy glow for the perfect glass skin effect,” he says.
