If you spend your entire lunch break scrolling through Instagram to get your fix of the latest skincare trends like we do, you’re probably no stranger to ‘glass skin’. With out-of-this-world results, how to get glass skin naturally usually gets lost in translation that aliens might as well be teaching it to us. So, to make things simple, we’ve cracked the code with a glass skin skincare routine that delivers results in as little as a week.

What is Glass Skin?

So, what exactly is the meaning of glass skin? Think of the most beautiful, flawless, and luminous skin. Basically, it’s the skin of dreams that looks like glass – aka glass skin. The K-beauty trend was too good not to share with the rest of the world and quickly went viral on social media, staying on our radar ever since. 

How to get glass skin

Now, as you can imagine, glass-like skin isn’t just something you wake up to (at first anyway). A Korean glass skin routine must be strictly followed as if your life depends on it – it isn’t for the faint-hearted who’d rather skip their night-time skincare routine after a long day for some extra z’s. For those of you who have what it takes (and we believe that you do), follow our 8-step glass skin skincare routine for results anywhere between one and three weeks.

Step 1 – Double Cleanse

The first step in a glass skin routine is double-cleansing, because you wouldn’t want dirt marks on glass, right?

To start with a blank canvas, wash your face with an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser immediately afterwards. The oil-based cleanser will break down sunscreen, sebum, makeup – anything oily, allowing the water-based cleanser to do a deeper clean.

Try Circadia Vitamin Veil

Begin with Circadia Vitamin Veil, a soybean oil-based, non-foaming cleanser that gently dissolves oil-like substances and impurities whilst leaving behind a layer of antioxidants for ultimate protection, so you can maintain your glass skin look for longer.

Step 2 – Exfoliate (2-3 times a week)

You’ll be glad to hear you only have to exfoliate a few times a week, cutting down your Korean glass skin routine most days. But when you do, it’s after double cleansing and before toner.

Exfoliating removes dead skin cells from the surface of the skin to allow newer, healthier skin cells to reach the surface. It also makes a direct path for all the other glass skin skincare products to be absorbed by your pores and do their thing.

Try ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Polish

We heart this gentle exfoliating polish that makes us forget all the damage control we had to do after that apricot face scrub. Rich in vitamins A, C, and E, it uses magnesium crystals to gently buff away dead skin cells whilst evening out your skin tone.

Step 3 – Pore-minimising toner

To minimise the appearance of texture on the skin for the glass skin look, you’ll want to reduce the size of your pores as much as possible, and it isn’t the impossible task that everyone thinks that it is. The main reason behind large pores is blockages from the build-up of dirt and excess sebum, and toner removes what’s left after double-cleansing.

Try SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Toner - £32

One of our favourite glass skin products is this toner by SkinCeuticals as it’s lazy girl approved. With only a few swipes of toner-infused cotton pads, you can be well on your way to glassy skin with anti-ageing benefits. For skin prone to blemishes, it’s specially formulated with a low pH solution to keep the natural balance of the skin’s pH.

Step 4 - Hydrating Serum

Glass-like skin heavily relies on optimal hydration for that super healthy glow, so anywhere you can add some extra hydration, you should probably go ahead and do it. With potent formulas that pack a punch, a hydrating serum comes with serious moisture levels.

Try Glo Skin Beauty Daily Hydration - £54

Rich in hyaluronic acid (the hydrating hero you should worship if you don’t already), this glass skin serum reaches deep beneath the surface to hydrate the skin from the inside out. Skin will appear instantly plumper, softer, and smoother, which are key elements of the glass skin look.

5 - Eye cream

Smooth out and tackle your toughest fine lines and wrinkles around the eye area with an eye cream. Often forgotten about in a typical skincare routine, eye cream is essential in a glass skin skincare routine and we’re not budging on this one.

Try IMAGE Skincare Ageless Total Lift Eye Crème - £51

Get ready to pat on the luxury with one of our most lavish glass skin products by IMAGE Skincare. Featuring plant stem cells, vitamin C, and wrinkle-fighting peptides, the silky formula works fast to reduce imperfections, loose skin, and puffiness.

6 - Moisturizer

Next up in the Korean glass skin routine is a deeply hydrating moisturiser for smooth and supple skin that’ll better reflect the light. Remember, you want a glowy, not greasy complexion, so look for a formula that’s packed with moisture but feels lightweight on the skin.

Try SkinCeuticals Face Cream 50ML - £113.50

Leaving no grease with a formula that feels lighter than air, SkinCeuticals Face Cream will quickly absorb into the skin to replenish moisture and fight the signs of ageing with vitamin E, soy, silymarin, and green tea extract.

7. SPF

Healthy skin = skin that uses SPF. Without protection from the sun, you can kiss goodbye to everything you’ve done for the glass skin look up to this point. No matter the weather, layer on a load of SPF.

Try Heliocare 360 Gel Oil-Free 50ML - £31

Suitable for all skin types (especially acne-prone), this oil-free sunscreen smooths over imperfections with a subtle colour tint that’ll help you to achieve glassy skin. Plus, it’ll protect you from pollution and blue light from screens.

8. Cell regenerating night cream

The final, and one of our favourite glass skin steps, is a night cream that encourages cell turnover whilst you sleep – now you know why we like it so much.

Try Dermaceutic Turnover - £34

Double up on your beauty sleep with Dermaceutic Turnover that promotes healthy cell renewal with glycolic acid. Wake up feeling fresher than fresh as it removes dead skin cells, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, and evens out skin tone and texture.