The Ultimate Guide to Glass Skin, According to Beauty Experts

If you've recently explored beauty-tok, you've likely come across influencers and beauty specialists showcasing their poreless skin, sharing their glass skin routines. While there are countless ways to achieve this look, we consulted beauty professionals—including dermatologists and makeup artists—on how to perfect glass skin using both skincare and makeup. From cleansing and exfoliating to applying primer and setting spray, here's everything you need to know.

What Exactly Is Glass Skin? 

Glass skin is a popular skincare trend from Korea that describes skin that appears flawless, smooth, and luminous with a poreless finish. Dermatologist Tiffany Libby, MD, explains that the skin’s radiance and clarity make it look almost like glass. Much like its dewy and bouncy counterparts, glass skin thrives on deep hydration.

To achieve glass skin, Libby emphasizes the importance of caring for the skin's moisture barrier. She explains that the steps involved in creating this effect are essentially good skincare practices. These include improving skin cell turnover, enhancing brightness and radiance, and ensuring the skin stays hydrated to reduce the appearance of fine lines.

How to Achieve Glass Skin Through Skincare

If you’re aiming for a luminous complexion, follow these expert-approved steps to enhance your skincare routine for a glossy finish.

Step 1: Double Cleanse

Libby recommends starting with a cleansing oil, followed by a hydrating face wash such as Grown Alchemist Gentle Facial Cleanser. This helps remove dirt, oil, and makeup, ensuring your skin is prepped with a clean canvas.

Step 2: Chemically Exfoliate

Dr. Marnie Nussbaum, a dermatologist, advises using a toner or exfoliating pads after cleansing. These products break down the bonds between skin cells, helping to slough them off. YSE Your Favorite Ex Exfoliating Pads feature both glycolic acid and PHAs, which gently resurface the skin without causing irritation.

Step 3: Refresh with a Toner

Applying a toner after exfoliation restores your skin's pH balance and removes any leftover exfoliant residue. It also helps calm any irritation from harsher exfoliants. This step primes your skin to absorb the next products—like essences, serums, and moisturizers—more effectively, boosting their impact.

Step 4: Treat With an Essence

Essences are often mistaken for toners due to their light, watery texture, but they are different. Packed with active ingredients, essences help brighten and nourish the skin. Unlike toners, which are more general, essences address specific issues like dullness, fine lines, and uneven texture. They deeply penetrate the skin, preparing it for serums and moisturizers, enhancing their effectiveness.

Step 5: Apply a Hydrating Serum

Both Nussbaum and Libby suggest applying a hydrating serum next. 'Look for ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid,' recommends Nussbaum. Peach and Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum contains both to plump and brighten, along with a peptide complex to smooth the skin.

Step 6: Seal With a Moisturizer

The next step is applying a good moisturizer to lock in hydration, keeping your skin feeling soft and bouncy for a longer time. Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream Plumping and Hydrating Moisturizer, enriched with Japanese purple rice and hyaluronic acid, enhances radiance and boosts luminosity. Its lightweight, fluffy texture makes it easy to apply.

Step 7: Finish With an Oil Moisturizer

While not a must-have step, some beauty enthusiasts add an oil moisturizer after their cream moisturizer to their glass skin routine. The oil helps further lock in moisture, particularly in dry areas. It creates an extra layer of protection, preventing water loss, and can provide a gorgeous radiance for that fresh, dewy glow.

Step 8: Apply an SPF

Sunscreen is arguably the most crucial step in skincare. Using an SPF 30 or higher shields your skin from harmful UV rays and 'prevents skin damage, which can lead to dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles, and photoaging,' as Libby explains. Be sure to choose an SPF that doesn’t leave a white residue behind.

How to Get Glass Skin With Makeup

While skincare forms the foundation for this look, we reached out to two professional makeup artists to share their tips on how to achieve and maintain glowing, glassy skin with makeup throughout the day.

Step 1: Prep with Skincare

Makeup artist Eddie Duyos stresses that preparation and setting are essential when creating a glass skin look. If you're pressed for time, you can streamline the skincare steps before applying makeup.

Step 2: Use a Primer

Perfect your base. Primer creates a smooth canvas and provides a tacky texture that helps makeup adhere better. Professional makeup artist Carly Giglio advises applying BareMinerals Prime Time Hydrate and Glow Primer in thin layers to prevent a cakey or crumbly finish.

Step 3: Lightly Layer Foundation

To enhance your glow, apply a hydrating or radiant foundation formula on top of your prepped skin. Duyos recommends using cream or liquid foundations, and emphasizes the importance of strategically placing shine and satin finishes. Giglio adds that focusing on the high points of the face can boost the effect. E.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter Glow Booster can be used alone or mixed with your regular foundation for a luminous finish. For a seamless, skin-like effect, use your fingers or a damp sponge.

Step 4: Finish With Highlighter and Setting Spray

Highlighter is key to achieving that glowing, dewy look. Apply it to the tops of your cheekbones and down the bridge of your nose for a lifted effect. To set everything in place, finish with a spritz of setting spray. Duyos recommends MAKE UP FOR EVER’s Mist & Fix 24HR Hydrating Setting Spray. 'It not only extends the wear of your makeup but also boosts hydration, giving your skin a radiant glow for the perfect glass skin look,' he explains.