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- How To Get Glass Skin
How To Get Glass Skin: Tips, Tricks & The Ultimate Routine
By Franchesca Villar
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A skincare trend that doesn’t seem to be budging is glass skin. Described as ultra-dewy, luminous, and almost translucent-looking skin that seems to glow from within, ‘glass skin’ hails from Korea where a complexion almost luminous as glass is the gold standard. It’s not about quick fixes or piling on highlighter but long-term skin health, deep hydration, and the right routine to achieve a naturally radiant glow.
Achieving glass skin doesn’t happen overnight, sadly, but with the right products, consistency, and patience, you can start seeing real results. Here, we break down exactly how to get glass skin and what it takes to maintain it.
What Is Glass Skin?
For skin worthy of glass skin status, your complexion should be plump, hydrated, and free from rough texture or visible pores. Unlike some trends that focus on heavy makeup, it’s the skincare doing the hard work, so your skin looks fresh and radiant without layers of foundation.
This skincare philosophy comes straight from Korean beauty, where the focus has always been on prevention and nourishment rather than covering up skin concerns. Instead of reaching for a quick fix, the goal is to layer products and build a routine that keeps your skin hydrated, balanced, and glowing over time.
How Long Does It Take To Get Glass Skin?
The time it takes to achieve glass skin depends on a few factors, including your current skincare routine, skin type, and how consistent you are with your routine. If your skin is already well-hydrated and in good condition, you might start seeing a more noticeable glow within a few weeks. But if you’re dealing with dryness, breakouts, or uneven texture, it could take a couple of months to fully refine and smooth everything out.
What’s important is patience and consistency. The more you stick to a routine packed with hydrating and nourishing ingredients, the faster you’ll start seeing that smooth, glassy effect.
Our Picks To Help You Get Glass Skin
The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm
£7.51 £12.00 (38% off)This rich, oat-infused cleansing balm melts away makeup and impurities while soothing sensitive skin. Packed with oat kernel oil and colloidal oatmeal, it helps to nourish and support the skin barrier, leaving your complexion feeling soft and comfortable.
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
£12.99 £14.00 (8% off)This cult-favourite cleansing balm transforms from a solid to a silky oil, effortlessly dissolving makeup, SPF, and daily grime. Fragrance-free and non-greasy, it rinses away without residue, leaving skin feeling fresh, clean, and balanced. Suitable for all skin types, it’s the ultimate fuss-free way to remove even stubborn waterproof formulas.
Medik8 Press & Glow Tonic
£28.00 £32.00 (13% off)A hydrating and gentle exfoliating tonic that works to smooth and brighten without irritation. Featuring polyhydroxy acids (PHAs), it provides mild exfoliation while locking in moisture, making it ideal for daily use, even on sensitive skin.
Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Dark Spot Serum
£52.00A skincare hero for dull or uneven skin, this lightweight serum is powered by viniferine, a natural ingredient derived from grapevine sap that’s 62 times more effective than vitamin C at brightening. It helps to reduce the appearance of dark spots while evening out skin tone, leaving you with a luminous glassy glow.
Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre
£7.99 £13.99 (43% off)A French pharmacy staple, this multi-tasking cream hydrates, primes, and soothes in one go. Enriched with shea butter and aloe vera, it deeply nourishes without feeling greasy.
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotic
£14.50This lightweight yet hydrating sunscreen blends traditional Korean skincare with modern UV protection. Infused with rice extract and probiotics, it soothes and strengthens the skin barrier while providing SPF 50+ PA++++ protection.
Weleda Skin Food Nourishing Cleansing Balm
£10.36 £13.50 (24% off)A comforting balm-to-milk cleanser that melts away makeup and impurities while cocooning the skin in moisture. Enriched with organic sunflower oil and calendula extract, it nourishes and calms dry or sensitive skin, leaving it supple and refreshed.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
£64.00 £69.00 (8% off)An advanced retinal serum designed to supercharge your skin’s renewal process with minimal irritation. With stabilised retinaldehyde, it works 11 times faster than retinol to smooth fine lines, even out skin tone, and boost radiance.
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Serum Toner
£37.80 £39.00 (4% off)This nourishing toner-serum hybrid floods the skin with hydration while strengthening the moisture barrier. Packed with five types of ceramides, it deeply replenishes dry or compromised skin.
Laneige Water Sleeping Mask
£34.00An overnight moisture-replenishing mask that works while you sleep to restore hydration and radiance. Infused with hydro-ionised mineral water and squalane, it deeply nourishes and soothes, ensuring you wake up with bouncy skin.
The Ultimate Glass Skin Routine
Morning Routine
- Gentle Cleanser – Start the day with a hydrating or gel-based cleanser that refreshes the skin without stripping it.
- Hydrating Toner – A lightweight, watery toner helps prep your skin and adds a first layer of moisture.
- Essence – A lightweight hydration booster, essences help deeply nourish the skin and improve absorption of other products.
- Serum – Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid for hydration, niacinamide for brightening, or vitamin C for an extra glow.
- Lightweight Moisturiser – Lock in hydration with a lightweight yet nourishing moisturiser.
- SPF 50 – Non-negotiable. Daily sunscreen is essential for maintaining that smooth, even glow.
Evening Routine
- Double Cleanse – Start with an oil-based cleanser to break down makeup and SPF, then follow with a gentle foaming or gel cleanser.
- Exfoliating Treatment (2-3x per week) – AHAs (like glycolic acid) smooth the surface, while BHAs (like salicylic acid) clear pores.
- Hydrating Toner & Essence – Layering hydration is key to that plump, dewy look.
- Treatment Serum – Retinol (for fine lines and skin renewal) or niacinamide (for brightness and barrier support).
- Rich Moisturiser or Sleeping Mask – This seals everything in and ensures you wake up with soft, glowing skin.
How To Get Glass Skin: Additional Tips & Tricks
Keeping your skin hydrated is essential for achieving that luminous, glassy glow, and it starts from the inside out. Drinking plenty of water helps maintain skin’s plumpness and freshness, while a diet rich in antioxidants, such as berries, leafy greens, and omega-3s, can work wonders in nourishing your complexion. Supporting your skin with the right nutrients helps it stay resilient, clear, and naturally radiant, making all the difference in your glow-up journey.
Beyond skincare and diet, small lifestyle tweaks can also enhance your results. Facial massages, whether with gua sha or just your fingertips, improve circulation and give your skin a healthy boost. If you live in a dry climate, a humidifier can help maintain moisture levels and prevent dehydration. Most importantly, consistency is key. Skincare takes time to show real results, so stick with your routine and give your skin the care it needs to thrive.
Much like the glass skin trend has been making the rounds on social media, glass hair has been all the rage too at the moment. Check out our guide on What Is The Glass Hair Trend And How To Achieve It.
Written by Franchesca Villar
With a love for all things beauty, Franchesca is a skilled beauty content and copywriter with expert knowledge of all of the latest beauty trends. She loves perfecting her bouncy blow-out routine (no matter how time-consuming), is on the eternal hunt for the best glow-boosting product, and is a lip-gloss addict.
