Don’t we all want clear, hydrated, glossy, and plump skin? But can an average person like me ever reach the clear, healthy glass skin standard?
Ever thought where did this glass skin term even came from?
Well, it originated from South Korea. Due to the increased popularity of the K-pop stars and all the Korean idols, more and more people desire to look like them, and one of the ways to achieve that perfect Korean look is to get what they have: Korean glass skin.
What is glass skin?
A glass skin refers to the skin which is radiant and super smooth. It’s clear, translucent, pore less and doesn’t have any blemishes at all or shall I say looks like a piece of glass!
Glass-skin routine
To achieve glass skin, we need to understand that glass skin is a well-hydrated skin. Even though it’s not difficult to get glass skin, most of us still fail to achieve it.So here are few steps for getting the flawless Korean glass skin.
1.Cleansing
The very first step to any skincare routine and it’s the important one because it removes all impurities from the skin and gives it a clean slate to work with, so first up, you need to double cleanse.
The first cleanser you need to use is an oil-based cleanser. Now the oil-based cleanser will help remove excess sunscreen, sebum and at the same time makeup.
My recommendation for an oil cleanser is Ginseng Cleansing Oil by Beauty of Joseon.
Second cleanser :After cleaning your skin with an oil-based cleanser, use a regular cleanser, which will get into your pores, unclog them and remove dust particles and dead skin cells from your skin.
For a regular cleanser, stick to something low PH,COSRX low-ph Good morning, cleanser.
If you have super oily or acne-prone skin, opt for a salicylic acid-based face wash like COSRX (Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser) or Accufix Cosmetics salicylic acid cleanser.
Always remember to use Luke warm water when double cleansing.
2.Exfoliation
The exfoliation process removes dead skin cells from your skin and, at the same time, unclogs those pores. It is recommended to exfoliate only once or twice a week because over exfoliation can actually irritate your skin, causing your skin to be extra red.
Remember to choose chemical exfoliants over physical scrubs.
If you have oily skin, choose a salicylic acid exfoliator like the Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2 BHA Liquid Exfoliant.
If you have combination skin or normal skin, choose a glycolic acid toner, like the ordinary 7% glycolic acid toner.
However, if you have sensitive skin, opt for mandelic acid for exfoliation. If you are a beginner, start with a lower percentage of acid, as in Wishtrend, which comes with 5 percent skin prep water, and then you may work yourself up to a higher percentage, as in, Inky list Mandelic Acid 10 percent.
3.Hydration
Now this is one of the most important steps because to get the glass skin, you need well-hydrated skin. To hydrate your skin, you should use a toner and an essence together. What a toner does is prep your skin after the cleanser so that the essence and the serums can be absorbed more efficiently. Choose the toner that is right for your skin, along with an Essence, oil, serum to address your skin’s concerns.
If you’re someone suffering from dry skin, choose a hyaluronic acid serum.
If you have dull skin and you want to brighten it, you can choose vitamin C serum.
If you’re looking for anti-aging, you can choose a Retinol Serum on top of that you could also add a sheet mask for hydration.
In Korea, they are obsessed with sheet masks, and the best way to use a sheet mask is after you’ve used your cleanser. You can actually use a sheet mask on your skin, leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes, and then remove the mask. After that, you can continue with your toner ,Essences and serums.
Now, a few active ingredients that I highly recommend to get the glass skin would be green tea because green tea is an anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant, and snail mucin to hydrate your skin even further.
So do you guys use any toners or serums? Which ones are you guys using at home? Do share in the comments.
4.Moisturize
Next up, to moisturize your skin, make sure you use a thick moisturizer to coat your skin to prevent overnight dehydration, but more importantly, make sure you Choose a lightweight, fragrance-free, non-greasy formula as your moisturizer.
Look for ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, Physiogel Daily Moisture Therapy, and Korean Skin Care Illiyoon ceramide ATO concentrate cream are equally good moisturizers.
5.Sunscreen
You can never forget about sunscreen! Always apply your sunscreen twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon, and choose broad-spectrum sunscreen that is right for your skin.
Personally, I prefer water-based sunscreen like BIORÉ AQUA RICH UV because it works better for my skin, so make sure you know which sunscreen works for your skin so that you can choose the proper sunscreen.
Tips for achieving glass skin
A perfect skincare routine could never end with just throwing products on your face and rinsing them off. For real change, you need the actual secret formula for glowing skin, which is:
- Drink plenty of water. It helps with your skin’s hydration. It helps curb hunger so that you don’t snack often.
- Exercising enough ,so you can sweat all those toxins away.
- Get adequate sleep. Most of us require anywhere between 6 and 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep.
- Get a balanced diet and make sure you take a lot of antioxidants, which are highly found in things like fruits and vegetables.
- Stop stressing over life.
In general, consistency with your skincare is key to getting glass skin, and achieving glass skin requires patience. You’re not going to get there in one or two weeks, and most of us even take years to actually achieve glass skin. But more importantly, remember to be comfortable with who you are and what your skin is. It is always good to want to achieve perfect skin, but if you don’t get there, it’s all right.
I am a dentist, baker, and fitness and health enthusiast with a passion for living life to the fullest. I am foodie and explorer, always seeking new adventures and flavors. Currently working on my own skincare brand.
