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If you’ve ever scrolled through TikTok or Instagram and been mesmerized by the seemingly pore-less, mirror-like complexions that so many influencers sport nowadays, then you’ve been exposed to the “glass skin” phenomenon. Originating from Korea, this trend – characterized by skin so clear it’s practically reflective – has a serious hold on today’s beauty enthusiasts. So naturally, we wanted to join in on the fun and share our best tips for achieving that enviable flawless glow ourselves. Here’s what we know:
‘Glass Skin’ is really just insanely hydrated skin.
To create a surface that not only reflects light beautifully but also feels plump and healthy to the touch, your skincare routine should focus on deep hydration and nourishment. By ensuring the skin is well-hydrated and balanced, it becomes more supple and luminous while reducing the appearance of visible pores or imperfections.
This is where Hyaluronic Acid (HA) plays a crucial role. HA, naturally abundant in the skin, is known for its ability to bind up to 1,000 times its weight in water, providing continuous moisture and maintaining skin elasticity. But as we age, our skin’s HA levels decline, leading to decreased moisture retention and increased dryness.
To restore hydration, a product like HA⁵® Rejuvenating Hydrator from SkinMedica stands out for boasting five forms of HA, including Time Released HA for sustained hydration, Cross-Linked HA for long-lasting effects, and Nano HA to soothe the skin. This unique formulation not only instantly smooths fine lines and wrinkles but also supports the skin’s natural HA production, promoting overall skin health and hydration.
Pro tip: Always apply HA5 with moist hands, it helps the HA bond with the water molecules and penetrates the skin better.
Take hydration to the next level with SKINVIVE™ by JUVÉDERM®, the first and only FDA-approved injectable hydrator. SKINVIVE improves skin quality by enhancing the glow, hydration, elasticity, and smoothness. This innovative product uses micro-droplets of hyaluronic acid to not only restore the skin’s hydration and softness but also to deliver a lasting enhancement in cheek skin smoothness.
Dull skin will stay dull without regular exfoliation.
Regular exfoliation is an essential step in any skincare routine aimed at achieving a radiant glow, as it effectively removes dead skin cells that can leave the skin looking lackluster and rough. By sloughing off these cells, exfoliation promotes a smoother texture and allows skincare products to penetrate more effectively.
This process also stimulates cell turnover, which can contribute to a brighter and more even complexion. We recommend exfoliating once a week with a product like SkinMedica’s AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, which uses glycolic and lactic acid to gently scrub away dead skin, improving the appearance of skin tone and texture.
It’s less about the number of products you layer, and more about how you layer them.
While a 10-step routine is often touted for achieving glass skin, it’s more crucial to focus on the quality of products and order of application. We recommend starting with a gentle cleanser that hydrates while removing environmental pollutants, excess oil and makeup, like SkinMedica’s Facial Cleanser. Use a toner next, but only if needed to balance your skin’s pH. Then, apply any prescription or medical-grade skincare products—like antioxidants, vitamins, peptides, retinols, or growth factors—in order of thickness, starting with thinner textures.
Next, apply any retinol products to stimulate cellular turnover. If you’re not using retinol, products like TNS® Advanced+ Serum or TNS Recovery Complex can also help stimulate collagen and refine fine lines. Follow these products with any correctors, like HA5 and Even & Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment to address hydration and improve pigment, respectively. Finish with moisturizer (we love SkinMedica’s Dermal Repair Cream for hydration and smoothness), and lastly, apply sunscreen — which brings us to our next point.
Your glass-skin regimen is useless if you’re not using sunscreen.
You can double-cleanse and moisturize your heart away, but if you’re not topping off your skincare regimen with UV-blocking sunscreen, you’re going to have trouble maintaining a glass-like complexion. Sunscreen is what protects the skin from harmful UV rays that can cause premature aging, dark spots, and uneven skin tone—all of which can detract from the clarity and radiance of glass skin. By shielding the skin from UV damage, sunscreen helps preserve its smooth texture and youthful appearance. Additionally, prolonged sun exposure can lead to dehydration and loss of skin elasticity, which are counterproductive to the hydrated and supple look characteristic of glass skin.
One of our favorite sunscreen products is the ColorScience Sunforgettable Total Shield Glow sunscreen, known for its radiant finish—a key component of the glass-skin trend. If you’ve ever used Charlotte Tilbury’s flawless filter, think of this sunscreen as a step up—it not only provides a glowing effect but also blurs imperfections while offering protection against UV rays.
Achieving glass skin doesn’t happen overnight, but by combining the right skincare regimen and treatments with a healthy lifestyle, you can work your way to skin so smooth you can practically bounce a quarter off of it. At Timeless, our expert providers can guide you in selecting the ideal products for your skin’s needs and create a personalized ‘skinscript’ plan to help you reach your skincare goals.