How Do You Get Glass Skin? A Step-by-Step Guide, According to a Korean Skincare Expert
I used to think glass skin was a myth. Like a long-lost Taylor Swift album, glass skin was something people talked about but never actually had, unless it was created through serious in-office skincare treatments or Instagram filters. Then, I got a facial with aesthetician and Peach and Lily skincare founder Alicia Yoon who helped popularize the whole “glass skin” term, and I finally understood it. Even amidst breakouts, Yoon showcased how a mix of hydrating, smoothing, and brightening products could make my face look so glowy, it was like a reflective mirror.The term, which originated in Korean skincare, has completely blown up on TikTok to signify poreless skin that’s so dewy you could see right through it. But how do you actually get it at home? Cosmo got the details from Yoon and a dermatologist, including a full step-by-step guide with our current favorite glass skin products from brands like DUA by AB, Tatcha, and more.What is glass skin?If you ask the internet, glass skin = perfect skin. But if you ask the experts, like Yoon, who helped bring the trend to the mainstream, glass skin is a perfectly attainable skin trend. As Yoon explains it, the term “glass skin” comes from the Korean phrase “yuri pibu,” which directly translates to “glass skin” and references healthy, luminous skin.“Glass skin is your skin at its healthiest—skin so healthy that it looks luminous, smooth, and clear,” Yoon explains, noting how her own skincare brand, Peach & Lily, contributed to the trend. “Glass skin was not a commonly used term, but Peach & Lily popularized this term after launching the Glass Skin Refining Serum and pioneering the glass skin movement in 2018.” NBD.What is the secret of Korean glass skin?According to Yoon, there are two key parts to achieving glass skin. The first is to nurture it with ingredients that support overall skin health, like essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. For hydration, you'll want to seek out humectants like hyaluronic acid or glycerin, and to calm and protect the skin, you'll want to load up on antioxidants.Secondly, target any specific issues with powerful-yet-gentle active ingredients to amplify your results. For instance, since many factors including excessive sun exposure, pollution, and other external and internal stressors can lead to both uneven skin tone and accelerated loss of firmness, Yoon says both brightening and firming ingredients (like retinol) are also great to incorporate into your skin routine.How do you get glass skin?Glass skin is about having healthy skin, and healthy skin takes time. The secret to glass skin is being diligent with your skincare routine and giving your face what it needs to look its best. The most important steps, though? Keep scrolling:SerumEach step in your routine is equally important, but this one is a glass-skin-must. Serum is the time in your routine to moisturize, plump, and firm all at once using a more targeted approach than what you could get in a face cream.So, what’s the best serum for glass skin? It depends. But a good place to start is a formula that offers a multipronged approach to brighten, smooth, and moisturize. A few ingredients to look out for? Vitamin C to help fade hyperpigmentation, niacinamide to reduce uneven texture, lactic acid or PHA to gently exfoliate, peptides to firm and tighten, and/or squalane and hyaluronic acid to promote hydration.“Dua Lipa created this line with Augustinus Bader, DUA by AB, and the glow-boosting serum really impressed me after testing. It’s lightweight but makes my skin look so fresh, hydrated, and plump. TBH, the formula's actually jam-packed with ingredients my skin loves: Niacinamide to calm and balance oil production, lactic acid to gently exfoliate, ectoin to soothe, amino acids to hydrate, and a slew of lightweight oils to give skin that dewy glow. It absorbs fast too, while still leaving behind a sheen-y glow.”—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR“I’ve went through an embarrassing number of bottles of this serum over the years. It was actually one of the first products I used years ago on a quest for glass skin, thanks to the name. And it really does smooth and hydrate skin, giving it a super fresh look. There’s niacinamide to help reduce skin texture and calm down inflammation, as well as a slew of hydrators: hyaluronic acid, madecassoside, peptides, and beta-glucan.”—BGExfoliatorThe frequency of exfoliation depends on your skin's needs and tolerance, but Yoon recommends exfoliating roughly once a week to renew the skin and reveal the glow hiding underneath any dead skin cells. “Exfoliation is beneficial for all skin types as it cleanses clogged pores, removes dead skin cells, encourages skin cell turnover, diminishes hyperpigmentation, and helps other skincare products penetrate deeper,” says dermatologist Michele Green, MD. “Those with acne-prone skin should seek chemical exfoliants with BHAs like salicylic acid.”So there you have it! Follow the above steps consistently, and you'll be on your merry way to glass skin. And remember: no skincare routine is perfect for everybody, so if you're not seeing the results that you want, make an appointment with your dermatologist to personalize a routine specifically for you. Because at the end of the day, glass skin isn't about achieving the impossible, but rather, your best skin possible.“I forgot how effective mandelic acid is until I started using it again in Versed’s new exfoliating serum. This gentle AHA is perfect for my sensitive, congestion-prone skin, and the serum couldn’t be easier to incorporate into my routine. The texture is so light, it sinks into skin like an essence, with absolutely no tacky finish. I’ve been using it every morning under my vitamin C serum and my pores look less noticeable while my skin has a subtle glow.” —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR“I love a good professional peel—I usually do a VI Peel or PCA Peel twice a year to get rid of dark spots and rough texture—and these are an excellent DIY option for maintaining your glow in between appointments. It’s a two-step process that I do once a week and it honestly couldn’t be easier; simply swipe the step one pad on clean skin until the towel feels mostly dry, wait three minutes, and do the same with the step two pad. Then I layer on a gentle moisturizer and call it a night. The combo of AHAs, BHAs, vitamin C, peptides, and antioxidants are great for resurfacing skin and evening out your tone, and there are even hydrators in there to combat any dryness or flaking that can occur after some other at-home peels.”—LBMoisturizerNow that you've applied all your glassy goodness, you'll want to lock in all that hydration with a thin layer of moisturizer morning and night. Yep, even if you have oily skin. “Moisturizer is important even for oily and acne-prone skin,” Dr. Green says, explaining that skipping it can trick the skin into producing more oil to compensate for its lack of moisture. “Moisturizers not only bring moisture to the skin, but they also seal in highly concentrated serums and essence.”“Loved by both Hyman and myself, this new gel moisturizer actually makes my skin look like I could bounce a quarter on it. It immediately makes my skin look juicy and plump, but without feeling greasy or like I’m coated in product. It sinks in, leaving a fresh look. Hyman has dry skin, so she loves it as a hydrating serum before a thicker moisturizer in the mornings.”—BG“This brand’s thoughtful formulations always deliver. This is a savior for your skin barrier while also providing optimal hydration. I’m on my third tube.”—JULEE WILSON, BEAUTY EDITOR-AT-LARGEMasksAlthough not necessary, a hydrating mask is really the final component to mirrored skin. Sheet masks are a K-beauty favorite, especially gel ones like the below from Medicube. But a cream or gel-based overnight mask works similarly without the slipping or discomfort while you sleep. Think of it as a more concentrated version of your moisturizer once or twice a week. It’s going to majorly boost hydration so your face has that bouncy look.“Nothing gives me glass skin quite like this Medicube mask. After just two hours of letting the mask absorb (you'll know when time is up when it turns clear), my forehead quite literally looks reflective. I never get more compliments on my skin than on the days when I use this hydrating mask. I also use the leftover pieces from the eye holes on my marionette lines for some added plumping in the areas that the mask doesn't cover.”—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR“I coat my entire face in this clear, jelly mask, and I wake up with skin that looks like it’s been glazed. It’s so dewy that it’s almost translucent. But it doesn’t have a sticky residue either—a major plus for my oily skin.”—BGMist or essenceEither as the last step in your routine or between your other steps, a mist or essence is a great way to amp up hydration. According to Dr. Green, essence refers to a water-based product with a high concentration of ingredients, like water, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, botanical plant extracts, and vitamins, that work to hydrate and support skin health. “Without hydration, many skin processes are less optimized and a chain reaction of skin issues can arise,” Yoon adds. Now, there are many essences that have been bottled into mist formats that you can spray right onto your skin. My favorite way to use them? Over makeup to hydrate your skin even further.“This is essentially the glow you get from the iconic Biodance Bio Collagen mask, bottled. I spritz it on before makeup so whatever I put on top instantly looks like I’m beaming from within. But it also works well to prep skin for moisturizer.”—BG“There’s just something I love about a milky consistency when it comes an essence and Innisfree’s scratches that itch for me. The soothing formula saved my combo skin and leaves me rejuvenated and hydrated every time I used it.”—SAMANTHA OLSON, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITORSunscreenFor your morning routine, your very last step will be to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen suited for your skin type. “UV rays penetrate the deepest layers of the skin and cause cellular changes that contribute to skin cancer and premature aging,” Dr. Green explains. “These signs of aging include brown spots, fine lines, wrinkles, skin laxity, loss of elasticity, and uneven skin texture.” The key to maintaining your glass skin is protecting it, so don't skip this step.“Never in my life has a sunscreen blended into my skin the way a milky primer or essence does, until I tried Tatcha’s latest SPF. If you hate the sticky or tacking feeling of traditional sunscreen, trust me when I say that this just feels like a serum absorbing into the skin. I’ve been wearing it on repeat in Florida while swimming and exercising, and it doesn’t leave behind a white finish when mixed with water or sweat.” —JH“As someone with deeper skin, I approach mineral sunscreen with caution because nobody has time for a chalky gray cast. But this SPF pleasantly surprised me. The bronze tint melts beautifully into my skin, giving me a healthy, radiant glow instead of that dreaded ashy finish. It feels lightweight, hydrating, and layers seamlessly under makeup without pilling. I love that it delivers SPF 50 protection while also making my skin look even, fresh, and glowy throughout the day.”—JWMeet the experts:Alicia Yoon is the founder and CEO of Peach & Lily and a celebrity esthetician known for her signature glass skin facials. Yoon is an expert in skincare ingredients, formulas, and techniques in both Korea and the U.S.Michele Green, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist who is based in NYC. Dr. Green specializes in cosmetic dermatology and has been named one of the Top Doctors in New York by Castle Connolly.Why trust Cosmopolitan?Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories.Brooke Shunatona is a contributing writer at Cosmopolitan and has 10 years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle across print and digital.Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months. Brooke Shunatona is a contributing writer for Cosmopolitan.com.
