A revamped skincare routine can be the trick to glass skin, the new K-Beauty trend for a clear and dewy complexion.
What is Glass Skin?
According to The Memo by Mecca, glass skin is the K-beauty trend that requires you to become familiar with skin-polishing acids, brightening vitamin C and a blend of glow-boosting botanicals. The glass skin routine requires the layering of lightweight, hydrating and nourishing products over one another.
Glass skin is skin that’s so poreless, reflective, and glossy that it actually looks like it’s made of glass, and skin that’s so impeccably smooth and intensely moisturised, that it’s almost transparent. Achieving glass skin is about more than just using the correct skincare products, it’s about being meticulous about keeping the skin cleansed, balanced, exfoliated, and hydrated.
Who started it?
Ellie Choi, an aspiring Korean makeup artist from Los Angeles posted her simple yet effective skincare routine on instagram along with the products that she uses to achieve her flawlessly clear skin. Ellie’s post revealed every step of her skincare routine which quickly became viral.
She followed her post with tips to keep skin clear, advising people to “drink tons of water daily” and to eat fruits and vegetables regularly because eating greasy and fried foods affected her skin. The time it takes to achieve glass skin will vary between different skin types, so it is important to also maintain a clean and healthy diet to get glass skin.
This skincare routine is not for the weak as it requires patience, dedication and consistency to achieve glass skin. These simple steps for soft and luminous skin that most women are already doing at least some of each week, must be done in order for the best results.
Here’s How to Get Glass Skin at Home
Step 1: Remove Makeup
Ellie’s tips to eat fruits and vegetables and drink lots of water can improve health, but is not enough to achieve soft and dewy glass skin. Ellie’s glass skin routine starts with removing her makeup every night before bed. The Bioderma Sensibio H2O is an effective water based makeup remover that is great for all skin types, Beauty Expert Mary Irwin says “it breaks down makeup and oil without stripping the skin”.
Step 2: Cleanser
Cleansing is the most important step in this routine, the base for glass skin must be clean, free from all makeup, and ready to soak in products. Ellie cleanses her skin after removing her makeup, which helps the skin maintain a proper level of moisture and manages pH levels allowing for sufficient water and product retention for effective skin hydration.
One of the Bondi Beauty favourites for cleansing is the Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash as it is affordable and dermatologist recommended. This cleanser contains Salicylic Acid, which is great for reducing the swelling and inflammation of oily and acne prone skin. This cleanser may not be suitable for everyone, so remember to use a cleanser that is gentle on the skin.
Step 3: Exfoliating Toner
“I use Clinique toner after my face wash to remove any remaining dirt and oil for that extra clean” Ellie says. The Clinique Clarifying Lotion 3 is the toner that Ellie uses, this product is a dermatologist developed liquid exfoliating lotion perfect for oily skin.
For $50, this gentle and refreshing formula removes any extra dirt and preps the skin for moisturiser, since exfoliated skin is more receptive to hydration. The product size of 400ml is generous so it does last a long time.
Step 4: Moisturise
After using the toner the skin will be ready for hydration. Ellie applies a “decent amount of moisturiser to keep it hydrated overnight”. One of her favourite moisturisers is the Cetaphil Moisturising Cream which is an affordable moisturiser suitable for the body and face.
Using a face serum and face oil before and after moisturiser is a sure way to get skin looking nice and dewy also.
We recommend first applying serum, such as the Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Face Serum RRP $43 before applying moisturiser and then end with the application of a face oil. We like the Sunday Riley Vitamin C and Turmeric Face Oil RRP $40. Both of these products work well together to help fight pigmentation and deal with dry and dark spots on the skin, for a more polished and refined skin, which is better toned and glowing.
Step 5: Exfoliate
Ellie exfoliates her skin every other day with the Skinfood Strawberry Sugar Food Mask to get a healthy natural glow and remove any dead skin.
Another great exfoliator is the highly reviewed Sugar Face Polish by Fresh, suitable for dry, normal, oily or sensitive skin. Sephora shopper Sarah left a review on this product saying it “leaves skin feeling clean and clear. It has microbeads inside, however it doesn’t feel harsh on the skin as long as you use it in a proper manner as per directions”.
Step 6: Face Masks for Glass Skin
Ellie uses one to two face masks once every week to restore her skin’s healthy and natural glow. A great option for a glowy face is the Patchology Just Let It Glow Moodmask Sheet Mask from Mecca, it’s only $7 and perfect for all-nighter affected skin.
The key ingredients in this mask are Niacinamide which improves the skin’s texture, and Hyaluronic Acid which will deeply hydrate and plump the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines.
The Matcha Clay Mask by Sabbia Co is another great mask if face sheets aren’t suitable. For $49.99 the Matcha Clay Mask works to detoxify, hydrate, revitalise and soothe problematic skin, and can be used two to three times a week.
Ellie’s lengthy but effective skincare routine for glass skin may not be suitable for everyone, so it is important to listen to the skin and use products that are gentle on the face.
