What Is Glass Skin? Plus, How to Get the Look

Korean skincare — with its hydration-centric products, multi-step routines, and, of course, the concept of the sheet mask — has enamored the global skincare sphere for years. Perhaps one of the buzziest K-Beauty trends — one that has become the paradigm, in many cases, for flawless skin — is a concept known as “glass skin.” The term took hold a few years ago, but it’s still among the most coveted skin-states we know. In fact, it’s even inspired namesake products from an array of brands. Below, your guide to glass skin, including what, exactly, it is, how it can be achieved, and the products we swear by for getting the glass skin look, stat.

What Is Glass Skin?

“Glass skin is simply an appearance of virtually poreless, clear, glossy skin,” says Ayanna Smith, esthetician at The Skin Xperience. Sarah Kinsler, an esthetician who specializes in Korean skincare, echoes this sentiment: “Glass skin is a term used to describe flawless, poreless-looking skin.” The “glass” in the terminology refers to its glass-like resemblance: smooth, light-reflecting and almost translucent in its clarity — like a clean windowpane.

This virtually flawless skin state is a rather lofty goal, of course. While you’ve probably seen glass skin flaunted on your social feeds, Kinsler says it’s crucial to remember that “what we see on social media and advertising are filters, makeup and great products!” In other words, the glass skin we so often see is not necessarily the natural, just-woke-up skin state we’re led to believe it is. That said, there are a few steps and crucial skincare habits, as well as ingredients to look for, that can amp up your skin’s wattage for a glass-skin glow. 

What Are the Key Elements of Glass Skin?

Small Pores

One key component of glass skin is its apparent poreless-ness. Of course, we all have pores; some of us have larger pores than others — a fact that often boils down to genetics. Moreover, contrary to popular belief, it’s impossible to physically shrink the size of your pores. “Pore sizes are usually predetermined by our genes,” says Smith. Kinsler agrees: “While it's possible to achieve a blemish-free complexion, pore size is often genetic,” and thus cannot be toggled to the degree that many people believe.

That said, certain skincare and lifestyle habits can exacerbate pore size, including excess sun exposure, which can break down collagen and elastin (i.e. the building blocks of firm, youthful-looking skin). Additionally, picking a blemish can leave an enlarged pore even after it’s healed, explains Kinsler. Lastly, pores that are clogged with excess sebum and dirt can appear significantly larger than pores that are clear and balanced.

While the first two factors are irreversible to some degree once they’ve happened, the last factor — clogged pores — can be improved significantly with the help of oil-controlling skincare products. By dissolving excess oil — or oil that can make pores appear larger than they really are — sebum-regulating skincare products can impart the appearance of smaller-looking pores, and get you one step closer to the poreless appearance for which glass skin is revered.

Bouncy Hydration

Ultra-hydrated skin tends to acquire a dewy, almost reflective quality that’s not dissimilar to actual glass. Hydration, therefore, is unsurprisingly a defining feature of glass skin. Quenching the skin, like quenching your body with adequate water consumption, is a daily necessity for achieving the luminous, glass skin look. Luckily, the skincare world is overflowing with thirst-quenching products, including essences, toners and moisturizers brimming with the likes of hyaluronic acid (HA), squalane, ceramides, and glycerin. HA and glycerin are both humectants, meaning they draw moisture from the surrounding air into the skin. Squalane and ceramides are excellent for supporting the skin’s softness and supporting the all-important, moisture-trapping skin barrier.

Even Tone

Similar to the smooth, even nature of glass itself, glass skin boasts an ethereal level of evenness in tone and texture. Specifically, glass skin is (almost) devoid of discoloration, be it from post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, age spots or an alternate form of visible sun damage. Some types of discoloration can be notoriously tricky to reverse. Certain products, however, including gentle exfoliators like lactic acid, and skin-brightening ingredients like high-quality vitamin C, can help with improving the appearance of discoloration and pave the way for more even-toned, glassy skin. Similarly, these ingredients, among others, can transform rough or uneven skin texture into a softer, smoother version of itself, thereby increasing its ability to reflect light. If you’re unsure what ingredient to use to address discoloration, reach out to your dermatologist for personalized advice.

How to Get Glass Skin in 3 Easy Steps

Curate Your Skincare Products

According to Smith, the glass skin look can be achieved, in part, by reaching for certain skincare products. Specifically, she points to hydrating toners and skin-quenching serums, packed with the likes of ingredients like hyaluronic acid. 
Additionally, Smith touts vitamin C as an essential piece of the glass skin puzzle. Vitamin C, as mentioned previously, is prized for fading dark spots and improving overall skin brightness. The ingredient, says Smith, “help(s) combat dryness and discoloration,” too.

Avoid Over-Exfoliation

While a weekly AHA-based peel can prove fantastic for amping up glow, too much of a good thing can actually backfire on any efforts towards glass skin. According to Kinsler, “Over-exfoliating impairs the skin's barrier.” In turn, a compromised skin barrier is less able to retain moisture; moisture that’s necessary for the hydrated, glowing complexion that’s practically synonymous with glass skin. For this reason, Kinsler says “it’s important to limit exfoliation.” Consider exfoliating once or twice per week. If your skin is particularly dry or sensitive, look for gentle exfoliators like lactic acid and fruit-based acids, such as malic acid. Your dermatologist can help you determine what exfoliation method and ingredients are suitable for your skin type.

Snag a Skin-Supporting Primer

While the tenants of glass skin apply mostly to, well, skin, makeup can play a key role in getting that glossy vibe, too. In addition to choosing a luminous, hydrating foundation (try the celeb-approved Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation), “a primer can go a long way” in bolstering your glass skin efforts, notes Kinser. Notably, primers can create a luminous, dewy base for foundation to glide onto the skin in an ultra-smooth manner; moreover, primers help maintain a freshly applied makeup look throughout the day. In many cases, primers — particularly luminous primers like Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer — can also add a lit-from-within radiance that mirrors that of glass skin. 

In addition to primers, Kinser says many BB cream formulas, which tend to impart sheer, dewy coverage, provide somewhat of a fast-track to getting the glass skin look. “[Many BB creams] can give the illusion of glass skin,” she says. “Just make sure they're non-comedogenic!” We recommend trying the Maybelline New York Dream Fresh BB Cream 8-in-1 Skin Perfector.

10 Best Skincare Products to Get the Glass Skin Look

L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Glow Lock Makeup Primer

As per the pros, makeup can serve a purpose that’s almost as important as the skincare upon which it lays. This primer creates an ultra-smooth canvas for foundation; it blurs the appearance of large pores, and delivers a dewy glow. This glow radiates throughout the day under medium to light coverage foundations. And, living up to the “lock” in its name, this primer keeps makeup in place throughout the day.