As a beauty editor, I've seen a lot of trends come and go over the years. But one that has been going strong for quite some time now, is the glass skin trend. So much so that I wouldn't actually call it a 'trend' now, but more of a skin 'look'. A look that thousands of skincare addicts (including myself) have strived to achieve. Billions actually, if the 4.4 billion TikTok views are anything to go by. After a lot of trial and error, I think I've nailed it, so I want to share my tips with you, so that you too can manifest your glass skin dreams.
What is glass skin to me? I define it as skin that's very smooth, shiny and glossy, and then when you add a lot of hydration and dewiness to it, it starts to look translucent and reflective like glass. With the right skincare products and routine, you can make your skin have this ultra shiny appearance naturally. However, with certain makeup products and skincare finishers, you can also fake it, at least to some extent. That's why, in this article, my product recommendations are split between 'make it' and 'fake it' - allowing you to experiment with achieving your own glass skin look in a way that suits your lifestyle, budget and skin type.
But first, I've spoken to some experts -- Stuart Kaplan, M.D., Beverly Hills dermatologist, and founder of KAPLAN MD Skincare and Dr Jinah Yoo, a Korean, UK board certified dermatologist -- to find out exactly what glass skin is, where the look originated, and the skincare ingredients that you should look out for when trying to get glass skin for yourself. Are you ready to get your gloss on?
When it comes to my own skin, I know what glass skin looks like on me. But what do the experts define 'glass skin' as? Dr Jinah Yoo explains that it was a trend that originated in South Korea as part of the K-beauty phenomenon. It's "a complexion so clear, smooth, and luminous that it appears like glass, with the emphasis on healthy, radiant skin over heavy makeup." Dr Kaplan also puts the emphasis on it being skin that's "very hydrated and poreless, with a luminous, dewy tone."
With #glasskin accumulating 4.4 billion views on TikTok, it's definitely a hotly desired skin look, and since it's all about healthy skin, I don't think it's a bad thing to aim for.
Like with everything in skincare, consistency is key. This isn't something that's going to happen overnight - it will take weeks, or even months, to get your skin to a place where your glass skin look is purely about consistent maintenance. Dr Kaplan explains that we are battling against the effects of "sun damage, lifestyle habits (what we eat, how much we sleep, how much we exercise, smoking, medications, health complications), environmental damage, and even the effects of hormonal aging" in our quest for glass skin, as these all cause our skin to become duller, more lackluster, dry, wrinkled and blemished - the opposite of 'glass skin'.
Dr Yoo says that, to achieve glass skin, we must follow "a multi-step, consistent, daily skincare routine that emphasises hydration, moisture retention, and skin barrier strengthening." She says this includes "exfoliating to remove dead skin cells, a lightweight, hydrating essence to enhance moisture absorption, the targeting of specific skin concerns like hyperpigmentation, protecting the skin from UV damage with SPF and antioxidants, and the frequent use of hydrating sheet masks to infuse extra moisture", amongst many other things. I agree and these are all steps that I practice daily.
Dr Kaplan says the most crucial thing you must start with is exfoliation - "removing the dry, dead skin cells on the skin's surface, to bring fresh new cells to the surface." He explains that "by forcing the skin to remove the build up of dead skin cells on a daily basis, in a gentle way that is non-irritating and hydrating at the same time, this will lead to minimised pores, collagen stimulation, and radiant 'glass' skin naturally." After exfoliation? Pack on that hydration!
Dr Yoo emphasises proper cleansing - in particular, double cleansing. She says this "ensures that your skin is thoroughly clean, which is essential for absorbing the hydrating products that follow. By removing all layers of grime, your skin can better absorb hydrating products like toners, serums, and moisturisers, which are crucial for the dewy, clear appearance associated with glass skin."
Julia Marinkovich, UK representative of K-beauty brand COSRX says that hydrating products containing certain key ingredients are the secret to glass skin. She recommends "snail mucin, centella asiatica, rice extracts, propolis and galactomyces" in particular, and advises "incorporating these ingredients through serums, toners and sheet masks to achieve the glass skin finish, and then lock them in with a skin barrier protection product such as a rich moisturiser and SPF."
It's obvious that the ideal definition of glass skin is skin that is free from blemishes and has a smooth, refined texture, but let's face it, this isn't very achievable for everyone. I believe that all skin types can still achieve key elements of the look, even those with acne or psoriasis, for example. Dr Yoo agrees that "all skin colours and types can work toward achieving 'glass skin', though the approach and products used may need to be customised to address different skin concerns and sensitivities." Dr Kaplan agrees that everyone can "find a skincare regimen that works for their skin type, and stick to it on a daily basis. The result of all of this will help achieve healthy, radiant, naturally glowing skin."
I recently underwent the laser treatment that's being heralded as the fast route to glass skin, all in the name of research. The MOXI™ Laser Treatment is a gentler laser treatment that only has one or two days of downtime. It's a groundbreaking, 'non-ablative treatment' (meaning it does not damage the skin's surface). It's all about triggering the skin's repair process. Fiona Ross, founder and director of The Aesthetics Club where I had my treatment, says that "when we disrupt the skin in a controlled way using treatments (such as micro-needling, MOXI™ or ablative lasers), the skin produces more collagen and elastin to heal the skin and repair it, meaning the skin becomes tighter, plumper and texture free." This was definitely my experience.
She says that "MOXI™ is designed to improve skin texture, tone, and radiance by addressing early signs of skin ageing and sun damage. Non-ablative lasers target deeper layers of the skin without damaging the surface, making MOXI™ a more gentle option compared to more aggressive lasers. It works by delivering controlled laser energy into the skin, which promotes collagen production and accelerates cellular turnover, leading to smoother and healthier-looking skin."
During my MOXI™ Laser Treatment (which costs approximately £550), I really didn't feel much at all - kind of like the sharp tingle that you get when you use a micro-current device without enough of a conductive base on. However, by the end of the treatment I could increasingly feel the heat, like my skin was badly sunburnt. I was told to expect this and that's exactly what it felt like for the next 12 or so hours. The heat then disappeared and my skin felt dry and tight. The key to healing quickly and well is to pack on the hydration (no active ingredients) after 24 hours, as well as lots of barrier repair moisturiser. Over the following few days, my skin felt like sandpaper but didn't visually look dry or rough in texture. After five to seven days this disappeared, and my skin tone and texture was visibly improved and my skin felt soft, smooth and looked radiant. I actually couldn't believe how good my skin looked at the five to seven day mark, that I was itching to book in for my next treatment.
Fiona Ross, who is also a registered nurse, says that it is generally safe and suitable for all skin types as "it's non-ablative, so it doesn't carry the same risks of hyperpigmentation or scarring that some more intense lasers can cause, especially for those with darker skin tones. However, as with any laser treatment, individual suitability depends on factors such as skin condition, medical history, and any active skin concerns. A consultation with an experienced aesthetic professional is always recommended to assess if MOXI™ is the right treatment for them."
So now that I've tried it for myself, is MOXI™ a fast route to glass skin? Yes, I very much think it might well be, and I'll definitely be going back to get it again.