Korean skincare is one of the most talked about —and it’s easy to see why. From buzzy ingredients like snail mucin, centella asiatica, and heartleaf, to viral products like essences and ampoules, the K-Beauty industry has redefined skincare routines everywhere. But one trend has stood out more than any other: glass skin. With its smooth, radiant, and near-translucent glow, this Korean skincare trend has taken over our FYPs and beauty shelves alike.
So, how do you achieve it? A glass skin routine is all about hydration and layering the right products—and the results are worth every step. We’ve broken it all down for you: the routine, the must-have products, and the glow-inducing ingredients you need. Let’s get you started.
What is Glass Skin?
The clue’s in the name: glass skin refers to a complexion that’s so clear, smooth, and dewy, it literally resembles glass. Achieving this level of glow takes commitment, consistency, and the best Korean skincare products—but trust us, it’s more than worth it.
How Do You Achieve Glass Skin?
Glass skin doesn’t happen overnight, but with a consistent glass skin routine – not too dissimilar to the equally effective Korean skincare routine – you’ll see the difference. The key is hydration and layering the right products. Here’s what the perfect glass skin routine looks like:
1. Double cleanse (oil cleanser and water-based cleanser)
2. Mask (once or twice weekly)
3. Exfoliate
4. Toner and Essence
5. Serum
6. Moisturiser
7. SPF (AM only)
Ready to glow? Let’s get into the details.
The Best Ingredients to Look for in Glass Skin Products
Achieving glass skin comes down to layering the right products with the best skincare ingredients. These glass skin essentials are known for their ability to deeply hydrate, plump, and smooth, helping you unlock that glowing, flawless complexion. Whether you’re dealing with dryness, dullness, or texture, these essential ingredients have got you covered:
Hyaluronic Acid – The ultimate skin drink. This powerful hydrator attracts and locks in moisture, leaving skin plump and glowing. Perfect for dry or dehydrated complexions that need a hydration boost.
Niacinamide – The multitasking MVP. It helps combat acne, refine texture, reduce pores, smooth pigmentation, brighten, and strengthen your skin’s barrier. In short: it does it all.
Vitamin C – A brightening hero that smooths fine lines, boosts collagen production, and tackles pigmentation and redness for an even, radiant glow.
Glycolic Acid – This gentle exfoliant works to reveal brighter, clearer skin by sloughing away dead cells on the surface, allowing fresh, new skin to shine through.
Ceramides – One of the best skin barrier ingredients, they also aid in achieving glass skin. They lock in moisture, strengthen your skin’s natural barrier, and defend against external pollutants and damage.
Peptides – Essential for firm, youthful skin. Signal peptides boost collagen production to plump and smooth, while carrier peptides support healing and repair.
Centella Asiatica – Also known as cica or tiger grass, this soothing ingredient is perfect if you struggle with redness. It calms the skin, relieves irritation, and helps you achieve that coveted glass skin glow.
Heartleaf – Packed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, heartleaf is a skincare hero. It keeps your complexion clear, calm, and glowing, making it a must-have in any glass skin routine.
Rice Water – A staple in many of the best Korean skincare products, rice water is beloved for its hydrating, brightening, and soothing properties. It’s an essential step for softer, more radiant skin.
Snail Mucin – This powerhouse ingredient is loaded with skin-loving essentials, including hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, collagen, and peptides. Snail mucin is a glass skin must-have, known for its incredible ability to hydrate, repair, and rejuvenate.
The Glass Skin Routine Steps to Follow
We’ve broken down a simple but super-effective glass skin routine, complete with product recommendations and expert tips to help you achieve ultra-dewy, glowy skin. Follow these steps consistently, and your complexion will be glassy, luminous, and clear.
Step 1: Double Cleanse
Double cleansing is the foundation of glass skin—it removes impurities, unclogs pores, and sets the stage for everything that follows. Start with a Korean cleansing oil to melt away makeup, SPF, and dirt. Then, follow up with a water-based Korean cleanser to penetrate deeper and refresh your complexion. Think of it as a clean slate for your skincare routine. Double cleansing is the best way to thoroughly clean your face and prep it to get the most out of the hydrating ingredients you’re about to flood it with. Need some product inspiration for your double cleanse? We love these two products
Beauty Of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil
Best for: Sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin
This silky oil cleanser uses ginseng seed oil and micellar technology to dissolve dirt, makeup, and sebum without irritating the skin. It’s gentle, nourishing, and leaves your skin feeling soft and balanced.
COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser
Best for: Sensitive and acne-prone skin
Follow up your oil cleanse with this gentle foam cleanser. Packed with salicylic acid, it targets excess oil, unclogs pores, and tackles breakouts—all without stripping your skin.
Step 2: Treat Skin With a Mask
Hydration is the heart of the glass skin routine, and applying a face mask a couple of times a week will give your skin the extra boost it needs. All of the best Korean face masks are perfect for helping you achieve your glass kin goals. Choose masks packed with calming, plumping, and moisture-locking ingredients to replenish your skin and restore its natural glow. If you’re struggling with breakouts or dullness, you could also choose masks to specifically target that. These are some of our favourite Korean face masks to use as part of a glass skin routine:
Laneige Bouncy & Firm Sleeping Mask
Best for: Normal, dry, and combination skin
This overnight mask is packed with peptides and hyaluronic acid to firm, brighten, and deeply hydrate your skin while you sleep. Wake up with plumper, more radiant skin—zero effort required.
COSRX Balancium Comfort Ceramide Soft Cream Sheet Mask
Best for: Sensitive and dry skin
If you’re dealing with damaged or fragile skin, this ceramide-rich sheet mask is a must. It strengthens the skin barrier, locks in moisture, and leaves your complexion calm and refreshed.
Step 3: Exfoliate
On days when you’re not using a face mask, exfoliation becomes your step two. Exfoliation is key to achieving that smooth, glass-like finish. By removing dead skin cells and unclogging pores, you’ll reveal fresh, glowing skin underneath. Opt for a gentle exfoliant to avoid irritation. These are some of the best Korean exfoliants, which can be used daily or 1-2 times per week depending on your skin barrier strength and skin type.
ANUA BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner
Best for: Combination and acne-prone skin
This lightweight exfoliating toner combines 2% salicylic acid with tea tree leaf extract to clear congestion, smooth texture, and reduce inflammation—all while keeping your skin hydrated and balanced.
COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid
Best for: Acne-prone skin
Combining the hydrating power of hyaluronic acid with the exfoliating benefits of glycolic acid, this daily liquid exfoliant works to tackle active breakouts while preventing future ones. Add it to your glass skin routine to enjoy clearer, calmer, and brighter skin with a boost of hydration.
Beauty of Joseon Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel
Best for: Sensitive skin
A gentle, dual-action exfoliator that combines fruit-based AHAs and plant-derived cellulose for mild physical exfoliation. It smooths and brightens your skin without any irritation or redness. This exfoliator is best used 1-2 times a week rather than daily, for when you need to give your skin an extra helping hand.
Step 4: Toners & Essences
Korean toners and essences prepare your skin to absorb all the goodness from the rest of your routine. Toners clarify and balance, while essences deliver deep hydration and active ingredients. We recommend sweeping a toner over your face with a cotton pad to refine and prep your skin, followed by gently patting in an essence for a deep hit of hydration. Let it fully absorb before moving onto step five. Not sure where to start? These are some of the best Korean toners and best skincare essences to add to your routine:
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Essence Toner
Best for: Dry and sensitive skin
This calming essence toner blends centella asiatica, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides to soothe irritation, hydrate deeply, and strengthen the skin barrier.
COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Best for: Combination and oily skin
This lightweight essence is enriched with snail mucin to deliver intense hydration, improve elasticity, and protect your skin’s moisture barrier. It’s a viral favourite for a reason.
Step 5: Serum
Serums are packed with active ingredients to target specific concerns like dullness, dehydration, and breakouts. If you’re aiming for glass skin, hydration-boosting serums are your new best friend. These are just some of the Korean serums that are perfect for helping you achieve glass skin:
Best for: All skin types
This hydrating serum preps your skin for makeup, regulates excess sebum, and leaves a radiant, pearly finish. Think of it as your secret weapon for glowing skin all day long.
Best for: Acne-prone skin
This serum combines propolis extract and niacinamide to calm inflammation, speed up healing, and brighten your skin for a naturally healthy glow. Ideal for a glass skin look.
Step 6: Moisturiser
Lock in all that hydration with a Korean moisturiser designed to plump, smooth, and nourish your skin. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides for maximum glow. For nighttime, you might want to go for a richer cream, while a lightweight formula is perfect for the AM. Need help choosing? Check out our roundup of the best Korean moisturisers. Here are a couple of our favourites to help you glow:
ANUA Heartleaf 70% Intense Calming Cream
Best for: Sensitive and acne-prone skin
This soothing cream calms irritation, relieves breakouts, and deeply hydrates the skin, thanks to heartleaf extract and ceramides. Skin will be left smooth, plump and glowing.
Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel
Best for: Oily skin
A super lightweight formula which can be used on the face and body, promoting a clear, healthy complexion. Beloved for its rapid absorption and non-sticky finish, this gorgeous formula soothes and cools whilst creating a natural, healthy glow.
Step 7: Daily SPF
The most important step in any skincare routine? SPF. Protecting your skin from harmful UV rays is essential for maintaining that glass skin glow—no excuses. Korean sunscreens are some of the best around, these are a couple of our favourites you’ll want to apply every morning.
Beauty Of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics
Best for: Dry and sensitive skin
This lightweight SPF 50+ sunscreen hydrates, nourishes, and protects your skin without leaving a greasy residue or white cast, it’s one of the best Beauty of Joseon products around.
COSRX Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+
Best For: Sensitive and acne-prone skin types
Soothe and protect your skin with the COSRX Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+. Packed with vitamin E, a skin-loving antioxidant that calms inflammation and helps fade acne scars, this sunscreen delivers powerful protection against damaging UV rays. The lightweight formula controls oil and excess sebum without leaving a white cast, so your skin stays calm, clear, and shine-free all day long.
Achieving glass skin doesn’t have to be complicated—you just need to be consistent. Follow these steps, find the products that work for you, and prepare to enjoy the smooth, radiant glow that’s worth every minute.
