How to Achieve Glass Skin

Glass skin—a term that refers to flawless and luminous complexion—originates from South Korea, where skincare routines are meticulously crafted around hydration and glow. The idea is to have skin so smooth, hydrated, and clear that it reflects light and looks as if it’s made of glass. While it may seem unattainable, the concept is less about perfection and more about maintaining healthy, glowing skin through consistent care. This post will guide you through what glass skin is, the essential steps to achieving it, and the products that can help you along the way.

What Is Glass Skin?

Glass skin is characterized by a healthy, dewy complexion that reflects light like glass, appearing poreless and smooth. It’s not necessarily about achieving flawless skin free of blemishes or imperfections but instead about maximizing hydration and keeping your skin barrier healthy.

Achieving glass skin requires commitment to a multi-step skincare routine. Below are some of those steps!

Step 1: Double Cleansing

The foundation of glass skin is clean, clear skin. Start with a double cleanse to remove makeup, dirt, and impurities from your skin.

• Oil-Based Cleanser: This helps break down makeup, sunscreen, and sebum. Gently massage it into your skin, then rinse with lukewarm water.
• Water-Based Cleanser: Follow up with a gentle foaming cleanser such as Clean Queen, to remove any remaining impurities and balance the skin.

The double cleanse ensures your skin is thoroughly clean from all impurities without stripping away its natural oils, which is key for achieving that dewy glow.

Step 2: Exfoliation

Exfoliation is essential for a smooth, poreless appearance. It removes dead skin cells that can create a dull complexion and clog pores.

• Chemical Exfoliants: Products containing AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) gently dissolve the bonds holding dead skin cells together. They are ideal for regular use and help brighten and smooth the skin. Intoxicated Cosmetics's Power Wash Peel Pads include 5% Glycolic Acid, 5% Lactic Acid, and 2% Salicylic Acid. Overall, it helps to reduce fine lines, deep clean pores, and prevent acne and dullness.

Incorporate exfoliation into your routine 2-3 times a week to encourage skin cell turnover and reveal fresh, glowing skin beneath.

Step 3: Toning

Toning is an often overlooked but crucial step in your glass skin journey. Toners help to balance the skin’s pH, prep it for the following steps, and deliver a boost of hydration.

• Hydrating Toner: Choose a toner with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or rose water. Avoid alcohol-based toners that can be drying.

Pat the toner into your skin rather than using a cotton pad, which can absorb the product. Pressing the toner in helps to lock in moisture.

Step 4: Essence

Essence, often seen in glass skin routines, is a lightweight, concentrated product that penetrates deeply into the skin, providing hydration and prepping your skin to absorb products more effectively.

• Hydrating Essence: Look for essences with ingredients like fermented extracts, hyaluronic acid, or niacinamide to boost hydration and brightness.

Patting an essence onto your skin helps restore its moisture barrier and adds a beautiful dewy glow.

Step 5: Serum

Serums are targeted treatments designed to address specific skin concerns. For glass skin, hydration and radiance-boosting serums such as the Snail or Snake serum, are key.

Among the many potent ingredients in the Intoxicated Cosmetics serums include Hyadisine and Vitamin C. Hyadisine increases moisture by 20.6% in 24 hours—58.5% more hydrating than Hyaluronic Acid. This ingredient is a must for glass skin. It binds moisture to your skin, plumping it up and creating a youthful, smooth appearance.

Known for its brightening and anti-aging properties, Vitamin C can help fade dark spots, improve skin texture, and enhance your glow. The Vitamin C in our serums brighten and even skin tone while supporting collagen and elastin production.

Step 6: Moisturizer

Locking in all that hydration is key to achieving glass skin. Moisturizers create a barrier on the skin that prevents moisture loss and keeps your skin looking plump and dewy.

Our Antidote moisturizer is packed with powerful actives. It smooths fine lines, boosts collagen, and deeply hydrates your skin for up to 72 hours. With ingredients like Venuceane™ for environmental protection, Matrixyl® Synthe'6® to reverse wrinkles, and Pentavitin® for long-lasting hydration, Antidote locks in the benefits of your serums while nourishing and rejuvenating your skin.

Step 7: Sunscreen

Sunscreen is non-negotiable. To maintain glass skin, it’s essential to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, which can lead to pigmentation, dehydration, and premature aging.

• Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen: Look for a lightweight sunscreen that offers at least SPF 30 and doesn’t leave a white cast or greasy residue.

Reapply sunscreen throughout the day to maintain protection, especially if you’re outdoors.

Step 8: Sheet Mask

For an added boost of hydration, incorporate a hydrating sheet mask into your routine once or twice a week. Sheet masks are soaked in serums and can provide an instant glow and deep hydration to the skin.

Bonus Tips for Achieving Glass Skin

• Hydration: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and incorporate hydrating foods like cucumber, watermelon, and leafy greens into your diet.
• Be Consistent: The key to glass skin is consistency. Stick to your routine and give your skin time to adjust and respond to the products.
• Facial Massage: Incorporating facial massage or using tools like jade rollers or gua sha can stimulate blood circulation and promote lymphatic drainage, enhancing your natural glow.

Glass Skin Isn’t Just for a Day

While achieving glass skin may seem like an intensive process, it’s ultimately about maintaining healthy, well-hydrated skin. By sticking to a routine that prioritizes hydration, nourishment, and protection, you’ll not only achieve a dewy, radiant complexion but also improve the overall health of your skin.