Glass Skin 101: How to Achieve the K-Beauty Glow

If you’ve spent any time scrolling through K-beauty trends, chances are you’ve come across the term glass skin. This look is all about achieving skin so clear and smooth that it reflects light like glass. Unlike makeup-based trends, glass skin is not about covering up. Instead, it’s about creating skin that glows naturally from within by focusing on hydration, barrier repair, and consistency.

This blog will guide you through the step-by-step glass skin routine, explain the science behind each stage, and recommend Dermoi’s expert-approved products to help you achieve a radiant complexion.

Cleansing is the essential first step in any glass skin routine. In K-beauty in particular, the double cleanse has become a crucial part of the evening skincare routine.

• First cleanse (oil-based): This removes sunscreen, makeup, and excess sebum. Oil attracts oil and therefore this step is highly effective for deep cleansing.
  
• Second cleanse (water-based): Removes dirt, sweat, and water-soluble debris, leaving your skin fresh and ready to absorb the next product.
  

Choose your cleanser by skin type:

• Dry skin: Opt for hydrating cleansers with ceramides or glycerin to prevent tightness and maintain moisture.
  
• Oily or acne-prone skin: Go for a foaming gel cleanser or one with mild exfoliants like salicylic acid to control sebum and reduce congestion.
  
• Sensitive skin: Use gentle, fragrance-free cleansers that won’t disrupt the skin barrier.
  

Over-cleansing or using hot water strips the skin’s natural oils and disrupts the skin barrier, which protects against bacteria and environmental stress. Stick to lukewarm water and cleanse no more than twice a day.

• PCA Skin Creamy Cleanser – a rich, hydrating cleanser formulated with rosehip seed oil and aloe vera to nourish dry or mature skin while gently removing impurities without stripping.
• Medik8 Clarifying Foam Cleanser – a lightweight, oil-free foaming cleanser with salicylic acid and niacinamide to unclog pores, regulate oil, and soothe blemish-prone skin.
• Osmosis Gentle Cleanser – a calming formula that lifts away impurities without disrupting the skin barrier. Perfect for sensitive skin while leaving the complexion soft and hydrated.

After cleansing, the skin’s pH can be disrupted, which weakens its ability to absorb treatments. Toners rebalance the skin’s pH while increasing skin hydration as they can significantly improve the effectiveness of serums and moisturisers applied afterward.

Types of toners for glass skin:

• Hydrating toners: Contain hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or rose water to plump skin instantly.
  
• Exfoliating toners: Use mild AHAs or BHAs to smooth texture, fade dullness, and unclog pores.
• Soothing toners: Contain centella, chamomile, or green tea to calm irritation and strengthen the barrier.

• BIRETIX Oil Control Solution – formulated with glycolic acid and salicylic acid, this toner refines pores, regulates oil production, and helps fight acne without over-drying.
  
• Exuviance HydraPrep pH Balance Toner – a gentle toner that restores pH balance while boosting hydration with polyhydroxy acids (PHAs).
  
• Osmosis Boost Peptide Activating Mist – packed with peptides, hyaluronic acid, and green tea extracts, this mist hydrates the skin while stimulating collagen activity for long-term glow.

Apply toner with your hands or cotton pads after cleansing for a dewy, glass-like finish.

Serums are where you truly personalise your glass skin routine. With small molecular sizes, they penetrate deeper into the skin, delivering concentrated active ingredients that address specific concerns. 

Targeted serums by skin type/concern:

• Dryness: Hyaluronic acid (attracts up to 1,000 times its weight in water), squalane, and aloe vera.
  
• Oily skin: Niacinamide (reduces sebum production and inflammation) and salicylic acid (keeps pores clear).
  
• Acne-prone skin: BHA, glycolic acid, or benzoyl peroxide to keep breakouts at bay.
  
• Hyperpigmentation: Vitamin C, niacinamide, and azelaic acid to brighten and even skin tone.
  Fine lines & ageing: Retinol (stimulates collagen and skin renewal) and vitamin C (protects against free radicals).

• PCA Skin Acne Gel – a fast-absorbing treatment with salicylic acid and azelaic acid that clears breakouts, unclogs pores, and reduces redness. Ideal for acne-prone and oily skin types.
• Osmosis Catalyst AC-11 DNA Repair C Serum – a powerful antioxidant serum featuring vitamin C and patented AC-11® technology to even skin tone and brighten dull complexions.
• Medik8 Crystal Retinal – an advanced vitamin A serum available in progressive strengths, clinically proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles while boosting collagen for more youthful skin.

Introduce new serums gradually and patch test first, as their high concentration of actives can overwhelm the skin if used all at once.

A moisturiser is essential for sealing in hydration and protecting the barrier. Without it, water evaporates from the skin’s surface through a process called transepidermal water loss (TEWL) which leaves skin dull and dehydrated.

Types of moisturisers for glass skin:

• Water-based gels: Lightweight and fast-absorbing, ideal for oily or combination skin.
  
• Oil-based creams: Rich and nourishing, great for dry or mature skin.
  
  

Look for formulas with ceramides, peptides, and antioxidants to repair and defend the barrier.

• BIRETIX Hydramat Fluid – a lightweight moisturiser designed for oily and acne-prone skin. It balances sebum production, minimises shine, and provides mattifying hydration without clogging pores.
• Osmosis Quench Nourishing Moisturiser – a deeply hydrating cream enriched with shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants to replenish and repair dry or stressed skin while leaving a smooth, dewy finish.
• PCA Skin ReBalance – a calming, lightweight moisturiser infused with borage seed oil, evening primrose oil, and vitamin E to restore balance, reduce redness, and strengthen sensitive or compromised skin.

No glass skin routine is complete without daily SPF. UV rays are the leading cause of premature ageing, pigmentation, and barrier damage. Even on cloudy days, up to 80% of UV rays penetrate the skin, making sunscreen an essential step in your routine.

• Heliocare 360 Gel Oil-Free SPF50 – an ultra-lightweight, non-comedogenic gel that provides high-level UVA/UVB protection while controlling shine. Perfect for oily and acne-prone skin.
• Dermaceutic Sun Ceutic 50+ – a nourishing sunscreen enriched with hyaluronic acid that not only defends against UV rays but also hydrates and repairs the skin. An excellent choice for dry or mature skin types.

The delicate under-eye area lacks sebaceous glands, making it prone to dryness, fine lines, and puffiness. Eye creams deliver targeted hydration and peptides to keep this area smooth and youthful.

• Jan Marini Transformation Eye Cream – a lightweight yet powerful formula with peptides and hyaluronic acid that deeply hydrates, firms, and improves skin elasticity around the eye contour.
• NeoStrata Intensive Eye Therapy – enriched with hyaluronic acid, peptides, and apple stem cell extract, this eye cream targets crow’s feet, sagging, and puffiness while boosting collagen for long-term rejuvenation.

• Consistency is everything: It takes 4-8 weeks to see results, depending on your skin.
  
• Know your skin type: Tailor your products. What works for oily skin may overwhelm dry or sensitive skin.
  
• Less is more: Too many actives can irritate skin; stick to 1-2 serums at a time.
  
• Never sleep in makeup: It clogs pores and accelerates ageing.
  
• Layer correctly: Apply products from thinnest (toner, serums) to thickest (moisturiser, SPF).
  
• Avoid over-exfoliation: Both physical scrubs and strong acids can damage the barrier.
  
• Hands off: Picking or touching skin spreads bacteria and causes breakouts.

Glass skin is about creating a hydrated, healthy, and radiant complexion through mindful skincare. By following this step-by-step routine you’re giving your skin exactly what it needs to thrive and with expert-approved products from Dermoi, each stage of your routine is backed by science and designed to deliver visible results.

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Proksch, E., Brandner, J.M. and Jensen, J.-M. (2008). The skin: an indispensable barrier. Experimental dermatology, 17(12), pp.1063–72. 

Pullar, J.M., Carr, A.C. and Vissers, M.C.M. (2017). The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Nutrients, 9(8), p.866. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9080866. 

Rawlings, A.V. and Harding, C.R. (2004). Moisturization and skin barrier function. Dermatologic Therapy, [online] 17(s1), pp.43–48. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1396-0296.2004.04s1005.x. 

WILSON, D., E. BERARDESCA and MAIBACH, H.I. (1988). In vivo transepidermal water loss and skin surface hydration in assessment of moisturization and soap effects. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 10(5), pp.201–211. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2494.1988.tb00018.x. 

Yaar, M. and Gilchrest, B.A. (2007). Photoageing: mechanism, prevention and therapy. British Journal of Dermatology, 157(5), pp.874–887. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2007.08108.x.