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Korean skincare has recently taken over our social media timelines as well as our bank accounts. Every month there’s a new Korean skincare product trending and we barely have the self-control to not add that 50th product to our skincare drawer. This trend seems to be carrying on for the longest time and we’re not complaining! Korean skincare actually works, and most of the time it’s worth spending our money on.
From spot-treatments, eye-creams and sleeping masks, Korean skincare offers innovative formulation and the most aesthetically pleasing packaging. That’s part of the reason we not only run, but sprint when a new product gets trending or recommended. But there’s one craze we’ve definitely all come across. The Korean Glass Skin trend. Oof, the dewiness, the glow and the fresh look is to die for!
What is Korean Glass Skin?
Korean glass skin is a term used to describe the perfect, dewy complexion of many Korean women. It’s an aspirational look that consists of clear, even-toned, radiant skin with no visible pores or blemishes. The look is created by diligently following a skincare regimen consisting of multiple steps and products. Many experts say the secret lies in extremely moisturised skin as well as layering skincare. We know about the 10-step or 7-step Korean skincare buzz, so that definitely plays a big part in achieving the flawless Korean glass skin.
Before getting into how you can achieve Korean Glass Skin, let’s talk about achievability. Yes, we’d all love to do one routine and then wake up and be shining brighter than the sun. As you know, most good things take time…and consistency. Sometimes trying 100 products at the same time is not such a good idea as your skin just doesn’t get its maximum benefit thus reducing results you could probably have gotten had you stuck with it. The longer you stick with a product, the better chance you have of seeing its results.
We do think it’s important to keep in mind that it is okay to try out different trending products, however, keeping realistic goals is extremely important. We all have different skin types and it’s not something that can easily be changed. But then again we believe that along with starting a good skincare routine, the vital part is that you’re comfortable and confident in your skin instead of getting carried away with remarkably high expectations. At the end of the day a lot of us do skincare to make ourselves and our skin feel and look good. It’s like a pamper session that we all deserve!
How Your Lifestyle Ties Into Achieving Korean Glass Skin
Have you ever asked someone what their skincare routine was and they say ‘water’? Well, there is some truth to what they’re saying. Experts have said that skincare goes beyond the products we apply externally to our face. The most important part of it all is having a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Skincare products plus a balanced lifestyle is like yin and yang. They simply have to exist together. We will share some habits that you can put into practice to improve your skin holistically below:
Getting in that Beauty Sleep!
Getting 8 hours of sleep a night is something we all overlook but is so important for fresh and bright looking skin. Those binge-watching nights that turn into mornings or those late night TikTok and Instagram scrolling needs to stop, or at least be minimised. We literally wake up with the most puffy face and sore eyes as if we couldn’t have just gone to sleep at a reasonable time. Having the full 8 hours of sleep helps your blood flow better, builds up your skin’s collagen and revitalises everything from within.
Get Walking
Make ‘hot girl walks’ your new 2023 motto. Walking not only has amazing effects on your mental health, it gives what your skin needs it to give. We’ve all looked in the mirror after a good workout and admired the sweaty glow on our face. A lot of the time when you think of working out, you think high-intensity whereas getting your heart rate up includes going on a walk in your neighbourhood. Exercise pumps blood which improves circulation and good circulation means brighter, healthier looking skin.
What Are You Eating?
No, we’re not going to recommend any of the many trending diets. But are going to speak about the simple habit of incorporating fresh produce that’s good for your skin and overall health, into your current one. Incorporating produce that’s high in healthy fats and antioxidants such as berries, fish, avocado, nuts and greens will make your skin love you due to the anti-ageing benefits it has as well as the radiant, hydrated look it’ll give your skin.
Korean Glass Skin Routine
Now for the fun part! Here is our recommended routine to get the famous Korean Glass Skin. Keep in mind that different types of skin will require different types of products. For example mildly formulated skin products for sensitive skin, and products specifically formulated for oily- prone or acne-prone skin.
Step 1: Double cleansing
This cleansing method requires you to cleanse twice to get rid of any makeup, built-up dirt and excess oils. First, cleanse your face with an oil-based cleanser like the Banila Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm to remove stubborn makeup and dirt. Then follow up with a pH balancing water-based, or foam cleanser such as the Heimish All Clean Green Foam pH 5.5 Cleanser. This will ensure that your face is squeaky clean from any dirt that it may have collected throughout the day.
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Step 2: Exfoliation
Exfoliation is key to getting rid of any dead skin cells that may build up on your skins surface. It is recommended to exfoliate 2-3 times a week as over exfoliating can irritate your skin. Chemical exfoliation dissolves and loosens the bonds between cells by using alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), or enzymes. Regular chemical exfoliation not only improves skin radiance but also helps prevent clogged pores, acne, and uneven skin tone. If you have sensitive skin, it is better to use a gentle chemical exfoliator such as The Axis-Y PHA Resurfacing Glow Peel.
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Step 3: Toner
Toner rebalances your skin’s pH level as well as gives your skin a good base layer of hydration. Toner is a refreshing and moisturising boost that is frequently packed with beneficial ingredients including antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, and soothing plant extracts. Toners can also assist to reduce the appearance of pores and improve overall skin texture. This allows your skin to absorb the other products much better. It’s a step that is often overlooked which we definitely think shouldn’t be. A cult favourite that provides intense hydration for those with dry skin, is the Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner.
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Step 4: Essence
Essence is the product that could easily be forgotten about. However, it plays a vital role in providing extra hydration that aids in the process of achieving ‘glass skin’. An essence is a lightweight, specially formulated water-based product that contains active ingredients to help achieve optimal hydration levels and improve the overall health of your skin. They are intended to treat specific skincare issues while also creating a beautiful complexion. It also helps replenish lost moisture in the skin cells, restoring the skin’s suppleness. We recommend a holy grail skincare product, the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence.
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Step 5: Serum
A serum comes immediately after the essence. This lightweight, fast-absorbing liquid contains a high concentration of active components like vitamins, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. Serums are intended to target specific skin issues, such as fine lines, dehydration, or pigmentation, by releasing a high content of active ingredients deep into the skin’s layers. It helps stimulate the skin’s collagen firming and helps in reducing the appearance of pores. Serums help hydrate the skin and assist in evening out the skin tone.
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Step 6: Moisturiser
Moisturiser is the one step we all do, if not the only one at times. Moisturising is an essential component of any effective skincare routine that aims to keep the skin hydrated, supple, and healthy. Moisturisers are made up of a combination of humectants, emollients, and occlusives, which act together to restore lost moisture, prevent water evaporation, and lock in key nutrients. Finding the proper moisturiser for your skin type, whether dry, oily, or combination, is crucial for obtaining balanced hydration and encouraging healthy skin function. For dry skin, we recommend the super hydrating Holika Holika Good Cera Super Ceramide Cream.
Shop moisturisers here.
Step 7: Eye Cream
Eye creams are lightweight and work at addressing particular eye-area issues such as fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles. They are formulated with powerful ingredients such as peptides, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients work to hydrate, firm, and revitalize this delicate area, helping to reduce the signs of ageing and fatigue.
Shop eye creams here.
Step 8: Lock it all in with a face oil
Now that you’ve layered up all your products it’s time to seal it. Face oils are versatile and can be adapted to various skin types, whether dry, oily. or sensitive. They lock in all the moisture and provide a radiant glow, by deeply hydrating, restoring, and preserving the skin’s barrier. When applying face oils after serums and moisturisers, you give your skin the extra moisture and protection it needs.
Step 9: SPF
We have 99 problems but SPF ain’t one! SPF is a step that cannot be skipped in any skincare routine, ever. This step is as important as brushing your teeth in the morning. SPF or sunblock, protects our skin from harmful UV/UVB rays and keeps our skin looking nourished all day long. It also gives your skin a youthful glow and reduces the appearance of ageing!
Step 10: Sheet Masks
Sheet masks are honestly one of our favourite things. It gives: Friday night in pj’s, in front of the TV with a good movie and a hydrating mask to give your skin that extra love. It offers immediate brightening, extra moisture and soothes irritated skin! And after a long day, it’s exactly what some of us need.
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And that’s the end of the Korean Glass Skin routine. Give it a try and let us know how it goes!
