While terms such as “radiance” and “glow” have been popular descriptions for complexion, the phrase “glass skin” has grown in popularity over the last decade. It originated in South Korea, the land of skin-care innovation, and “started becoming more popular in Western culture around 2016-2017. We were a part of the earlier conversation, first talking about glass skin and how to achieve it through our blog back in 2016,” says Sarah Lee, co-founder and co-CEO of Glow Recipe. “As interest in K-beauty continued to grow during this time, we were also seeing influencers share their glass-skin routines, helping the term become more mainstream.”
Glass skin is not a term that you’ll find in a dermatological textbook, but “in practical terms, I think it means skin that reflects light,” dermatologist Dr. Julia Carroll explains. ”It’s not about being poreless or really shiny. It’s more about skin quality. So when the surface is smooth and hydrated, then light reflects more evenly, which creates that glass-like effect.”
Dr. Katie Beleznay, a dermatologist in Vancouver, says patients sometimes refer to glass skin when talking to her about their skin goals—especially if they’re on social media—but it’s not a term she uses herself. “It can suggest a level of perfection that isn’t realistic or necessary for healthy skin. I prefer to talk about improving skin quality and radiance in a way that still acknowledges that pores, texture, and some fine lines are normal,” she explains.
What kind of products and procedures will get you better quality and more reflective skin? “I recommend daily sunscreen, topical vitamin C or other antioxidant serums, a retinoid at night, and a good moisturizer,” Beleznay says. “Occasional gentle exfoliation can help as well.”
Carroll says moisturizer is key to making the skin plump and reflective. She likens hydrated skin to a fully inflated balloon, which is shiny and evenly reflects light. “Think about that versus a balloon that’s been lying around after the party for a couple of days, and it has some dimples, and it’s not shiny. It’s dull looking,” she says. Top of her ingredients list are hyaluronic acid and ceramides: the former pulls water into the skin so it looks hydrated, while the latter repairs the skin’s barrier so moisture is locked in.
There are a few in-clinic procedures that can help too. “In-office treatments like microneedling and nonablative lasers to target redness, pigment, and fine lines can significantly improve skin quality and glow,” Beleznay says. She also rates skin boosters, a procedure that injects microdroplets of hyaluronic acid into the skin for deep hydration. The results are subtle—you don’t look pillowy, since it’s not a filler treatment—and last six months or so.
How realistic is it to get glass skin if you’re not 12 years old? Beleznay cautions against trying to achieve poreless perfection at any age. “Pores and some texture are completely normal, and skin naturally changes over time,” she says. “That said, it’s absolutely possible to achieve fresher, smoother, more radiant skin at almost any age with the right approach.”
Here are eight products to try:
A favourite of Carroll, who works with the Korean brand, this moisturizer has ceramide capsules that are slowly released into skin so that it stays comfortable and hydrated over time, plus niacinamide to help repair the skin barrier.
Bubble Cosmic Silk Hydrating Milky Toner
This ceramide-rich toner is designed to “glaze” skin: hydrate, soothe, and plump with its light and milky texture. Apply after cleansing, pressing into skin with the palms before applying serum and moisturizer.
Clarins UV 50 Day Screen Multi-Protection
Protecting skin from UV is key to keeping it healthy and uniform in tone. This light chemical sunscreen shields against both UVA and UVB rays, and leaves skin looking luminous, with no white cast.
Elizabeth Arden Retinol + HPR Ceramide Capsules
This serum contains retinol, ceramides, and peptides and is packed into biodegradable capsules that each contain a single dose. It’s gentle enough to use twice a day even on sensitive skin, but be rigorous with sunscreen application as retinol can make skin more sensitive to UV.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-Tight Toner
You can’t achieve a poreless complexion, but exfoliation with gentle acids can refine the skin’s texture and make pores look smaller. This toner is gentle enough to be used in the morning and evening. For an extra treat, Sarah Lee of Glow Recipe suggests applying toner-soaked cotton pads all over the face and leaving them on for five to 10 minutes as a mini mask treatment.
This serum has peptides to address fine lines and different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, which penetrate into different skin layers to deliver both deep and superficial hydration.
Rhode Glazing Milk Ceramide Facial Essence
A combination of ceramides and antioxidants, this is meant to repair barrier function and soothe skin. Use it before moisturizer or mixed into foundation for a dewy look.
This Canadian brand’s exfoliant has gentle acids to remove dead skin cells that can cause the appearance of dullness, plus aloe vera that hydrates and soothes. Pat into skin with fingertips or apply with a cotton pad after cleansing and before other skin-care products.
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