Korean beauty has been popular for almost a decade now—making “glass skin” a sought-after goal among skincare buffs. But if you’re not sure exactly how to get glass skin, you’re not alone. It’s simply “your skin at its healthiest,” says Peach & Lily founder Alicia Yoon, who coined the term. In other words, it’s when your skin is so balanced and hydrated that it has luminosity, clarity and smoothness that resembles glass.
The good news is that it’s much more attainable than it might sound. It’s really a matter of refining your skin texture and amping up your hydration, according to Savor Beauty founder Angela Jia Kim. “Moisture is key, even for those with oily or acne-prone skin—as it’s the Korean beauty philosophy that proper hydration helps balance oil production and prevent breakouts,” she says. Here, our experts share what you can do to get glass skin for yourself, as well as our top skincare picks for achieving this radiant look.
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Best Skincare Products For Getting Glass Skin
- Oil Cleanser: Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm
- Foam Cleanser: Shani Darden Cleansing Serum
- Exfoliator: Banila Co Clean It Zero Brightening Peeling Gel
- Essence: Schwanen Garten Treatment Essence
- Face Serum: Peach & Lily Glass Skin Serum
- Moisturizer For Oily Skin: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
- Moisturizer For Dry Skin: Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich Face Cream
- Sunscreen: EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46
How To Get Glass Skin
Step 1: Begin With A Double Cleanse
While cleansing can seem like a basic step, it’s still one of the most important. For one, it allows anything you apply to your skin to better absorb. And secondly, it helps remove excess oil, grime and makeup from skin, all of which can keep you from getting radiant, glowing skin. And as straightforward as it might sound, there’s a right way to do it. “It’s key to cleanse skin properly—that means thoroughly without irritating skin,” says Yoon.
That’s where the concept of double cleansing comes in. A staple step in Korean beauty, it begins with an oil-based cleanser which can “most effectively remove oil-based impurities like makeup, SPF and excess sebum,” Yoon says. Once you’ve rinsed off your first cleanser, follow up with a water-based face wash.
Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm
A cleansing balm, like this gentle, eucalyptus-spiked pick from Versed, is a good option for the first step. This velvety formulation has an oil base that moisturizes skin while breaking down stubborn debris, waterproof makeup included. It’s a top pick in our best cleansing balms roundup.
Shani Darden Cleansing Serum
“Use a gentle pH-balanced, water-based cleanser to remove remaining impurities like dirt, sweat and grime,” says Yoon. One of the best face wash formulas according to our roundup, the Shani Darden Cleansing Serum builds to a creamy lather to purify skin, but doesn't strip it of essential hydration.
Step 2: Prep Skin To Brighten And Smooth
To get the kind of gleam that resembles glass, getting rid of dead skin cells is key—and exfoliation makes that possible. A regular yet gentle routine “can help to remove dead skin cells, revealing a smoother, brighter complexion,” says Kim.
Then, prep and rehydrate your skin with a face essence. Popular in Asian cultures, these formulations are intended to dampen and nourish skin to help it better absorb products that follow (like how a damp sponge absorbs better than a dry one).
Banila Co Clean It Zero Brightening Peeling Gel
To exfoliate the K-beauty way, try this option from Korean beauty brand Banila Co, which we consider one of the best face exfoliators. Forbes Vetted senior updates editor Karen Tietjen is a fan of the gel formula, pointing to its “satisfying” texture; it uses gommage, a method in which you apply the gel to dry skin and then rub it off to very gently peel dead skin away. It also has a nice, citrus scent.
Schwanen Garten Treatment Essence
This pick from Schwanen Garten is among the best Korean skincare products for its ability to deliver ample (but incredibly lightweight) moisture. While it has a serum-like feel, it sinks into skin almost instantly to deliver antioxidants—courtesy of nutrient-dense botanicals like green tea and chamomile extracts. Just pat it in before moving on to the next steps of your routine.
Step 3: Plump And Hydrate Skin With Nourishing Ingredients
Next, layer on a hydrating serum. “It’s important to keep skin extremely well hydrated, nourished, calm and supported with antioxidants, given external stressors we face daily,” says Yoon. You could use a formula infused with hyaluronic acid—the beloved humectant that helps draw in and retain water, thereby plumping and smoothing skin—or another packed with antioxidants, which brighten and protect skin.
Finally, it’s “key to seal in all of this with a moisturizer that’s right for your skin type,” says Yoon. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, she recommends looking for an oil-free moisturizer.
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Serum
Glass skin might not have come to the forefront without this formula, which Yoon formulated. Packed with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides and vitamin-rich peach extract, it now has a cult following, she says, since it works for all skin types and offers versatile benefits.
This is one of our favorite moisturizers for oily skin, and it’s especially helpful for getting glass skin because it hydrates using hyaluronic acid. However, it feels weightless, and instead of leaving skin overly matte like some gel formulas can—which detracts from the luminosity needed for this look—it imparts a fresh, healthy finish.
Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich Face Cream
For those dealing with dryness, look for “a moisturizer that provides a lot of lipid supportif you have dry skin,” Yoon says. The Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich Face Cream made our list for the best moisturizer for dry skin for its ability to nourish and support the skin barrier. Plus, it’s fragrance-free, so it’s a good option for people with sensitive skin, too.
Step 4: Protect Skin From Potential Sun Damage
Sun exposure unleashes free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can break down collagen and elastin, contribute to dark spots and create cellular damage. So, if you’re in the market for glass skin, “it’s essential to protect skin with SPF and reapply adequately, rain or shine,” says Yoon.
EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46
The best sunscreen is whichever you like enough to wear on a regular basis, and this option from EltaMD is a safe bet. It uses a hybrid of mineral and chemical filters and doesn’t have a chalky finish. Plus, it comes highly recommended by Forbes Vetted staffers and dermatologists alike. It’s oil-free, but actively brightens skin with a combination of niacinamide and lactic acid.
If you'd rather an even more lightweight option, consider this unique gel sunscreen, which feels weightless and delivers eight different sizes of hyaluronic acid to actively hydrate skin while protecting it. Plus, this can hold up to sweat and splashes (just remember to reapply).
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
At Forbes Vetted, we’ve researched and written countless skincare stories, including articles about the best Korean skincare products.
- Contributor Deanna Pai has been covering beauty and wellness for over 13 years.
- This story was assigned and edited by deputy editor Jane Sung, who oversees the . She has over 15 years of lifestyle journalism experience and has tested hundreds of skincare formulas.
- We gathered key insight and guidance from two aestheticians who are also experts in Korean beauty. Angela Jia Kim is the founder of Savor Beauty, a holistic spa with locations in New York City, and Alicia Yoon is the founder of Korean skincare brand Peach & Lily.