It’s been a few years since Korean skincare started showing up on our Instagram and Twitter feeds earning recognition and fascination all over the globe. It has since been taking the beauty industry by storm and to this date shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, a new K-beauty trend has been on the rise called “glass skin.” Picture skin so exceptionally smooth, poreless, lustrous, flawless, translucent to the point of being likened to glass. Imagine almost ethereal skin that leaves people – including us – doling out adjective after adjective, trying to convey just how perfect and enviable this type of complexion is. It has become even more popular than the matte look as it makes your skin appear natural and healthy.
The glass skin trend was popularized by Ellie Choi, an aspiring Korean makeup artist based in Los Angeles, when she shared on Instagram every single step and product of the skincare routine that transformed her skin type from combination to “glass skin” status. But although the way to achieving glass skin is within our reach, some products in her list aren’t. But don’t fret, that’s why we created a customized glass skin routine that uses only Missha products!
1.Double Cleanse
The most basic part of any skincare routine is cleansing, but K-beauty throws in a twist by introducing double cleansing. If you want to achieve glass skin, haphazardly swiping a cleansing cloth across your face at the end of a long day simply won’t cut it. At night, your face will have already collected so much dirt, oil, sweat, pollutants, and makeup residue.
For truly poreless skin, begin with a cleansing oil of your choice. As we are going to use only Missha products for this routine, the Super Aqua Watery Cleansing Oil is by far the best option. This product strips away hard-to-remove makeup without being harsh on your skin. It leaves no slippery residue, only a clean and fresh finish.
We will follow this up with a gentle foam wash or cream cleanser, ideally Near Skin pH Balancing Cleansing Foam. Its subacid base helps protect the skin and provides mild cleansing. It contains skin-friendly amino acids for moisture and hydration. Apart from that, it helps control oil to water balance for sensitive skin.
2. Exfoliate
Exfoliation plays a huge part in attaining clear and smooth skin. It sloughs away dead skin cells that clog pores and make your skin appear dull. However, this process is not meant to be done daily. Two or three times a week is enough, so as to avoid irritations.
Try: Missha Super Aqua Refreshing Cleansing Foam
3. Tone
The key to getting glass skin at home is a hydrating toner—and lots of it. K-beauty toners are applied to provide base hydration and allow better absorption of other products in your regimen. Another K-beauty tip is to apply seven layers of it to get a lit-from-within glow. “Layering is key here to achieving the extremely hydrated skin that’s necessary for glass skin, so the 7 Skin Method—applying up to seven layers of toner to your skin—in general, works well for this,” explains skin care blogger and K-beauty expert Jude Chao. It may sound like such a chore, but it actually doesn’t take long and feels much like a treatment too.
Try: Missha Meditanical Tea Tree Toner
4. Add an essence
Essences are designed to address common skin concerns such as pigmentation and redness. It clarifies tone, refines skin texture, and minimizes the appearance of redness for a clean and bright complexion. It infuses deeply hydrating fluid enriched with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to moisturize and replenish skin texture. It also balances pH once you’ve stripped the skin of oils. This is what you add to make you feel like you again.
Try: Missha First Treatment Essence 150ml or Missha First Treatment Essence 30ml (included in Missha Time Revolution Premium Beauty Set available at Minako Online)
5. Treat with a serum or ampule
Ampoules are basically the Korean counterpart of serums. Their highly concentrated formula works while you sleep to promote the beautifying benefits of your skin’s natural overnight rejuvenation. Ampoules target multiple key signs of aging for a complexion that looks and feels brighter and firmer. They are fortified with an elixir of fermented extracts and vitamins that condition your skin with the nutritious moisture it needs to appear youthfully energized.
Try: Missha Night Repair New Science Activator Ampoule 50ml or Night Repair New Science Activator Ampoule 10ml (included in Missha Time Revolution Premium Beauty Set available at Minako Online)
6. Moisturize
This is an absolute no-brainer for anyone who knows anything at all about skin care. But when you’re aiming for that luminescent look, you’re likely to opt for the one that packs the most moisture. Your moisturizer should contain healing, anti-aging and barrier-restoring properties. The moisturizer below harnesses the unique power of snail slime extract and botanical stem cells to capture your skin’s youthful beauty. Packed with a 40% concentration of snail slime extract, this moisturizer works as a 2-in-1 lotion and essence that delivers concentrated nourishment for lush, healthy-looking skin.
Try: Missha Super Aqua Snail Essential Moisturizer 130ml
7. Bonus Step: Extra Coverage
To add an extra touch of coverage, Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream may be used for concealing imperfections like dark spots, balances skin tone, and visibly smoothens complexion for a youthfully perfected look. Cushion foundations also work wonders as they provide light and natural coverage. Missha M Magic Cushion gives skin the perfect coverage and creates a flawless dewy finish, while hiding imperfections and dull skin tone. Its lightweight texture absorbs sweat and oil for comfortable wear that lasts all day.
Try both and avail yours at Minako Online!
Although photos of girls with impeccable glass skin have us rushing to start a new skincare routine, there is definitely not shortcut to achieving ethereal-looking skin. As made apparent by this multi-step beauty regimen, glass skin certainly does not come easy. Achieving a glow of this magnitude is a long-term commitment that requires consistency. No change drastic as glass skin transformation happens overnight. Even though trying out new things isn’t harmful, we must manage our goals and expectations to a realistic range. So instead of fixating on a1ttaining the current beauty fads, focus on creating a solid skin care routine that empowers you to be comfortable in your own skin!
