TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The term glass skin has been popular since 2017, but actually it has long been a beauty ideal in Korea. This skin is earned because Koreans have always focused on multi-step skincare layering on moisturizing products to create a fresh and youthful appearance.
According to Charlotte Cho, the co-founder of Soko Glam, a company that specializes in Korean beauty products, glass skin is a trend that describes skin that looks so clear, dewy, and smooth that it looks reflective and translucent like glass. But this doesn't mean getting flawless or pore-free skin (which is unrealistic), but making skin the healthiest it can be.
While it may seem that skin this smooth and bright is hard to reach, experts remind us that glass skin can be had by anyone as long as they take a holistic approach. "Besides consistent skin care practices, achieving glass skin means you need to balance it with enough sleep, plenty of water, exercise, and eating right," says Cho.
Since everyone's skin is unique, the exact steps may seem a little different for everyone. But if you want to get the gist of what kinds of Korean skincare products you'll need to use, here's the guide:
1. Double cleansing
If you are not used to the double cleansing or two-step cleansing method, use an oil-based facial cleanser to remove dirt from your skin, then use gentle water. "Look for a low pH cleanser for a water-based cleanser, which won't irritate or strip your skin of its barrier," says Cho.
2. Exfoliate
Exfoliating the top layer of dead skin is very important to even out the texture. "To achieve glass skin without the aid of makeup, the point is to exfoliate the dead skin that contributes to dull skin," says Cho. For super sensitive skin, you can also try chemical exfoliators that don't involve manual scrubbing. Exfoliation also helps product residue penetrate the skin better, making it work more effectively.
3. Use toner
Toners maintain the skin's pH balance while cleaning excess oil and skin pollution. "Today's toner is hydrating, not astringent!" said Cho. Just soak a cotton pad with the toner and gently wipe it all over your face.
4. Use a sheet mask
“A sheet mask can be used two or three times a week to help increase hydration, especially when the skin is dry,” says New York-based dermatologist Y. Claire Chang. When it's time to exfoliate, pat excess product into skin and neck instead of wiping it off.
5. Add essence
Start the moisturizing step with the help of essences. Not to be confused with toners, which have a similar slippery texture, essences are lightweight, water-based products with active ingredients that focus on brightening, moisturizing, and nourishing the skin but are less concentrated than serums, says Chang.
Essence is often considered the core of a typical Korean skin care routine, leaving skin feeling refreshed. "Korean essence works to optimize the skin's natural cell turnover rate, important for skin regeneration," says Cho. Essences are usually patted into the skin using the hands.
6. Use serum
Many consider there is no need for a serum after an essence, but if the goal is hydration, both will work. “Serums provide a higher concentration of active ingredients than essences to target specific concerns, such as dull skin, dehydration and fine lines. They are formulated with a variety of active ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, glycerin, antioxidants, brightening agents, plant extracts, and anti-aging agents.
7. Apply moisturizer
If you had to single out the most important step of the glass skin routine, (besides exfoliation, of course), it would be applying moisturizer. “Moisturizing is essential for locking in the active ingredients and hydration applied in the previous step,” says Chang. "Ingredients like ceramides, panthenol, and centella asiatica are great for hydrating, calming, and repairing skin."
8. Apply eye cream
The skin around the eyelids is very delicate and thin, so it can be the first area on the face to show dehydration and signs of aging. “Korean consumers believe in taking that extra step in their skincare routine to treat various skin conditions, such as fine lines and dark circles,” says Cho. "Fine lines are more noticeable when skin is deprived of moisture, so most eye creams are formulated with nourishing humectants and vitamins."
Use your little finger to apply eye cream. "Don't get too close to your tear line, or you could irritate it," says Cho.
9. Cover with face oil
Since facial oils aren't humectants but emollient and occlusive, meaning they strengthen and protect the skin's barrier, applying them at the end of your routine is important for sealing all that moisture into the skin. “I recommend a face oil that is non-comedogenic and contains ingredients that moisturize and nourish the skin, such as jojoba oil, argan oil, or rosehip oil,” says Chang.
10. Protect with SPF (Sun Protection Factor)
If you apply a glass skin regimen at night, then that routine can be ended with a face oil. But if you are using the product during the day, sunscreen will be the last step. “Sunscreen is the most important part of any skin care regimen, especially at K-beauty, to prevent signs of aging and sun damage,” says Chang.
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