We’re all about getting that smooth, glossy, porcelain-like skin and glass skin is one of those trends that you’ve probably seen floating around.
So, what exactly is glass skin?
Put simply, it’s just as the name sounds: perfectly smooth, glowy, and hydrated skin that almost looks transparent – just like a pane of clear glass or a piece of porcelain!
Right now the trend is all about skin and achieving the best quality of it. So, we’re going to share with you five easy steps to get you on your way to ultimate skin clarity.
Step 1: Double Cleanse
For a truly poreless complexion, you have to dissolve every trace of makeup, oil, sweat, dirt, and pollutants that are trapped in your pores and sitting on your skin before hitting the sheets. In order to do that, you need to double cleanse.
Start by using an oil-based cleanser or cleansing oil to remove all makeup. Pump 2-3 times into your palms, warm it up and start massaging onto your skin. Massage in sections rather than using large up and down movements.
After massaging the oil into your skin, you’ll start to see the makeup dissolve and melt away. Rinse off the oil with lukewarm water because the temperature will help break down any residue accumulated on your skin so you won’t be left with an oily film.
The second step in double cleanse is to use a gentle cleanser to clean out any lingering residue on the face. Rinse and gently pat with a towel.
Step 2: Tone
Now that your skin is squeaky clean, it’s time to help start the rehydration process. Toner helps to restore the skin’s pH balance back to the normal levels (i.e between 4-5.5). When you wash your face with a cleanser, you not only remove dirt, grime, and makeup from your skin but also some of the natural oils your face produces – so the first step is to re-moisturize the skin by toning.
The reason why it’s important to use a toner to balance your skin is so that it isn’t too dry, which triggers your skin to produce additional oil.
Step 3: Essence
In essence… Just kidding. So what is essence?
This is arguably one of the most important steps in skincare. Essence can be used interchangeably with a serum as they typically contain active ingredients that increase the skin’s natural cell turnover, and is usually highly concentrated to address a particular skin concern.
Step 4: Moisture
Let’s talk moisture. Basically, there would be no glass skin without an awesome moisturizer. True story.
It’s important to note your skin is always changing with seasons, product combinations, time of the month, and age, so your moisturizer will follow suit. Make sure you reassess your skin frequently. If it is telling you that it needs more moisture than your current moisturizer provides, then it’s time to ditch the old and bring in the new.
TIP: When you are trying to find a new moisturizer, be sure to test it on a small portion of your neck or forearms first to see if you have any reactions over two weeks and then decide. Because even if it is all natural, or you’ve used the brand before, your skin might or might not react in the way you expect to. Everyone’s skin is different after all!
Step 5: Protect
This is a seemingly mundane step but it’s super important. Protect your skin with SPF sunscreen because you can get skin damage, especially if you’re exposed to sunlight or darken any pigmentation or freckles that you have on the skin. Fortunately, there are many different types of sunscreens on the market that are tailored to your skin concerns and needs.
If you have oily skin, look for sunscreens that say ‘non-comedogenic’ to prevent your pores from becoming clogged or irritated, which can cause breakouts. Additionally, sunscreens with zinc titanium are beneficial for those struggling with acne due to its drying effect on the skin.
You can also look into tinted sunscreens for additional coverage. Remember not to rely on the term ‘oil-free’ because there can be oils (such as lanolin) added to the product without being listed as such in the ingredients list.
Time for Glass Skin
At this point, your makeup will apply flawlessly because you’ve set up that perfect skin base.
The key is, less is more. As a suggestion, you can apply some concealer under the eyes, around the nose, and over any scars, a little tap-a-tap of blush over the cheeks, a little brow-defining action, and a pat of powder over the T-zone. If you want to really go that extra step above natural and really become glassy smooth, try applying a good primer such as Etude House Volumer and MAC’s Strobe Cream. Apply the primer all over the face like a moisturizer, then apply a cream contour to give yourself a fresh and dewy complexion, and then use concealer to cover up any imperfections. Apply some mascara, eyeshadow, and eyeliner for extra dimension, then some tint and balm to finish off your lips. Set your look with a shimmery powder and dab on some cream blush for a bit of color. Reinforce your glow with a liquid highlighter before you sit back and bask in the glowy skin!
Learn more about glass skin in our full video: How to Get Glowy & Smooth Skin ☀ Glass Skin Care [Summer 2018]
