Glass skin, a Korean inspired complexion routine, has become a popular skincare trend over the past few years. Although it’s certainly not a new trend, it’s one that will never go out of fashion. If you’re yet to try it, winter is the perfect time to introduce a glass skin care routine as it focuses on super clean and super hydrated skin, which is a ritual everyone’s skin can benefit from throughout the cooler months.
Glass skin means skin that looks crystal-clear, healthy and luminous. If you want to get glass skin naturally and see long term benefits, it takes more than just a lengthy skincare routine and some strategically applied makeup. To some extent you can fake glass skin, but if you really want to embody the Korean way of glass skin and get “real” luminous skin, read on to learn how to get crystal clear, glass-like skin and the products you’ll need to achieve it.
Achieving true glass skin requires a dedicated skincare routine that you religiously stick to every day, along with a healthy lifestyle. This routine aligns with our beliefs at LAMAV, as we believe beauty is holistic and should embody health and balance of the mind and body. So, if you really want to achieve glass skin, it’s important to implement healthy lifestyle choices such as drinking enough water, choosing a healthy diet, regular exercise and focusing on gut health to glow from the inside out and see real results.
Before we get into the detailed skincare steps, it’s important to note that a glass skin care routine involves layering. Lots and lots of layering! Not a routine for the time poor or simple skincare lover, it is a lengthy routine but worth it for the luminous complexion! Even if you have time to dedicate to this routine a couple of times per week (especially through winter or if you have dry skin) your skin will thank you for keeping it clean, hydrated, nourished and protecting your skin’s barrier.
6 STEPS TO CLEAR, GLASSY SKIN
CLEANSE X 2
Regardless of your skincare routine or available time, double cleansing is non-negotiable and the most important step in your skincare routine. When following a glass skin care routine, if you don’t start with clean skin, applying layers upon layers of serums and moisturisers will be a complete waste of time! Double cleansing ensures makeup and SPF are removed and your skin is also cleansed and lightly exfoliated. Double cleansing provides a gentle facial massage, increasing blood flow, encouraging lymphatic drainage and relaxing tension in the muscles on your face. This assists with reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and prevents premature ageing.
Cleanse 1 - Oil Cleanser
Regardless of your skin type, we recommend everyone begin their double cleanse routine with an oil cleanser. Oil cleansers are the most gentle and effective way of dissolving heavy makeup, SPF and excess oil without drying the skin. It’s the perfect first step for a Glass Skincare Routine.
We Recommend: The LAMAV Marula Oil Cleanser as it dissolves heavy makeup and SPF with ease and contains antioxidant rich bio-actives that will leave your skin soft, plump and dewy.
Cleanse 2 - Hydrating Cleanser
For the purpose of a glass skin routine, we recommend a hydrating cream cleanser for your second cleanse to ensure the skin is clean but also remains hydrated and plump!
We Recommend: LAMAV’s Hydra-Calm Cream Cleanser effortlessly cleanses the skin while replenishing cellular lipids and preventing moisture loss, making it an ideal second cleanse for this moisture-loving routine.
If you have oily or acne prone skin you may need to opt for a gel cleanser more suited to your skin type for a second cleanse. When choosing a gel cleanser it’s important to use one that will provide a deep clean without stripping or irritating the skin.
We Recommend: The LAMAV Sweet Orange Balancing Cleanser helps to cleanse and balance sebaceous activity without depleting the skin of natural oils. It also improves skin texture, reduces redness and refines pores. This cleanser is an absolute must for those with blemish prone skin wanting to achieve a crystal-clear complexion without the irritation.
EXFOLIATE
Although our skin has its own system when it comes to cell turnover, removing old, dull skin cells sometimes needs a little assistance (particularly as we age). Cue exfoliation. When selecting an exfoliant it’s important to consider your skin type and the time of day you will be using the product. If your skin is sensitive and prone to redness or irritation you’ll need to choose products that are non-abrasive and opt for night time use to avoid any redness in the morning. Exfoliants that contain natural fruit acids (AHA’s) are a gentle but effective way to break-down and clear dead skin cells to reveal a softer and smoother complexion.
We Recommend: LAMAV’s Jojoba Exfoliating Scrub. This scrub offers a gentle way to clear and polish the skin with so many added benefits. It contains soft melting jojoba beads that gently dissolve as you cleanse, preventing any micro-tears and irritation that can come with harsh, abrasive scrubs. It also contains natural AHA’s to deeply cleanse and exfoliate whilst encouraging collagen production for added age-defence benefits.
TONER
Toner isn’t what it used to be. Gone are the days of dousing your skin in pure witch hazel and waiting to feel that tightening burn. The right toner can hold an important place in your skincare routine and for the purpose of glass skin, it should assist to balance the skin, refine pores and support hydration. Look for toners that contain natural bio-active ingredients and avoid anything with irritating ingredients such as alcohol, menthol and fragrance.
We Recommend: The Probiotic Toner from LAMAV. The perfect bridge between cleansing and moisturising to balance, refine and hydrate your skin. This toner contains a unique blend of probiotics that will assist to reduce pore size and balance the skin’s PH while AHA’s work hard to keep skin bright and crystal-clear.
SERUM
If you haven't jumped on the serum bandwagon, you’re seriously missing out. Serums are the before-moisturiser must have that deliver a high concentration of active ingredients to your skin, making a serious difference to your skin health. If you want to achieve glass-like dewiness, you absolutely cannot skip this step. Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C are 2 of the most well-known dermatologist recommended bio-active ingredients for daytime application as they both provide many benefits while being gentle enough for daily use in the AM. Hyaluronic Acid is an impressive hydration hero, acting like a magnet it draws in moisture to protect and plump the skin. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps to brighten and protect the skin from daily environmental factors while reducing uneven skin tone and signs of sun damage. All skin types can benefit from both of these ingredients and you can alternate depending on what you feel your skin needs a boost of each morning.
We Recommend: LAMAV’s Daily Vitamin C Serum to fight discolouration, uneven skin tone and pigmentation. This highly concentrated serum will boost radiance and the addition of Kakadu Plum and Marine Extracts support and strengthen collagen and elastin to prevent premature ageing.
If you’re lacking hydration, you can’t go past LAMAV’s Hyaluronic Hydra-Max Serum. This hydration hero will give dry skin the daily boost it needs while locking in moisture and restoring radiance. Say hello to instantly plump and hydrated skin.
MOISTURISE
The most obvious step to achieving glass skin is moisturising, and as the last step in your skincare routine (apart from SPF) it’s important that you choose a moisturiser that is suitable for your skin type while delivering one final burst of glowing hydration.
We Recommend: The Hyaluronic Moisture Cream by LAMAV. This moisturiser has everything you need in one daily pump. It hydrates, calms irritation and redness, protects your skin’s barrier and prevents premature ageing all while locking in moisture for up to 12 hours! This multi-tasking moisturiser ensures your glass-like skin continues to radiate a glow for the entire day.
FINISHING TOUCHES
Even the healthiest of us can suffer from a bad night’s sleep, illness or a stressful week that gets the better of our physical and mental health. These moments can make anyone look and feel tired and no matter how much effort you put in, even a lengthy skincare routine won’t take the darkness from your under-eyes and dullness out of your skin. It's days like these where makeup holds a very important place in your glass skin routine.
Glass skin makeup should focus on brightening the skin while giving the illusion of a healthy and awake complexion. It’s about enhancing your natural beauty, not covering everything up. Minimal makeup for glass skin may involve covering dark circles with a hydrating, brightening concealer, grooming brows and applying BB creams or skin tints to even out the complexion without covering it up.
We Recommend: LAMAV’s BB Cream as it will provide a non-oily glow and looks great on all skin types. If you have oily or blemish prone skin our BB Cream will provide a hydrating finish without looking oily. If your skin is super dry you can apply the BB Cream as is or mix with face oil or moisturiser to create your own skin tint!
Pro makeup tips for additional radiance
To achieve a true glass skin finish, it’s best to avoid powders and highlighters. Instead, apply oil to the back of your hand, blend it out a little and then use your finger to apply a subtle layer to the top of cheekbones, above the lip, centre of the nose and middle of the eyelids. Anywhere that light would naturally hit or you want to accentuate. Your skin will truly look like it’s glowing from the inside out!
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
If the above steps weren't enough for you, feel free to take on these additional steps to clarify, hydrate and plump your skin even more!
Masking
After double cleansing, treat yourself to LAMAV’s Glow Beauty Mask before moving on with the rest of your routine. You’ll reveal a clearer, brighter, more even skin tone in an instant while providing additional hydration and protecting your complexion.
Don’t have time to mask in the AM? Prep your skin the night before with our Beauty Sleep Mask. The perfect set and forget mask for time poor skincare lovers who want to restore healthier skin while they sleep and wake up with soft, plump and hydrated skin.
Skincare Tools
Finish your glass skincare routine (prior to SPF and makeup application) with our Quartz Facial Roller. Feel your skin soak up all the goodness you’ve just applied as you roll your way to a natural glow while encouraging blood flow, collagen production and reducing puffiness.
