These 8 Products Will Give You The Glass Skin Of Your Dreams
Combination skin be damned. I found the holy grail combination of products that makes my skin look like a glazed donut.
by Abigail Bassett
My skin and I have been at odds since age 13. As a lifelong swimmer, continually exposed to massive doses of chlorine and sun, my skin has always been what most dermatologists refer to as “combination”– that lovely effect of both peeling off and breaking out at the same time. I burn, peel, freckle, and wrinkle like a raisin, and I have my entire life.
Even after I turned 40, an age that I whole-heartedly believed would FINALLY sort out my skin issues, I still occasionally get the breaking-out-but-also-insanely-dry episodes of my youth. After years of searching, endlessly scrolling social media, and spending god-awful amounts of money on the latest skincare and countless visits to dermatologists, I’ve finally found an affordable combination of products that make my over-40 skin the thing of legends - even for my ridiculous skin.
I never thought I’d be putting bare-faced photos of myself on the internet for the world to critique, but in the interest of science, and normalizing the pursuit of healthy skin, here we are. The myth of glass skin can, in fact, be yours, too, with these eight products.
What is Glass Skin?
Glass skin took off a few years ago alongside the rising popularity of K-beauty or Korean Beauty. Korean beauty is known for utilizing innovative formulations that sometimes incorporate unique ingredients: Think snail mucin, green tea extract, and mung bean for example. Products are generally made or originate in South Korea and help boost skin’s hydration and luminosity while reducing the size of pores, keeping breakouts to a minimum, and offering protection from the damaging rays of the sun.
Most “glass skin” routines tend towards a multi-layered approach which does mean there are multiple products used in the process. The ultimate “goal” of glass skin is to be able to go out into the world bare-faced and look like a radiant cherub without trying too hard.
My favorite makeup artists and K-beauty influencers like Nam Vo and her “Dewy Dumplings,” and Renée Chow have been touting the benefits of taking good care of your skin in order to attain that luminescent glow that they both have. While we all know that beauty influencers have access to some of the best skincare experts and dermatologists in the world and get regular facials and in-office treatments, my budget and my time are simply not that ample, which was what led me down the rabbit hole of a realistic routine for my particular skin concerns and my budget.
In the interest of over-40 glass skincare “science,” I decided to try something different: I spent the last week doing almost nothing on the left side of my face beyond cleansing and moisturizing while keeping up with my usual glass skin routine on the right side of my face. In all the following photos, I have nothing but the below products on. If you ask me, the difference is dramatic.
The Results
While it may not be dramatic from the front, I certainly notice it. The left side of my face (your right as you look at the photo) has more breakouts, more red spots, and generally looks more dehydrated.
Right Side
This side has fewer red spots, more moisture, and the skin (to me) looks like it has more bounce and fewer deep wrinkles. My pores seem smaller on this side as well.
Left Side
This side has more breakouts and red spots; it’s drier and shows more wrinkles.
Here’s what I use to get the glass skin of my dreams.
Cleansers That Don’t Dry Your Skin But Get It Super Clean
Starting with a clean foundation is a key step on the path to glass skin – and full disclosure, I’ve tried everything – from drugstore Noxema to the exclusive Biologique Recherche (which just opened its first location in Los Angeles, and I am DYING to make a visit). Since I’m a freelance journalist, I have to wear television makeup for a lot of the on-camera work I do, and my skin tends to hate it. If I don’t get it all off, you can guarantee I’ll break out like I was 16 again.
In true K-Beauty form, I double cleanse, to get it all off. First with an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup and sunscreen, then with a regular cleanser that rebalances everything. I use these in tandem to get down to the nice clean foundation I need. I wash my face both when I wake up in the morning and at night before bed.
DHC is a Japanese company that makes really simple products that do exactly what they say they will. This cleansing oil has been my favorite step after a long day in lots of makeup or if I am overloaded on sunscreen. Put two pumps into dry hands and then rub it into your skin. This cleanser removes everything from waterproof and tubing mascara to airbrush makeup and more. Rinse with lukewarm water until the runoff goes from milky white (or makeup colored) to clear.
Use the code CANDIDLY on Dermstore to get 15% off.
Price: $21
This has also been a longtime staple in my skincare regimen, and it’s helped both calm my skin and keep it hydrated while removing any leftover residue after the oil cleanse. If I have to travel, I carry only this cleanser as it does a fantastic job of removing makeup and city grime without making my skin feel tight and dry. Pat your skin dry and move on to the next step.
Use the code CANDIDLY on Dermstore to get 15% off.
Price: $45
Daytime Hydrating Essence for that “Bounce”
I’ve gone back and forth on toners for years. Some I’ve used have been extremely drying, while others just seem to do nothing for my skin except make it look like I took a bath in olive oil. This toner helps balance out my skin and gives it this unbelievable bounce.
Peach & Lily Wild Dew Treatment Essence
It sounds crazy, but if I leave this step out of my routine, you can guarantee I’m going to look dry and aged. Trust me. I’ve skipped this step (see the photo of the left side of my face for proof!) or run out, and the effects are dramatic. I usually throw a few dashes of this lovely liquid into the palm of my hand and tap it into my slightly damp skin after my double cleanse.
Peach & Lily is a K-beauty brand that I stumbled across thanks to makeup artist Nam Vo. I’ve tried a few products from their line, but this is one of my favorites.
Price: $39
A Gentle Daily Exfoliant to Keep Dry Skin at Bay
Back when I was a teenager, physical exfoliants were evil on my skin. They felt like sandpaper and tended to strip my skin and leave it tight and dry. In my 40s, I’ve discovered the more “mature” way to deal with my stubborn dry skin: gentle chemical exfoliants–specifically lactic acid.
Peach & Lily Power Cocktail Lactic Acid Repair Serum
I credit this product with single-handedly making my skin look glowy, bouncy, and nourished. It’s got 10% lactic acid along with a bunch of other natural ingredients to help slough off the tired, dry skin that often plagues me. I put it on after the hydrating essence and let it dry down for about 5-10 minutes. It does have a slightly sticky feeling, but once you layer other skincare on top, it disappears. I use this both morning and night, though I skip it at night when I alternate with a retinoid.
Price: $51
A Hydrating and Calming Serum for Discoloration and Inflammation
Some days my skin is red and angry, and this clear calming serum does the trick to take down any discoloration or irritation that may have cropped up. It's full of hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which helps both moisturize and take down redness. I also like it as a base under my makeup as it makes anything I put on my skin immediately blendable.
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
I use the same technique I use for the toner to apply this product. I put a couple of pumps onto my fingertips and tap it into my skin. I even use it on my neck and décolletage as it gives my skin this really lovely luminescent plumpness.
Price: $39
Sunscreen with Hydration (Because U.S. Sunscreen Sucks)
Full disclosure, I HATE sunscreen with a passion, and I’ve tried almost everything available on the U.S. market. (We can talk about those sunscreens we can’t get here in another post).
I tend towards chemical sunscreens over mineral versions, because I absolutely hate the white cast that mineral types tend to leave – both on my skin and on anything I touch or brush up against.
The holy grail of sunscreens absorbs quickly, doesn’t leave me sticking to everything, doesn’t immediately break me out or leave me greasy, and makes applying any makeup that much easier. This one does the trick on my face and I wear it every single day.
Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF 50+ PA++++
Don’t let the name fool you, this really isn’t a gel at all but more like a very liquid cream. It absorbs quickly, doesn’t interfere with makeup, and keeps my fair and freckly skin from burning to a crisp. It also does double duty and adds a dose of hydration, too.
Price: $20
Night Time Retinoid
I’ve been using retinoids for years, though I’ve had to go very slowly to avoid breaking out or re-entering the peel/breakout cycle. I use this one on my face, neck, décolletage, and even the backs of my hands. I don’t use it every night, since it can cause a lot of dryness and peeling.
Or, if you’re a bit hesitant when it comes to retinol, you can try this instead.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
I alternate this product every other night – and when I use it, I skip the lactic acid treatment, since both are exfoliators. After I’ve done my double-cleanse, I skip right to this step and pat The Ordinary Retinoid 2% into my skin, being careful around my eyes. I let it absorb completely before following with my nighttime moisturizer.
Price: $12
A Heavy Dose of Overnight Hydration
Whether I’m using my retinoid or not, I always end my nighttime routine with a thick, nourishing moisturizer. I gravitate towards unscented or lightly scented products, because strong smells give me nightmares (seriously). This product is vegan and cruelty-free, which I love. It doesn’t clog my pores, and it takes care of any pesky dry skin I might have from my retinoid or the lactic acid.
I use this all over my chest, neck, and face and apply it in sweeping motions from my chest upward. It does stay sticky for a bit, which is why I only use it at night. You can also use this as a mask and wash it off, but I love letting it set while I catch some zzzs.
Price: $49
AND HERE’S THE COMPLETE LIST OF PRODUCTS WE MENTIONED TO SAVE YOU SOME SCROLLING:
Abigail Bassett
Abigail Bassett is an award-winning journalist, writer, on-air talent, and television producer with more than two decades of diverse media experience. A winner of numerous awards, including two Emmys, she's covered everything from health and wellness, beauty, global trends, and travel to breaking news and worldwide events for top-tier outlets all over the world.
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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