Woman applying a cream on her face on a grey background

What is glass skin?

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Published: September 2025

Originally a K-beauty trend, the desire for skin that looks fresh, radiant, and deeply hydrated has become a global skincare goal. But how do you get glass skin, and more importantly, which glass skin products really work?

In this guide, we’ll break down what glass skin is, how to build a glass skin routine, and how to achieve it using dermatologically tested products, no matter your skin type or concern. 

What is glass skin?

Glass skin refers to skin that appears almost translucent, exceptionally smooth, intensely hydrated, and free from visible pores or blemishes. It’s the epitome of healthy, balanced skin, achieved not through makeup but with a consistent skincare routine and smart product choices. 

Glass skin and K-Beauty

The term glass skin originated from Korean beauty (K-beauty). K-beauty emphasises layering lightweight, hydrating products that boost your skin’s moisture barrier and overall glow.
Eucerin offers a science-backed approach to achieving a glass-skin look, focusing on clinically proven ingredients and formulations tailored to your skin’s needs.

How to get glass skin

Achieving glass skin is less about chasing perfection and more about consistently nurturing your skin with the right ingredients and care. While the foundation of a glass skin routine typically involves gentle cleansing, deep hydration, and sun protection, each skin type requires a slightly different approach to address its unique concerns.

Here's how to personalise your path to dewy healthy-looking skin using Eucerin’s dermatologist-recommended range.

Step 1: Cleanse

infographic showing that hyaluronic acid is a key ingredient in Eucerin DermatoClean Refreshing Cleansing Gel
Eucerin DermatoClean Refreshing Cleansing Gel helps clean the skin while maintaining moisture
Start with Eucerin DermatoCLEAN Refreshing Cleansing Gel. This gentle yet effective cleanser removes daily impurities and prepares your skin for hydration. Its mild formula, featuring hyaluronic acid and nature-derived ingredients, cleanses without disrupting your skin’s moisture balance, leaving it soft, refreshed, and ready for the next step. 

Step 2: Apply a serum

infographic showing the results of a study which resulted in 100% of users confirming that Eucerin Moisture Booster immediately moisturises
Eucerin Moisture Booster is the perfect addition to your skincare routine
Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Moisture Booster is an ultra-light, fast-absorbing gel serum that delivers an immediate boost of moisture. Enriched with high and low molecular hyaluronic acid and glycerine, it deeply hydrates and plumps the skin, helping to visibly smooth fine lines and enhance natural radiance, an essential step for achieving the glass skin effect. 

Step 3: Moisturise

image of a persons hand holding Eucerin Hylauron-Filler Day Care SPF 30 on a white background
Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Day Care helps care for all skin types
To maintain hydration and support the skin’s structure, apply Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Day Cream in the morning, or the Night Cream in the evening. Both formulas are enriched with hyaluronic acid and bioactive ingredients to reduce the appearance of fine lines and support collagen production. The result is smoother, firmer skin with a naturally luminous glow.

Step 4: Apply sun protection

infographic showing key ingredients in Eucerin Hydro Protect sunscreen
Eucerin Hydro Protect is the last step in giving your skin the protection it deserves
Protect your glow with this ultra-light, hydrating sunscreen. Eucerin Sun Face Hydro Protect SPF 50 offers high UVA/UVB protection with Advanced Spectral Technology, while its water-like texture absorbs quickly without residue. It contains hyaluronic acid to support ongoing hydration, leaving the skin feeling refreshed. This makes it ideal for layering under makeup or wearing on its own for a natural, dewy finish. 
While this routine is tailored for normal skin types, achieving the glass skin look is possible for every skin type with the right approach. Read on to explore targeted routines for dry, acne-prone, and mature skin, each using carefully selected Eucerin products to help you achieve a smooth, radiant, and healthy-looking complexion, no matter your skin’s unique needs.

Ingredients for glass skin

Achieving glass skin isn’t just about following a set number of steps; it’s about using the right ingredients that work together to hydrate, smooth, and brighten your skin. At the heart of every effective glass skin routine are clinically proven actives that support skin health, radiance, and barrier repair.

Here are the key ingredients to look for, all of which are found in Eucerin’s dermatologically backed products:  

 Infographic showing that Thiamidol is the number 1 ingredient for dark spots
Thiamidol can help reduce the appearance of pigment spots for a radiant skin tone.
  • Hyaluronic Acid: A key ingredient for hydration, hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring molecule in the skin that holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It draws moisture into the skin, plumping out fine lines and giving the complexion a dewy, bouncy texture. Eucerin uses both high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid for multi-layer hydration that penetrates deeply while also hydrating the surface. 
  • Thiamidol: Exclusive to Beiersdorf, Thiamidol is a patented ingredient that reduces hyperpigmentation at its root by inhibiting melanin production. It visibly fades dark spots and prevents new ones from forming, creating a clearer, more even complexion.  
  • Glycerin: A powerful humectant, glycerin attracts water into the skin and helps maintain moisture balance throughout the day. It strengthens the skin’s natural barrier and prevents transepidermal water loss, which is vital for all skin types, especially dehydrated skin. It also enhances the efficacy of other hydrating ingredients in your routine. 

Tips for achieving glass skin

Whether you're just starting your journey or refining your existing glass skin routine, knowing how to get the most out of your skincare is key. Beyond using the right products, the daily habits and techniques will make all the difference. Here are some tips to help you achieve that clear, dewy complexion: 
Woman applying a cream on her face on a grey background
Glass skin can be achieved with the right skincare routine and habits
  • Layer your skincare products from thinnest to thickest consistency: This layering method allows each product to penetrate effectively, ensuring your skin receives the full benefit of hydration and active ingredients. 
  • Don’t skip sunscreen: UV exposure is one of the biggest obstacles to achieving and maintaining glass skin, as it can cause dark spots, uneven tone and premature ageing, which is why you should apply sunscreen even on cloudy days. Find out which Eucerin sunscreen is right for you
  • Stay hydrated: Glass skin thrives on hydration. Alongside using moisture-rich products, don’t forget to drink enough water throughout the day. Dehydrated skin can appear dull, rough, and less plump, even with the best skincare routine. 
  • Exfoliate gently and consistently: Regular exfoliation removes dead skin cells that can dull your complexion and clog pores. However, overdoing it can damage the skin barrier, especially if you have sensitive or dry skin. Aim to exfoliate 1–2 times per week, depending on your skin type. 
  • Keep your routine simple: While layering is important, using too many active ingredients at once can overwhelm the skin and lead to irritation. Especially if your skin is sensitive or prone to redness, stick to a simple, effective routine with carefully chosen ingredients. Bear in mind that introducing new ingredients into your routine can also cause skin purging

Glass skin: FAQs (7)

  • Is glass skin greasy?

    Not at all. True glass skin is about hydration and smoothness, not oiliness. The glow should come from moisture within the skin, not excess sebum on the surface.
  • Is glass skin easy to achieve?

    It depends on your starting point and consistency. With the right glass skin products and a tailored glass skin routine, most people can start seeing results within a few weeks.
  • Is glass skin achievable for everyone?

    Yes, with a customised routine, glass skin is achievable for everyone — regardless of age or skin type. It’s about enhancing your skin’s natural radiance, not perfection. 
  • Glass skin routine for oily skin

    For those with blemish-prone or oily skin, it can be difficult to strike the right balance between clarifying the skin and maintaining adequate hydration. Over-stripping the skin can compromise the skin barrier and actually worsen breakouts, which is why a gentle yet effective routine is key.

    1. Start with Eucerin DERMOPURE CLINICAL Correcting Cleanser to remove excess sebum and impurities without drying the skin. Follow with the DERMOPURE CLINICAL Triple Action, which helps reduce blemishes, fade post-acne marks, and refine skin texture over time.  

    2. Achieving a smooth, refined texture is key to the glass skin look and for acne-prone skin, gentle but effective exfoliation is essential. DERMOPURE CLINICAL Peeling 10 is a clinically proven chemical exfoliant specially formulated for blemish-prone skin. With 10% hydroxy acid complex (including glycolic and salicylic acids), it helps to unclog pores, visibly reduce blemishes, and smooth uneven texture without over-drying. 

    3. To maintain hydration and prevent congestion, finish with the DERMOPURE CLINICAL Mat Fluid, which hydrates while leaving a non-greasy, matte finish. With consistent use, this routine helps restore clarity and balance, setting the foundation for that glass skin glow, even for blemish-prone complexions. 
  • Glass skin routine for dry skin

    Dry skin often struggles to achieve glass skin, but with the right routine, it’s absolutely within reach. The secret lies in layering deeply hydrating, barrier-repairing products that soften rough texture, calm flakiness, and infuse the skin with moisture from the inside out. 

    1. Start your routine with a gentle, non-foaming cleanser like Eucerin DermatoClean Refreshing Cleansing Gel. This formula removes dirt and makeup without disrupting the skin’s delicate moisture balance. Enriched with hyaluronic acid and natural moisturising factors, it leaves skin soft and hydrated. 

    2. Dry skin thrives on lightweight, layerable hydration which is why recommend Hyaluron-Filler Moisture Booster. Formulated with high and low molecular hyaluronic acid and glycerine, it delivers an instant and long-lasting moisture surge, plumping the skin and improving elasticity. 

    3. Lock in hydration and strengthen the skin’s barrier with Eucerin’s UreaRepair PLUS Face Cream, available in both day and night formulas. With 5% or 10% urea, natural moisturising factors and ceramides, this cream deeply nourishes dry skin, smooths rough texture and reduces flakiness.  

    4. No glass skin routine is complete without daily sun protection. Eucerin Sun Face Hydro Protect SPF50 offers high UVA/UVB protection with a lightweight, non-greasy finish that enhances rather than mattifies your natural glow. It also provides an extra layer of hydration, supporting a luminous, fresh appearance throughout the day. 
  • Glass skin routine for mature skin

    As we age, our skin undergoes natural changes: collagen production slows, hydration levels drop, and fine lines and wrinkles become more visible. Mature skin requires targeted care that not only addresses these concerns but also supports the skin’s strength, elasticity and radiance. 

    1. Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Moisture Booster delivers an instant surge of moisture with two types of hyaluronic acid and glycerin. It visibly plumps fine lines caused by dehydration and gives the skin that bouncy, cushiony texture, essential for the glass skin look. 

    2. Seal in hydration and defend your skin against UV-induced ageing with Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Day Cream SPF 30, suitable for all skin types. This rich, velvety moisturiser contains glycine saponin to stimulate natural hyaluronic acid production and broad-spectrum SPF . It’s perfect for maintaining a long-lasting, radiant finish. 

    3. In the final step of your evening routine, boost your skin’s overnight repair. The Hyaluron-Filler Night Cream continues to hydrate deeply while supporting collagen production with dexpanthenol. With this deeply hydrating, barrier-supporting routine, dry skin can achieve a smooth, plump, and naturally glowing appearance. 
  • Glass skin routine for skin with hyperpigmentation

    Hyperpigmentation can dull your complexion and make skin appear uneven, two things that stand in the way of that glass skin finish. The key to addressing dark spots while enhancing radiance is a targeted skincare routine that brightens, hydrates, and protects. 

    1. Start your routine with a gentle but effective cleanser. Eucerin Anti-Pigment Cleansing Gel removes impurities and excess oil while prepping the skin for the brightening actives to follow.  

    2. We recommend using our Anti-Pigment Dual Serum as a second step. This serum combines Thiamidol, Eucerin’s patented ingredient that reduces dark spots at the source, with concentrated hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump the skin. Over time, it visibly reduces hyperpigmentation and improves skin texture, helping you achieve that smooth, luminous look associated with glass skin. 

    3. SPF is essential in any glass skin routine, especially when tackling pigmentation. Our Anti-Pigment Day Cream SPF 30 offers broad-spectrum protection against UV rays while continuing to brighten with Thiamidol. It deeply moisturises and smooths the skin, creating the perfect dewy base that reflects light naturally.

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