Radiant, smooth skin, so hydrated it looks almost translucent: this is the idea behind glass skin, the look born from Korean skincare that has become one of the most sought-after beauty references. In 2026 the trend renews itself and meets the dewy effect (the so-called "dewy look"): no longer an artificial reflection created by make-up, but a radiance that seems to come from within, the result of well-cared-for, deeply hydrated skin. The goal is not plastic perfection, but a healthy, fresh, even look.
What glass skin is
Glass skin means skin with a firm, homogeneous appearance, free of surface roughness, with a luminous complexion and a texture so smooth it recalls glass. It is not a skin type, but a result built over time by working mainly on three fronts: deep hydration, surface smoothness and daily protection. The good news is that the "glass" look does not depend on genetics or make-up, but on a consistent, well-built routine.
How to achieve it: the layered routine
The core principle is layering, that is, applying several products from the lightest to the richest textures, so as to saturate the skin with water and actives that improve its appearance.
1. Gentle cleansing
Everything starts with skin that is clean but not stripped. Gentle cleansing, possibly in two steps in the evening, helps remove make-up and impurities without upsetting the skin barrier: intact skin reflects light better. As a first step, a cleansing milk such as Essentials Cleansing Milk dissolves make-up without stressing the skin.
2. Multi-level hydration
This is the heart of glass skin. Humectants such as hyaluronic acid draw water into the surface layers and help plump the skin, softening the appearance of micro-irregularities. Applying a hydrating serum to still slightly damp skin and then sealing with a cream helps hold on to hydration for longer: it is the same principle as skin flooding, the layered hydration that relies precisely on this effect.
3. Evenness and radiance
For a more even complexion, actives such as niacinamide help improve the appearance of enlarged pores and discolouration, supporting that feeling of "compact" skin typical of the glass effect.
The glass effect also involves the gaze: dark circles and puffiness on waking interrupt precisely the evenness you are building. Among the most talked-about remedies is keeping your eye treatment in the fridge: we have checked whether the eye cream in the fridge really works on puffiness and dark circles.
4. Sun protection
During the day, sun protection is non-negotiable: it helps preserve over time the evenness and radiance gained with your routine. As the American Academy of Dermatology recommends, it should be reapplied every 2 hours when outdoors and always after swimming or heavy sweating.
Recommended Chrissie products
To build a glass skin style routine you can start from the collections dedicated to hydration and evenness: Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide.
- Hyalu-Poly 4K Elixir: a hyaluronic acid serum, ideal as an intense hydration step to plump the skin's appearance.
- Time Balance Gel Cream: a gel cream with a light texture that helps seal in hydration and give a fresh, smooth finish.
You can complete the gesture with an evening-out active from the Niacinamide line to work on the appearance of pores and the evenness of the complexion.
In short
- Glass skin is radiant, smooth, even-looking skin: a result you build, not a skin type.
- In 2026 it merges with the dewy effect, for natural rather than artificial radiance.
- The key is layering: gentle cleansing, layered hydration with hyaluronic acid, evenness with niacinamide.
- Daily sun protection helps maintain the results over time (reapply every 2 hours during exposure).
