Over the last few years, skincare trends have evolved to emphasize a radiant, healthy glow over heavy makeup. Two of the most popular trends that have captured attention in the beauty world are “Glass Skin” and Dewy Skin. Both trends emphasize a luminous, hydrated look, but there are subtle differences in how they’re achieved and maintained.
What Is Glass Skin?
“Glass Skin” originated in South Korea and quickly gained global traction. The term refers to skin that looks so smooth, poreless, and reflective that it resembles glass. The goal is to create a complexion that appears almost translucent, with no visible imperfections. Achieving Glass Skin requires a multi-step skincare regimen that focuses heavily on hydration, exfoliation, and layering lightweight, moisturizing products.
How to Achieve Glass Sk
- Double Cleansing: The foundation of this trend is a thorough cleansing process. Start with an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup and impurities, followed by a water-based cleanser to clean the skin further.
- Exfoliation: Regular but gentle exfoliation is crucial to remove dead skin cells, which can dull the complexion. This could be done with chemical exfoliants like AHAs or BHAs.
- Toner: A hydrating toner balances the skin’s pH levels and preps it for the next layers of moisture.
- Essence: Essences are lightweight hydrating products that deeply penetrate the skin, offering moisture at a cellular level. They help enhance the skin’s glow and plumpness.
- Serums: Focus on serums that target hydration (hyaluronic acid) or brightening (vitamin C) to maintain the luminous, smooth look of Glass Skin.
- Moisturizer: A rich but non-greasy moisturizer locks in all the previous layers of hydration, giving your skin the supple, bouncy appearance associated with the trend.
- Sunscreen: Sun protection is essential to maintain the clarity and smoothness of the skin.
What Is Dewy Skin?
Dewy skin, on the other hand, is all about a soft, glowing complexion that emphasizes a youthful, fresh look. While it shares a focus on hydration like Glass Skin, Dewy Skin aims for a more natural and slightly less perfect appearance. The key difference is that dewy skin embraces a “lit-from-within” glow that can be achieved with skincare and makeup, whereas Glass Skin relies almost entirely on skincare.
How to Achieve Dewy Skin:
- Hydration: Like Glass Skin, hydration is the foundation of dewy skin. Use hydrating mists, serums, and moisturizers to achieve a plump complexion.
- Facial Oils: Dewy skin benefits from facial oils that give a shiny, healthy finish. Lightweight oils like squalane or rosehip can add that subtle glow without making the skin look greasy.
- Highlighter: While Glass Skin focuses on skincare, Dewy Skin often incorporates makeup. Using liquid or cream highlighters on the high points of the face (cheekbones, nose, cupid’s bow) enhances the glow.
- Tinted Moisturizers/Light Foundations: Dewy Skin favors minimal makeup. Tinted moisturizers or sheer, dewy foundations offer coverage without covering up the natural glow.
- Blush and Lip Gloss: Cream blushes and glosses in natural tones can amplify the dewy, fresh appearance.
Differences Between Glass Skin and Dewy Skin:
- Focus on Skincare vs. Makeup: Glass Skin is achieved primarily through skincare, with minimal to no makeup involved. Dewy Skin can be enhanced through makeup to give a healthy sheen.
- Level of Perfection: Glass Skin is all about looking poreless and smooth, while Dewy Skin embraces a more natural, lived-in glow.
- Texture: Glass Skin tends to be more reflective, almost glossy, while Dewy Skin aims for a hydrated and slightly wet look, without the ultra-polished finish.
Why These Trends Have Taken Over:
Both Glass Skin and Dewy Skin reflect a broader movement in beauty that prioritizes natural, healthy skin over caked-on makeup. As skincare awareness grows, more people are focusing on achieving a luminous complexion through proper care rather than relying solely on cosmetics. These trends also align with the modern minimalist aesthetic, where less is more, and real skin is celebrated.
Moreover, the rise of these trends correlates with the growing influence of K-beauty (Korean beauty) worldwide. K-beauty’s emphasis on skincare regimens and products designed to nourish the skin at every level has become highly influential, encouraging people to adopt a more holistic approach to beauty.
The Future of Glowing Skin:
As these trends continue to evolve, hybrid products that combine makeup and skincare, like tinted moisturizers infused with skincare ingredients, are becoming popular. This fusion helps users achieve a radiant look with less effort, blurring the line between skincare and makeup.
Ultimately, both Glass Skin and Dewy Skin emphasize self-care, a healthy lifestyle, and a more personalized beauty regimen that highlights individual beauty over one-size-fits-all standards.