How to help clients achieve the glass skin look

Glass skin is a Korean beauty term which refers to smooth, dewy skin with a flawless, glass-like appearance, and has been piquing interest in the western world for over half a decade. In fact, in 2024 ‘glass skin’ was the most talked-about beauty trend on TikTok, with over 700,000 posts, according to The Wellness Co.

What is glass skin?

Makeup artist Andrew Denton, who has worked on campaigns with brands such as 111skin and Giorgio Armani, explains: “Glass skin sees a mirror-like shine across the entire complexion, with the high points of the face saturated in illumination.”

How to achieve glass skin

If your client is asking about a glass skin treatment, dermaplaning is one suitable option. “Dermaplaning is an advanced exfoliation technique that has become a go-to for clients seeking ultra-smooth, luminous skin,” explains Lydia Sarfati, qualified aesthetician and founder of skincare brand Repêchage.

 “By removing the outermost layer of dead skin cells and fine vellus hair, dermaplaning helps to instantly reveal a more refined surface, critical when aiming for the smooth, light-reflective finish associated with the glass skin look.”

In addition to smoothing the skin, dermaplaning also offers other benefits. “What makes dermaplaning so effective is its ability to create an even canvas, allowing skin to better absorb hydrating and treatment serums, which are essential for that plump, dewy complexion,” notes Sarfati.

“When performed properly by a licensed professional, dermaplaning is a non-invasive procedure that requires no downtime and delivers immediate results.”

Glass skin skincare routine

Beyond treatments and procedures, prepping the skin with the right products ahead of makeup application is also essential for the glass skin look.

To ensure skin is best prepped for glass skin makeup, Denton recommends:

• Exfoliating – “This will ensure that baby smooth texture beneath the glow”
• Hydrating face masks – “A great way to give skin a boost”
• Moisturise – “Massage the excess product into the skin once the mask is removed and follow with a rich radiant moisturiser or serum to lock in the luminosity”

Glass skin makeup

One of the key characteristics of the glass skin trend is radiance, which can be achieved with a number of makeup products, from hydrating primers to luminous foundations and skin tints.

An increasing number of makeup products now contain skincare actives, offering more than just surface results to clients.

For example, many foundations and skin tints now contain hyaluronic acid, which attracts and retains moisture, helping to plump and hydrate the skin. Products such as these are perfect for clients looking to build a glass skin makeup routine.

Simone Shoffman, head of education and clinical at Healthxchange, also shares other ingredients to look out for, explaining: “Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate (a specific form of hyaluronic acid) deeply hydrate the skin, while silica helps blur imperfections and adds a subtle radiance, creating a smooth, dewy finish.”

Meanwhile, gatuline radiance (sourced from a flowering shrub in southeast China) improves blood flow to the skin, increasing nutrient and oxygen delivery, which in turn increases luminosity and radiance.

However, in order for your client’s makeup base to look flawless and glass-like, it’s crucial that you help them find the best shade match for their skin. “When swatching, it’s important to let it set for a minute or two before judging, as complexion products can oxidise to a slightly darker or warmer shade,” explains Shoffman.

You can learn more tips on shade matching your clients here.

Top skincare trends

The trend with the second most posts on TikTok in 2024 was slugging, which refers to an overnight treatment where people apply an occlusive product to the skin to ‘lock in’ moisture – however some TikTok users shared that this caused breakouts in oily skin.

Focusing more on the muscles on the face, gua sha and face yoga also saw a lot of traffic in 2024, with 203,000 and 171,444 posts respectively.

Gua sha has been practiced for centuries in East Asian medicine and involves scraping a specialised tool (usually made out of jade, rose quartz or stainless steel) across the skin to increase blood flow and stimulate the lymphatic system.

Face yoga is a popular TikTok skincare trend that involves performing specific facial exercises and movements to tone and strengthen the facial muscles. Users typically follow routines that include stretching, massaging, and holding various poses with the face to promote blood circulation, reduce tension, and potentially diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Top skincare trends on TikTok

With glass skin continuing to trend in 2025, now’s the time to refresh your treatment menu to ensure you're addressing client demand – and don't forget to stay informed on the latest product recommendations, so you can help clients achieve glass skin at home, too.