In the ever-evolving world of skincare, trends and routines come and go, but one concept that continues to capture the attention of beauty enthusiasts around the world is the Korean skincare concept of “glass skin” - a luminous flawless complexion characterised by its radiant, translucent appearance, akin to that of a sheet of glass. Let’s delve into the essence of glass skin, explore whether Indians can achieve glass skin, and provide insights into the products that can help.
What is Glass Skin?
The idea of Glass Skin goes beyond mere surface-level beauty; it’s a reflection of a holistic skincare routine that prioritises hydration, even skin tone, texture and overall skin health. Achieving glass skin involves cultivating a radiant dewy complexion with minimal to no imperfections. This coveted look is characterised by skin that appears smooth, plump, and nearly transparent.
Can Indians achieve Glass Skin?
While it’s a great concept that may work for the Koreans, it is important for us to remember that a lot of factors other than just a diligent skincare routine play a role on the health and overall appearance of our skin. The most crucial of those being genetics, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Brown skin has higher melanin and a higher tendency to pigment as compared to Korean skin. Moreover, winters in Korea are cold and dry. The pollution and humidity levels in India are much higher causing a lot more damage to our skin. This is why Korean skincare primarily focuses on hydration while as Indians, we need to combine that with targeted treatments to tackle pigmentation and oxidative damage.
The elaborate 10 step routine may not be such a good idea for us as it may clog our pores and cause breakouts! So, instead of aiming at flawless skin, we should be focused on having a personalised skincare routine built around our specific needs and skin type. At Skin Series, you can consult our expert, Dr. Natasha Shetty for the perfect tailor-made daily skincare routine for your skin.
If you’re not sure where to begin, the steps that follow could be a good starting point for you to start building your own skincare routine:
1. Double cleansing: Begin your routine with an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup and impurities, followed by a gentle water-based cleanser to cleanse the skin without stripping its natural moisture.
2. Exfoliation: Gently exfoliate 1-2 times a week to remove dead skin cells and promote skin renewal. This step enhances the skin’s ability to absorb the products that come after. Opt for a chemical exfoliant instead of physical ones like scrubs. This will help prevent abrasions and microtears on the skin which can lead to a whole list of issues.
3. Hydration: Layer on hydrating products like toners and essences. Hydration is the cornerstone of glass skin, as it imparts plumpness and dewiness. Besides, well hydrated skin makes fine lines and wrinkles less visible.
4. Serums and actives: Address specific concerns with serums containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, ferulic acid and niacinamide. These potent formulations can help brighten, even out skin tone and provide antioxidant protection.
5. Sheet Masks: Treat your skin to sheet masks infused with nourishing ingredients. These masks offer a concentrated burst of hydration and nutrients.
6. Moisturisation: Seal in all the goodness with a lightweight, hydrating moisturiser. Opt for products that contain ceramides to reinforce the skin barrier.
7. Sun Protection: Never skip sunscreen, even on cloudy days. Sun protection is vital to prevent premature ageing, hyperpigmentation and maintain healthy skin.
In clinic treatments
1. Medical grade facials – Medical Grade Facials are packed with potent ingredients that can help deeply cleanse, gently exfoliate along with anti-inflammatory benefits, all with zero downtime. Frequency – Once a month.
2. Microneedling - This minimally invasive procedure works by using tiny needles to penetrate the skin thus stimulating its natural healing process to produce more collagen and elastin giving you a tighter, firmer, appearance. This can be combined with infusion of certain actives specific to your concerns or even PRP to help with enlarged pores, fine lines and wrinkles, crepey skin, scars and even stretch marks. Frequency - Every 3-4 weeks.
3. Laser toning - This helps lighten hyperpigmentation and aims at evening out your skin tone. Frequency - Every 3-4 weeks.
4. Chemical Peels - Chemical Peels cause controlled damage to help break the bonds between dead skin cells and subsequently exfoliate the top layer of the skin to reveal fresh skin cells underneath. Frequency - Every 3-4 weeks.
5. Skin boosters – A relatively novel innovation and the saving grace for extremely dry skin types aiming for dewy, supple skin but have a busy schedule or just don’t enjoy an elaborate skincare routine. Skin boosters are injectable moisturisers that are deposited deep into the skin making it extremely supple and the results last for a good 6-9 months. This not only makes for the perfect ultra-hydration treatment but also can cut down your skincare routine.
Remember consistency is key and individuality plays a vital role in curating a regimen that caters to your unique skin needs. You can contact us for a personalised consultation with our skincare expert, Dr. Natasha Shetty for your skin concerns.