Is Glass Skin Still “In”? (Spoiler: Yes!—and how to get it)
Let’s be Franke: Effortless beauty
starts with glossy, healthy skin at every age.
Like your favourite vitamin C serums, skincare trends and fads can have a shelf life. But at Franke, we’re big believers that Glass Skin will always be “in”. And better still, it’s not that hard to achieve. The key is finding the products that plump and hydrate your skin, and sticking to them long enough to see a real difference.
It’s what’s inside that matters
Yes, your personality is cute, but I’m talking about hydration, gut health and multivitamins. Start your day with a glass of warm water with a squeeze of fresh lemon. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), warm water supports your “yang” energy, boosts detoxification and improves circulation, which is key to keeping your digestion moving and your skin looking clear.
Focusing on gut health can also keep skin conditions (like eczema, acne and rosacea) at bay, which means finding and eliminating trigger foods, and sourcing a probiotic that actually works. Personally, BioCeuticals Ultrabiotic45 has been a gut-changing little pill that’s helped calm my IBS and clear out monthly cysts.
There’s so much hype around drinking your beauty, but a greens powder that works like a multivitamin can fill in nutritional holes in your diet. Glow and Daily Greens from The Beauty Chef not only work, but they actually taste good, too.
AM: The Daily Routine
Work with a clean slate
Start with a gentle cleanser or just rinsing with warm water. Celebrity skincare guru Melanie Grant suggests using a micellar water in the morning. Whatever you use, make sure it’s gentle and won’t strip your skin, like Pyunkang Yul Low pH Pore Deep Cleansing Foam.
Layering is key
Antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and peptides will make the biggest difference in your skin both in the long and short term.
Start with brightening powerhouse vitamin C to help reduce pigmentation, fine lines and boost collagen. Medik8 have a comprehensive range of Vitamin C serums from beginners to advanced. Start slow and work your way up.
Next, layer either a peptide serum or hyaluronic acid serum, misting between layers to keep your skin plump. The Medik8 Liquid Peptides Serum is designed to firm and build collagen, while the La Roche Posay Hyalu B5 Serum is the perfect hyaluronic acid + B5 blend for plump skin. Mist between layers with a calming facial spray—anything from Mario Badescu feels like you’re at the spa.
The next step is vital: Medicube Pink PDRN Serum. This stuff is glass skin in a bottle, and even worn alone will add that bouncy glow that screams youth. But layered with your actives? It’s next-level skincare.
Extra Glow:
TirTir Ceramic Milk Ampoule. It’s like makeup highlighter, but for skincare. You’ll look glossy, moisturised and glowing.
Seal it off with a moisturiser that acts as a barrier cream. My combination skin leans dry, which means I’m obsessed with anything that will lock in moisture. I’ve recently switched from La Roche Posay’s Cicaplast Cream to Dr Althea 345 Relief Cream and I think I’m hooked for life. It’s rich, hydrating, and contains plant-based PDRN for an extra nutritive skin boost.
And of course, SPF 50+ is a must. I’ve been using Mecca Superscreen 50+ for a decade because it just works. It doesn’t break me out, and the serum with niacinamide makes my skin look even better.
PM: The Nightly Routine
At the end of the day, it’s time to treat. Double cleansing is a non-negotiable, especially if you’re wearing makeup or even just SPF. Start with a cleansing oil, like Idealove Melt the Day Away Cleansing Balm, use water to rinse it off (it’s supposed to go cloudy!), then wash your face at least once with a gentle foaming cleanser like the Pyunkang Yul Low pH Pore Deep Cleansing Foam from the morning.
Depending on how your skin is feeling, choose your actives for the night. I aim to use prescription tretinoin 0.01% twice weekly to boost collagen and prevent fine lines without over-sensitising my skin.
Once or twice per week, I’ll apply the Cica x Hyalon Reedle Shot 100 before a peptide serum and my repair cream. And every other night in between, I’ll just use my peptide serum, Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum, and barrier cream. Booster: Pop on a sheet mask when your skin needs a little extra TLC or you have an event coming. I love the 30x daily sheet box from Cica x Hyalon. Only you know how your skin is feeling on any given day, so adjust your routine to suit your skin.
Where you take your skin next is up to you, but with glass skin—make up is optional.
Franke Faves
1. BioCeuticals Ultrabiotic45
2. The Beauty Chef Greens + Glow
3. Idealove Melt the Day Away Cleansing Balm
4. Pyunkang Yul Low pH Pore Deep Cleansing Foam
5. Medik8 Super C Ferulic Serum
6. Medik8 Liquid Peptides Serum
7. La Roche Posay Hyalu B5 Serum
8. Mario Badescu Lavender Mist
9. Medicube Pink PDRN Serum
10. TirTir Ceramic Milk Ampoule
11. Dr Althea 345 Relief Cream
12. Mecca Superscreen 50+
13. Cica x Hyalon Reedle Shot 100
14. Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum
15. Cica x Hyalon Sheet Masks
Our opinions are our own, and featured products are carefully selected because they pass the Franke Code. Sometimes, we may receive affiliate perks if you make a purchase via the links in our posts.