Glass Skin Without the 10-Step Routine, Expert Says

You don’t need ten steps to get the glowing complexion that fills social media feeds, according to New York cosmetic physician Dr. Dmitriy Schwarzburg. A board-certified cosmetic physician and founder of Skinly Aesthetics, Schwarzburg told USA TODAY’s Alexandra Frost that the so-called glass skin look depends on a few basics: hydration, skin-barrier health and sun protection. The report appeared Oct. 15, 2026.

That message challenges a trend often linked to elaborate, expensive regimens. The traditional Korean approach can involve seven to 10 steps: double cleansing, exfoliation, toner, essence, multiple serums, moisturizer and sunscreen. Each step means another product to buy.

What the Expert Recommends

“You don’t need all 10 steps, though,” Schwarzburg said. “The important parts are consistent hydration, smooth texture, even skin tone and maintaining a healthy skin barrier.”

His advice is simple. Cleanse morning and night. Use a gentle cleanser in the morning; in the evening, remove makeup, sunscreen or sweat buildup. Double cleansing may help people who wear heavier makeup, he said, so it’s an option, not a requirement.

For hydration, Schwarzburg recommends serums and essences with glycerin and hyaluronic acid. “For the immediate glass-skin effect, I like hydrating serums and essences with glycerin and hyaluronic acid because they increase water content in the skin and give it a plumper, more reflective appearance,” he said. “A good moisturizer helps seal that hydration in, and products containing ceramides can be particularly useful for maintaining the skin barrier.”

Longer-term goals take time. Niacinamide, vitamin C and retinoids can improve tone, brightness and collagen production, he said. “These ingredients aren’t going to create a glass-like finish overnight, but they can improve the underlying quality of the skin over time.”

Sun Protection and Everyday Health

Sunscreen is the one step backed by public-health guidance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher before sun exposure. Schwarzburg prefers SPF 30 or more and applies it as the last step in his morning routine. Sun protection supports the glass-skin effect, the report says, and helps prevent skin cancer.

Skin is shaped by more than a skincare routine. Schwarzburg said sleep, nutrition, exercise, sun exposure, smoking and alcohol all affect skin over time. “I recommend getting adequate protein and eating a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables and healthy fats because the skin needs those nutrients to maintain and repair itself.”

The Problem With Filtered Standards

Schwarzburg also rejects the idea that flawless skin is within reach. “Perfectly poreless, completely texture-free skin is not attainable. Pores are normal anatomy. Fine lines are normal. Real skin has texture,” he said.

He sees value in the trend’s focus on hydration and barrier health. The trouble starts, he said, “when people compare their skin to filtered or heavily edited images and think that any visible pore or line means they’re doing something wrong.”

Why This Matters:

Beauty trends often sell a standard before they sell a product. Define a look as a ten-step routine, and it quietly sets a price of entry in money and time that not everyone can afford. A physician’s message that the essentials are cleansing, hydration, moisturizer and sunscreen narrows that gap. It also directs attention to something with real health value: the CDC-backed advice to wear sunscreen, which helps prevent skin cancer. Schwarzburg’s warning about filtered and heavily edited images points to a harder problem. Unrealistic comparisons can leave people feeling they’re failing at something they were never meant to achieve. Clear guidance from experts helps consumers distinguish evidence-based habits from marketing pressure and treats ordinary, textured skin as normal rather than a flaw to fix. The CDC recommends sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher before sun exposure.