Glass Skin Doesn't Need 10 Steps, Doctor Says

Dr. Dmitriy Schwarzburg, a board-certified cosmetic physician and founder of Skinly Aesthetics in New York, has a message for consumers weighing the cost and time of an elaborate skincare regimen: “You don't need all 10 steps.” USA TODAY’s Alexandra Frost reported his comments on Oct. 15, 2026. They challenge the idea that a luminous complexion requires a shelf full of products.

That advice will sound familiar to anyone who’s watched a beauty trend turn into a shopping list.

The Full Routine, and the Shortcut

Glass skin describes a smooth, luminous complexion. The traditional Korean approach can take seven to 10 steps, according to the report: double cleansing, exfoliation, toner, essence, multiple serums, moisturizer and sunscreen. That’s a lot of bottles. And a lot of money.

Schwarzburg says the fundamentals matter far more than the number of products. “The important parts are consistent hydration, smooth texture, even skin tone and maintaining a healthy skin barrier,” he said. Discipline beats accumulation.

His baseline is simple: cleanse in the morning and again at 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, but it isn’t required for everyone.

What Actually Works

For quick results, Schwarzburg recommends hydrating serums and essences with glycerin and hyaluronic acid. “They increase water content in the skin and give it a plumper, more reflective appearance,” he said. A good moisturizer seals in that hydration. Products with ceramides can help maintain the skin barrier.

Longer-term gains take patience. Niacinamide, vitamin C and retinoids can improve tone, brightness and collagen production, he said. He was blunt about the timeline: “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 Personal Habits

The least glamorous step may be the most important. 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. Sunscreen supports the glass-skin effect and helps avoid skin cancer.

No serum can replace healthy habits. Sleep, nutrition, exercise, sun exposure, smoking and alcohol all affect skin over time, Schwarzburg said. “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.” Daily choices do much of the work, not a product launch.

A Warning About Unrealistic Standards

Schwarzburg also pushed back against the perfectionism that often accompanies beauty trends. “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. 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 are big business, and they thrive by convincing consumers that more products mean better results. A physician telling people they can skip most of a 10-step routine offers a useful reality check for household budgets. The advice also emphasizes personal responsibility: sleep, diet, sunscreen, and limiting smoking and alcohol are choices individuals control, and no product can substitute for them. The warning about filtered images reminds consumers that informed choices, not marketing hype, should guide what they buy. Sound habits, modest spending and realistic expectations beat chasing a perfect look.