Glass Skin: Experts Say 10 Steps Aren't Needed

A Korean glass-skin routine can run seven to 10 steps, but Dr. Dmitriy Schwarzburg says people don’t need every one for a smooth, luminous complexion. Schwarzburg, a board-certified cosmetic physician and founder of Skinly Aesthetics in New York, said steady hydration, a healthy skin barrier and sun protection matter more than a long routine.

Alexandra Frost’s USA TODAY report, published Oct. 15, 2026, describes glass skin as a beauty look marked by a smooth, luminous complexion. The traditional routine may include double cleansing, exfoliation, toner, essence, multiple serums, moisturizer and sunscreen. Schwarzburg said: “You don't need all 10 steps, though. The important parts are consistent hydration, smooth texture, even skin tone and maintaining a healthy skin barrier.”

What the routine includes

Schwarzburg recommends cleansing morning and night. In the morning, he advises a gentle cleanser; in the evening, people can remove makeup, sunscreen or sweat buildup. Double cleansing may help those who wear heavier makeup.

For hydration, he recommends serums and essences with glycerin and hyaluronic acid. Those ingredients increase water content in the skin, he said, giving it a plumper, more reflective appearance. “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.

Moisturizer seals in hydration, Schwarzburg said, while products with ceramides can help maintain the skin barrier. His advice puts hydration and barrier health ahead of completing every step in the seven-to-10-step routine.

Protection and longer-term care

For longer-term improvements in tone, brightness and collagen production, Schwarzburg said niacinamide, vitamin C and retinoids can help. These ingredients won't produce a glass-like finish overnight. “They can improve the underlying quality of the skin over time,” he said.

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 sunscreen as the last step in his morning routine. According to the report, sun protection supports the glass-skin effect and helps avoid skin cancer.

Skin also changes over time with sleep, nutrition, exercise, sun exposure, smoking and alcohol, Schwarzburg said. He recommends enough protein and a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables and healthy fats. Skin needs those nutrients to maintain and repair itself.

The limits of the ideal

Schwarzburg cautioned people not to expect flawless skin. “Perfectly poreless, completely texture-free skin is not attainable. Pores are normal anatomy. Fine lines are normal. Real skin has texture,” he said.

The trend’s useful focus, he said, is hydration and skin-barrier health. But comparing real skin with filtered or heavily edited images can lead people to think visible pores or lines mean they’re doing something wrong. His guidance separates attainable care goals from the ideal of completely smooth, texture-free skin.