Glass Skin: the unrealistic ideal that’s taking over beauty culture

Let’s talk about glass skin ! That smooth, luminous, poreless finish that has taken over the beauty world. On TikTok, we see influencers touting their routines for achieving this "perfect" look. The truth? Glass skin isn’t a natural, achievable goal for everyone. It’s a trend, often created by makeup artists, photo editors, or filters, not a reflection of actual skin health.

And here’s the kicker: trying to achieve glass skin by layering products or using harsh exfoliants isn’t doing your skin any favors. In fact, overdoing it can damage your skin’s barrier, causing irritation, breakouts, and premature aging. The pursuit of “perfect skin” based on unattainable beauty ideals often leads us away from what’s actually good for our skin : hydration, barrier protection, and gentle care.

Why chasing perfection isn’t healthy for your skin

The problem with chasing glass skin is that we’re constantly told to “perfect” our skin, to smooth out every imperfection and get rid of every blemish. But the truth is, perfect skin doesn’t exist. Healthy skin isn’t about having a poreless, filter-like glow. It’s about finding the right balance for your skin and treating it with care.

When we focus too much on trying to achieve this one-dimensional ideal of perfection, we ignore the real needs of our skin. Whether it's acne, pigmentation, dryness, or sensitivity, every skin type has unique concerns that need to be addressed with care, not just an aesthetic goal.

How to find your real glow (hint: it’s not about perfection)

So, if chasing glass skin isn’t the answer, what is? The key is to stop focusing on external, unattainable beauty ideals and start caring for your skin’s real needs. Here's how:

1. Hydrate, don’t over-exfoliate

Hydrated skin glows naturally. Focus on products that nourish and lock in moisture, like Glowery’s Before Noon pro-collagen milk, which hydrates and protects the skin’s barrier, rather than trying to scrub your way to smoothness.

2. Treat your skin gently

Overdoing it with harsh products will only irritate your skin. Choose gentle, calming ingredients like Centella Asiatica or Hyaluronic Acid that soothe and hydrate without stripping your skin’s natural oils.

3. Protect your skin barrier

The most important element of any skincare routine should be protecting and strengthening your skin barrier. Using products that support your skin’s natural defenses (like Daily Dew, with its soothing tiger grass formula) will lead to healthy, glowing skin, naturally.

4. Love the skin you’re in

Imperfections aren’t flaws; they’re a sign of your skin’s individuality. Embrace your unique texture, your freckles, your scars , they make you, you. Focus on skin health, not superficial perfection, and you’ll see your natural glow shine through.

Let’s stop chasing perfection

Chasing “glass skin” may feel like an Instagram trend, but the real secret to glowing, healthy skin is finding a routine that works for you. It’s about nourishing your skin, respecting its natural processes, and embracing it as it is. When we stop trying to be perfect and start being kind to ourselves, our skin will reflect that, and that’s the glow we should all be chasing.