Beauty-Tok alert! If you’re reading this article, you’ve likely heard about the Glass Skin beauty trend. Despite its popularity, many are still wondering if this Korean beauty routine suits all skin types. The answer is a resounding yes. And yes, you can achieve glass skin in your 50s. This article will delve into the key steps for attaining glass skin, particularly for mature skin.
What Exactly Is the Glass Skin Trend?
This Korean beauty trend emphasizes hydration. The fundamental idea is to ensure the skin is hydrated, elastic, and glowing.
Although not a new concept, glass skin has regained momentum, fitting perfectly with the current minimalist trend. This translates to less makeup, contouring, and the pancake effect. Thus glass skin is part of the clean girl aesthetic, which features fresh skin, glossy lips, slicked-back hair, and dewy clean skin. More than having flawless, blemish-free, and poreless skin, glass skin is all about having skin that radiates a healthy lifestyle.
Step by Step: Achieving Glass Skin After Your 50s
We consulted experts to explain the beauty routine you should follow for your skin. We also spoke with beauty consultants for makeup tips to achieve that glowing and healthy effect. Furthermore, we consulted with natural medicine doctors to understand the lifestyle changes needed to reflect on your skin. Glass skin is not achieved overnight; younger skin may need two to three weeks of work, while mature skin may need one to two months.
Beauty Routine:
- 1- Double-Cleanse Skin
Instead of cleansing your skin once, you’ll now cleanse it twice. However, women over 50, especially post-menopausal, tend to have dry skin. To prevent further dryness, the first step is to cleanse your skin using an oil-based face wash. I use sweet almond oil, akin to cleansing a baby’s bottom.
The second step involves using a water-based cleanser, such as Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water, the most popular product in French pharmacies.
Almond oil is effective for deep pore cleansing because it contains linoleic acid, which dissolves sebum. Additionally, this ingredient is non-comedogenic, meaning it doesn’t clog pores. Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water gently removes more stubborn residues, like sunscreen and foundation.
- 2- Chemical Exfoliation
Exfoliation is a crucial step in achieving glass skin, helping you rid the skin of dead cells responsible for a dull complexion. For mature skins, which tend to be more sensitive and thinner, a chemical exfoliant is recommended over a physical one. Dermatologists suggest limiting exfoliation to 1-2 times per week.
Furthermore, exfoliation enhances the absorption of serums and creams into your skin.
- 3- Hydrating Serum or Toner
After cleansing and exfoliating, apply a hydrating serum or toner. Modern toners now also hydrate, not just act as astringents. This is the time to use products with ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, such as Avène Hyaluron Activ B3, which combines both in one.
- 4- Sheet Masks
This step is for those who have time to indulge. The mask is a concentrated cocktail of skin-loving ingredients that aid in the absorption of active ingredients. These steps ensure your skin remains plump and healthy-looking by delivering different hydration layers. Use the mask between the serum and moisturizer. Considering glass skin is a Korean innovation, why not use a sheet mask from Korean dermatologist Dr. Jart?
- 5- Moisturize
Finally, apply a moisturizer. I’ve been using Vienna Skincare for years because it contains a high urea concentration, which seals in moisture and efficiently transports a cocktail of oils and hyaluronic acid to the epidermis. It penetrates deep skin levels and includes Enantia Chloranta, which refines pores. This cream leaves the skin so illuminated that I need just a bit of highlighter. It can also double as an eye cream. A rich and long-lasting moisturiser is the key to getting glass skin in your 50s.
- 6- Face Oil
For very dry skin, applying face oil after moisturizer seals all the moisture into your skin. I use almond oil, but jojoba, argan, or rosehip oils are also non-comedogenic and won’t clog pores.
Achieving Glass Skin With Makeup:
- 1- Skincare
Good makeup artists spend more time preparing and hydrating the skin than on makeup application. The steps above are crucial for achieving glass skin without relying heavily on makeup. Remember, our goal is to have healthy and dewy glass skin in our 50s and not look like a cake.
- 2- Primer
For skin over 50, the best primer is one that minimizes pores, providing a smooth surface for cosmetics. The Pore-fessional Lite from Benefit is exceptionally popular for its humectant qualities and perfect finish.
- 3- Concealer
Use it sparingly; apply with your fingers for a more natural effect. Target under-eye bags, the inner eye corners with more pigmentation, around the nose, and the line to the mouth corner. Achieving glass skin in your 50s isn’t about a flawless look without blemishes or wrinkles but about healthy, dewy skin.
- 4- Tinted SPF
To avoid excess product, I use tinted SPF, offering UVA and UVB protection and acting as a foundation. I prefer Avene Sun Mineral SPF 50 for daily use. Mineral sunscreens are recommended for being a natural and healthier option. Avene’s formula spreads easily and is quickly absorbed, leaving the desired illuminated effect for glass skin.
- 5- Blush
Opt for a cream-textured blush, suitable for dry and mature skin. I admire Westman Atelier’s makeup line, whose blush stick includes jojoba oil. The blush restores a healthy glow to our faces, compensating for the loss of cheek colour with age.
- 6- Highlighter
A high-quality highlighter with a subtle shimmer and fine texture is crucial. I suggest Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight for its ability to lift and brighten features effectively.
Proper application is key: start above the cheekbones, extending to the temples. Add a bit to your brow bones, the inner eye corners, and under the eye. Highlight down the bridge of the nose and on the cupid’s bow for fuller lips. A touch on the chin’s centre can elongate and enhance your face.
Achieving Glass Skin From the Inside Out
Your skin mirrors your physical and hormonal health. Thus, achieving the coveted dewy, hydrated, and luminous skin, regardless of age, requires lifestyle adjustments.
- Apply sunscreen daily, even on rainy or cloudy days.
- Menopause can accentuate dehydration signs due to reduced oil production. Consuming about two litres of water daily is essential to prevent dry or rough skin.
- Avoid low-calorie diets during menopause; they can harm both health and beauty. A balanced diet rich in proteins, fatty acids, and antioxidants is key to preventing nutritional deficiencies that could mar the skin’s beauty. But avoid sugar, alcohol and saturated fats.
- Smoking, a significant skin health enemy, increases wrinkles and dryness.
- Regular exercise boosts cell blood flow and tissue oxygenation, enhancing skin vitality. Among its many benefits, physical activity boosts collagen production, vital for healthy skin. Please, exercise every day!
Images @canva