The Real Way to Get Glass Skin: The 10-Step Routine Koreans Don’t Really Talk About

I’ve lived in LA for six years now, and when I first moved here, my entire skincare routine was: wash face, slap on some lotion, done. Then one day I was wandering through the Korean beauty aisle at an H Mart and kept seeing “10-step skincare routine” everywhere. I remember thinking, “there’s no way anyone actually does all 10 steps.” Three years later, I can’t imagine my day without it.

I’ll be honest — the first week felt ridiculous. Ten products before 8am? Who has time for that? But somewhere along the way, this routine stopped feeling like a chore and started feeling like the fifteen most peaceful minutes of my day. Below is the exact routine I’ve refined over three years of trial and error, mistakes included, so you don’t have to learn the hard way like I did.

What Even Is “Glass Skin”?

Glass skin isn’t about coverage or a matte finish — it’s about skin that’s so hydrated and smooth that it reflects light like, well, glass. No foundation trick can fully fake it. When I first heard the term I assumed it was just genetics, but after three years of actually doing this, I’d say it’s about 50% consistent care and 50% patience.

My 10-Step Routine (Refined Over 3 Years)

Step 1: Oil Cleanser (Nighttime Only)

At night, I use an oil-based cleanser first to break down sunscreen, makeup, and the general grime LA air leaves on your face by 6pm. I was skeptical — “won’t oil just make my face greasier?” — but it actually works the opposite way: oil dissolves oil, lifting everything off without stripping your skin. I massage it into dry skin with dry hands, then rinse with lukewarm water.

Step 2: Water-Based Cleanser (Double Cleanse)

Right after the oil cleanser, I follow up with a foaming cleanser. I used to skip this step, thinking one cleanse was enough. Big mistake. Once I started double cleansing consistently, I noticed a real drop in breakouts by the next morning — especially living somewhere as dusty and sun-drenched as LA.

Step 3: Exfoliation (2-3 Times a Week, Not Daily)

I use a gentle chemical exfoliant with BHA a couple times a week — never daily. I learned this the hard way after over-exfoliating for a month straight and ending up with thin, reactive, angry skin. Lesson learned: more isn’t better here.

Step 4: Toner (Prepping the Skin)

This is the first product I apply after cleansing. I pat it in with my palms instead of wiping with a cotton pad — I tested both methods and patting is noticeably less irritating. The first time I noticed my skin wasn’t feeling tight after cleansing anymore, that’s when I knew this routine was actually doing something.

Step 5: Essence (The Hydration Workhorse)

Essence was the step I understood least at first — “isn’t this just a weaker toner?” It’s actually more concentrated, and it’s the step that made the biggest difference in how my skin felt deep down, not just on the surface. This is the product I’d least want to cut if I had to simplify my routine.

Step 6: Serum/Ampoule (Targeted Treatment)

My personal issues are redness and enlarged pores, so I rotate between a centella (cica) serum and a niacinamide serum depending on what my skin needs that week. This step taught me that you really do need to match ingredients to your specific skin concerns — using a random “popular” serum without thinking about why didn’t do much for me.

Step 7: Sheet Mask (2-3 Times a Week, Daily for Special Occasions)

Before big events or dates, I always do a sheet mask. I tried doing this every single day for a while, but my skin actually started to feel heavy and congested. Now I stick to 2-3 times a week. Don’t believe the “more is more” hype — pay attention to how your own skin responds instead.

Step 8: Eye Cream (Separate Care for Delicate Skin)

I didn’t take eye cream seriously until my late twenties, when I finally noticed how much thinner and more fragile the skin around my eyes was compared to the rest of my face. Once I started using it consistently, the difference in fine lines and under-eye darkness was honestly bigger than I expected.

Step 9: Moisturizer (Sealing Everything In)

This step locks in everything you just applied. Living in dry LA, I prefer a slightly heavier cream texture — if you live somewhere more humid, a lightweight gel moisturizer would probably do the job just fine.

Step 10: Sunscreen (The Non-Negotiable Step)

I cannot stress this one enough. The first time I tried a Korean sunscreen, I was genuinely shocked — no white cast, no greasy feeling, nothing like the sunscreens I grew up using in the US. This is the one step I have never, not once in three years, skipped — rain or shine.

What Three Years In Actually Taught Me

If you’re wondering whether you really need all 10 steps, my honest answer is: not at first. I started with just four steps — cleanse, tone, moisturize, sunscreen — and slowly built up from there. What actually matters isn’t the number of steps, it’s the order (light textures before heavy ones) and consistency over time.

The other thing I learned the hard way: give any new product at least four weeks before judging it. I once got excited by a bunch of good reviews and switched three products at once, and ended up with a wrecked skin barrier that took over a month to recover from. Slow and steady really does win here.

If You’re Just Starting Out

1. Don’t try to do all 10 steps on day one. Start with cleanse, tone, moisturize, sunscreen.
2. Keep exfoliation and sheet masks to 2-3 times a week, not daily.
3. Introduce one new product at a time, and give it at least four weeks.
4. Never, ever skip sunscreen.

If you’re as skeptical as I was three years ago, just start with those four basics. That’s exactly how I got here.

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This post is based on my personal experience living in LA and practicing Korean skincare routines for over three years. Everyone’s skin is different, so always patch test new products before adding them to your routine.