From glass skin and slugging to skin flooding and the 7 Skin Method, K-beauty has introduced some of the most talked-about skincare trends of the past decade. Scroll through TikTok or Instagram, and you're bound to come across flawless complexions, multi-step routines and products promising radiant, dewy skin.

But while these trends may seem new, many are rooted in decades of Korean skincare philosophy. Rather than focusing on correcting problems after they appear, K-beauty prioritises prevention, hydration and maintaining a healthy skin barrier. The goal isn't perfection, it's creating skin that looks healthy because it is healthy.

Whether you're new to Korean skincare or simply curious about the latest viral routines, here's everything you need to know about the biggest K-beauty trends, what they actually involve and whether they're worth adding to your skincare routine.

Glass Skin

Perhaps the most recognisable K-beauty trend, glass skin describes a complexion that appears incredibly smooth, luminous and so well hydrated that it reflects light like glass.

Despite what social media might suggest, glass skin isn't achieved overnight or through one miracle product. Instead, it's the result of consistently caring for your skin with gentle cleansing, regular hydration and daily sun protection.

The philosophy behind it

Glass skin is less about shine and more about skin health. When the skin barrier is functioning well and moisture levels are high, skin naturally appears plumper, smoother and more radiant.

How to achieve it

A typical glass skin routine includes:

• Double cleansing
• Gentle exfoliation (1–2 times a week)
• A hydrating toner or essence
• Targeted serums
• A nourishing moisturiser
• Daily SPF

Hero ingredients

• Snail mucin
• Rice extract
• Hyaluronic acid
• Niacinamide
• Ceramides
• Peptides

Who is it for? Almost everyone, although oily skin may require lighter layers while dry skin often benefits from richer moisturisers.

Our K-Beauty Picks

For that coveted dewy glow, try the Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream, a lightweight gel moisturiser that delivers long-lasting hydration and leaves skin looking visibly plumper. Pair it with the Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum or the iconic COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence for an extra boost of glow and hydration.

Double Cleansing

Long before cleansing balms became mainstream, Korean skincare routines were already embracing double cleansing.

The concept is simple: use an oil-based cleanser first to dissolve makeup, sunscreen and excess oil, then follow with a water-based cleanser to remove sweat, dirt and any remaining impurities.

Our K-Beauty Picks

Start with the Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil to melt away makeup and SPF, then follow with the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule Foam Cleanser or the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel for a gentle second cleanse that won't strip your skin.

Why does it matter?

Modern sunscreens and long-wearing makeup are designed to stay put, meaning they aren't always completely removed by a single cleanser.

Double cleansing helps ensure your skin is thoroughly cleansed without over-scrubbing or using harsh cleansers that can disrupt the skin barrier.

Is it necessary every day?

If you wear SPF daily (which you should), double cleansing in the evening can be a worthwhile addition to your routine. In the morning, a single gentle cleanse is usually sufficient.

Skin Flooding

Hydration has always been at the heart of K-beauty, and skin flooding takes this philosophy one step further.

The trend involves applying several hydrating products while your skin is still slightly damp after cleansing. Damp skin allows humectants, such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, to bind more effectively to water already present on the skin's surface.

A typical skin flooding routine looks like this:

1. Hydrating toner
2. Essence
3. Hyaluronic acid serum
4. Moisturiser

The result? Skin that feels noticeably softer, bouncier and more comfortable.

Best for: Dehydrated skin rather than oily skin.

Our K-Beauty Picks

The Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturising Toner is ideal for the first layer, followed by the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner or SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule. Finish with the Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream to lock everything in.

Slugging

If you've ever seen someone apply a thick layer of ointment before bed, you've witnessed slugging.

This trend involves applying an occlusive product as the final step of your nighttime routine to minimise transepidermal water loss, the natural process where water evaporates from the skin overnight.

By sealing in the products applied underneath, slugging helps maintain hydration and supports skin barrier recovery.

Benefits

• Locks in moisture
• Helps repair a compromised skin barrier
• Reduces overnight dehydration
• Leaves skin feeling softer by morning

It's particularly popular during winter or after using stronger active ingredients such as retinol.

Not ideal for: Very oily or acne-prone skin, as heavier occlusive products may not suit everyone.

Our K-Beauty Picks

Rather than using a traditional occlusive, many K-beauty lovers opt for nourishing barrier creams like the Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream to help comfort and strengthen the skin while you sleep.

The 7 Skin Method

Don't let the name confuse you—the 7 Skin Method has nothing to do with your skin's layers.

Instead, "skin" refers to toner.

The technique involves applying multiple thin layers of a hydrating toner or essence instead of relying on one thick moisturiser.

Traditionally, seven layers were recommended, although most people today find that three or four layers provide plenty of hydration.

Rather than overwhelming the skin, each lightweight layer absorbs quickly, creating long-lasting hydration without heaviness.

Our K-Beauty Picks

Both the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner and the Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturising Toner are perfect choices, thanks to their lightweight, hydrating formulas that absorb beautifully with each layer.

Essence Layering

Essences are one of the products that truly set Korean skincare apart.

Sitting somewhere between a toner and a serum, an essence delivers lightweight hydration while helping prepare the skin to better absorb the products that follow.

Many K-beauty enthusiasts layer an essence before applying active serums, believing hydrated skin is better able to tolerate and benefit from subsequent skincare products.

Think of an essence as creating the ideal environment for the rest of your routine.

Our K-Beauty Picks

The COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence remains one of the most iconic K-beauty essences.

Sleeping Masks

Overnight skincare is another hallmark of Korean beauty.

Sleeping masks are richer than traditional moisturisers and are designed to remain on the skin throughout the night, supporting hydration while you sleep.

Many contain ingredients such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants to replenish moisture and strengthen the skin barrier.

They're an excellent option when skin feels dry, stressed or fatigued.

Our K-Beauty Picks

The Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask is ideal if you're looking for firmer, plumper-looking skin by morning.

Skin Barrier Repair

Perhaps the biggest evolution in modern K-beauty isn't a product, it's a mindset.

Rather than using stronger acids or more active ingredients, many routines now focus on protecting the skin barrier.

Your skin barrier is your body's first line of defence against environmental aggressors while helping prevent moisture loss.

When it's compromised, you may notice:

• Increased sensitivity
• Redness
• Tightness
• Dry patches
• Unexpected breakouts

Instead of reaching for more exfoliants, K-beauty encourages nourishing ingredients that help restore balance.

Our K-Beauty Picks

Look for calming, barrier-loving ingredients with the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule, Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream or Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream, all of which are excellent choices for restoring comfort to stressed or sensitive skin.

Barrier-supporting favourites

• Ceramides
• Centella Asiatica (Cica)
• Panthenol
• Snail mucin
• Squalane
• Beta-glucan

Healthy skin begins with a healthy barrier.

Skin Cycling

Originally popularised by dermatologists, skin cycling has become increasingly popular among K-beauty fans because it complements the philosophy of avoiding unnecessary irritation.

Rather than using exfoliants and retinol every night, skin cycling introduces recovery nights between active ingredients.

A simple cycle looks like this:

• Night 1: Exfoliation
• Night 2: Retinol
• Night 3: Recovery
• Night 4: Recovery

This gives the skin time to repair while still benefiting from active ingredients.

Our K-Beauty Picks

On your recovery evenings, keep things simple with the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule followed by the Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturising Cream or Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream to replenish hydration and support your skin barrier.

Sheet Masking

No K-beauty conversation would be complete without sheet masks.

These serum-soaked masks have become synonymous with Korean skincare, offering an easy way to give the skin an instant boost of hydration.

The sheet itself helps reduce evaporation, allowing the skin to absorb more of the serum during the 10–20 minute treatment.

While they won't permanently transform your skin, they're excellent before an event or whenever your complexion needs a little extra glow.

Our K-Beauty Picks

If there's one sheet mask that's taken the beauty world by storm, it's the Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask. Loved for its innovative hydrogel design, it delivers intense hydration and helps leave skin looking firmer, smoother and visibly more radiant.

Whether you're drawn to the glow of glass skin, the simplicity of double cleansing or the intense hydration of skin flooding, the best approach is to introduce one trend at a time and see how your skin responds. Skincare is never one-size-fits-all, and what works for someone else may not be what your complexion needs.

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