Summer is all about that radiant, sun-kissed glow. And as the weather starts undressing and summer is just around the corner, we’re beginning to think about how to best achieve that coveted, flawless, glass-skin look. Yes, inner radiance helps, but it’s mostly about the products. Not just about illuminating moisturisers and tints, sparkling highlighters and foundations, but also about the right cleansers, exfoliators, and serums. In this list, you can find 41 transformative products that will have you enjoying the warmer weather with your best glow on.
The serum on a mission to give us better skin for less
The Inkey List, is a brand everyone seems to be raving about. Mainly because they are on a mission to educate, to deliver real results, and to do so without bankrupting us. Their products are affordable and yet are not inferior in quality to some of their higher-priced counterparts. To the contrary. But don’t take our word for it, see for yourself. The INKEY List, hyaluronic acid serum hydrates all layers of the skin and leaves it feeling smoother, plumper, and healthier. It’s suitable for all skin types.
Award-winning face primer for a dewy finish
Another affordable brand that seems to be on everyone’s lips is Milk Makeup. The Milk Makeup hydro grip, an award-winning primer, prepares the face for foundation, grips the makeup for up to 12 hours, and gives the skin a dewy finish to achieve just the type of glow we’re after in spring.
Saie’s glowiest but lightest illuminator
A primer that is Amazon’s choice is the Saie glowy lightweight illuminator. It’s the “glowiest,” yet also “the lightest”. Enriched with vitamin C and rose hip seed oil, it can be used under foundation, over makeup as a highlighter, or on its own. Guaranteed to give the “glass-skin” feel.
The vitamin C serum that can help brighten skin
Dab a few drops of this vitamin C serum into your face after cleansing, and it can help brighten your complexion as well as even out your skin tone. The lightweight texture absorbs quickly into the skin so that you aren’t left feeling gooey. And unlike some skin-care serums, this one is cruelty-free.
It takes only seconds to hydrate skin with the Wrinkle Bounce multi balm stick
This multi balm moisturizer went viral on TikTok after it was seen all over K-dramas. Applying directly to the skin is more hygienic for your face and products! Collagen and a special salmon complex reduce fine lines and leave a radiant finish.
The Flawless Filter foundation for brighter porcelain skin
This list wouldn’t be complete without including some products from the brand of the queen of glow and dewy skin, Charlotte Tilbury. As the name suggests, the flawless filter foundation, beloved by celebrities, makes the skin look as if it has been airbrushed. It features brightening Thai flower extract for brighter, porcelain skin.
Pillow Talk highlighter wand
Likewise, Charlotte’s light wand in the famous “pillow talk” shade enhances the skin’s luminosity and allows you to target specific areas such as the cheeks, the top of the nose, and temples. Its liquid formula means you need just a tiny amount to achieve noticeable results that last all day long.
L’Oreal Paris True Match tinted serum foundation
If you want a single product to do everything – hydrate, cover, and brighten – then the L’Oreal Paris True Match tinted serum foundation promises to do just that. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, it brightens complexion, moisturizes, and illuminates. Available in multiple shades – find your true match!
Always An Optimist primer
This product by Rare Beauty, Selena Gomez’s brand, is a non-sticky cooling gel that can be used as a primer to smooth out the skin and help makeup stay in place for longer. It can also be worn on its own.
Beauty sleep just got easier with Elemis’ midnight facial cream
Next time you find yourself awake at midnight, instead of tossing and turning, apply the Elemis superfood midnight facial cream and wake up with revitalized skin. The prebiotic cream works overnight to drench dull-looking skin and help you get your beauty sleep easier and quicker.
The cream to even out skin color
This beloved cream, by the Korean brand Erborian, is a perfect option if you would like to get your face color “corrected” or evened out. With SPF 20 and an illuminating finish, it hydrates, soothes the skin, and gives a healthy glow.
The foundation that was a TikTok sensation
If you feel skeptical about a foundation that you apply with a cushion, you haven’t come across the TikTok videos that made the Tirtir mask foundation an absolute sensation. In them, people with all types of skin tap the product gently on their face and instantly achieve a glowy, yet natural, glass-skin look. What’s also great about this mask foundation is that it’s available in many shades.
The acne treatment for clear skin
A glass-skin look is easier to achieve when the skin is clear and healthy, and this Kate Somerville EradiKate acne treatment helps to prevent clogging of pores and the appearance of spots and pimples. Formulated with 10% Sulfur and BHA, it offers antibacterial benefits and exfoliates dead skin.
The cream that features “the divas of skincare”
Also by Kate Somerville, this skin moisturizer features the “divas of skincare”, retinol, and Vitamin C. Working in combination, they firm, smooth, and brighten the skin. The cream is best used before bed, no more than four times per week.
The award-winning serum for instant radiance boost
This Good Genes serum by Sunday Riley is a 2023 beauty award winner. It is formulated with lactic acid, which diminishes dark spots, licorice, which naturally brightens, and lemongrass, which refreshes, giving the skin an instant radiance boost.
Summer Fridays sheer tint for in-between days
On days, when you don’t want to go out bare-faced but don’t feel like full face makeup either, the skin tint is the way to go. This one by Summer Fridays offers sheer to light coverage and boasts a super lightweight formula. It gives a dewy finish and is available in multiple colors.
Tinted moisturizer with SPF that improves skin tone overtime
Laura Mercier’s tinted moisturizer has SPF 30 and improves skin tone not just once the product is applied but also over time, so the skin looks better naturally. The coverage lasts up to 16 hours.
The tint that’s also a serum
Typology combines a serum with a tint and this one is infused with Vitamin C, squalane, and aloe vera for a 99% naturally delivered product. It hydrates and gives a healthy glow.
Radiance and sun-kissed skin with these illuminating self-tan drops
If you would like some radiance, but also for your skin to look sun-kissed, then the Tan-Luxe illuminating self-tan drops will do the trick. All you need to do is mix 2-12 drops with your skincare of choice and then enjoy your tan when it begins to show in 4 to 6 hours.
Pore control oil for a deep cleanse
To achieve the perfect glass skin look, as much focus is needed on cleansing as is on hydration and makeup. This Anua heartleaf pore control oil provides deep cleansing and reduces sebum and oil, while also removing makeup.
The second cleanser in your routine
This Neogen foam cleanser is great as a second cleanser or part of your double cleansing routine. With green tea extract and 99 natural ingredients, it unclogs pores and helps to achieve a brighter skin look.
The Adidas originals of facial cleansers
The CeraVe hydrating facial cleanser is Amazon’s choice and the Adidas originals of facial cleansers, meaning, most widely used, and you can’t go wrong with it. It’s perfect as a second step in a cleansing routine. Infused with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin, it helps to hydrate the skin without stripping it of its moisture.
The Adidas originals of facial cleansers from the oil control range
If your skin is prone to blemishes, then CeraVe also offers a facial cleanser from their oil control range. This formula transforms into foam as you lather.
The one-step facial cleanser
If you’re not a fan of multi-step cleansing routines, then this Clarins one-step facial cleanser is for you. It removes makeup, cleanses, and restores radiance.
The “global icon” of skin exfoliants
A cleansing routine should be followed with an exfoliant, and it could be argued that they make the most difference when it comes to achieving glass-like skin. Another beloved by TikTok product, this skin exfoliator by Paula’s Choice is also called a “cult favorite,” a “global icon”, and is an Amazon bestseller. What does it do? Well, it exfoliates. But also brightens skin tone, reduces pores and blackheads, and smooths texture.
Drunk Elephant’s exfoliating face mask
If you’d rather exfoliate with a face mask, this one by Drunk Elephant, have you heard of a cooler brand name, eh? Is the one to go for. With AHA/BHA blend, it removes dead skin cells and helps to achieve a more youthful appearance. A perfect at-home treat to add to your me-time routine.
The exfoliant to combat wide pores
If you’ve got wide, big pores, Naturium’s BHA liquid exfoliant can help with that. In their clinical study, 97% of subjects showed reduced appearance of pores, and 77% of subjects reported improvement in skin tone. It can be used morning and evening, three to five times per week, after cleansing.
Acid treatment for post-acne marks
Last of the exfoliating face products, but not least, this La Roche-Posay salicylic acid treatment also minimizes pores and helps with post-acne marks. It works on all skin types.
Lip gloss for more voluminous and shiny lips
The “glass skin” look is mostly about the skin of the face; however, the right lip glosses and eyeshadow can also enhance the overall look of skin luminosity and glow. This U beauty plumping gloss has a restorative formula that combats fine lines and wrinkles (yes, on the lips) and enhances volume. Filler-free volume? Yes, please.
The lip gloss to complete your porcelain-face look
This Rimmel Stay Glossy lip gloss features a lightweight formula and is ultra-sheer, perfect for completing your porcelain-like look. It glides on smoothly for effortless application.
Lipstick in sparkling quarts for your… cheeks
This lipstick… for your cheeks. Ever wondered how makeup artists achieve that glossy effect all over the face? Sometimes by using products meant for lips, for cheeks, eyes, and anywhere they’d like more gloss. To get the look, simply rub some of the product on your fingertips and apply.
Eye primer to keep eyeshadow in place
This Urban Decay eyeshadow primer helps to prevent creasing and your bright, sparkly eyeshadow to stay in place. It’s suitable for all skin tones and vegan.
Revolution’s highlighter for a golden-hour glow
But you don’t have to use lipstick for your cheeks…Revolution’s Beam Bright highlighter with its powder-to-liquid formula will also give your skin that coveted golden-hour glow.
The creamy highlighter that works whether you’re 19 or 99
19/99 is the brand that wants to help you get the look, “whether you are 19 or 99.” This creamy highlighter creates a dewy radiance, can be used all over the face, and is in a lovely golden-nectar shade.
Dewy stick for cheeks and eyes
Likewise, this dewy stick by Ciate London, supercharged with Hyaluronic Acid and Argan Oil, can be applied to both – cheeks and eyelids. It’s just the color of shining, sparkling glass.
An exfoliating lip serum that gives early 2000s vibes
They also have an exfoliating AHA lip serum with berry stem cell extract. It gives all the early 2000s BR kissing fruit lip gloss vibes!
Glossier’s chic serum for radiance from within
No “glass skin” list can be completed without including a “Futuredew” serum that looks like this and is by Glossier, the brand that’s all about the gloss. With an innovative formula, this serum promises instant radiance “from within” that lasts all day! With a product that looks this chic, the reasons for the radiance might be plenty.
A body scrub for a healthy skin glow all over
Glass skin doesn’t have to be limited to the face, and with this Osea, salts of the earth, body scrub, you can get that healthy skin glow all over! It exfoliates, softens, and smoothens.
A non-greasy body oil for skin elasticity
Their body oil is also supposed to be very good, and even though it’s called “oil” it has a non-greasy formula. It moisturizes and improves skin elasticity.
The instant glow body polish
This Goop Glow “body polish” product cleanses, exfoliates, and hydrates the skin of the body. Minerals like quartz and garnet exfoliate, while ingredients like kakadu plum seed oil moisturize, leaving the skin feeling luxurious, soft, and glowy.
