Glass Skin the Morena Way

You’ve probably googled “glass skin” at one point or another. We know we’re guilty as charged! Are you?

When it comes to the skincare space, there’s no question all-things Korean are often found at the forefront of beauty – the Glass Skin movement is no exception. A term K-beauty expert Jude Chao used for “skin so flawless it has the appearance of glass,” Glass Skin was all the rage and soon became everyone’s #SkinGoals. And honestly, who wouldn’t want that?

There’s been a long-standing obsession with fair skin prevalent in Asian culture. The preference for fair skin over dark skin runs deep, with the former often perceived as *the* benchmark, a standard that women have often strived to achieve. For many Filipinas, achieving glass skin is equivalent to becoming a picture-perfect example of beauty and youth combined – and social media’s portrayal of certain standards probably doesn’t help.

Still, this hasn’t stopped fellow Filipinas from being drawn to the idea of glass skin (seeing their fave K-drama stars up close on their screens probably contributed to this too!). At its core, glass skin is about achieving a smooth, flawless complexion which doesn’t rely on heavy makeup, quite the opposite actually.

Glass skin is all about natural beauty. It emphasizes integrating a consistent skincare routine and being more mindful when it comes to skin health. Googling “glass skin” will often yield (an overwhelming!) amount of tips, tricks, and highly recommended products specifically catering to your glass skin goals.

The catch? Majority of the results your search will yield caters mostly to the fair-skinned, not to mention those who live in weather just as fair (AKA, the cold). You’re probably wondering, how, then, can our just-as-fair, just-as-beautiful, tanned sisters of the tropics achieve the same? Glass skin, watch out – we’re doing it the morena way!

It’s all about the morena glow.
Morena glow? What’s that?! Okay, think skin in rich, varying hues of brown that give off a golden hue, especially under the sun. When well taken care of, there’s a certain glow which makes morenas stand out.

The morena glow is a term used to describe the natural warmth of morena skin. It’s a sought-after beauty trend for those who want to attain the ultimate sun-kissed skin and is often associated with a healthy, active lifestyle, and a particular focus on self-care habits.

Here’s a little secret: did you know Filipinas are among those at an advantage when it comes to attaining this natural radiance? That’s right! As morenas, they tend to have a more even skin tone because of their skin’s natural melanin production.

Melanin is the pigment that gives your skin, hair, and eyes its natural color; the more melanin you have, the darker your skin will be. When you’re exposed to the sun, melanin acts as a natural defense mechanism for your skin by absorbing the harmful rays. As a result, those with darker skin tones – like morenas – are less likely to get sunburnt and more likely to tan.

But hey, because you fare a shade or two darker compared to the rest, though, doesn’t mean you won’t need to put in the work – it requires effort on your part too!

Achieve glass skin the morena way.
Although light skin tones were held in high regard in the past, the same no longer applies today. And thank goodness for that! The times are changing and we’re here for it. Today, beauty is more diverse, embracing every shape and shade. Morena skin is a reflection of your uniqueness and it deserves to be celebrated – shower it with some loving, too, while you’re at it.

Cleanse and exfoliate. It seems simple enough, right? You’ll be surprised how often cleansing gets overlooked and taken for granted. Failing to remove the dirt and oil which can clog your pores can contribute to dull skin.

Remember to use a gentle cleanser twice a day, one effective enough to get rid of the impurities without stripping your face of its natural oils. Cleansers with cocamidopropyl betaine are versatile for a number of skin types and gentle enough for everyday use, like our hello, glass skin! foam wash. It’s a light foamy wash formulated for everyday gentle cleansing.

Dead skin can build up on your skin’s outer layer; consider exfoliating once or twice a week to bring out your skin’s natural radiance! Make sure to be gentle and not overdo it, as over-exfoliation can damage your skin barrier.

Hydrate and moisturize. In a tropical country like the Philippines, the summer weather gets extremely hot and can lead to dehydration. Getting your (at least!) 8 glasses of water can help keep your skin hydrated and healthy.

To #GetThatGlow, you can step it up a notch and use a hydrating moisturizer appropriate for your skin type. We acknowledge darker skin tones tend to be oilier; all the same, it’s not a good enough reason to skip this step! Choose a lightweight moisturizer to keep your skin soft and supple. Read the labels and look for products that contain hyaluronic acid or beta-glucan, an up-and-coming botanical ingredient which works wonders when it comes to hydration! Look no further and give our hello, glass skin! moisturizer a try – its lightweight formulation allows for easy and worry-free absorption. Skin is hydrated and nourished without the sticky feeling.

Protect yourself from the sun. Basking out on a bright, sunny day is always a welcome scenario – not at the expense of your health though! Despite morenas having higher melanin content (it means you have some sort of extra protection vs the fair-skinned), it’s not enough to fully shield your skin from the harmful ultraviolet rays. Give your skin the sun protection and hydration it deserves with our hey, sunshine! sunscreen –  a lightweight, non-greasy, water-resistant sunscreen and moisturizer.

Too much sun exposure can cause hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and premature aging, so it’s crucial for you to apply sunscreen before heading out. We all love a tan, but nobody is a fan of too tan, so tan it burns. Pun intended.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with aspiring for glass skin (or any other beauty trend, for that matter) but nothing compares to embracing your natural beauty! Whether the end goal is glass skin or the morena glow, or achieving glass skin the morena way, your pursuit is a journey of self-care and self-love.

Ultimately, the real #SkinGoal should be to radiate beauty from within – trust us, it shows. Take the time to pamper yourself on your way to your best skin yet. Healthy skin means a happy you, freshies! ✨