Can Indians get Korean glass skin? Dr Jushya Bhatia answers

Beauty trends come and go. Some fade before we can try them, while others stick around and Korean glass skin falls in the latter category. The promise of that smooth, dewy glow has even made its way onto apps offering beauty services at home.

And in pursuit of it, a skincare routine can quickly become a shopping list: a toner for hydration, a serum for glow, another for pigmentation. But can Indian skin actually achieve Korean glass skin? And does it really take all those steps? According to dermatologist Dr Jushya Bhatia Sarin, founder member Sarin Skin Solutions, the answer is yes. And getting there does not mean changing your natural complexion or necessarily following a 10-step routine.

Speaking at India Today’s HealthWealth Summit during the session “Daag Acche Hain?”, Bhatia explained what glass skin actually means, why Indians need to rethink copying skincare routines, and how healthy ageing begins with some fairly simple habits.Glass skin can come in any complexion

The first thing to understand is what gives glass skin its name.

“Glass is something that reflects all the light. So, when your skin reflects light, that’s called glass skin,” Bhatia said. She explained that the effect comes from light reflecting off a smooth surface. When the skin has a more even texture and tone, it can reflect light better, creating the appearance associated with glass skin.

The keyword here is even. It does not mean fair.

According to Bhatia, a darker complexion can have that light-reflecting quality too. The focus should be on the condition of the skin, rather than the shade someone was born with.

“It is possible to achieve. Now you can call it Indian glass skin or Korean glass skin, it is your choice,” she said.

She also drew a distinction between addressing a tan acquired through sun exposure and wanting to change one’s natural complexion. Treating the colour someone is born with as something that needs “correcting”, she stressed, is the wrong approach.Do you need all 10 steps?

Before adding an entire Korean skincare routine to your cart, consider what your skin actually needs.

Bhatia linked the popularity of layering hydrating products in Korea to its long, cold winters. Those routines, she explained, are designed to help the skin retain moisture.

But the same number of layers may not be necessary for someone living in different conditions in India. A routine should take the local weather and the individual’s skin needs into account. “We don’t need so many steps,” she said, explaining that a simpler moisturising routine may be sufficient.

For Indian consumers, she wanted more attention directed towards sun protection. Copying a routine because it works for someone on a screen is less useful than understanding what your own skin needs.The glow starts beyond your skincare shelf

When asked about the basics of healthy skin, Bhatia began with sleep.

“All you have to do is just turn off the lights, switch off the phone, and sleep,” she said, encouraging the audience to get eight hours of rest.

Her other priorities were regular exercise, including strength training, and a diet containing antioxidant-rich foods. She encouraged people to pay attention to what they eat before relying on an expanding collection of serums.

That does not mean these habits will treat every skin condition. She acknowledged that concerns such as acne need specific attention. She also cautioned against casually taking skincare advice from influencers, reminding the audience that skin is the body’s largest organ. If something seems wrong, a dermatologist can help establish what needs treatment and what can be left alone.

As for Korean glass skin, Bhatia’s answer was reassuring: Indian skin can achieve that look. The starting point is understanding your skin and giving it care that suits you.- Ends