Okay so I've been obsessed with glass skin for like... forever? You know that dewy, luminous, almost-translucent look that makes people stop and ask what filter you're using?

Yeah, that one.

But here's my problem - most K-beauty routines either require ordering from Korea (expensive shipping, long wait times) or dropping serious cash at Sephora. And honestly? I'm not trying to spend $200 on a skincare routine right now.

So I wondered... could I get glass skin using only Target products?

Spoiler alert: yes. And I'm kinda shook about it.

Why I Started This Whole Thing

Last month I was scrolling TikTok (as one does) and kept seeing these viral beauty trends about achieving that perfect glass skin glow. Everyone was raving about expensive serums and fancy Korean imports.

Meanwhile, I'm like... I literally pass a Target every day on my way home.

What if everything I needed was already there? Sitting on those red shelves between the throw pillows and the snack aisle?

Had to find out.

The Target Glass Skin Game Plan

Real talk - glass skin isn't just about one magic product. It's a whole vibe. The Korean skincare philosophy is all about layering lightweight hydration until your skin looks like it's been dipped in water.

Sounds intense, right?

But actually, it's pretty simple once you break it down. You basically need:

- A gentle cleanser that doesn't strip your skin
- Something to exfoliate (but gently)
- Hydrating layers on hydrating layers
- A good moisturizer to seal everything in
- SPF because duh

I gave myself a $100 budget and hit Target with a mission. No fancy department store products. No online shopping. Just me, a red cart, and the beauty aisle.

The Products I Actually Bought

So here's what made it into my basket after like 45 minutes of comparing ingredients and reading labels like a detective.

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser ($15.99)

Listen, I know everyone and their mom recommends CeraVe. But there's a reason. This cleanser is so gentle it feels like washing your face with a cloud. Doesn't foam up like crazy (which is good - foam = stripping), and it's got ceramides which basically help your skin barrier do its thing.

Glass skin starts with not destroying your face. Check.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toning Solution ($10.90)

Okay yes, technically The Ordinary is at Ulta too, but Target carries it now and I found it there so it counts. This stuff is like a gentle reset button for your skin. It's an exfoliating toner that gets rid of dead skin cells without being harsh.

Use it 2-3 times a week, not every day. Trust me on this.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel ($18.99)

This is where the magic starts happening. Hyaluronic acid is basically a moisture magnet - it pulls hydration into your skin and holds it there. The gel texture is super lightweight and absorbs instantly.

I actually layer this one twice. Yeah, you read that right.

Versed Dew Point Moisturizing Gel-Cream ($17.99)

Another hydrating layer because that's literally the whole point. This one's a bit richer than the Hydro Boost but still has that bouncy gel texture. Plus it's got squalane which sounds fancy but basically just means more moisture.

My skin drinks this up.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk Sunscreen SPF 60 ($19.99)

The final boss. You cannot - and I mean CANNOT - skip sunscreen if you want glass skin. Sun damage = texture, dark spots, and basically everything that's the opposite of glass.

This one doesn't leave a white cast and actually adds to the glow instead of making you look chalky. Game changer.

Total damage: $83.86

Under budget and honestly feeling pretty proud of myself.

The Actual Routine (Morning Version)

Okay so here's how I've been using everything. Morning routine first because that's when I want maximum glow.

I splash my face with lukewarm water (not hot - hot water is the enemy). Then I apply the CeraVe cleanser, massage it around for like 30 seconds, and rinse.

Pat dry. Don't rub. Rubbing is for towels in the dryer, not your face.

While my skin is still slightly damp (this is key!), I press in the Hydro Boost gel. Like actually press it into my skin with my palms. No rubbing. Just gentle pressing motions.

Wait maybe 30 seconds for it to sink in.

Then I do another layer of the Hydro Boost. Yes, again. This is the glazed donut effect everyone talks about - you're building up that hydration.

After that absorbs (another 30 seconds-ish), I smooth on the Versed gel-cream. This one I do rub in gently because it's a bit thicker.

Finally - and this is non-negotiable - sunscreen. I use about a nickel-sized amount and make sure I get my neck too.

The whole thing takes maybe 5 minutes? And my skin looks like I just had a facial.

Night Routine (Where the Real Work Happens)

Nighttime is when I bring in the exfoliation and let everything really sink in while I sleep.

Start with the CeraVe cleanser again. Double cleanse if you wore makeup - oil cleanser first, then the CeraVe. (I use the Neutrogena Ultra Light Cleansing Oil from Target for the first cleanse. $8.99 and it melts everything off.)

On exfoliating nights (Monday, Wednesday, Friday for me), I swipe on the Glycolic Acid toner with a cotton pad. Let it sit for like a minute. It tingles slightly but shouldn't burn.

Then I wait about 5 minutes before moving to the next step. This is when I usually scroll through my phone or brush my teeth.

Hydro Boost gel. Press press press. Wait. Another layer. Press press press. Wait.

Versed gel-cream to seal everything in.

Sometimes I add a drop of facial oil on top if my skin feels extra thirsty. Target has some good options in the affordable beauty section - I like the Acure Seriously Glowing Oil ($12.99).

Then I go to bed and let the magic happen.

What Actually Changed After 3 Weeks

So I've been doing this routine religiously for almost a month now. Here's what I've noticed.

Week 1: My skin felt more hydrated immediately. Like, touch-your-face-constantly-because-it's-so-soft hydrated. But I didn't really see the glass skin effect yet. Just... nicer skin.

Week 2: Okay now we're talking. People started commenting that I looked "glowy" and asking if I got enough sleep (I didn't lol). My makeup started sitting better on my skin. Less texture showing through foundation.

Week 3: THIS is when the glass skin really showed up. My skin looked plump and dewy even without makeup. The kind of glow where light just bounces off your face in the best way.

I actually went to brunch with no foundation. Just sunscreen and concealer. And I felt confident about it.

That's huge for me.

The Unexpected Benefits

Beyond just looking dewier, some other stuff happened that I wasn't expecting.

My skin texture got way smoother. Like, those tiny bumps on my forehead? Basically gone. The glycolic acid was doing its job.

My pores look smaller. They're not actually smaller (that's impossible), but when your skin is super hydrated and plump, pores look less noticeable. It's an optical illusion but I'll take it.

My makeup routine got faster. When your skin looks good on its own, you need way less coverage. I've been doing just concealer, blush, and mascara most days.

And honestly? My skin just feels healthier. Less tight, less dry patches, more comfortable.

What Didn't Work (Being Honest Here)

Okay so not everything was perfect. Let me keep it real.

The first week I went a little too hard with the glycolic acid. Used it every night because I was impatient and wanted results NOW. My skin got irritated and kind of stingy.

Had to back off and let my skin chill for a few days. Learned my lesson - more isn't always better with exfoliation.

Also, this routine is pretty time-consuming compared to what I was doing before (which was basically just... moisturizer and hoping for the best). The layering takes patience.

Some mornings when I'm running late, I definitely skip the double layer of Hydro Boost. My skin still looks good, just not quite as glowy.

And if you have super oily skin, you might need to adjust. All this hydration could be too much. Maybe skip the second layer of gel or use lighter products.

Tips I Learned Along the Way

After a month of trial and error, here's what I wish I'd known from the start.

Layer on damp skin. This is so important. When your skin is slightly damp, products absorb way better. I keep a facial mist at my vanity (the Heritage Store Rosewater from Target, $10.99) and spritz between layers if my skin dries out.

Wait between steps. I know it's tempting to slap everything on at once and run out the door. But giving each layer 30 seconds to a minute to absorb makes such a difference. The products actually sink in instead of just pilling up on your skin.

Your hands are the best tool. Forget cotton pads for applying hydrating products (except the glycolic acid). The warmth from your hands helps stuff absorb better. Plus you're not wasting product on a cotton pad.

Don't skip the SPF. I cannot stress this enough. All the hydration in the world won't give you glass skin if you're getting sun damage. The sunscreen is literally the most important step.

Start slow with actives. If you're new to chemical exfoliation, don't do what I did. Start with once or twice a week and work up to more frequent use. Your skin will thank you.

Is It Actually Worth It?

So here's the million dollar question - is this whole routine actually worth the time and money?

For me? Yeah, absolutely.

I spent under $100 and got products that'll last me months. The CeraVe cleanser alone is huge and I've barely made a dent in it. Compare that to buying one fancy serum at Sephora for the same price.

The time commitment is real, but it's also kind of become my self-care moment. Five minutes in the morning and ten at night where I'm just focused on taking care of my skin. It's actually pretty calming.

Plus, my skin genuinely looks better. Like, noticeably better. Multiple people have commented on it without me saying anything.

And there's something satisfying about knowing I achieved this with accessible products from a store I pass literally every day. No waiting for international shipping. No exclusive products I can only get in certain places.

Just Target. Regular, suburban, red-cart Target.

Who This Routine Is Actually For

Real talk - this isn't going to work for everyone exactly as-is.

If you have super oily skin, you might want to skip the second layer of Hydro Boost or swap the Versed cream for something lighter. The CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion ($16.99) would work great.

If you have really dry skin, you might need to add even more moisture. Maybe a richer night cream or a facial oil.

If you're dealing with active acne, you might want to check out some targeted treatments to use alongside this routine. Glass skin is easier to achieve when your skin is relatively clear to start with.

And if you're sensitive to glycolic acid, there are other gentle exfoliating options at Target. The Versed Just Breathe Clarifying Serum has lactic acid which is gentler.

The point is - use this as a framework and adjust for your skin. The core concept (gentle cleansing + hydration layers + SPF) works for pretty much everyone. The specific products can be swapped.

My Favorite Unexpected Moments

There have been some genuinely cool moments since I started this routine.

Last week I was at the gym (yes, wearing sunscreen because I'm committed now) and someone asked what highlighter I was wearing. I wasn't wearing any makeup at all. Just my skincare and SPF.

That felt amazing.

My boyfriend, who literally never notices anything about my appearance, asked if I did something different with my face. When guys notice, you know something's actually changed.

And I've gotten so many DMs from friends asking what I'm using because they saw my Instagram stories. It's fun being able to say "everything's from Target" and watching their reactions.

The One Product I'd Splurge On

Okay so if I had to pick one thing to upgrade from this routine, it would probably be... actually, nothing?

Wait, let me think about this.

Maybe the moisturizer? There are some really nice Korean gel creams that are a bit more elegant than the Versed one. But honestly, the Versed works so well that I don't feel like I'm missing out.

The sunscreen is already kind of a splurge at $20, but it's so good that I don't want to mess with it.

I guess what I'm saying is - this routine genuinely doesn't feel like I'm compromising. These products perform just as well as expensive ones I've tried before.

What I'm Trying Next

Now that I've got the basic routine down, I'm curious about adding some extras.

I want to try incorporating a retinol product a few nights a week. Target has the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum ($18.99) that I've heard good things about. Retinol plus glass skin? That's the dream.

Also thinking about adding sheet masks once or twice a week for an extra boost. Target has some decent Korean sheet mask options now. The Dermal Korea ones are like $1 each.

And I might experiment with adding a vitamin C serum in the morning. The Versed Stroke of Brilliance Brightening Serum ($19.99) is supposed to be good. More glow is always better, right?

Final Thoughts

Look, I'm not saying this routine will transform your life or solve all your problems. It's skincare, not therapy.

But it did make me feel more confident. It did improve my skin. And it did prove that you don't need to spend a fortune or order from Korea to get that glass skin look.

Everything you need is at Target. Probably in the same trip where you're buying toilet paper and snacks.

The key is consistency. Using these products once won't do anything. But using them every day, giving your skin that consistent hydration and care? That's when the magic happens.

It's been almost a month and I'm genuinely excited about my skin for the first time in... maybe ever? I actually look forward to doing my skincare routine now instead of seeing it as a chore.

And whenever someone compliments my skin, I get to casually drop that it's all drugstore products. Which honestly feels better than saying I spent $300 at Sephora.

So yeah. Glass skin from Target. It's possible, it works, and I'm obsessed.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go stare at my glowy face in the mirror some more.