Porcelain skin
Introduction
Radiantly smooth, flawlessly glowing and as even as the finest porcelain: with the glass skin trend, Korean beauty care has set a new standard for porcelain skin. Anyone who has ever admired the sparkling finish of a well-polished porcelain figurine can imagine what is meant: maximum moisture, light reflection without an oily film and a surface without visible pores. In this article, you will learn how to develop your own porcelain skin step by step, which active ingredients are key and how cosmetics ‘Made in Germany’, such as those from Cosmacon GmbH, make this dream a reality.
The origin of the glass skin trend
Glass skin originates from the K-beauty scene in South Korea. There, not only youthfulness but also transparency is considered the ideal of beauty: skin that appears so transparent that light can pass through it unhindered. The German term ‘porcelain skin’ perfectly sums up this goal: the skin is smooth, highly reflective, but never dull.
The five cornerstones of porcelain skin:
1. Gentle deep cleansing
Mild gel or oil cleansers remove dirt without attacking the barrier.
2. Multi-layered moisturising (layering)
Light toners and essences are applied like wafer-thin glazes so that water is stored in the deeper layers.
3. Intensive supply of active ingredients
Serums with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide or Centella Asiatica repair micro-injuries and keep skin elastic.
4. Occlusive sealing
Squalane oils or ceramide creams lock in moisture without hindering the skin’s ability to breathe.
5. Consistent UV protection
An ultra-light SPF prevents pigmentation disorders, the greatest threat to flawless skin.
Plant-based raw materials and their origin
Many key active ingredients come from nature:
| Plant/source | Plant/source | Habitat & conditions | Harvest and flowering period | Special ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asian pennywort | Centella asiatica | Humid tropics of Asia, semi-shaded soils | All year round | Madecassoside, Asiaticoside |
| Green tea | Camellia sinensis | High altitudes in China and Japan | April–May (first flush) | Polyphenols (EGCG) |
| Rice | Oryza sativa | Floodplains of Asia | Sept.–Nov. | Fermented filtrates, amino acids |
Fermentation partially converts these raw materials into postbiotics, which are ideal for fragile porcelain skin as they strengthen the barrier and reduce inflammation.
Extraction and production methods
• Cold fermentation preserves heat-sensitive vitamins.
• Ultrasonic extraction protects delicate plant cell walls and delivers highly concentrated essences.
• Liposome encapsulation transports water-soluble active ingredients deep into the epidermis – the perfect for fine skin.
Advantage: high bioavailability. Disadvantage: the complex technology increases costs.
Advantages & potential disadvantages
Advantage
Deep hydration and long-lasting glow.
– Strengthens the skin barrier
– Visibly refines pores on the way to porcelain skin.
Disadvantage
The multi-step routine takes time.
Potential irritation from fruit acids
Over-care (oily shine) if the wrong products are chosen.
Everyday use
Morning: Cleanser → hydrating toner → serum (hyaluronic acid + niacinamide) → gel cream → SPF.
Evening: Double cleansing → exfoliating toner (2–3 times a week) → centella serum → squalane oil.
Results with consistent use: Within four to six weeks, the contours of porcelain skin begin to emerge, and after twelve weeks, the surface appears almost mirror-smooth.
Fact sheet – key ingredients for porcelain skin
| Active | Appearance | Sum formula | Physical state (25 °C) | Melting point | Solubility | INCI | Typical effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyaluronic acid | white powder | (C₁₄H₂₁NO₁₁)n | solid | >200 °C (Zers.) | in water | Sodium Hyaluronate | +40% skin moisture in 30 minutes |
| Niacinamide | white powder | C₆H₆N₂O | solid | 131 °C | H₂O & EtOH | Niacinamide | −35% hyperpigmentation in 8 weeks |
| Glycerin | colourless | C₃H₈O₃ | liquid | 17.8 °C | in water | Glycerin | +10% barrier function in 7 days |
| Squalane | colourless | C₃₀H₆₂ | solid | −2 °C | lipophilic | Squalane | +45% elasticity in 4 weeks |
| Centella extract | beige to brown | — | solid | — | H₂O-soluble | Centella Asiatica Extract | −50% redness in 14 days |
| Ceramid NP | white | C₄₄H₈₅NO₄ | solid | 90–95 °C | lipophilic | Ceramide NP | +60% reduction in TEWL |
| Panthenol | colourless | C₉H₁₉NO₄ | viscous | 64 °C | H₂O & EtOH | Panthenol | +20% wound healing |
| Allantoin | white | C₄H₆N₄O₃ | solid | >230 °C (Zers.) | H₂O 0.5 % | Allantoin | −30% dandruff in 2 weeks |
Relevant cosmetic formulations
• Hydrogel serum (oil < 2%): absorbs in seconds and leaves an instant porcelain skin glow.
• Sleeping mask with ceramides: rebuilds the lipid matrix overnight and is perfect for cool winter days to protect porcelain skin.
• Mineral tone foundation: provides minimal coverage and respects the natural glow of porcelain skin.
Glass skin in everyday life
Whether in the office, on video calls or in social media photos: real porcelain skin always looks healthy instead of overly made-up. The layering principle allows you to adapt the products flexibly: light fluids in summer and rich balms in winter. This keeps porcelain skin stable all year round. Even men are discovering this quiet luxury statement, because well-cared-for porcelain skin conveys competence and vitality.
Conclusion: Cosmacon GmbH is the right partner for your porcelain skin.
‘Glass Skin’ shows how modern cosmetics formulated in symbiosis with natural extracts can create enviable porcelain skin. Thanks to skin-identical lipids, clever moisture boosters and innovative fermentation technologies, porcelain skin is no longer an unattainable ideal, but a realistic daily skincare goal. We combine scientific precision with creative formulation expertise to develop tailor-made products that make your porcelain skin glow – whether as a private label series or as an individual line for your company. Together, we transform the dream of glass skin into an everyday reality and strengthen brand identity through visibly beautiful porcelain skin.