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Glass skin has dominated the K-beauty conversation for a while now, but its signature high-shine finish is beginning to make way for something a little softer. Enter cloudglow skin, the latest beauty trend emerging from Seoul, which takes the radiance of glass skin and gives it a more diffused, natural-looking finish. Think hydrated, healthy-looking skin with a soft-focus effect that blurs the appearance of pores without masking your natural texture. Rather than the almost reflective sheen associated with glass skin, cloudglow is all about a subtle, lit-from-within radiance that feels a little more effortless and wearable. It's also particularly flattering under flash photography, making it a fitting choice for the Indian festive season. So, if you're looking to switch up your makeup for the celebrations ahead, here's everything you need to know about the cloudglow aesthetic and how to recreate it.
Hyaluronic acid provides immediate hydration here, helping skin look smoother and more supple. It’s paired with hydrolysed collagen to support elasticity and pomegranate extract for antioxidant protection.
The combination makes this a more well-rounded option, especially for skin starting to show signs of dryness and loss of firmness. It works well as a morning layer under sunscreen, where hydration and antioxidant support are both useful.
This sunscreen redefines sun protection with its lightweight, non-greasy formula that blends seamlessly into the skin. Enriched with rice extract and probiotics, it hydrates, nourishes, and brightens, making it more than just a sunscreen. With no white cast, it’s ideal for all skin tones and a dream under makeup.
Pro tip: Use a two-finger length for optimal coverage and reapply every two hours for maximum protection when outdoors.
Korean sunscreens have long had the game figured out: lightweight textures, skin-loving ingredients and absolutely zero white cast. Beauty of Joseon’s cult-favourite sunscreen checks every single box—and then some. If you’ve been on Instagram anytime recently, chances are you’ve seen your favourite skinfluencer casually slathering it on mid-routine. It’s become a go-to for a reason: packed with niacinamide, it keeps sebum and moisture levels in check, so you’re never greasy, just glowy. It’s also infused with rice bran and a fermented grain complex that gives it that creamy, hydrating feel without weighing you down. Pro tip: apply at least 15 minutes before heading out the door to let it do its thing.
Beauty of Joseon’s sunscreen isn’t just about protection—it hydrates, too. Packed with rice and probiotics, it helps nourish your skin while keeping it safe from the UV rays. It’s a smooth, lightweight formula that will quickly become your everyday go-to. So restock in bulk to keep your skin covered all year round.
Sun protection is recommended from the age of six months onwards—so you really have no excuse for skipping SPF in your getting-ready routine in the AM. Clinical studies have proven that consistent usage of sunscreen can slow down signs of ageing and the easiest way to hop on the train is with a lightweight, non-greasy formula like this probiotic-enhanced cream by Beauty of Joseon.
“I don’t even like sunscreen, but this one makes me feel like I’m applying skincare, not sunblock,” creative producer Devika writes to me. “Zero white cast, layers well with makeup and my skin looks like I drank two litres of water. I keep one in every bag.”
Finish: Skin-like | Texture: Lightweight cream
This cult-favourite behaves more like a nourishing moisturiser than a typical SPF. The rice extract adds softness, and the finish is a “your skin but better” glow. It layers effortlessly under foundation sticks, cream blushes and tinted moisturisers, without interference. It’s not for those after oil control or grip, but if you want your makeup to melt in naturally, this is a strong pick.
Most dads know they should wear sunscreen, but that doesn’t mean they actually do. The usual complaints are familiar: it feels sticky, leaves a white cast or has a thick texture. This Korean bestseller helps remove some of that friction with a lightweight, creamy texture that blends easily and feels more like a moisturiser than a traditional sunscreen. It offers broad-spectrum protection, while rice extract, fermented grains and niacinamide help keep the skin hydrated and balanced.
Cloud cover isn’t sun protection, and enough people acted on that. The current formula runs four filters in a lightweight creamy lotion that finishes dewy with no white cast. Rice extract sits second on the ingredients list at 30%, with niacinamide, grain and soy ferments, green tea and ginseng behind it. It’s fragrance-free, which is part of the appeal for reactive skin.
It's Virgo season and Virgo has, naturally, gone straight for the step everyone else skips. Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder in Pound Cake blurs the T-zone, sets concealer and stops a base from shifting through a long, warm evening, whether you bake with it properly or just dust it on. A little goes a long way, so keep it to the areas that genuinely need it and leave the rest alone. Precise, practical and responsible for everything holding together: consider the Virgo boxes checked.
Cloudglow skin is a K-beauty-inspired makeup aesthetic that combines a hydrated, luminous complexion with a soft-focus, satin-like finish. Unlike high-shine makeup looks, it focuses on creating a natural, lit-from-within glow while gently blurring the appearance of pores and uneven texture.
While glass skin is known for its glossy, almost reflective finish, cloudglow skin offers a softer, more diffused radiance. Both looks prioritise hydration, but cloudglow uses lightweight base makeup and strategic powdering to balance luminosity with a subtle, blurred effect.
Start by prepping your skin with a hydrating serum, moisturiser and primer, followed by sunscreen during the day. Next, apply a lightweight skin tint or cushion foundation in thin layers to even out your complexion. Finish with a light dusting of setting powder around the T-zone, keeping the high points of your face luminous.
Yes, cloudglow skin can work well for oily and combination skin types. The key is to choose lightweight, non-greasy skincare and build coverage gradually. Applying a little setting powder to areas prone to excess oil helps control shine without taking away from the overall glow.
A hydrating primer, lightweight cushion foundation or skin tint and finely milled setting powder are the main makeup essentials. Together, they help create an even-looking complexion with a soft, radiant finish that still allows your natural skin texture to show through.
Cloudglow skin doesn't do away with shine altogether. Instead, it takes the glossy, almost mirror-like finish of glass skin and gives it a softer, more diffused appearance. The result sits somewhere between dewy and satin, with a subtle luminosity on the high points of the face and a soft-focus effect across the rest of the skin. Unlike traditional glass skin, which relies on layers of hydration to create a uniformly reflective, translucent sheen, cloudglow takes a more balanced approach. The focus is on keeping skin well moisturised while using lightweight makeup to blur the appearance of pores without concealing its natural texture. This also makes the look easy to adapt for oily and combination skin types, since you can control shine in areas that need it while maintaining radiance elsewhere. And with the heat and humidity that often accompany festive celebrations, a finish that balances glow with a little shine control makes perfect sense.
The secret to achieving cloudglow skin lies in how you layer your products. You want enough hydration to keep your skin looking fresh and luminous, but not so much that your base starts to feel heavy or overly shiny. From choosing the right skincare ingredients to finding makeup textures that create that signature soft-focus finish, here's how to get the balance right in three simple steps.
Much like glass skin, cloudglow begins with hydration, but the trick is to keep your layers light. Start with a hydrating serum containing humectants such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin or panthenol, which help attract and retain moisture without leaving your skin feeling greasy. Ingredients such as niacinamide and ceramides can also be useful for supporting the skin barrier and improving its overall appearance. Opt for lightweight, water-based or gel textures that absorb comfortably, followed by a moisturiser suited to your skin type. Once your skincare has settled, apply a moisturising primer to create a smooth, hydrated base that helps your makeup sit more evenly.
Next comes sunscreen, an essential step in any daytime skincare routine and one that can also complement the cloudglow finish. Look for a lightweight, broad-spectrum SPF that leaves your skin feeling hydrated without an overly greasy or sticky residue. Fluid and gel-based formulas are particularly useful here, as they tend to sit comfortably beneath makeup without adding too much weight. A sunscreen with a natural, dewy finish can also enhance your skin's radiance, giving you that subtle glow before you've even reached for your foundation. Just make sure you're applying enough for adequate protection rather than relying on a thin layer for the finish alone.
With your skin prepped and protected, it's time to bring the cloudglow look together. The key is to even out your complexion without covering up its natural texture, which is where lightweight cushion foundations and skin tints come in. These formulas offer buildable coverage while allowing your skin's natural radiance to show through. Apply a thin layer to begin with, blending outwards and adding a little more coverage only where you need it. To achieve that signature diffused finish, lightly dust loose setting powder over your T-zone and any other areas prone to excess shine, leaving the high points of your face relatively untouched. This creates a soft, satin-like effect that keeps your complexion looking fresh and luminous without tipping into overly glossy territory.
Cloudglow skin doesn't do away with shine altogether. Instead, it takes the glossy, almost mirror-like finish of glass skin and gives it a softer, more diffused appearance. The result sits somewhere between dewy and satin, with a subtle luminosity on the high points of the face and a soft-focus effect across the rest of the skin. Unlike traditional glass skin, which relies on layers of hydration to create a uniformly reflective, translucent sheen, cloudglow takes a more balanced approach. The focus is on keeping skin well moisturised while using lightweight makeup to blur the appearance of pores without concealing its natural texture. This also makes the look easy to adapt for oily and combination skin types, since you can control shine in areas that need it while maintaining radiance elsewhere. And with the heat and humidity that often accompany festive celebrations, a finish that balances glow with a little shine control makes perfect sense.
The secret to achieving cloudglow skin lies in how you layer your products. You want enough hydration to keep your skin looking fresh and luminous, but not so much that your base starts to feel heavy or overly shiny. From choosing the right skincare ingredients to finding makeup textures that create that signature soft-focus finish, here's how to get the balance right in three simple steps.
Much like glass skin, cloudglow begins with hydration, but the trick is to keep your layers light. Start with a hydrating serum containing humectants such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin or panthenol, which help attract and retain moisture without leaving your skin feeling greasy. Ingredients such as niacinamide and ceramides can also be useful for supporting the skin barrier and improving its overall appearance. Opt for lightweight, water-based or gel textures that absorb comfortably, followed by a moisturiser suited to your skin type. Once your skincare has settled, apply a moisturising primer to create a smooth, hydrated base that helps your makeup sit more evenly.
Next comes sunscreen, an essential step in any daytime skincare routine and one that can also complement the cloudglow finish. Look for a lightweight, broad-spectrum SPF that leaves your skin feeling hydrated without an overly greasy or sticky residue. Fluid and gel-based formulas are particularly useful here, as they tend to sit comfortably beneath makeup without adding too much weight. A sunscreen with a natural, dewy finish can also enhance your skin's radiance, giving you that subtle glow before you've even reached for your foundation. Just make sure you're applying enough for adequate protection rather than relying on a thin layer for the finish alone.
With your skin prepped and protected, it's time to bring the cloudglow look together. The key is to even out your complexion without covering up its natural texture, which is where lightweight cushion foundations and skin tints come in. These formulas offer buildable coverage while allowing your skin's natural radiance to show through. Apply a thin layer to begin with, blending outwards and adding a little more coverage only where you need it. To achieve that signature diffused finish, lightly dust loose setting powder over your T-zone and any other areas prone to excess shine, leaving the high points of your face relatively untouched. This creates a soft, satin-like effect that keeps your complexion looking fresh and luminous without tipping into overly glossy territory.
Cloudglow skin is a K-beauty-inspired makeup aesthetic that combines a hydrated, luminous complexion with a soft-focus, satin-like finish. Unlike high-shine makeup looks, it focuses on creating a natural, lit-from-within glow while gently blurring the appearance of pores and uneven texture.
While glass skin is known for its glossy, almost reflective finish, cloudglow skin offers a softer, more diffused radiance. Both looks prioritise hydration, but cloudglow uses lightweight base makeup and strategic powdering to balance luminosity with a subtle, blurred effect.
Start by prepping your skin with a hydrating serum, moisturiser and primer, followed by sunscreen during the day. Next, apply a lightweight skin tint or cushion foundation in thin layers to even out your complexion. Finish with a light dusting of setting powder around the T-zone, keeping the high points of your face luminous.
Yes, cloudglow skin can work well for oily and combination skin types. The key is to choose lightweight, non-greasy skincare and build coverage gradually. Applying a little setting powder to areas prone to excess oil helps control shine without taking away from the overall glow.
A hydrating primer, lightweight cushion foundation or skin tint and finely milled setting powder are the main makeup essentials. Together, they help create an even-looking complexion with a soft, radiant finish that still allows your natural skin texture to show through.
Cloudglow skin is a K-beauty-inspired makeup aesthetic that combines a hydrated, luminous complexion with a soft-focus, satin-like finish. Unlike high-shine makeup looks, it focuses on creating a natural, lit-from-within glow while gently blurring the appearance of pores and uneven texture.
While glass skin is known for its glossy, almost reflective finish, cloudglow skin offers a softer, more diffused radiance. Both looks prioritise hydration, but cloudglow uses lightweight base makeup and strategic powdering to balance luminosity with a subtle, blurred effect.
Start by prepping your skin with a hydrating serum, moisturiser and primer, followed by sunscreen during the day. Next, apply a lightweight skin tint or cushion foundation in thin layers to even out your complexion. Finish with a light dusting of setting powder around the T-zone, keeping the high points of your face luminous.
Yes, cloudglow skin can work well for oily and combination skin types. The key is to choose lightweight, non-greasy skincare and build coverage gradually. Applying a little setting powder to areas prone to excess oil helps control shine without taking away from the overall glow.
A hydrating primer, lightweight cushion foundation or skin tint and finely milled setting powder are the main makeup essentials. Together, they help create an even-looking complexion with a soft, radiant finish that still allows your natural skin texture to show through.
Cloudglow skin doesn't do away with shine altogether. Instead, it takes the glossy, almost mirror-like finish of glass skin and gives it a softer, more diffused appearance. The result sits somewhere between dewy and satin, with a subtle luminosity on the high points of the face and a soft-focus effect across the rest of the skin. Unlike traditional glass skin, which relies on layers of hydration to create a uniformly reflective, translucent sheen, cloudglow takes a more balanced approach. The focus is on keeping skin well moisturised while using lightweight makeup to blur the appearance of pores without concealing its natural texture. This also makes the look easy to adapt for oily and combination skin types, since you can control shine in areas that need it while maintaining radiance elsewhere. And with the heat and humidity that often accompany festive celebrations, a finish that balances glow with a little shine control makes perfect sense.
The secret to achieving cloudglow skin lies in how you layer your products. You want enough hydration to keep your skin looking fresh and luminous, but not so much that your base starts to feel heavy or overly shiny. From choosing the right skincare ingredients to finding makeup textures that create that signature soft-focus finish, here's how to get the balance right in three simple steps.
Much like glass skin, cloudglow begins with hydration, but the trick is to keep your layers light. Start with a hydrating serum containing humectants such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin or panthenol, which help attract and retain moisture without leaving your skin feeling greasy. Ingredients such as niacinamide and ceramides can also be useful for supporting the skin barrier and improving its overall appearance. Opt for lightweight, water-based or gel textures that absorb comfortably, followed by a moisturiser suited to your skin type. Once your skincare has settled, apply a moisturising primer to create a smooth, hydrated base that helps your makeup sit more evenly.
Next comes sunscreen, an essential step in any daytime skincare routine and one that can also complement the cloudglow finish. Look for a lightweight, broad-spectrum SPF that leaves your skin feeling hydrated without an overly greasy or sticky residue. Fluid and gel-based formulas are particularly useful here, as they tend to sit comfortably beneath makeup without adding too much weight. A sunscreen with a natural, dewy finish can also enhance your skin's radiance, giving you that subtle glow before you've even reached for your foundation. Just make sure you're applying enough for adequate protection rather than relying on a thin layer for the finish alone.
With your skin prepped and protected, it's time to bring the cloudglow look together. The key is to even out your complexion without covering up its natural texture, which is where lightweight cushion foundations and skin tints come in. These formulas offer buildable coverage while allowing your skin's natural radiance to show through. Apply a thin layer to begin with, blending outwards and adding a little more coverage only where you need it. To achieve that signature diffused finish, lightly dust loose setting powder over your T-zone and any other areas prone to excess shine, leaving the high points of your face relatively untouched. This creates a soft, satin-like effect that keeps your complexion looking fresh and luminous without tipping into overly glossy territory.
Cloudglow skin is a K-beauty-inspired makeup aesthetic that combines a hydrated, luminous complexion with a soft-focus, satin-like finish. Unlike high-shine makeup looks, it focuses on creating a natural, lit-from-within glow while gently blurring the appearance of pores and uneven texture.
While glass skin is known for its glossy, almost reflective finish, cloudglow skin offers a softer, more diffused radiance. Both looks prioritise hydration, but cloudglow uses lightweight base makeup and strategic powdering to balance luminosity with a subtle, blurred effect.
Start by prepping your skin with a hydrating serum, moisturiser and primer, followed by sunscreen during the day. Next, apply a lightweight skin tint or cushion foundation in thin layers to even out your complexion. Finish with a light dusting of setting powder around the T-zone, keeping the high points of your face luminous.
Yes, cloudglow skin can work well for oily and combination skin types. The key is to choose lightweight, non-greasy skincare and build coverage gradually. Applying a little setting powder to areas prone to excess oil helps control shine without taking away from the overall glow.
A hydrating primer, lightweight cushion foundation or skin tint and finely milled setting powder are the main makeup essentials. Together, they help create an even-looking complexion with a soft, radiant finish that still allows your natural skin texture to show through.
