Do You Want Status Skin, Glazed Skin or Butter Skin?
Butter skin may be the beauty word of the moment, but the idea is far from new: skin that looks fresh, plump, and radiant without layers of makeup. Here, we bring you a curated, expert-approved guide to achieving that soft-focus, healthy finish that never goes out of style
Keeping up with beauty trends can feel impossible these days. They shift faster than we can blink, and skincare is no exception. Yet if there’s one constant, it’s the desire for skin that looks young, fresh, and dewy. Minimal makeup, almost bare-faced, with skincare that doubles as makeup to deliver that radiant, everyday glow.
As Dr. Ifeoma Ejikeme, skin expert and founder of ZKIN and the Adonia Medical Clinic, reminds us, the obsession with skin trends should never outweigh what actually works for your complexion.
The truth is, figuring out what works best for you is far more important than hopping onto every new bandwagon. Because the reality is, every week (sometimes every day) there’s a new microtrend promising magical results that will supposedly fix everything about your skin — and beyond. At least, that’s how it can feel.
Personally, I’ve struggled with my skin for years, ever since puberty. My battle with cystic acne meant countless hours in dermatologists’ offices, where I was told to avoid certain foods, commit to rigid routines, and stay away from most make-up. For a teenager, that advice felt impossible — when all you want is to cover your skin, being told you can’t makes the struggle twice as hard.
Eventually, I realised not only that many of those routines weren’t working, but they didn’t align with my lifestyle. I didn’t want to spend life chained to an unbreakable routine or give up things I loved (like cheese) out of fear that one misstep would undo all progress.
Over time, I discovered that a simpler, cleaner approach was what truly helped me achieve clearer skin — without the need to hide beneath layers of foundation. Below is an expert-approved product guide to achieving the coveted butter skin glow, featuring recommendations I’ve tested myself and can confidently vouch for.
An Expert Approved Product Edit for Butter Skin Glow
Soft facewash / oil cleanser
At one point, dermatologists had me on a carousel of products, which I believe only worsened things. Over-stripping the skin can be counterproductive. Once I swapped the endless line-up for a gentle cleanser, my skin began to improve. Right now, I use Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil — a game-changer. Another great option is the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser.
Rosewater or toner
Personally, I lean toward a holistic, nature-based approach and love rosewater. But as Dr. Ejikeme explains, a gentle PHA-based toner like Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner can smooth texture without irritation.
Hydrating serum and moisturizer
This step is non-negotiable. It hydrates and strengthens the skin barrier, key for lasting glow. Try Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore or Summer Fridays Jet Lag Deep Hydration Serum.
SPF protection
A dewy, hydrating sunscreen is a must. Daily SPF has been a lifesaver for me — helping fade old acne scars and keeping my skin even. Augustinus Bader The Sunscreen SPF 50 or Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50 are excellent choices.
Everyday complexion enhancer
For a no-makeup look, Dr. Jart’s Cicapair Color Correcting Treatment has been my saviour. It neutralises redness, blurs dark under-eyes, and evens out tone so I can skip foundation entirely.
I just add a touch of blush for that sun-kissed finish, for which I recommend the Sunforgettable Total Protection Color Balm SPF 50.
As the experts say, the best thing you can do for your skin is keep it hydrated and protect its barrier so it can defend itself. For me, staying away from harsh, overly strong products and embracing a simpler routine has reversed years of frustration.
Caught in the chaos of ever-changing beauty buzzwords, it’s worth remembering: we all have different skin types. Beyond following trends, aim for healthy skin — that will forever be on-trend. This beauty list, rooted in hydration and barrier care, is my way of achieving that butter skin glow while nourishing my complexion.
Lead image courtesy of Instagram /@summerfridays