Well, they’re calling it glazed donut skin, and just in case you were wondering what exactly that means — it’s described as glistening, luminous, and impossibly dewy skin.
And while the internet is crediting Hailey Bieber for “starting” the trend, I couldn’t help but think… if you’re part of the 92%, you already know the truth:
We’ve been glazed and glowing for generations.
Let’s back up for a second…
There was a viral skincare trend a while back called Korean glass skin, focused on achieving a high-gloss finish on the face through an intensive multi-step skincare regimen. And rightfully so, Korean beauty experts were credited for that movement. It was specific, rooted in tradition, and absolutely innovative in its own right.
But this new glazed donut skin trend goes beyond the face.
It’s about the entire body glistening, from head to toe.
And once again, here we are, seeing a modern TikTok moment without any nod to where it actually began.
Let’s call it what it is.
We’ve been walking out the door luminous and moisturized since before TikTok was a concept. We’ve been shimmering at graduations, weddings, church services, BBQs, and brunches long before “glazed donut” was rebranded as an aesthetic.
Growing up, I went to Catholic school, so my uniform was always pressed and ready, but so was my skin.
Before heading to school at St. Angela, my mom would pull me aside and apply a healthy layer of Vaseline to my face to protect it from the wind and cold. We called it a greased face back then.
And if our arms, legs, or feet were exposed? They had better be moisturized. Ashy skin was simply not an option. Whether it was cocoa butter, baby oil, or a custom mix of shea butter and lotion, we knew how to be glowy and luminous before anyone told us it was a trend.
From Diana Ross’s radiant cheekbones in the ’70s
To Janet Jackson’s bronzed and glowing skin in the ’90s
To Tracee Ellis Ross and Janelle Monáe’s luminous looks on every red carpet
And let’s not forget the queen herself, Beyoncé, who is arguably the largest celebrity currently on tour performing night after night in packed stadiums around the world while glistening and glowing under those lights.
We’ve seen this magic across generations. It’s not new to us… it’s tradition.
So, what’s my glazed skin routine?
I keep it simple but consistent. My formula is always:
Exfoliate + Moisturize = Glow
Here’s my summer routine:
I start with my shower using the Lemon Butter Soap Bar, which is hydrating and doesn’t strip the skin.
I pair it with an African exfoliating net to gently slough away dead skin and get that smooth base.
While my skin is still damp, I apply Sweet Elixir Face + Body Oil, and in the summer I like to add a few drops of The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid for that added boost of hydration.
Next, I layer on La Roche-Posay Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream, packed with ceramides to replenish my skin barrier.
To seal it all in and really lock in that moisture, I finish with a light layer of Mango-go Whipped Body Butter.
This three-step moisture layering might seem excessive to some, but it’s essential for me because I have dry skin and a history of chronic eczema. (We’ll talk more about that in another Substack.)
Glazed, but make it ours.
So yes, glazed donut skin is trending right now. And I love that people are embracing moisturized, healthy skin.
But let’s not forget, for many of us, this isn’t just skincare. It’s a legacy of self-care taught through generations.
We’ve been glistening. We’ve been glowing.
Now the world’s just catching up.