The latest skincare and beauty obsession taking over the internet is “butter skin.” With Google searches for the term rising by 300% in just the past month, it’s clear that the world is craving that soft, smooth, and radiant glow — and butter skin delivers just that. Inspired by the ongoing “foodification” of beauty trends, butter skin takes our love for glowing complexions one step further.
What is Butter Skin?
Butter skin is all about achieving a soft, smooth, plump, and deeply hydrated look — think of skin as soft and luminous as a pat of butter. According to Dr. Ifeoma Ejikeme, founder of ZKIN and the Adonia Medical Clinic, the trend draws from Korean skincare, which emphasizes long-term hydration and barrier repair. It focuses on health and radiance over quick fixes, encouraging a consistent skincare routine that strengthens and protects the skin.
How to Get Butter Skin: Skincare First
To achieve the look, start with deeply hydrating skincare. A gentle cleanser like CeraVe’s Hydrating Cleanser will prep the skin without stripping it. Exfoliate using something mild like Glow Recipe’s PHA + BHA Toner, and layer hydrating serums containing ceramides, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin. For moisture lock-in, finish with a rich cream such as SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore. Don’t forget SPF with a dewy finish to protect and enhance your glow.
Make-Up for Butter Skin
Once your skincare base is set, make-up comes in lightly. Think radiant and natural. Make-up artist Jamie Genevieve suggests starting with a hydrating primer, like Vieve Skin Nova, and following with a luminous foundation or concealer. Her top tip: blend everything with one brush — including your cream bronzer and highlighter — for a seamless, dewy effect.
The finishing touch? A soft, natural-looking cream highlighter that mimics the sheen of melting butter. Skip glittery formulas and go for cream or liquid products that blend into the skin for a “lit-from-within” glow.
Final Touches
Genevieve also advises finishing the look with a dewy setting spray to maintain that moist finish. Powder should be used only sparingly to control shine.
The butter skin look is not only easy to achieve, but it’s also a healthier and more sustainable approach to beauty — prioritizing skin health first, and enhancing your natural features with minimal, glowing make-up. Whether you’re heading out or just want your skin to feel its best, butter skin is your next glow-up.
