High Rise Skin 2026: The Skin Prep Trend Replacing Glass Skin as the New Beauty Standard

High Rise Skin 2026: The Skin Prep Trend Replacing Glass Skin as the New Beauty Standard

Photo: Marie Claire / High Rise Skin Trend 2026

If you have been paying attention to skincare circles in early 2026, you have likely noticed a new term taking over beauty conversations: high rise skin. Coined by celebrity makeup artist Daniel Martin — Tatcha's Global Director of Artistry and Education, and the man behind Meghan Markle's iconic wedding day look — the high rise skin trend is quickly replacing glass skin as the gold standard of complexion goals. Rather than chasing a wet, ultra-dewy finish, high rise skin focuses on building a flawless foundation from the ground up through meticulous skin prep, resulting in smoothness, evenness, and controlled radiance that lasts all day.

Marie Claire has already declared high rise skin "the biggest beauty trend of 2026," and dermatologists, makeup artists, and skincare experts around the world are embracing this philosophy. Here is everything you need to know about the high rise skin trend — what it is, how it differs from glass skin, and how to build your own high rise skin routine step by step.

What Is the High Rise Skin Trend?

Think of a skyscraper. If the foundation is weak, every additional floor is going to crumble. That is exactly the philosophy behind the high rise skin concept. According to Daniel Martin, high rise skin is "about smoothness, evenness, and dimension that come from properly prepped skin, not necessarily from layering on products for extra shine." The end result can look luminous, but it is a refined, controlled glow — not a high-shine, wet-look effect.

Where glass skin celebrated maximum dewiness and a transparent, almost poreless appearance, high rise skin embraces a more architectural approach to beauty. It prioritizes texture refinement, barrier health, and strategic product layering so that every subsequent step — from serum to sunscreen to foundation — sits perfectly on top of the layer beneath it. The result is skin that looks naturally perfected, with dimension and depth rather than a flat, one-note sheen.

This approach aligns with the broader skin longevity movement of 2026, where consumers are moving away from reactive, trend-chasing routines and toward building genuine, lasting skin health. High rise skin is not about quick fixes — it is about investing in your skin's infrastructure.

High Rise Skin vs. Glass Skin: What Changed in 2026?

Glass skin dominated beauty conversations from roughly 2018 through 2025. The Korean beauty trend emphasized multiple hydrating layers to achieve a translucent, reflective finish. While beautiful in photos, many people found that glass skin was difficult to maintain throughout the day, often leading to excessive oiliness, foundation slipping, and an unnatural-looking sheen under real-world lighting.

High rise skin addresses these practical limitations. Here is how the two trends compare:

• Glass skin focuses on maximum hydration and shine; high rise skin focuses on texture, evenness, and controlled radiance
• Glass skin layers on multiple hydrating products; high rise skin strategically selects fewer, multitasking products
• Glass skin can look overly dewy in person; high rise skin translates beautifully from screen to real life
• Glass skin prioritizes luminosity; high rise skin prioritizes structural integrity of the complexion
• Glass skin often requires frequent touch-ups; high rise skin is designed to last throughout the day

This shift reflects a broader industry movement toward what experts call "skinvestment" — treating your routine as a long-term investment in skin health rather than chasing ephemeral trends. As we explored in our K-Beauty Complete Guide 2026, Korean beauty philosophy is increasingly embracing this less-is-more, quality-over-quantity mentality.

The 5-Step High Rise Skin Routine: Daniel Martin's Method

Daniel Martin's high rise skin routine encompasses everything from your first cleansing step to your final foundation application. The key principle is that each layer should enhance and support the one that follows, creating a seamless, architectural build. Here is the step-by-step method:

Step 1: Double Cleanse for a Clean Canvas

Every strong building starts with a solid foundation, and high rise skin starts with thoroughly clean skin. Martin recommends a cleansing balm that works as both a first and second cleanse — apply it to dry skin to dissolve makeup and sunscreen, then add water to transform it into a milky wash that removes all traces of impurities. This two-in-one approach is gentler than using two separate products and keeps the skin barrier intact. For a deep dive into this technique, check out our Double Cleansing Method 2026 Guide.

Step 2: Exfoliate and Tone to Refine Texture

Texture is the enemy of high rise skin. Any roughness, dry patches, or uneven areas will cause subsequent layers to sit poorly. Martin emphasizes adding "a gentle exfoliator or a toner" to refine texture and create smoother skin "with no pilling or flaking." This step is about chemical exfoliation rather than harsh physical scrubs — think AHAs, PHAs, or enzyme-based toners that dissolve dead skin cells without compromising the barrier.

Ingredients like niacinamide are particularly well-suited here, as they smooth texture while simultaneously strengthening the skin barrier. Fermented essences, a staple in K-beauty routines, also excel at this step by providing hydration and gentle resurfacing simultaneously.

Step 3: Targeted Treatment Serums

This is where you address specific skin concerns without overloading your routine. High rise skin demands efficiency — choose one or two serums maximum that target your primary concerns. Vitamin C serums work beautifully for brightening and evening out skin tone. Peptide serums are excellent for firming and providing structural support to the skin, which aligns perfectly with the "architectural" philosophy of high rise skin.

The critical rule: allow each product to absorb fully before applying the next layer. Rushing this step leads to pilling, uneven absorption, and ultimately defeats the purpose of the high rise skin approach.

Step 4: Moisturize for Controlled Luminosity

Unlike glass skin, which often uses heavy, occlusive moisturizers to maximize shine, high rise skin calls for a balanced moisturizer that delivers hydration without excessive dewiness. Martin specifically recommends brightening moisturizers that create "a more even complexion and fewer dark spots" while providing a natural luminosity that looks good with or without makeup.

Look for moisturizers with ingredients like ceramides for barrier support, hyaluronic acid for balanced hydration, and light-reflecting minerals for a subtle glow. The goal is hydrated, plump skin that looks healthy — not wet.

Step 5: Primer and Foundation as the Final Architecture

The culmination of high rise skin is what Martin calls a "very restrained foundation application." The primer should smooth and protect without adding bulk — Tatcha's Silk Canvas, for example, uses pressed silk to create a filter-like finish while actually keeping makeup out of pores. The foundation itself "should be buffed into the skin so there are no visible seams; it should not sit on top, but look like skin."

This is perhaps the most radical departure from glass skin: rather than skipping foundation for a bare, dewy look, high rise skin uses minimal, expertly applied foundation to create dimension and perfection. Think of it as the difference between raw concrete and a polished marble surface — both are beautiful, but one has more refinement and intentionality.

Best Products for the High Rise Skin Routine in 2026

Photo: Marie Claire / Marie Claire Skincare

While high rise skin is a technique, not a product-specific routine, certain formulations align particularly well with this philosophy:

• Tatcha The Essence — A resurfacing softener with 98.7% Hadasei-3 (fermented Japanese superfoods) that smooths, resurfaces, and doubles the skin's natural moisture content
• Tatcha The Silk Canvas — A velvety priming balm of pressed silk that shields skin and helps makeup apply better and last longer
• Tatcha The Liquid Silk Canvas — The lightweight liquid version for oily skin types, providing the same protective benefits in a featherweight formula
• Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream — A rich moisturizer with hyaluronic acid that delivers long-lasting hydration and a naturally dewy glow
• Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Moisturizer — For the controlled luminosity step, this formula targets dark spots while providing balanced hydration
• K-beauty primers with niacinamide and centella asiatica — Korean primers that combine skincare benefits with makeup preparation, often offering SPF protection as well

For a comprehensive look at the trending ingredients found in these products, explore our K-Beauty Ingredients Encyclopedia 2026.

Why Dermatologists Are Endorsing High Rise Skin

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the high rise skin approach has earned praise from dermatologists for several evidence-based reasons. First, the emphasis on barrier health and gentle exfoliation aligns with clinical recommendations for maintaining a healthy skin microbiome. The minimalist philosophy of the routine — fewer products, better application — reduces the risk of over-exfoliation and sensitization that plagued many glass skin devotees.

Dr. Rachel Ho, a board-certified dermatologist, notes in her 2026 beauty trends forecast that the industry is moving away from "chasing the next viral ingredient" toward "building skin health that lasts." High rise skin embodies this shift perfectly. According to Boots' 2026 Beauty and Wellness Trends Report, 80% of adults are now adopting a preventative approach to their beauty routines, prioritizing consistent, long-term care and maintenance over reactive solutions.

The trend also dovetails with the rise of "skinimalism" — the growing consumer preference for streamlined routines with fewer, more effective products. Dermatologists have long warned that excessive product layering can disrupt the skin barrier, cause ingredient conflicts, and ironically worsen the very skin concerns people are trying to address. High rise skin offers a structured framework for simplification without sacrificing results.

How to Adapt High Rise Skin for Different Skin Types

One of the strengths of the high rise skin approach is its adaptability. The five-step framework remains the same, but the specific products and textures change based on skin type:

• Oily skin: Use a gel-based cleanser, a BHA toner for pore refinement, lightweight gel moisturizer, and a mattifying primer. The Tatcha Liquid Silk Canvas is specifically designed for oily complexions
• Dry skin: Opt for a cream or balm cleanser, a PHA-based exfoliator for gentle resurfacing, a richer ceramide-heavy moisturizer, and a hydrating primer. Focus on barrier-supporting ingredients at every step
• Combination skin: Use a balanced foaming cleanser, alternate between AHA and BHA toners, apply a gel-cream moisturizer, and use a pore-minimizing primer only on the T-zone
• Sensitive skin: Choose a micellar water or gentle cream cleanser, use enzyme-based exfoliation only two to three times per week, select a fragrance-free moisturizer with centella asiatica or beta-glucan, and use a silicone-free, soothing primer

The universal rule across all skin types: let each layer fully absorb before applying the next. This patience is what separates high rise skin from hastily stacked routines that lead to pilling and poor wear.

The Connection to K-Beauty and Skin Longevity

While Daniel Martin popularized the high rise skin term, the underlying philosophy draws heavily from Korean beauty principles. K-beauty has always emphasized skin prep as the foundation of any beauty routine, and the concept of "chok chok" (bouncy, well-hydrated skin) shares DNA with the high rise skin ideal. The difference is that high rise skin takes this foundation-first approach and adapts it for a more Western application style, particularly in the foundation and primer steps.

As outlined in our Anti-Aging Skincare Guide 2026, the convergence of K-beauty innovation and Western dermatological science is producing some of the most effective skincare strategies we have ever seen. High rise skin sits at this intersection — a globally-informed approach that cherry-picks the best elements from multiple beauty traditions.

You May Also Like

• Skin Longevity 2026: The Science-Backed Skincare Shift Replacing Anti-Aging Routines
• Double Cleansing Method 2026: The Complete K-Beauty Guide to Perfectly Clean Skin
• Peptide Serums 2026: 10 Dermatologist Picks for Firmer Skin

FAQ

Q: What is the high rise skin trend in 2026?

A: High rise skin is a beauty trend coined by celebrity makeup artist Daniel Martin in 2026. It focuses on building a flawless complexion through meticulous skin prep, emphasizing smoothness, evenness, and controlled radiance rather than the ultra-dewy finish of glass skin. Think of it like constructing a skyscraper — every layer supports the next.

Q: How is high rise skin different from glass skin?

A: Glass skin aims for maximum dewiness and a translucent, wet-look finish. High rise skin prioritizes texture refinement, barrier health, and strategic layering for a more refined, controlled glow that translates well from screen to real life. High rise skin also incorporates a light foundation application, while glass skin typically minimizes or skips coverage.

Q: What products do I need for a high rise skin routine?

A: A basic high rise skin routine includes a gentle cleanser or cleansing balm, a chemical exfoliator or toner, one or two targeted serums, a balanced moisturizer, a smoothing primer, and a lightweight foundation. Daniel Martin specifically recommends Tatcha products like The Essence and The Silk Canvas, but the technique works with any quality skincare.

Q: Can I achieve high rise skin with K-beauty products?

A: Absolutely. High rise skin draws heavily from K-beauty philosophy, and Korean skincare products are exceptionally well-suited for this approach. K-beauty primers with niacinamide and centella asiatica, fermented essences, and lightweight gel-cream moisturizers all align perfectly with the high rise skin methodology.

Q: Is high rise skin suitable for all skin types?

A: Yes. The five-step framework is adaptable to all skin types — oily, dry, combination, and sensitive. The key is selecting textures and formulations appropriate for your skin type while maintaining the core principle of strategic, architectural layering where each product supports the next.

The Bottom Line

High rise skin represents a maturation of beauty culture in 2026. Rather than chasing maximum shine or a single dramatic effect, this trend invites you to become an architect of your own complexion — building layer by layer, with intention and precision. Whether you are a glass skin devotee looking for a more practical everyday approach or a skincare minimalist seeking a structured framework, the high rise skin philosophy offers a refreshing, evidence-backed path to genuinely beautiful skin. Start with a strong foundation, build with care, and the results will speak for themselves.

Sources: Marie Claire | Who What Wear | Beauty Independent | Dr. Rachel Ho