'Mochi Skin' is the new trend knocking glass skin off its pedestal

Glass skin has been the most pervasive skin care trend of the last few years, with the K-Beauty export influencing haute couture à la the laminated faces at Maison Margiela, and Pat McGrath's subsequent glass skin face mask, which sold out just seconds after it was released. 

But this year skin trends are proving to be more food focused with the Butter Skin and Mochi Skin trends both rising in popularity over the last few months.

The Butter Skin trend primarily uses makeup techniques to achieve a melted-into-skin finish, but the Mochi Skin trend (inspired by the Japanese rice cake dessert) aims to achieve soft, plump, and smooth skin with minimal pores — just like mochi, says Mae Mizuno Li, MUJI’s Marketing & PR Manager.

What is the difference between mochi skin and glass skin?

"Unlike the glass skin trend from K-beauty, mochi skin favours a silky, velvety finish," Mizuno Li tells BEAUTYcrew.

The simplicity of a Mochi Skin skin care routine also offers a refreshing contrast to the multiple steps required to achieve the shiny, juicy and glass-like finish synonymous with Glass Skin too.

According to Mizuno Li, a few smart skin care and makeup investments are all that's required to achieve that Katakuriko-dusted mochi skin look.

How to get Mochi Skin

"I would recommend using a booster, which is a serum applied as the first step in your skincare routine," Mizuno Li tells us. "It helps enhance the absorption of subsequent products, such as toner and moisturiser. This contributes to achieving plump, deeply moisturised skin without being greasy or shiny."

MUJI’s number one best-selling product in Japan, the Fermented Rice Bran Booster Serum ($34.95 from MUJI) has been formulated with over 65 per cent fermented rice bran extract (sourced from Yamagata Prefecture in Japan) and no added water.

"Rich in vitamins and minerals, this ingredient delivers hydration to promote plump, smooth skin," she explains. "This concentrated serum is easy to incorporate into your current skincare routine. It helps achieve a soft, hydrated complexion (AKA Mochi Skin)." 

We're also fond of lightweight face lotions that have had boosters added directly into their formulas, like Hada Labo's Premium Ultra Firming Boosting 7x HA Cream-in-Milk ($49.95 from Adore Beauty). Perfect for dry skin, this stuff is infused with seven types of hyaluronic acid, which promise to simultaneously hydrate, plump and firm the complexion.

"I recommend focusing on skincare that protects the skin’s barrier and promotes healthy, plump skin, with minimal makeup required," Mizuno Li advises.

The expert recommends finding a good-quality primer to blur pores — we're still madly in love with Tatcha's viral The Silk Canvas ($94 from MECCA) — and a light foundation that can help create that soft, hydrated mochi-like complexion. 

Not sure where to start?

After reviewing Rose Inc's Skin Enhance Luminous Tinted Serum ($80 from MECCA) in 2022, it's still our go-to complexion product for achieving the most natural finish possible.

But we've also been influenced by content creators espousing the benefits of Club Cosmetics' skin care infused Suppin Powder in 'Pastel Rose' ($23.06 from YesStyle) on TikTok.

We have a sneaking suspicion the combination of the two is exactly what's needed to nail the poreless, plump, firm, and bouncy look, and the velvety-smooth and soft feel of Mochi Skin. BRB, we're off to test our theory...

Main image credit: @jennierubyjane

Want to take Mochi Skin to the next level? You better acquaint yourself with the 'less is more' makeup that's trending this spring.