Here’s all you need to know about “jello skin”, TikTok’s latest K-beauty trend!

While we’ve been diligently keeping to a 12-step Korean skincare regimen to achieve poreless, translucent “glass skin”, there’s another trending K-beauty skin that’s been showing up on our TikTok For You Page. It’s called… “jello skin”.

What is “jello skin”?

Just look at its name and you could imagine what “jello skin” is. It’s skin that’s so plump and elastic that if you touch it, it should spring back almost immediately.

Skin that has a bouncy, jelly-like quality to it? That’s “jello skin”.

The name “jello skin” was coined by Korean beauty influencer Ava Lee, better known as @glowwithava (her handle on TikTok and Instagram).

She came up with the name when she had a facial done by a celebrity facialist, Lord Gavin McLeod-Valentine, and he commented about how amazed he was by the collagen she had in her skin.

@glowwithava

JELLO SKIN 💙 we want that bounce back people! #jelloskin #collagen #beautytipswithava #bouncy

♬ original sound – AVA

“When I pinch your skin, it moves immediately back […] it just folds back to its place – that just shows you that you have enough of a support cushion underneath,” he said, going on to exclaim, “it’s like the perfect consistency of jello.”

Ava explained that the quality of bouncing back quickly is described by the term “taeng taeng” in Korean, but since there isn’t a translation for that phrase in English, she decided to call skin that has that kind of bounce “jello skin”.

Difference between Korean “glass skin” and “jello skin”

When it comes to Korean “glass skin”, the focus is put on external skincare (cue: the 12-step K-beauty skincare routine), while “jello skin” brings attention to not just external skincare, but also your lifestyle.

Ava emphasises that in addition to skincare, getting youthful, plump, elastic skin depends largely on other factors like diet and sleep.

So, how can you achieve “jello skin” like Ava’s? We take some tips out of the beauty influencer’s book.

How to achieve Korean “jello skin”

1. Start eating healthily

For Ava, one big part of keeping her skin plump and firm is by keeping a healthy diet. Her diet includes superfoods like blueberries, green tea, dates, avocado, and mushrooms.

@glowwithava

superfoods can be overrated but these 5 aren’t 🍵💛 #beautyfoodwithava #jelloskin #superfood

♬ original sound – AVA

Blueberries

Blueberries are an antioxidant superfood, meaning that they’re rich in antioxidants, as well as vitamin C and potassium. Since the job of antioxidants is to neutralise free radicals that cause ageing effects on the skin, blueberries are a great food to include in your diet for younger-looking skin.

Green tea

Green tea doesn’t have to be a beverage that you reserve only for meals at sushi restaurants. As green tea contains the active ingredients polyphenols, also called catechins, they have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making them the ideal beverage to add to your daily diet.

Dates

An ingredient that’s commonly used in Chinese teas and dishes is dates, and it’s an excellent source of vitamin C and D. These are vitamins that help to improve your skin’s elasticity, as well as keep it nice and smooth.

Avocado

If you’re addicted to avocados, then you’ve got at least one thing right, because these fruits are rich in healthy fats and an entire host of vitamins that will make your skin look visibly better if you eat them on a regular basis.

Mushroom

Mushrooms may look modest but, really, they’ve got strong antioxidant properties that can reduce inflammation and irritation for the skin.

In addition, the mushrooms that are known for being antioxidant and anti-inflammatory also contain phenolic veratric acid, which is a compound that helps reduce wrinkles. Translation? The more mushrooms, the merrier (and plumper your skin)!

@glowwithava

a typical day to maintain my #jelloskin ✨ what meal is your fav? #collagen #beautyfoodwithava #eatthistoglow

♬ original sound – AVA

2. Don’t skip on skincare

Although lifestyle habits have a big role to play in achieving “jello skin”, skincare is still essential to getting that glassy glow. For Ava, her secret is to make sure that her skin is always hydrated and protected – which means lots of moisture-boosting skincare products as well as sunscreen!

In a TikTok video featuring her sister, she also introduced the types of Korean skincare products that she uses in her nighttime regimen, which are rice water toner, propolis serum, and ceramide cream.

@glowwithava

baby cheeks for jello skin baby 💖 #jelloskin #kbeautyroutine

♬ original sound – AVA

What is propolis? Propolis is a resin-like ingredient that’s made from beeswax and tree sap, and it’s one that many Korean beauty products use.

If you’re looking to start including propolis in your skincare, you can start with Tosowoong Propolis Sparkling Ampoule, which helps to hydrate the skin and give it a dewy glow. It’s made with 80% propolis and is lightweight on the skin – check, and check.

Shop Tosowoong Propolis Sparkling Ampoule for S$19.66 on Shopee, or S$17.89 on Lazada.

Should you prefer a product from a more familiar Korean beauty brand, then CORSX’s Propolis Light Ampoule is the one for you. It’s made with 83.25% propolis extract to moisturise, soothe, and fight against inflammation. And, you know that CORSX’s skincare products are ones that you can trust.

Shop CORSX Propolis Light Ampoule for S$36.21 on iHerb, or S$37.90 on Watsons.

3. Make sure to move your facial muscles

According to Ava, moving her facial muscles is another one of the ways that she gets her skin to look as plump and jello-like as it is.

There’s truth behind her practice. While there aren’t enough studies to conclusively prove that facial workouts are effective in achieving firmer skin, experts do suggest that facial exercises can help to fight gravity.

When you build muscles in the face, it also potentially keeps fat where it belongs, thereby giving you plumper, firmer skin.

@glowwithava

follow these 5 mantras for #jelloskin 💛 #agingwell #beautytipswithava

♬ sonido original – editsbybruno_

There’s also another tried-and-true way to move the muscles in your face and improve your complexion, and that’s with gua sha. Gua sha doesn’t help to build muscles in the face, but it does help to boost blood circulation, relieve muscle tension, and encourage lymphatic drainage.

These, in turn, help to soften the fine lines and wrinkles on the skin, temporarily firm the skin, brighten the complexion, and depuff. Translation? Healthier, more radiant skin.

So, to get your facial muscles moving, you can start by purchasing a facial gua sha tool to regularly scrape your face at home. The next time you book a facial appointment, you can also go for a gua sha facial instead.

Gua sha facials for your next spa appointment

TaraBliss Skin Health & Wellness Gua Sha Face Detox

When you get a facial treatment at TaraBliss spa in Singapore, it’s a restful respite for not just your body, but for your mind too. TaraBliss creates an entire experience from the moment you step into the spa, with colour therapy, soothing music, and aromatherapy scents.

The Gua Sha Face Detox combines traditional Chinese gua sha with the spa’s excellent facial techniques to rejuvenate and plump your skin, so that you’re one step closer to getting that “jello skin” we’re all pining after.

Get Gua Sha Face Detox for S$79 on Salon Finder.

Address: 452 North Bridge Road, Chan Brothers Building, #05-00/#06-00, Singapore 188733
Opening hours: 12pm – 9pm (Mon to Fri) | 10am – 7pm (Sat, Sun & PH)
Contact: 6336 9274, WhatsApp 8198 5086, or email [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Instagram

KGlow Skin Lab Gua Sha Face Therapy

KGlow Skin Lab is an award-winning spa and an expert in anti-ageing facials, offering a spread of face as well as body treatments that keep you feeling good as new. The facialists at this spa are known to be attentive and thorough when performing the facials, and every facial is customised to customers’ skin concerns.

KGlow Skin Lab Gua Sha Face Therapy eases tension in the facial muscles and plumps the skin for a youthful, “jello skin” glow.

Get KGlow Skin Lab Gua Sha Face Therapy for S$98 instead of S$128 on Salon Finder.

Address: 9 Raffles Boulevard, Millenia Walk, #02-23, Singapore 039596
Opening hours: 10.30am – 9.30pm (Mon to Sun)
Contact: 6338 9676
Website | Facebook

Bossi Face Gua Sha Facial

Searching for an affordable gua sha facial to give your skin the treatment that it deserves? Look no further than Bossi Face’s Gua Sha Facial that’s only S$18 instead of S$128 (for first-time customers that have not visited in 12 months) when you book on Salon Finder.

Bossi Face gets great reviews for the quality of the facial treatments, with customers noting that their face feels smoother after just one session, and how gentle the facial extractions are.

Customers have also given their thumbs up to the esthetician’s massage skills – so, you can trust that you’ll be in good hands when you go for a Gua Sha Facial at Bossi Face.

Get Bossi Face Gua Sha Facial for S$18 instead of S$128 on Salon Finder.

Address: 70 Eon Shenton, #01-17/18, Singapore 079118
Opening hours: 11am – 8.30pm (Mon to Thu) | 11.30am – 8.30pm (Fri) | 10am – 6pm (Sat) | Closed on Sun
Contact: 8248 2205
Website | Instagram

Related read: 10 best gua sha facials in Singapore to book – with deals up to 96% off