What do ‘glass skin’, ‘cloud skin’, and ‘skin cocktailing’ have in common? They’re all terms that reflect the many aesthetic trends currently flooding social media platforms including TikTok and Instagram.
Now, ‘jelly’ or ‘Jello’ skin is having its moment. This term refers to skin that is so firm it bounces back when touched – the perfect consistency of well, jelly.
But those in the know say that this skin consistency can only be achieved when there is a ‘beautiful level’ of collagen in the skin’,1 and this intensity of collagen is typically only seen in teens and young adults. This raises the question of how mature beauty consumers, and the product developers that serve them, interpret this trend to develop new formulations.
At Oleon Health and Beauty, we believe that to understand the role that collagen plays in skin texture and elasticity, we must first take a step back and look at how this protein affects the structural health of skin during all life stages.2
Collagen unpacked
Collagen is typically located in the dermis or middle layer of the skin, and it is this layer that makes up 90% of the skin’s thickness. As the most abundant protein in the body, collagen presents as a fiber-like structure that assists in making skin tissues strong and resilient to better withstand stretching and pulling.3
The dermis is also home to elastin. This protein works in conjunction with collagen and is instrumental in keeping the skin flexible by helping stretched skin regain its shape.4
During the aging process, the structure of deep tissue collagen can change from a tightly organized network of fibers to an unorganized mass, showing a significant reduction in thickness and strength that can lead to wrinkles on the skin’s surface.5
Your body begins to deplete collagen from your mid-20s by 1.5%. By the time you hit your 30s, you will have lost about 10% of your collagen levels. But factoring in smoking, stress, alcohol, UV exposure, and an unhealthy diet, means that collagen levels will continue to decline even quicker and for some consumers, this means that by age 50, you may have lost about 50% of your available collagen.6
While this might not seem like a lot, preventing collagen loss from a young age can help your skin maintain its youthful glow and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.7
Is Jello skin attainable for all age groups?
One big difference between Jello skin and other skin trends like glass skin and cloud skin is that the latter skin effects can be achieved with makeup. Simply using some reflective highlighter or a light touch of bronzer should be enough to illuminate and sculpt. Attaining Jello skin, on the other hand, is all about your skin's internal structure.8
While Jello skin requires hydration, elasticity, and suppleness of the skin, experts agree that not everyone might be able to achieve this jelly-like skin texture.
The youthful appearance of skin that gives it that 'bounce-back' factor is often reliant on genetic factors that are outside our control. Studies show that as much as 60% of your skin's appearance (including how youthful it looks) has to do with genes.9
Embrace healthy aging
As collagen is located in the dermis, there is limited data to support the impact of topical collagen in skincare.
Keeping the skin hydrated, exfoliated, using sunscreen and other positive lifestyle factors, including a healthy diet and exercise, are the first line of defense to ensure that collagen depletion is managed - improving skin elasticity and plumpness through all life stages.
At Oleon Health and Beauty, our specialist ingredients are developed to hydrate and protect the skin, with better skin hydration and elasticity as a result.
Our headline ingredient, Jolee® 7181, is a heavy emollient with film-forming properties that protect the skin from water loss.
If you require a highly substantive lipid film, Radia® 7739 could be the right product for your formulation. This product offers a branched structure with a non-greasy feel - leaving skin feeling soft and with a glossy appearance - bringing out the very best in your skin.
At Oleon Health and Beauty, we celebrate all life phases including aging skin, which even though less supple with fine lines and wrinkles is no less beautiful. For us, Jello skin means beautifully hydrated and nourished skin – no matter your age.
For more information on how we can support you in new product development for super hydrating moisturizers and sunscreens to protect against collagen depletion, please contact the Oleon Health and Beauty team now.
