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Beauty

The Jelly Beauty Trend Is Still Going Strong — And These 11 Products Are Proof

The texture is making its mark in skincare, makeup, and haircare.

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New beauty trends pop up what seems like every day, but it is rare when one has the staying power to withstand years of relevance. But if one beauty trend has truly proven itself, it's the rise of the jelly beauty — the bouncy, juicy texture that has completely infiltrated other categories like hair and makeup. It might be easy to assume why they've become so popular, given just how dewy and glowy these products tend to leave the skin, but there are plenty of other benefits that go beyond the surface level.

"The trend towards jelly-textured beauty products originated in Korea and has become increasingly popular in the US," Marisa Plescia, cosmetic chemist and research scientist at NakedPoppy, an online clean beauty retailer, tells NYLON, noting that the biggest feature of the trend is that they're typically high in water content, making them ultra-hydrating. "Dehydrated skin lacks water, and since jelly-like skincare products are water-based, they can increase skin hydration. In addition, the aesthetics of a jelly-like product can feel pleasing to a consumer. They are lightweight, refreshing and cooling, absorb quickly into the skin, and are non-oily."

Plescia also says that hydrogels are a common technology amongst most jelly-like skincare products, crediting them for the soft, flexible, and effective delivery of active ingredients into the skin. If you're looking to get into the category, it's also important to remember that a product doesn't have to have "jelly" in its name to have a jelly-texture. In those instances, Plescia says there are certain ingredients you can look out for if you're not able to test the product before buying.

"Jelly textured skincare products are also often formulated with the hydration powerhouse ingredient hyaluronic acid, which retains water in the skin and can make the skin look plump and dewy," she adds. "Botanicals extracts, vitamin C, and AHAs are also commonly used in jelly products and add to the skin-boosting benefits of the product."

Ahead, check out 11 of our favorite jelly-textured products to see what all the hype is about.

Plump Jelly
Moon Juice

This plumping hyaluronic serum is joined by adaptogenic reishi, Silver Ear mushroom, and tocotrienols — a powerful vitamin E — to protect the skin against stressors, minimize signs of inflammation, and improve its barrier function.

Maya Chia The Refresh Mint Resurfacing Moisture Mask
NakedPoppy

According to Plescia, this mask will upgrade anyone's routine, regardless of skin type. "With naturally-derived ingredients, this unique clean beauty jelly mask effectively hydrates while transforming skin from a dull, dry, or lackluster to radiant and nourished," she says.

Tower28 ShineOn Jelly Lipgloss
Sephora

Regardless of which six sheer, high-shine shades you choose — from berry and orange to classic red or glassy clear — this non-sticky lip jelly gives you all of the juicy impact of a traditional gloss with the comfort and hydration of a balm, thanks to its formula packed with vitamin A and E.

So Jelly
Freck

The texture of this eye jelly is so satisfying you’ll want to put it all over your face. Formulated with plant collagen packed with amino acids and plant proteins, prickly pear seed oil, and cactus flower extract, it was designed to boost the skin’s natural glow, and reduce the appearance of dark circles.

Dior Hydra Life Glow Better Fresh Jelly Mask
Sephora

Designed for normal to combination skin types, this three-minute gel-mask is loaded with AHAs for a gentle exfoliation, leaving a smoother, more radiant exfoliation.

Jelly Beam
Farsáli

This highlighter features a unique texture that applies like a gel, but sets into the skin like a powder, leaving a moisturizing satin glow.

Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser
Sephora

Already sold out on its site, Herbivore’s newest launch was designed to gently cleanse the skin and remove makeup without stripping the skin. The vegan foaming gel is formulated with squalane, along with tremella mushroom to hydrate and help the skin retain moisture.

amika Reset Exfoliating Jelly Scalp Scrub
Sephora

Utilizing a unique blend of charcoal, pink clay, and sea salt, this jelly shampoo works to coat every strand for a deep clean that rebalances and soothes the scalp. Plus, its suited for a wide range of textures, from pin straight to 4C curls.

Odacité Bioactive Rose Gommage
NakedPoppy

"[This] soothes and softens the skin with rosewater while revealing fresh, smooth, and radiant skin with pineapple and papaya enzymes," says Plescia.

Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Clearing Jelly
Ulta

One of the brand’s most exciting new launches, this innovative water-jelly moisturizer utilizes a powerful blend of hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, and glucosamine to promote skin renewal, exfoliate to prevent future imperfections, and boost the skin’s hydration.

J.One Jelly Pack
60% off

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