I’ve been obsessed with this jello skin elixir drink for the last year. This “elixir” is really a tea filled with lots of different delicious and healthy ingredients that are commonly used in eastern medicine. Everything in this elixir tea has so many health benefits, not to mention it helps me reach my daily hydration goals. Keep reading to learn about this drink, its ingredients, and how to make it.
This post is all about a healthy skin elixir tea that you can make at home.
What is ‘jello skin’?
Before diving into the recipe for this jello skin elixir drink, you first have to understand what “jello skin” is. Jello skin is a term coined by Ava Lee (@glowwithava), creator, and skincare enthusiast. It’s when your skin is buoyant and bouncy yet firm and wiggly like jello. Basically, it’s when your skin is full of collagen. Since my skin is more like paper mache at this point, having jello skin is GOALS.
How do you get jello skin?
Ava swears by this drink and says it’s one of the top contributors to her healthy, bouncy jello skin. I’m sold. But let’s back up… like most health and wellness solutions, always consider a combination of external and internal factors. You can use various products to achieve jello skin, but diet and what you put in your body is another factor. It’s been said that the biggest difference between this skincare trend and others like glass skin is that the prior can be achieved through makeup and a reflective highlighter or bronzer, while jello skin is more about your diet and what you eat.
Many people will eat collagen-rich foods and mix collagen powder to drinks, smoothies, yogurt, etc. Experts say that collagen production dramatically slows down after 30 and you have to significantly increase collagen intake in order to boost collagen production.
There’s also an element of water and keeping hydrated which also contributes to having bouncy jello skin. That alone is enough for me to increase my water intake and maintain my daily water goals. Personally, I’m a firm believer that hydration needs to start from within before anything topical can really be effective.
[READ: How to drink more water]
Where to get the ingredients
This drink is made by boiling different ingredients in water. Each ingredient is known in eastern culture for its powerful benefits including digestion, energy, skin renewal, and nourishment.
I found all of these ingredients at a Chinese herb shop but if you don’t have one nearby, you can get all of these things on Amazon (linked below). Note: A few months ago she came out with her own brand and packaged line of skin elixir tea but I haven’t had a chance to try her bundle yet. Below are the raw ingredients that I buy individually.
List of jello skin tea ingredients
- Chinese Red Dates (Jujubes): The jujube is an extraordinary superfood known to fight premature aging. They are also high in antioxidants and may help with digestion. Despite their name, they don’t taste like Medjool dates at all. They aren’t chewy or overly sweet. Instead, fresh jujube is crispy like an apple but has a very light airy taste. Imagine an apple with the consistency of a cloud – at least that’s what it tastes like to me! Note: Depending where you get these, they may or may not be pitted. The bag I purchased does contain the seeds so be careful if you’re going to take a bite. Similar product linked below:
- Astragalus: This root is common in traditional Chinese medicine. Astragalus comes from a type of bean or legume and has been said to stimulate the immune system. The active compounds in astragalus root may help lower blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Astragalus has a very distinct smell and taste, IYKYK. It’s also said that the root has preliminary studies that indicate the herb may have other potential benefits, including improved symptoms of fatigue and improved allergy symptoms. Make sure to get the large root pieces, not any liquid form.
- Dried Black Fungus Mushrooms: Dried black fungus mushrooms, also known as “wood ear mushrooms” or “cloud ear mushrooms,” are often used in eastern medicine. They are believed to have many health benefits, including being rich in antioxidants and improving the elasticity and hydration of the skin.
- Dried Lotus Seeds: Dried lotus seeds, also known as “lotus nuts” are the seeds of lotus plants. To me, they have a very nutty taste when boiled. Some benefits of lotus seed include aiding in digestion and improving heart health. They are also known as a natural source of energy.
- Natural Dried Longan: Longan fruits are tropical fruit native to southern China and Southeast Asia. These are eaten fresh or dried. When they maintain their sweet flavor. They taste like lychee except smaller.. It’s common to boil them in water to make tea or desserts, and I think they really sweeten up the elixir. Longans have health benefits like improved digestion and immune system support.
- Brown Sugar: I bought tiny packages of brown sugar + ginger from the same Chinese herb shop where I purchased all the other ingredients since I personally like the taste (similar product here). These small cubes are great since they are pre-packaged and I can pack them up with all the other ingredients if I’m traveling or making this jello skin elixir tea somewhere other than my home. I also like the flavor of this sugar because the ginger is subtle but the sugar overall is warm and aromatic. You can add sugar depending on how sweet you like your tea. After making this tea a few times, I personally prefer less sugar since I like the taste of the other ingredients. You can also plain brown sugar or cane sugar here.
- Bonus: Ava adds a few slices of apple to her tea. I also add a handful of goji berries because I love them — I add goji berries any time I make any kind of tea at home. But I’d say both of these ingredients are optional and don’t make or break the flavor.
How to prepare the jello skin tea
I chop slices of apples and the dried jujubes before tossing them into the water. I’ve found that the jujubes, even dried, don’t absorb the water unless they are chopped. Then I grab a handful of all of the ingredients together in a pot to boil. You could also prepare this in a tea kettle. I prefer to do it in a pot since I make large quantities at a time.
Next, I let it simmer for a few minutes to ensure everything is soft, then let it cool and drink it like a warm cup of tea. The taste is distinct and herbal. You can strain everything out if you prefer. I personally throw out the astragalus and eat all the lotus seeds, apples, longans, etc. When it’s completely cooled, I pour the rest of it into a pitcher/container, refrigerate and drink it within 48 hours.
Et Voila, enjoy your jello skin elixir!