All About Mushrooms

Why You Should Be Adding Fungi To Your Skincare Routine


A staple in traditional Chinese medicines for centuries, medicinal mushrooms have steadily been becoming more mainstream, making their way into adaptogenic lattes and, now, skincare. Rich in bioactive compounds that provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits to the skin, these plant-based ingredients also offer gentle yet effective alternatives to their chemical counterparts. So, with the skincare ‘shroom boom showing no signs of slowing down, we decided to delve into the benefits of adding these functional fungi into your routine. Read on to learn more about these star ingredients.


What Are the Skincare Benefits of Mushrooms?

First of all, while we refer to mushrooms as plant-based ingredients, they aren't really plants but rather types of fungi that have a plantlike form. There are over 14,000 species of mushrooms–some are edible, some are poisonous, and some have adaptogenic properties, meaning they can help the body adapt to stress and exert a normalizing effect upon bodily processes. Mushrooms are also a rich source of Vitamins B and D; beta-glucans, which act as humectants; minerals such as zinc and magnesium; and powerful antioxidants, including ergothioneine and glutathione. Combined, these can deliver a host of skincare benefits:

  • Boosts collagen production 

  • Provides antioxidant protection 

  • Brightens the skin

  • Hydrates and moisturizes

  • Provides anti-aging benefits

  • Provides anti-inflammatory benefits

  • Provides UV protection 


What Are The Types of Mushrooms Found In Skincare?

While there are thousands of species of mushrooms, only a handful have made their way into skincare formulations due to their proven ability to hydrate, brighten, soothe, and protect from free radical damage. Here are the key players and their star properties.

Reishi

Skincare benefits: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, brightening, moisturizing

Reishi is a large, woody mushroom that grows on trees across North America, Asia, and parts of the Amazon. It is packed with powerful antioxidants including ergothioneine and glutathione that encourage cell renewal and stimulate the production of Collagen and Elastin, while protecting the skin from environmental stressors and preventing inflammation. Reishi is rich in polysaccharides, which have humectant and hydrating benefits, restore Ceramide levels in the skin, and repair and reinforce the skin’s moisture barrier. Reishi also inhibits the melanin-producing enzyme tyrosinase, thereby reducing skin pigmentation and dark spots.

Snow Mushroom

Skincare benefits: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, brightening, hydrating


Snow Mushroom, also known as Tremella Fuciformis or Silver Ear Mushroom, is a powerful humectant that can hold 450 times its weight in water. In addition to its hydrating benefits, Snow Mushroom contains high levels of Kojic Acid, which helps to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, polysaccharides, and Vitamin D, an anti-inflammatory.

Fomes Officinalis

Skincare benefits: Astringent, hydrating, moisturizing 

Fomes Officinalis, also known as the agarikon mushroom, is a wood-decay fungus that grows on trees across Europe, Asia, North America and Morocco. Rich in agaric acid, a natural astringent that regulates sebum, Fomes Officinalis extract minimizes the appearance of pores and gently reduces oil production, while polysaccharides, which have humectant and hydrating benefits, restore Ceramide levels in the skin and help repair and reinforce the skin’s moisture barrier.

Shiitake Mushroom

Skincare benefits: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, brightening, moisturizing

Shitake is an edible mushroom native to East Asia that is rich in Kojic Acid, which helps to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, and ergothioneine, a powerful antioxidant that encourages cell renewal and stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. Shitake is also rich in Vitamin B3 (also known as Niacinamide), which provides anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. 

Chaga Mushroom

Skincare benefits: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory

Chaga is a type of fungus that grows mainly on the bark of birch trees in cold climates, such as Northern Europe and Northern Canada. High in UV-blocking melanin, Chaga provides UV protection, while high amounts of SOD (Superoxide Dismutase) provides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.

Cordyceps Mushroom

Skincare benefits: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hydrating

It is rich in polysaccharides, which have humectant and hydrating benefits, restore Ceramide levels in the skin, and help repair and reinforce the skin’s moisture barrier. Studies have also found Cordyceps to provide protection against UVB damage and act as a powerful anti-inflammatory.


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