The Marvelous Benefits of Mushrooms in Skincare

Mushrooms have long been depicted as having magical powers in stories and fairytales. Do you remember in “Alice in Wonderland” how Alice knew that mushrooms were magic and used it to change her size? Well, guess what? Turns out mushrooms also may have some “magical” benefits for your skin, and fortunately for us skincare enthusiasts, that’s no fairy tale!

Mushrooms have been used for centuries for medicinal purposes because of their formidable healing properties, but they are also nature’s beauty potion given they are rich in antioxidants, such as selenium, which protects your skin from harmful free radicals and oxidative stress. As a result, they aid in neutralizing pollutants and environmental attackers, leaving your skin looking radiant and well-nourished.

In this blog post, we are going to pull the curtain back and explore the marvelous benefits of mushrooms in skincare and which ones in particular, you need to be looking for!

HYDRATION CHAMPION

One of the most incredible benefits of mushrooms in skincare lies in their ability to boost hydration levels. Mushrooms contain natural moisturizing factors that help to retain water in the skin, promoting a supple and plump complexion, much like hyaluronic acid. Tremella mushrooms, specifically, are known for their incredible water retention capabilities. According to Elina Fedotova, cosmetic chemist and founder of Elina Organics, hyaluronic acid holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water, and tremella mushrooms holds FIVE times more than even hyaluronic acid. That’s AMAZING water retention!

AGE-DEFYING ELIXIR

Certain varieties of mushrooms, such as reishi and tremella, possess remarkable anti-aging properties. Reishi mushrooms are known for their ability to enhance collagen production, improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Tremella mushrooms as discussed above, deliver intense hydration and plumping effects, resulting in a smoother and more youthful complexion. Eve Organics Beauty’s Activated Charcoal Mask uses reishi mushroom extract to give your skin a hydration boost while deeply cleansing your skin.  Elina Organics’ Cleopatra Neck Cream uses reishi mushroom extract to firm and improve the appearance of the skin on your neck.

SOOTHING SENSATION

For those with sensitive or irritated skin, mushrooms offer a gentle and soothing solution. The anti-inflammatory properties found in mushrooms, such as Chaga mushrooms, help calm skin redness, inflammation, and irritation. Elina Organics’ Amethyst Polish, which is created using chaga mushrooms, is great at calming redness and reducing inflammation. By incorporating mushroom-infused products into your skincare routine, you can say goodbye to irritated skin and hello to a refreshed and balanced complexion.

BRIGHTENING BRILLIANCE

Dark spots, uneven skin tone, and dullness can all be minimized with mushroom magic. Once again, tremella mushrooms steals part of the spotlight because they also have remarkable properties to block the production of melanin (even more than Vitamin C for skin brightening) which helps lighten acne scars and hyperpigmentation to even out and brighten your skin tone. Elina Organics’ Natural Peptide Mask uses tremella mushrooms to lighten hyperpigmentation, brighten skin, and deeply hydrate.  White truffle mushrooms, another type of mushroom that has fantastic properties to address skin concerns, is a natural source of kojic acid which fades dark spots and brightens skin, contains vitamins B and D to improve elasticity, ceramides which moisturize and protect your skin, and provides a powerful blend of antioxidants.  Elina Organics’ Leave On Under Eye Mask is a luxurious mask for your eyes that uses the power of white truffle mushrooms.

CURTAIN CALL

I’ve never been a fan of these creepy fungi to eat, but I am a true believer of their powerful properties in skincare!   So, to wrap this up, mushrooms are able to work their magic in skincare because of their amazing antioxidant prowess, hydration proficiency, age-defying capabilities and anti-inflammatory properties. They truly are a gift from nature for all of us skincare lovers, so when checking for ingredients, make sure to look for some of the mushrooms discussed in this blog.