Mushrooms Benefits For Skin: The Superfood Your Skin Needs

Just because you’re not a fan of mushrooms on your plate, doesn’t mean that you can’t reap all these fungi have to offer! Lucky for you, mushrooms are food, medicine, and now, in skincare!

Why Mushrooms?

While lesser known than their alternate superfood counterparts, mushrooms have been found to hydrate the skin, treat acne, even skin tone, improve circulation, and reduce the effects of aging. Due to the polysaccharides found in mushrooms, which function similarly to hyaluronic acid, topical applications lead to smoother and more supple skin.

Due to a high content of vitamin D, mushrooms exhibit natural healing properties. Additionally, some mushrooms are known to contain kojic acid, a natural skin lightener. This acid reduces melanin produced on the surface of the skin, which lightens new cells when old ones are exfoliated. Due to this process, kojic acid can also lessen the appearance of discoloration, photodamage, and uneven skin tone.

More About The Mushrooms We Use: Reishi, Maitake, and Chaga

Organic Reishi Mushroom

A part of the “novel mushroom” class, reishi mushrooms can be found in the hardwoods of topical and subtropical climates. Rare in the wild, reishi sold in modern markets are most often cultivated commercially. With several active ingredients, from polysaccharides to triterpenes, these fungi truly deserve their nickname: the “mushroom of immortality.”

The high content of polysaccharides aids the skin’s natural ability to retain moisture, which is crucial for repair and renewal. Triterpenes are a steroid-like molecule that inhibit the release of histamine, which reduces inflammation. This automatically quiets and calms irritated skin.

Ganoderic acid, the specific triterpene in reishi, is the superpower ingredient that contributes to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, renewing, and wrinkle reducing properties. If you’re one with sensitive or dry skin, reishi mushrooms are ideal for you. With anti-allergic qualities, reishi can even help sensitive skin become more resilient to environmental factors and irritants.

Organic Maitake Mushroom

Known as the “dancing mushroom” in Japanese, these fungi are primarily found at the base of oak trees. Widely used for their medicinal properties, maitake contain polysaccharides, a complex carb composed of smaller sugar molecules.

These polysaccharide compounds can help stabilize blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and have an effect on free radicals. Additionally, maitakes have beta-d glucans, a specific type of polysaccharides that stimulate the immune system and have been used to fight cancerous cells and the creation of tumors. This also helps protect against free radical damage on our skin.

Organic Chaga Mushroom

Grown on birch trees, chaga mushrooms have an extensive history in Russian and Polish folk medicine, and rightfully so. With an extensive list of benefits, chaga mushrooms have been utilized to cure viruses, disease, and disorders.

As an effective adaptogen, a substance that fights stress, these fungi strengthen the immune system. Powerful antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-viral properties all act to strengthen and heal the skin from the inside out! Additionally, the consumption of chaga has shown to provide gastrointestinal aid and ease digestive issues. And last, but not least, we have the skin. Chaga mushrooms are highly effective anti-irritants that reduce cellular damage produced by chronic inflammation.

Whether served up in teas or highlighter sticks, mushrooms are skincare’s next best superfood! And if you try out MAI-LIGHT,  SUNREI, and CHAGAGLO, be sure to tag us at @cocokindskincare.