The New Skin Care Essential: Mushrooms

Believe it or not, mushrooms are not only a great source of protein for your diet – they can also be used in skincare products as powerful skin care allies.

Starting off from antiquity, mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine across various cultures. The most popular of them all is the ancient use of mushrooms in traditional Chinese medicine, which relied on mushrooms’ incredible anti-inflammatory properties to boost the immune system, enhance overall health and treat a variety of ailments. As pointed out by ELLE, the post-pandemic outburst of no make-up and natural beauty routines is still prevalent in the beauty scene – making mushrooms an important protagonist to new natural beauty products.

 Similarly to their use in the medicinal realm, mushrooms have recently been rediscovered in their outstanding performance when it comes to skin care. Although there are thousands of species of mushrooms, there are six to eight that are regularly used in skincare.

These are their main beneficial properties:

• Antioxidant
• Adaptogenic and hydrating properties
• Relieves rosacea, dryness and irritation

While these universal properties are common amongst all type of mushroom, each mushroom type has to offer specific benefits. Which are they? Let’s dive right in.

Mushrooms in Skincare: The Essentials

1. Reishi Mushrooms

Reishi Mushrooms are the number one skin care essential if you are looking for a potent and natural anti-aging hack. These mushrooms specifically work as powerful hydrators and antioxidants, reducing moisture loss - which has a significant effect on fighting fine lines and wrinkles. Moreover, the topical use of Reishi Mushrooms is likely to penetrate into your being, also improving sleep and boosting your overall immune system.

 As a BYRDIE favourite, these are Reishi Mushrooms main benefits:

•  Fights off free radicals – prevent premature aging and enhance sun protection.
• Alleviates irritation and redness – perfect for eczema, dry skin and sensitive skin types.
• Deep hydration – repair and moisture are Reishi mushrooms’ strongest assets.

2. Shiitake Mushrooms

Similarly to Reishi Mushrooms, Shiitake are good anti-aging companions, as they help boosting collagen and elastin levels – reinforncing the skin’s elasticity.

According to Age Defying Dietitian, the benefits of Shiitake mushrooms begin with incorporating them in your diet and go way beyond eating habits.

These are the main benefits of Shiitake mushrooms when applied topically to the skin:

• Boost the collagen production that is often lost during aging. This is becayse Shiitake mushrooms are rich in copper, which is essential for collagen production.
• Anti-inflammatory properties, which makes them perfect for people suffering from eczema, rosacea and acne.
• Protection from sun damage.
• Deep hydration, plumping and dewing due to Shiitake’s hyaluronic acid’s component.
• Brightening of the skin tone, thanks to kojic acid (LINK), which reduces dark spots and brightens the skin.

3. Tremella or Snow Mushroom 

Our all time favourite… Snow Mushroom!

Known as the ‘moisture magnet’ due to its impressive hydrating properties, this fungus has gained incredible recognition for its remarkable benefits on the skin – ranging from deep hydration to brightening the skin, and outstanding anti-aging actions.

 Our brands make the most out of Tremella’s skin care beneficial properties. Its incredible skin care products garner the power of Snow Mushroom in different forms – and we are here to tell you how.

Be Radiant Snow Mushroom Toner

 Be Radiant Snow Mushroom Toner has rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. With its high dosage of Tuberose, this toner is a must-have as it calms the skin while also potentiating antibacterial, antimicrobial and anti-aging benefits.

This product will:

• Soothe fine lines and tackle blemishes with its potent multitasking formula
• Ultra-hydrate and boost your skin’s collagen levels
• Combat breakouts
• Soothe the skin

 Be Nourished – Age Defying Moisturizer with Snow Mushroom

 This anti-bacterial and anti-aging formula makes for the perfect moisturizer. Made with calendula, carrot seed and lavender, this moisturizer is ideal to massage into your skin AM or PM for optimal hydration.

• Diminishes fine lines and wrinkles
• Deeply hydrates and regenerates skin cells to avoid premature aging
• Brightens your skin tone
• Protects the skin from environmental damage

This moisturizer works wonders when it comes to repairing and healing the skin on a cellular level to enhance your true skin tone and get rid of skin dullness.

Bio-Active Mushroom Body Lotion

Bio-active Body Lotion is a moisturizing, age-defying, and protecting lotion that contains bioactive metabolites from fermented reishi, shiitake, snow, and chaga mushrooms. This product brightens, soothes, and protects collagen and elastin while providing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits – thanks to its combination of 18 powerful bioactive ingredients.

1. Snow Mushroom Ferment
2. Chaga Mushroom Ferment
3. Reishi Mushroom Ferment
4. Shiitake Mushroom Ferment
5. Apple
6. Daikon Radish
7. Aloe Vera
8. Broccoli
9. Chamomile
10. Ginger
11. Hibiscus
12. Squalane
13. Jojoba
14. Comfrey
15. Yland Ylang 
16. Grapeseed
17. Orange
18. Tuberose