While fungi have long been celebrated in the culinary world, recently, mushrooms have started making waves in skincare, offering a ton of skincare benefits to transform your skincare routine! Mushrooms have been utilised in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.
So, let’s talk about the world of mushroom-based skincare and why this could work for you.
The benefits of mushroom based skincare…
They’re natural and sustainable: Mushrooms are a sustainable resource, making them an eco-friendly choice for skincare lovers.
They’re suitable for all skin types: There are different type of mushrooms that work well for different skin types, you whether you have dry, sensitive, oily, or combination skin, you’ll find one that suits you.
They’re gentle but effective: Mushroom based skincare generally are quite gentle and often soothing on the skin, making them great for daily use.
They’re adaptogens: Some types of mushrooms like reishi, shiitake and tremella are classed as adaptogens, which can help the skin to recover from environmental stressors, neutralising free radicals as well as having anti-inflammatory properties to help calm and repair the skin.
There are over 150,000 types of mushroom to choose from, but here are some of the key types of mushrooms to look out for in your skincare…
Reishi Mushrooms for “youth”
Reishi mushrooms are known as the “Mushroom of Immortality,” with powerful anti-oxidant properties. They’re rich in antioxidants to help combat free radicals and protect your skin from oxidative stress. They contain polysaccharides to boucier, more elastic skin. Regular use can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Reishi mushrooms have been used for centuries in Asia to cure infection and fight cancer.
Chaga Mushrooms are known as natures moisturiser
Dry, flaky skin? You might like to try Chaga mushrooms. They’re very hydrating, helping to replenish moisture levels in your skin to promote collagen production to aid in maintaining skin elasticity.
Chaga mushrooms contain Betulonic acid, which is known for its ability to support skin growth. It also stimulates collagen production to help restore its elasticity.
Shiitake Mushrooms to brighten the skin
Shiitake mushrooms are rich in kojic acid which is a natural compound that can work wonders for your complexion. Kojic acid is known for its ability to fade dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and acne scars, leaving your skin looking brighter and more even-toned.
Cordyceps Mushrooms is known as a Skin Soother
Cordyceps mushrooms have soothing properties to calm irritated skin… great for redness, inflammation and sensitive skin.
One study suggests that cordyceps extracts applied to the skin might undo UVB damage or prevent it from happening in the first place (He, 2020).
Tremella Mushrooms boosts your Hyaluronic Acid
Tremella mushrooms, often referred to as the “Snow Mushroom,” are a natural source of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is renowned for its ability to attract and retain moisture, making your skin plump and dewy. They provide hydration, reducing the appearance of fine lines caused by dryness.
It’s also rich in plant collagen which is a combination of essential nutrients, vitamin c and amino acids to strengthen the skin barrier and help rebuild your skin’s collagen.
Maitake Mushrooms refines the pores
For those with enlarged pores and oily skin, Maitake mushrooms can be a game-changer. They help regulate sebum production and tighten pores, giving your skin a smoother, more refined texture. It can also improve skin’s elasticity and stimulate collagen.
Porcelain Mushroom protects the skin barrier
Porcelain mushrooms fortify the skin’s natural barrier, enhancing the skin’s resilience against environmental stressors and pollutants to reduce sensitivity and premature ageing.
If you’re looking to start adding mushrooms into your skincare routine, look out for mushroom extracts and oils.
Make sure to do a patch test first to ensure you don’t have an adverse effects.

Origins mega mushroom soothing treatment lotion
One of the first mushroom skincare products on the market that arguably helped kick off the mushroom craze! This ultra soothing lotion features Reishi Mushroom, Fermented Chaga Mushroom, Adaptogenic Licorice Root and Plant-Derived Hyaluronic Acid to protect, nourish and moisturise the skin, as well as soothe and strengthen the skin.

Youth To The People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream
Perfect for stressed out skin, this cream combines squalene, jojoba and shea butter for long lasting hydration. It also contains a magical adaptogenic extract blend of ashwagandha and fermented reishi mushroom to tackle dryness, irritation, redness and fine lines… with calming peptides to help the skin respond to environmental stress. Fabulous!

Paula’s Choice Super Hydrate Overnight Mask
Wonderful for sensitive skin or those who have had some issues with redness or irritation, this mask from Paula’s Choice utilises reishi mushroom for its anti-inflammatory purposes, arctic cloudberry for its anti-oxidants and shea butter as an emollient and for its smoothing properties.

Kora Organics Milky Mushroom Cleansing Oil
This certified organic, dual-phase cleansing milk nourishes the skin and helps bind moisture to the skin to increase hydration levels, as well as utilising a blend of antioxidants to help out stressed skin. Sunflower seed oil, babassu oil, silver ear mushroom and apple seed oil help to cleanse and nourish the skin.

Dr. Dennis Gross B3 Adaptive Superfoods Stress Rescue Super Serum
This treatment revitalises a tired complexion using a range of adaptogens and niacinamide to soothe compromised skin and promote a brighten skin tone. Potent maitake mushroom, maca root, cacao and goji berry help the skin recover from stress and reduce redness, helping to promote stress free skin!
(*PR gift/sample)
Leave A Comment