Why Mushroom Skincare Is Huge Right Now
It’s being referred to as the “Shroom Boom”, mushrooms are fast becoming one of the biggest trends in skincare as searches for “mushroom benefits” saw an uptick of 120% in the past year, according to Google. To better understand the fungi phenomenon, we spoke to Simon Salter, Co-Founder of DIRTEA and nutritionist Clarissa Berry to get the lowdown as to why we need to add mushrooms to our skincare routine…
What are the benefits of mushrooms in skincare?
Provide antioxidant protection
Beyond just calming stressed-out complexions, mushrooms, similarly to Vitamin C, also act as an antioxidant to protect your skin from harmful free radicals that cause damage to your cells. The Chaga Mushroom is also rich in melanin, the skin pigment, which is likened to an internal sunscreen offering protection from UV radiation and promoting skin regeneration.
Minimise fine lines
Consider mushrooms a youthful elixir thanks to their huge antioxidant properties. Your skin cells are less susceptible to environmental damage and therefore less likely to develop premature fine lines and wrinkles.
Brighten skin
Mushroom species like Shiitake are rich in Kojic Acid, which is great at brightening dull skin and helping reduce the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation. Plus, it’s a relatively mild acid to use on sensitive skin. Win, win!
Chaga is the most antioxidant-rich food known, with 1 tsp containing more antioxidants than 600 blueberries. It’s the skin tonic you never knew you needed!” Simon Salter, Co-Founder of DIRTEA
Reduce inflammation
Mushrooms contain a rich source of the amino acid Glutamine, which is already in our bodies, albeit in small amounts. When you apply mushroom extract topically, the Glutamine in the mushrooms helps to downregulate inflammatory pathways – which is particularly great for sensitive or sensitised skin.
Pump hydration levels
Mushrooms have a similar chemical structure to hyaluronic acid, holding up to a thousand times its weight in water (twice that of hyaluronic acid). Mushroom skincare will flood your skin with hydration which will in turn lead to a brighter, plumper, happier complexion.
Your Skin-Friendly Guide To Mushrooms
Reishi Mushroom
Skincare benefits: Minimises signs of ageing and soothing.
Chaga Mushroom
Skincare benefits: Antioxidant, restoring, reduces redness and sensitivity.
Shiitake Mushroom
Skincare benefits: Brightening and evens out skin tone.
Cordyceps Mushroom
Skincare benefits: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and improves skin elasticity.
Snow Mushroom
Skincare benefits: Super hydrating and protecting.
Your Magic Mushroom Skincare Edit
Here’s more hot skin ingredients to know now
The Top 10 Skin Ingredients Trending Now
But if cooking and eating mushrooms is more your thing, this risotto recipe should be on your radar
The Galvin Brothers Share Their Midweek Mushroom Risotto
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