Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

How mushroom skincare can boost your beauty routine: not just for traditional Chinese medicine, the fungal ingredient can provide anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory and brightening effects

Mushrooms are a trending ingredient in beauty products these days. Photo: Handout
Mushrooms are a trending ingredient in beauty products these days. Photo: Handout
Beauty

  • Mushrooms have long been recognised for their healing properties within Asia and today they feature in nutritional supplements and natural treatments – no wonder the skincare world is taking note
  • From Origins to Herbivore, beauty brands offer mushroom-based cleansers, moisturisers and oils, whether you’re looking for more antioxidants or vitamin D to promote collagen production

A key component of traditional Chinese medicine, mushrooms have long been recognised for their healing properties by communities across Asia. But now the rest of the globe is catching up.

Ingesting certain mushrooms is said to have various benefits, from boosting your overall health to fighting the side effects of stress on your body. These supposed effects are yet to be confirmed by science, but still, various species of ‘shroom are today being embraced as another option for those looking for natural treatments and nutritional supplements – and claims like these are quietly piquing the interest of the skincare industry, too.
Matrescence Rose Glow Brilliance Protection Soufflé. Photo: Matrescence
Matrescence Rose Glow Brilliance Protection Soufflé. Photo: Matrescence
Advertisement

“Mushrooms have been used for centuries to boost immunity in the body as well as on the skin,” says David Yi, founder of Good Light, an inclusive beauty brand. “In today’s modern era, folks can benefit from mushroom extracts for anti-inflammatory skin barrier protection and hydration.”

More than skin deep

Mushrooms are technically just the fruiting bodies of fungi, the bits we see sprouting from the soil or the sides of trees. Tens of thousands of species of fungi have so far been described by science, with millions more suspected to be out there. Unsurprisingly their effects on humans vary hugely.

“There is tremendous genetic diversity within the mushroom category, and different extracts excel at different things,” Michael Ahmad, senior director of global education at Herbivore, told Editorialist. “Some hydrate, some brighten and others soothe. It’s all about aligning with the right mushrooms to treat your core concerns.”

Mushroom-infused skincare products from Origins. Photo: Origins
Mushroom-infused skincare products from Origins. Photo: Origins
According to experts, certain mushrooms can draw water into the epidermis and retain moisture, which is why they’re considered a must-try for those dealing with dryness and dehydration. Others may provide the skin with antioxidants, fatty acids, ceramides and vitamin D, which can boost collagen production, brighten up your complexion, fortify the skin barrier, prevent premature ageing, balance skin pH and provide anti-inflammatory effects.

These potential abilities to boost hydration, decrease itchiness and reduce inflammation make mushrooms sound like a godsend for those dealing with symptoms of psoriasis and eczema.

Carolina Malis is a New York-based contributor for Style by SCMP, covering beauty, wellness, celebrity, travel, fashion and lifestyle. Her freelance work has also appeared in Teen Vogue, i-D, Cosmopolitan US, Nylon, Vice, Harper's Bazaar Chile, Apartment Therapy, The Zoe Report, Remezcla and Soompi. Born and raised in Chile, she's also a digital content producer and consultant, working with brands, marketing teams and publications in North America, Latin America and Asia to develop social media strategies and content creation.