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 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.

“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.”

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.