Mushroom Skincare Could Be What Gets Your Skin Through The Rest Of Winter

Why Is Mushroom Skincare Such a Big Trend Right Now?

I’ll be honest: beyond the fact that I find mushrooms to be a great meat alternative (check out “10 Foods That Make Eating Less Meat...Easier”) and also knowing that since I have a fungus sensitivity, I need to consume them in moderation (because mushrooms are a type of fungus), I don’t really give mushrooms much thought. I did when it came to penning this piece, though, because even I was curious about why I’m hearing about mushrooms everywhere I turn.

For starters, since mushrooms, in general, are a good source of vitamin D, are great for your immunity, and they contain antioxidants that help to prevent cell damage — that’s already reason enough for it to be used in skincare, wouldn’t you say? Not to mention that they also have zinc, vitamin B, and potassium in them.

Then there’s the fact that many of the mushrooms that are used in some of the popular skincare brands also have minerals and prebiotics in them that are really good at maintaining the quality and texture of your skin. If you add to that, they are good for the environment because mushrooms are plentiful, vegan, and cruelty-free to use — it’s a win all the way around for mushroom (and mushroom-infused) skincare products. Hands down.

​5 Proven Things That Make Mushroom Skincare So Effective

If you’re teetering on considering purchasing at least one mushroom-related skincare item yet you’d still like some concrete ways that it can take your skin from good to great, I think I can knock out five of ‘em for you.

1. Mushrooms have veratric acid in them. Specifically, cauliflower mushrooms are abundant in this molecule. This is good to know because it is full of antioxidants as well as anti-inflammatory properties that are able to lower stress levels in the skin, soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and even reduce the amount of DNA damage that has been done to your skin over time.

2. Many mushrooms also have kojic acid and beta-glucans in them as well. Whether you’re looking for something that will speed up the healing process of acne or you want to clear up the hyperpigmentation that blemishes can sometimes leave behind, kojic acid (that is found in shiitake mushrooms, for example) can make that happen for you. On the other hand, if you want to create a moisture barrier for your skin, beta-glucans (that are in a variety of different mushrooms) have that covered; good to know if you’re someone who spends quite a bit of time in the crisp winter air.

3. Mushroom polysaccharides are the holy grail when it comes to skin hydration. If dry skin is what you’re trying to stay on top of, especially during this time of the year, that’s just one more reason to cop a few mushroom-related skin products. Some studies reveal that the polysaccharides (which is actually a type of carbohydrate) in them is able to retain more moisture than even hyaluronic acid — and boy, is that saying something!

4. Mushrooms also contain adaptogenic properties. Remember how I mentioned a second ago that veratric acid can help alleviate some of the stress that’s in your skin? The adaptogenic properties that are in mushrooms can do something similar. This is good to know because the less resistant your skin is to stress, the less you have to worry about things like breakouts, wrinkles, and increased skin inflammation (and yes, wintertime can cause quite a bit of skin inflammation if you’re not careful).

5. Mushrooms can help to prevent dark spots and age spots. Now, y’all already know that we’ve got big love for melanin over here. However, sometimes, the overproduction of it can lead to dark spots and age spots that you may not want. This is another way that mushrooms can come in handy because they actually contain melanin-inhibiting compounds that can make those spots something that you can prevent without relying on harsh chemicals and other not-so-natural ingredients.

If all of this intel finally has you convinced about giving some mushroom skincare products a try, yet you’re not sure where to begin as far as what kind to use, Women’s Health published an article entitled, “15 Mushroom-Infused Skincare Products That Will Turn Back The Clock, According To Dermatologists.” Shroomer published “12 of the Best Mushroom Products for Every Skincare Concern;” it’s worth looking into, too.

Are There Any Downsides to Mushroom Skincare?

Now that you’ve heard me sing all of the praises of mushroom (and mushroom-infused) skincare, you might be curious if it has any downsides or “cons” to it. Good question. Overall, the answer is “no.” The only real exception is if you already have a mushroom or fungus sensitivity. However, just to be on the safe side, it can never hurt to do a small skin test before totally going ham. If, after 72 hours, you don’t notice any skin irritation, you should be good to go.

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Welp. There you have it. Something that can give your skin some extra hydration and glow during the last leg of winter. Shoot, you might end up liking it so much that you’ll use it during the milder side of the spring season, too. Enjoy!

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