The Benefits of Mushroom Extracts in Skincare: How They Can Improve Your Skin's Health and Appearance

Have you noticed a surge of mushroom-infused skin care products lately? You're not alone. This ‘shroom boom has taken the beauty industry by storm, proving to be a versatile and beneficial ingredient in many formulas.

It turns out these small ground dwellers are mega-multitaskers when it comes to improving the appearance of your skin. We did the foraging already to bring you the big benefits of mushroom extract for skin, why your skin will be happy with this fun-gi, and where you’ll find it in clean beauty.

Whether consumed fresh or added as a seasoning, mushrooms, specifically, its extract, are not only a culinary and herbal delight, they’re very beneficial ingredients in beauty and skin care with mush-room to grow. But what exactly is mushroom extract and where does this powerful multitasking ingredient come from?

A mushroom extract is when you take a raw mushroom and apply a solvent to it, like water or alcohol, to draw out beneficial nutrients. It can be extracted through heating or soaking, or with dual extraction using both water and alcohol. By extracting mushrooms, we’re able to dissolve and release their beauty powers into different forms - from powders to tinctures to dual liquid extracts.

If you’re wondering why we can’t skip over this entire extraction process and just eat mushrooms, you’d have to eat A LOT of fungus to get the same amount of mushroom powers from an extract. What’s more, even though mushrooms look like these little, humble ground dwellers, they have a tough exterior called a chitin cell wall that locks in all their goodness. No extraction, no goodness.

Though mushrooms are now taking center stage in the skin care world often causing a ‘truffle’ with other all-star ingredients for the beauty spot light, these forest dwellers aren’t exactly a new ingredient. The mighty mushroom has been around for centuries in Chinese and Ayurvedic traditions.

Mushrooms have a rich history of medicinal use, with references to their healing benefits even dating back to depictions in Egyptian hieroglyphics 4600 years ago. They believed that the mushroom is the plant of immortality and it was food for only the royalty. In Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, mushrooms were considered a symbol of longevity and vitality.

Their recent rise in popularity is owed to an increased interest in health and wellness, natural beauty, and clean skin care practices. In fact, many clean beauty brands – including 100% PURE – have been on the ‘shroom boom long before their benefits were common knowledge to beauty consumers.

There’s more magical powers from the mushroom’s extraction process – and not the mind-altering ones. Mushrooms are “adaptogens”: a variety of non-toxic plants that can help our bodies resist or “adapt” to stress. Together with their ability to adapt and protect against stress-related damage, mushrooms also contain many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

It’s no wonder they would create a fungi phenomenon in the skin care realm! With over 14,000 varieties of mushrooms, a select 11 different types have gained a reputation for their beauty benefits in our products.

#1. Tremella Mushroom hydrates and plumps your skin cells

#2. Reishi Mushroom helps to reduce the effects of stress on your skin

#3. Shiitake Mushroom brightens your complexion with kojic acid

#4. Chaga Mushroom heals damage caused by UV rays

#5. Cordyceps Mushroom has powerful anti-aging properties

#6. Lion's Mane Mushroom increases skin firmness

#7. Maitake Mushroom boosts collagen and elastin production

#8. Turkey Tail Mushroom has anti-inflammatory properties

#9. Enoki Mushroom strengthens your skin's immunity

#10. Meshima Mushroom prevents the formation of dark spots

#11. Blazei Mushroom creates a protective barrier on your skin.

The popularity of mushrooms in the beauty world is a testament to their multi-purpose nature. These versatile ingredients are not just effective against one skin problem, but they work to correct a range of concerns and leave your skin looking its best.

Let’s do a quick deep-dive into our prized 11 different mushrooms you’ll find in our skin care products, and their many valuable properties to increase skin health, glow and vibrancy.

#1. Tremella Mushroom

This friendly fungus, also known as the silver ear or snow mushroom, is the perfect solution for dehydrated skin. Tremella’s efficiency has been compared to hyaluronic acid, but with particles even smaller, it can be absorbed more deeply into the skin. On top of that, it may even have the ability to preserve collagen by extending the lifespan of fibroblasts in the skin.

#2. Reishi Mushroom

Reishi is a popular ingredient in beauty products due to its anti-aging benefits. It has beta-glucans that extract moisture from the environment and provide it to your skin, creating a strong protective layer that keeps pollutants and other external aggressors at bay.

#3. Shiitake Mushroom

Similar to reishi, shiitake mushroom benefits the skin by protecting the cells against oxidative stress. Reshi is concentrated with L-ergothioneine: a potent antioxidant that may help slow the skin’s aging process while preventing dullness.

#4. Chaga Mushroom

Chaga stands out as a food that actually contains melanin-producing properties. Melanin benefits the skin by protecting it from UV damage and oxidative stress. Chaga contains beta-glucans, which support a healthy response to inflammation and, according to one study, is the most antioxidant-rich mushroom to date.

#5. Cordyceps Mushroom

As an antioxidant powerhouse, the cordyceps mushroom is known to hydrate, brighten, and firm the skin, as well as alleviate inflammation. This makes it especially helpful for protecting your skin from environmental damage, which can lead to hyperpigmentation, as well as soothing irritated skin.

#6. Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Lion’s mane mushroom is packed with hydrating beta-glucans, and antioxidants known as hericenones and erinacines. These compounds help to protect the skin from oxidative stress, which is known to cause premature aging and other skin problems.

#7. Maitake Mushroom

Also known as the dancing mushroom, maitake mushroom is rich in not only antioxidants, but also vitamins B, C, and D, as well as amino acids, copper, minerals, and more. Maitake can specifically support skin health by promoting skin elasticity and boosting collagen, and diminishing redness.

#8. Turkey Tail Mushroom

Distinguished by its fan-like shape, turkey tail mushroom is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. This can help support skin health and boost a natural glow. One of the antioxidants in turkey tail, quercetin, is known to reduce inflammation. This means it can help your skin look less puffy, red, and irritated.

#9. Enoki Mushroom

Like many mushrooms, enoki is packed with antioxidants. However, enoki is unique in that it possesses a vast range of different kinds, including quercetin, ferulic acid, and pyrogallol. These compounds can help neutralize harmful free radicals to protect your cells from damage and oxidative stress.

#10. Meshima Mushroom

Meshima is (you guessed it) concentrated with antioxidants. Studies have shown that meshima mushrooms could work as a vitamin C alternative, especially when it comes to fighting free radicals. This makes them all-stars for lessening the signs of aging and fading dark spots.

The antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, skin brightening, and moisturizing effects of mushroom extract have officially been revealed to the world. There's no need to go foraging forests or beauty aisles on a hunt for fungi: we've rounded up the top mushroom skin care products for you to sample!

#1: Mushroom Peptide Serum
Featured Fungi: Shiitake

Packed with nearly a dozen different medicinal mushrooms, this serum is perfect for those looking to combat dullness and dehydration. Hydrating polysaccharides from mushrooms blend beautifully with hyaluronic acid, which work together to plump skin with intense hydration. Meanwhile, quinoa peptides prompt the production of collagen to promote firmness and elasticity.

#2: 100% PURE™ Fermented Rice Water Collection
Featured Fungi: Matsutake

Rice water has a centuries-old reputation in holding restorative properties for skin. This is thanks to its plethora of beneficial nutrients – and why we use it in many products! Our Fermented Rice Water Serum is formulated to encourage a healthy glow, nourish the skin, and help it recover from the effects of sun exposure.

Serums should be applied to skin after being both cleansed and toned. Our Fermented Rice Water Cleanser brightens and refreshes dull skin. The Fermented Rice Water Toner softens, hydrates, and ticks all the boxes for getting glowing skin.

#3: 100% PURE™ Dark Spot Remover
Featured Fungi: Matsutake

We understand dark spots and acne scars can be a major pain point. That’s why we created our Dark Spot Remover: to restore balance and brightness to dull, blemished skin. Featuring Matsutake mushroom to brighten the source of the dark spot, this product helps to reveal fresh skin layers while keeping our faces firm and bright.

#4: Multi-Vitamin + Antioxidants Ultra Riché PM Creme
Featured Fungi: Lingzhi/ Reishi, Shiitake

While you’re snoozing and skin is in repair mode, this age-corrective night cream gets to work. Featuring two types of mushrooms, this moisturizer pulls out all the stops when it comes to long-lasting hydration for abundantly supple, nourished skin. This nightly dose of nutrients is designed to combat daily damage of the skin, soften and moisturize, and restore youthful suppleness and glow.

Mushrooms are taking the beauty world by storm for a good reason - they're suitable for nearly all skin types, including those with damaged and sensitive skin that is often neglected by skin care brands that use harsh ingredients. With their wealth of antioxidants, hydrating properties, and more, it’s easy to see why mushroom extracts are becoming so popular in skin care for improving the health and appearance of your skin.