The past couple years have been exhausting and inner and outer self care has become paramount for people all over the world. From at-home yoga classes to green juice and crystals, it feels like we’re all trying anything and everything to boost our spirits. After trying remedy after remedy, a lot of us are left wondering - what actually works?
What if I told you that you could clear and reverse age your skin while simultaneously boosting your immune system, possibly avoiding cancer and even leveling out your serotonin levels? Cue beautifying mushrooms; the hottest new ingredient in the skincare market that's making waves in the medical and scientific world alike.
Western society has a lot of catching up to do. Many of these mushrooms have been adored by traditional Chinese and Eastern European medicine cultures for centuries. So - what's all the hype about? Let's dive deep into some of the most popular beautifying mushrooms and how they can reverse the stress of these last two messy years.
Chaga
Don’t be fooled by chaga’s outward appearance. This odd looking conk mushroom looks like burnt charcoal or a bark blister but has heavenly benefits for both your skin and health.
The chaga mushroom has been known to cure a variety of skin ailments, such as eczema, acne, bug bites, rashes, dermatitis and rosacea.
Interestingly, the chaga mushroom has extremely high levels of melanin and pigment, which prove to be an amazing way to block harmful UV rays from the sun. On top of that, they can also reduce signs of skin pigmentation and sun spots caused from prolonged UV exposure.It’s adouble win!
If you take chaga supplements regularly, you’re likely to see anti-aging results. This mushroom is rich in free radical fighting antioxidants and have been linked to eliminating oxidative stress, which can cause acne, hyper pigmentation and wrinkles. It has also been shown to restore the skin’s elasticity by helping your body produce more collagen.
Shiitake
More commonly known as an addition to your weeknight stir fry, the shiitake is a mushroom that wears many hats. As one of the most cultivated mushrooms in the world, this little brown umbrella shaped fungi has some of the best nutritional and beautifying benefits of all.
Shiitake mushrooms are abundant in kojic acid, which is a chelation agent that acts as an antioxidant. These special antioxidants have been shown to lighten hyperpigmentation and acne scars.
Similar to humans, shiitake mushrooms naturally produce vitamin D as they sit in the sun, so ingesting them can give you a good dose of your daily nutrition. They are also rich in vitamin B3, commonly known in the skincare world as niacinamide, which supports your skin barrier and increases its resiliency.
Tremella
Tremella, also known as witch's butter or yellow brain fungus, can be found on dead branches or stumps of broadleaf trees. This mushy, jelly mushroom has been considered as molecularly water-retaining as the popular hyaluronic acid, making it a popular fungi to improve the skin’s moisture barrier.
Similar to shiitakes, tremella mushrooms contain high levels of vitamin D, which if ingested or used topically can help heal wounds, increase cell growth and defend your skin.
Tremella is also rich in essential antioxidants. When added onto the skin, these mushrooms have the unique ability to absorb deep into the layers of your skin and protect it from free radicals, which are linked to wrinkles and unwanted pigmentation.
Cordyceps
The cordyceps mushroom is a parasitic mushroom that grows out of caterpillars up high in relatively high altitudes. This shocking spaghetti-looking fungi is being linked to some unbelievable benefits, from boosting exercise performance to increasing sex drive.
As for the skin, cordyceps’ ability to boost the immune system and fight stress, which may decrease adrenal fatigue, which some say is linked to undereye bags.
Like many of the mushrooms on this list, cordyceps is rich in antioxidants, so it's often used as an anti-aging fungus. When ingested or used topically, this mushroom also has anti-inflammatory benefits, which can help ease many skin ailments and increase cell production.
Reishi
The reishi mushroom is one of the most popular mushrooms in western society for its long list of health benefits. Also known as the mushroom of immortality, these red saucer shaped fungi have immune boosting qualities that are so promising that they’re even used in modern medicine in Japan and China to help cure cancer.
Some say that the reishi mushrooms help regulate cortisol, or the stress hormone, which may create fine lines, wrinkles and acne.
Reishi is also a great hydrator. It helps your body synthesize ceramide, which helps protect your skin barrier and fight the results of prolonged stress and aging. Overtime, your body’s reservoir or ceramide naturally depletes, which is why it's important to replenish it.
Where To Get Your Mushroom Fix
Looking to get your daily dose of these magical beautifying mushrooms? Taking capsules can be the easiest way to do so. At Alchemi Mushrooms, we grow organic mushrooms that are sustainably cultivated and packed with fruit bodies and mycelium and pack them into daily capsules to help you connect with nature's medicine.
Try any of our powders or capsules today to see how mushrooms can improve your overall wellness.
