The Secret Ingredient: Mushrooms

As children, most of us scoff at the thought of eating mushrooms, they come from the ground, they are squishy, and they are covered in dirt. But, fast-forward to adulthood when our tastes change and our minds finally open, and these little squishy treats become a fast-favorite, not to mention a huge nutrition boost! While not all varieties of mushrooms are edible, some will truly take you down the proverbial rabbit hole a’la Alice in Wonderland and others can poison you, many offer major benefits. Certain varieties of mushrooms help to increase our vitamin D and vitamin B levels, lower our risk of cancer, and boost our immune system and in addition to having health advantages, mushrooms pack beauty benefits as well!

Mushroom extract is used in many skin care products thanks to its ability to hydrate, plump, firm, and brighten skin. The kojic acid in some mushrooms acts as a natural skin lightener, helping those of us with areas of hyperpigmentation. Plus, the mushrooms that contain vitamin D are great for treating acne and breakouts, something a lot of us have to deal with this time of year. Interested in using mushrooms in your beauty routine? Start with some of the products we love below!

We’ve previously shared our love for Skin Authority’s VitaD Fortified Illuminating Duo ($79) a topical and edible pairing that uses 100 percent plant-sourced (from mushrooms!) vitamin D. Read our full review here.

Wei East RE-LASTICITY™ Black Mushroom Beauty Therapy ($65) is a great choice for anyone with mature skin looking to regain elasticity, improve texture, and tone. The serum is infused with Chinese black mushroom and has a soft, silky feel!

AMOREPACIFIC has always been a personal favorite so it was no surprise that the product that I love most, the MOISTURE BOUND Sleeping Recovery Masque ($60) uses Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, a Japanese mushroom. This is one of my favorite products for traveling (especially for use on long flights) because you simply rub the masque on like a lotion and let it absorb into your skin while you sleep. It’s non-greasy and while it’s invisible while it’s in use, the results are anything but. Be prepared to wake up to hydrated, plump skin!

Popular spa brand Red Flower’s Lymphatic Phytopower Sea Cleanser and Masque ($42; truthinaging.com) improves the texture and tone of your skin thanks to certified organic reishi, chaga and maitake mushrooms and can be used as both a daily cleanser and a twice-a-week 5-minute facial masque. The beta-glucans in the mushrooms rid the skin of toxins and excess fluids while encouraging collagen production and hydration.

Mushrooms are also beneficial for our scalp and Phyto’s Phytolium 4 ($60) is a great example! The scalp treatment uses Capicellpro®, a complex that blends an extract of wild apple fruits with shiitake mushroom to protects the hair follicles and help stop the hair from thinning.

Do you have a favorite beauty product that uses mushrooms? Share it with us below!

In “The Secret Ingredient!” we showcase a mix of popular and not-so-well-known power-player ingredients found in your favorite products and detail their benefits, unveil some fun facts, and share products and treatments you can find them in! Have an ingredient you want to learn more about? Tell us what it is below!