If you weren’t clued into the many snow and reishi mushroom benefits for skin, good news: You’re not alone. While the humble ‘shroom has gotten a lot of attention in recent years for its perks for your overall health, the various (and science-backed) mushroom benefits for skin are still flying under the radar, especially compared to other household-name ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe vera.
That’s about to change, though. Not only can you find mushroom extracts in skincare products already, but some makeup formulas, ours included, are now harnessing this wonder ingredient to get those perks throughout your entire beauty routine, too. Here’s what you need to know about the many mushroom benefits for skin.
How can mushroom benefit your skin?The ways in which mushrooms can be an asset to your whole body are many—which might explain why they’ve been used in medicine for centuries. However, “their incorporation into skincare has been significantly more recent,” says New York City-based dermatologist Carmen Castilla, M.D. “When applied to your skin, their antioxidant properties can potentially prevent free radical damage, provide anti-aging benefits, hydrate your skin, and boost collagen.” On top of that, they’re brimming with other key nutrients, such as adaptogens and humectants, which can also help improve skin, hydrating and protecting it over time. While that makes them a no-brainer for skincare formulations, you can also score mushroom benefits for skin in your go-to makeup products like blush and bronzer—making them that much more versatile. What is reishi mushroom?If you’ve never encountered reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) in the wild, know that they’re the real deal. “Reishi is the king in the mushroom family,” says cosmetic chemist Ginger King. “It has been used to help firm, brighten, and heal skin.” That versatility might stem from the fact that reishi mushroom’s benefits for skin are twofold. For one, “reishi produces ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide, or GLP, a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to prevent free radical damage from UVB rays,” says Dr. Castilla, who notes that animal studies have found that it helps improve wound-healing. On top of that, there’s the beta-glucan, which is a humectant—meaning that, similarly to hyaluronic acid, it can help draw water into skin. Plus, she says, “beta-glucan can help repair the skin barrier and, in one study, was shown to help improve post-laser procedure recovery.” |
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What is snow mushroom?
Why should reishi be all the rage? Snow mushroom, too, is packed with polysaccharides, says King. And not only is it stacked with antioxidants, but “it can also be a great moisturizer,” she notes. For that reason, you may start to see Tremella fuciformis (its scientific name) more and more in both skincare and beauty products. “The in vitro and animal studies of this mushroom are very promising,” says Dr. Castilla. “Through its strong antioxidant properties, it has the potential to serve as a powerful anti-aging and wound-healing ingredient.”
Are mushrooms good for all skin types?
Yes—everyone can benefit from added hydration and a dose of antioxidants. And, happily, mushrooms generally play well with most skin types, even if yours is sensitive. “Unless someone has a known mushroom allergy, mushrooms are generally safe for all skin types,” says Dr. Castilla.
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Which Milk Makeup products contain mushrooms?
“Incorporation of any of these mushrooms as skincare ingredients may have significant potential benefits,” says Dr. Castilla. Plus, they’re even better when they’re combined—since they offer different (yet complementary) compounds. For instance, “reishi has more potency in healing, while snow mushroom is more for moisturization due to its higher polysaccharide content,” says King.
For that reason, we chose to harness snow and reishi mushrooms throughout our Bionic fam. In Milk Makeup Bionic Bronzer, the two team up with hyaluronic acid to deliver skin that looks smoother and plumper—along with plant-derived collagen to help boost elasticity and firm skin over time.
And not only does Milk Makeup Bionic Glow impart a luminous, cheekbone-enhancing sheen to skin, but it also nourishes with the same lineup of ingredients. Milk Makeup Bionic Blush, meanwhile, uses them to actively hydrate skin while delivering a buildable wash of color to the cheeks.
Together, snow and reishi mushroom extracts super-charge the skincare benefits found within these makeup essentials, building them into your routine to up your glow 24/7. As it turns out, the secret ingredient for glowing skin was right under our noses—and on our plates—all along.
Meet the Experts
Ginger King (she/her) is the founder & CEO at Grace Kingdom Beauty, a cosmetic product development firm in New Jersey specializing in helping create beauty brands from concept to launch. She has been the keynote speaker for brand launches and has spoken at various trade conferences on product development and In-Cosmetics on product innovation. Ginger is an often-quoted beauty expert and has been on radio and video chat with leading beauty magazines as well as a regular TV appearances on Good Day Sacramento. She has been quoted by over 35 top beauty magazines such as Allure, Self, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Shape, Teen Vogue, and Women’s Health.
Carmen Castilla, M.D. (she/her) is a Manhattan-based, board-certified dermatologist specializing in personalized treatment plans in both cosmetic and medical dermatology. She combines traditional and cutting edge treatment options to produce lasting results. Dr. Castilla graduated cum laude from New York University, and then completed medical school at the University of New Jersey Medical School, where she was a member of the highest honor society, Alpha Omega Alpha. She then completed her internship at Harvard Brigham and Women’s Hospital and dermatology residency at New York University Langone Hospital.
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