Mushrooms and fungi are becoming a big player in the skincare industry due to their powerful compounds. Chaga is our favorite for healthy skin support; we’ve even bathed in it! In this blog we’ll explore the compounds that are responsible for the skin-supporting effects of fungi, how to use mushrooms for skincare, and take an in-depth look into our Chaga Skin Care products ingredients. At the very end, you’ll find a DIY fungi hair-rinse to help support your scalp and hair health.

Fungi contain many skin supporting compounds. Let’s take a look at these compounds and what they are doing in some of your favorite skincare formulations today!

• Antioxidants (including topical antioxidant powerhouses; superoxide dismutase and melanin from Chaga) protect skin from pollution and oxidative damage as well as decrease hyperpigmentation.

• Fungal polysaccharides are used as a moisturizing agent and support even skin tone. Beta-glucan, a polysaccharide found in fungi, has been shown to be more hydrating than hyaluronic acid at the same concentration.

• Fungal sterols support healthy collagen and hyaluronic acid levels.

• Different amino acids found in Chaga provide different support. Leucine supports wrinkle reduction, histidine soothes skin, methionine acts as a skin protectant and lysine strengthens the skin.

• Triterpenes provide intense benefits. Betulin from Chaga has been shown to support healthy wound healing, support healthy collagen and elastin levels, decrease hyperpigmentation, and support healthy sebum regulation. Lanosterol from Chaga supports healthy hair growth.

• Fungal Chitin-Glucan supports smooth and firm skin and can decrease transepidermal water loss.

As we all know, beauty comes from within! It is best practice to make sure that you are taking care of your skin both topically and internally. Make sure you are drinking enough water daily (especially if you are a user of caffeine or nicotine products), applying sunscreen daily and eating a healthy and diverse diet. This will provide a good baseline for your skincare routine.

To use fungi for skincare, choose a topical product, like our Chaga Skin Cream and apply it within 10 minutes of getting out of the shower for maximum absorption and moisture retention. You could also check out our luxurious Chaga Shampoo Bar! In addition to this, add a fungi dietary supplement, like our Chaga tinctures or Reishi tinctures. For even more fungi-fun, add Chaga or Reishi tea to your bath or try a DIY chaga scalp scrub, recipe below.

Chaga Skin Cream is one of our most popular products. It's intense moisturizing properties are derived from its powerful collection of ingredients. It's scented with essential oils of lavender and patchouli, creating a fresh and gender-neutral aroma. Our favorite feature of our Chaga Skin Cream is that it absorbs quickly into your skin, leaving no oily residue. It is our belief that lotion is meant to moisturize your skin, not leave it sopping in grease. There are a ton of powerful ingredients in our Chaga Skin Cream. Let’s take a look at what they all are, and what they do for the formula.

• Inonotus obliquus (Chaga) Extract - Provides antioxidants (like melanin), polysaccharides, amino acids, superoxide dismutase and more!

• Aloe barbadensis Leaf Juice - Soothes and hydrates skin.

• Helianthus annus (Sunflower) Oil - Non-comedogenic moisturizer that can be used for any skin type. Provides linoleic and oleic acids as well as vitamin E.

• Glyceryl stearate - Moisturizing emollient and emulsifier, naturally derived.

• Glycerin - Humectant, draws moisture into the skin, leading to a firmer, fuller appearance.

• Octyl palmitate - Mild, skin-soothing esther used to adjust consistency of the product. Natural alternative to silicone.

• Cocos nucifera (Coconut) oil - Emollient that nourishes, plumps and smoothes the skin as well as locks in moisture.

• Theobroma cacao (Cocoa) butter - Rich moisturizer that soothes chapped skin, provides antioxidants, high in fatty acids that hydrate the skin.

• Potassium stearate - Emulsifier that helps maintain product texture, derived from saponified vegetable oils.

• Bee's wax - Emollient that supports soft and smooth skin. Creates a protective barrier and acts as a mild natural exfoliator.

• Cetyl alcohol - Non- drying, non-irritating alcohol that acts as an emollient and helps to smooth flaky and rough skin.

• Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) oil - Non-greasy moisturizer that behaves very similarly to our skin’s natural oils, making it great for chapped skin.

• Panthenol (Vitamin B5) - acts as a moisturizer and soothes irritated skin.

• Allantoin - Soothing and moisturizing plant extract derived from the comfrey plant.

• Macadamia integrifolia oil - Light, non-greasy, non-pore clogging oil that moisturizes and softens the skin and provides vitamin E.

• Sodium Carbomer - Thickener and stabilizer that also helps form a protective film over the skin.

• Phenoxyethanol - Preservative used as an alternative to parabens. Some people are a bit scared by the word, ”Preservative” but preservatives in skincare are essential for safety. This particular preservative is backed by decades of research and is considered gentle on the skin. Cosmetic-grade phenoxyethanol is made synthetically for safety, but phenoxyethanol does occur naturally in green tea and chicory.

• Ethyl Hexyl Glycerin - Skin conditioning preservative, used as an alternative to parabens.

• Lavandin essential oil -Natural fragrance derived from lavender.

• Pogostemon cablin (Patchouli) oil - Natural fragrance derived from patchouli.