The Hidden Power of Mushrooms in Skincare
Have you noticed the humble fungi popping up in all your favourite products? Here’s why.
Have you noticed that mushrooms are everywhere? Plant-based restaurants have long been incorporating them into their menus, wellness companies like Nature’s Sunshine and AG1 are concocting a variety of mushroom-based supplements and as for skincare brands, fungi seem to be the way of the future.
“Mushrooms fit the demand for naturally derived products well—they offer potent benefits while being gentle and safe,” says Dr. Hannah Kopelman, a New York-based dermatologist.
But the fungi renaissance isn’t new. For thousands of years, mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine, thanks to their healing properties and benefits for the immune system. “These qualities made mushrooms indispensable in Eastern medicine for addressing everything from inflammation to skin healing,” explains Kopelman. “Their long-standing history speaks to their efficacy and the deep cultural knowledge around their use.”
If you geek out about skincare ingredients, buckle up—there is plenty of evidence to back up mushrooms and their all-star powers. In 2019, researchers at the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, Md., discovered that mushroom fibres include beta-glucan, which improves the skin’s overall appearance. If you’re spending too much time outside, mushrooms can fix that, too. They’re high in antioxidants, which neutralize free radicals like sun exposure and environmental toxins. (No, this doesn’t mean you can skip SPF.)
“The rise of mushroom skincare is an exciting trend as it taps into the powerful benefits of natural, bioactive ingredients,” says Heather Hickman, vice-president of education at Dermalogica. From sunscreen to serums, the skincare brand values ingredient-driven innovations to primarily address hydration concerns and skin-barrier health. “Combining the power of nature and accelerating it with science is a contemporary skincare brand’s route to longevity.”
With an increased consumer interest in plant-based and natural ingredients, it’s not surprising to find different types of mushrooms integrated into skincare products on the market. “There’s a growing awareness around holistic wellness, so it makes sense that mushrooms—renowned in herbal medicine—are becoming popular in skincare formulations again,” shares Kopelman. “They’re a versatile ingredient that fits into serums, moisturizers and even masks.”
“Combining the power of nature and accelerating it with science is a contemporary skincare brand’s route to longevity.”
With more than 15,000 kinds of mushrooms worldwide, the fungi space is vast, and each type features properties to aid your skin differently. Mushrooms like chaga, cordyceps and reishi are particularly high in antioxidants, which tackle facial scarring, inflammation and signs of aging. Other mushrooms, like shiitake and tremella, produce active moisturizing properties that help with maximizing hydration and skin plumping.
In fact, tremella is the most commonly used mushroom extract, according to Hickman. “Its ability to hold and maintain moisture without adding additional weight to a product’s consistency makes it an ideal ingredient for multiple types of skincare formulas,” she says. You might be pleasantly surprised to find your fave skincare product indeed contains tremella mushroom extract.
Sure, they might come with a dull appearance and slimy texture in the kitchen, but don’t write mushrooms off completely. The humble fungi effortlessly align with the consumer shift toward science-backed, nature-driven solutions in skincare. While new trends emerge rapidly, it’s clear that mushroom-infused skincare is formulated to stand the test of time. Here’s to the next thousand years of shrooms
Final Spore
Intrigued by mushroom-infused skincare? Start with these products.
This article first appeared in FASHION’s September 2025 issue. Find out more here.
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Heather Taylor-Singh is a writer and editor based in Toronto. With a knack for pop culture, her work explores trending topics in style, entertainment and sustainability. She has been featured in Elle Canada, The Kit, Refinery29 and more. When she's not feverishly writing or responding to emails, she enjoys watching movies (her favourite is Lady Bird) and curating mood boards on Pinterest.
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