Mushroom benefits for skin: Anti-ageing and acne solutions

A very brief intro to medicinal mushrooms

Before we discuss any specific mushroom benefits for skin, let’s back up a step and talk about functional fungi themselves. There are literally thousands of types of mushrooms in the world, but here we’re interested in those with medicinal significance. Known as functional or medicinal mushrooms, they offer renowned health-supporting properties that go beyond the nutritional value of other fungi. Each species of medicinal fungi has its own unique strengths, but there are also therapeutic abilities that they all share.

Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine and similar systems have been using medicinal mushrooms for centuries. From lesser-known species such as chaga to more familiar names like shiitake, users credit them with a wide variety of positive effects on our wellbeing. What’s exciting is that modern research studies are finding evidence to support this wisdom. And that includes the belief that there are several impressive functional mushroom benefits for skin health. It’s time to take a closer look at what those complexion-supporting advantages are.

Are mushrooms good for skin?

We know what you’re thinking – the idea of using a mushroom in skincare sounds a little bizarre! They’re not the most aesthetically pleasing of foods, and lots of people aren’t keen on their texture or taste. But trust us when we say that the science is on the fungi’s side regarding mushroom benefits for skin. And the great news is that functional fungi can enhance the health of your complexion in more ways than one. That’s part of what makes them such a wonderful addition to your self-care arsenal. So don’t be surprised if you’re a convert by the time you’ve finished this article…

Mushroom skincare: the power of antioxidants

The first of the many mushroom benefits for skin we’re discussing relates to the antioxidant properties of these fungi. In case you’re not familiar with them, antioxidants are molecules that help fight free radicals. If you have too many free radicals in your body, it can cause a state of oxidative stress. This damages our cells, and experts have linked it to several harmful conditions, including diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer.

So far, so good. But how does this translate into mushroom benefits for skin health? Well, oxidative stress also contributes to signs of ageing, like wrinkles and loss of elasticity.(1) As such, adding foods that are rich in antioxidants to your diet could aid in keeping your skin more youthful. And functional fungi are a fantastic choice. For instance, turkey tail is bursting with potent flavonoids and phenolic compounds that help to fight free radical damage.(2)

And that’s not all. Medicinal mushrooms also have impressive anti-inflammatory properties. While inflammation is part of the body’s normal immune response, if it becomes chronic, it can damage our cells. This may result in numerous unpleasant symptoms, including fatigue, pain, digestive problems, infections, and skin conditions like acne.

One way to help tackle this is by incorporating foods that fight inflammation into your diet. As an example, agaricus blazei contains sterols and other key secondary metabolites that can reduce inflammation.(3) In many cases, this anti-inflammatory activity also results in a boost to your immune system. So taking mushrooms for skin health could benefit your immunity too!

And of course, this is all in addition to the more famous skin-supporting vitamins and minerals these powerful fungi contain. These include B vitamins, vitamin D, zinc, and selenium.

The role of collagen in mushroom skincare

Collagen has become something of a buzzword in skincare. Found throughout the body, this protein is crucial for keeping our skin hydrated and elastic. We naturally produce less collagen as we get older, leading to visible signs of ageing such as dryness and wrinkles. There are certain things we can do to tackle this, like avoiding smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and excessive sun exposure. And one of the more interesting medicinal mushroom benefits for skin is that they could boost the production of collagen.

There are several reasons for this. First, as discussed above, functional fungi are rich in antioxidants, and oxidative stress can damage collagen. But that’s not all. Evidence also indicates that chitin – a carbohydrate found in the cell walls of fungi – may enhance the synthesis of collagen.(4) The same is true of the amino acids (which are the building blocks of protein) found in functional mushrooms.

What’s more, medicinal fungi are rich in a type of fibre called beta-glucans. In addition to supporting gut and heart health, beta-glucans promote the production of collagen.(5) All of which means there are plenty of nutrients in these mushrooms that might stave off signs of ageing!

But what about mushroom benefits for skin conditions like acne? Happily, functional fungi have their uses here too. For example, the fact they can reduce inflammation may help, as well as the positive influence they have on immunity. In addition, several types of medicinal mushrooms – like chaga – have antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.(6) As one of the main causes of acne is a buildup of bacteria in your pores, this could prove advantageous. However, further research is necessary to clarify this.