Every week, it seems like there's a new trending skincare product or ingredient promising healthy, glowing skin. But few have science to back those claims—and most dermatologists and product formulators will tell you that the vast majority can't compare to tried-and-true proven actives like retinol, niacinamide, or salicylic acid. But one natural extract is popping up in more and more products, and experts say there's evidence it can really make a difference when it comes to your complexion.
We’re talking about mushrooms.
Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries, the popular fungi is showing up in serums and creams from some of the most buzzy brands, and can brighten, firm, and protect skin, says cosmetic chemist Ginger King. Rich in a fiber known as beta glucan, King compares mushroom extracts to nourishing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and protective antioxidants. Most importantly, mushrooms are known as adaptogens—herbs, roots, and other plants that help the body mitigate the effects of stress, she says.
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