Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1517908
ASCP SkinPro got a glow-up! Check out new app content at ascpskincare.com/skinpro 67 inflammatory support, hydrating skin, and assisting in fading dark marks." These properties that target skin aging are driving the popularity of mushrooms in skin care right now, she adds, but another benefit of reishi is that it can also help improve sleep quality when consumed. Lion's Mane Identified by its long spines (reminiscent of the fur on a lion's mane), this mushroom is widely used for both culinary and medicinal purposes in countries across the Northern Hemisphere. 9 Similar to reishi, research has shown that lion's mane has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but studies specifically examining skin benefits in human subjects are limited. 10 The polysaccharide compounds in lion's mane give it antioxidant effects, Hu notes, making it a popular skin care ingredient recently. "Lion's mane mushrooms are known to increase collagen levels and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles," she says. "Along with their anti-aging properties, lion's mane also encourages skin cell regeneration and can assist with repairing damaged skin and promoting a healthier skin barrier." Ian Michael Crumm, celebrity esthetician and co-host of the educational beauty podcast Beauty Curious, notes that lion's mane is also lauded for its potential to promote skin hydration, bolstering its abilities to target skin aging. Chaga Chaga mushrooms are commonly found on birch trees in cold climates. They are often consumed as tea as well as in dietary supplements to boost immunity and reduce inflammation. 11 In skin care, chaga can be used to combat irritation and other skin concerns. "Packed with antioxidants and melanin-rich, chaga mushrooms help combat free radicals, protect against environmental damage, and reduce the visible signs of aging," Hu says. She adds that chaga's anti-inflammatory properties make it helpful for calming skin irritations such as acne or eczema. In modern society, mushrooms are considered part of a healthy diet—cholesterol-free and low in calories, carbohydrates, fat, and sodium while boasting nutrients like selenium, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin D, proteins, and fiber.