Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1517908
64 ASCP Skin Deep Spring 2024 Make Room for Mushrooms From skin care ingredients to skin conditions, exploring the world of fungi KEY POINTS • Skin care is beginning to include mushrooms as ingredients because of their hydrating, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant powers. • Fungal skin conditions—which are caused by different fungi from the ones used in skin care—may show up in your treatment room. PLANT EXTRACTS ARE WIDELY USED for their natural abilities to soothe, hydrate, and repair the skin, but fungi are proving themselves to be equal to—or even greater than—plant extracts when it comes to natural skin care ingredients. Mushrooms have been used medicinally for centuries, so it's no surprise their myriad health benefits would be harnessed to treat skin conditions too. On the flip side, certain fungi are known to create problems for the skin, resulting in conditions like fungal acne, a common (and often misdiagnosed) condition you are likely to come across with clients. The difference between the fungi that provide benefits to the skin and those that cause skin concerns is not only distinct but also important for skin professionals to remain aware of. "Mushrooms undeniably harbor an array of compounds that can be instrumental in treating various skin conditions, thereby underscoring their potential in dermatological applications," according to an article in Journal of Food Biochemistry. "However, an understanding of their dual nature, acting both as a remedy and a trigger for certain skin reactions, is essential for their judicious application in skin care."1 Let's take a closer look at the differences between the fungi you might find in professional-grade skin care and the fungi causing common issues with your clients' skin. by Catherine Santino 64 ASCP Skin Deep Spring 2024