Potent Ingredient: Reishi Mushroom Benefits for Skin

Reishi Mushroom Benefits Introduction:

If you usually think of mushrooms as that tasty, weird-looking thing on your plate, you may be surprised to suddenly find them in many skincare products, from facial cleansers to serums and moisturizers. Yet, some of them, like Reishi mushroom, have shown that they have equally powerful benefits when applied topically.

And there are many reasons to try out these products. Reishi mushrooms have proven themselves as antioxidant powerhouses with strong soothing, skin brightening and regenerative properties.

What Is Reishi Mushroom?

Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is a medicinal mushroom that is native to Asia (especially China and Japan). It is large, kidney or fan-shaped, dark, reddish and glossy and of a bitter taste. Today, it is mostly cultivated, as wild Reishi mushrooms are rare.

Reishi mushroom symbolizes success, superiority, and longevity. It has an important pharmaceutical value, plus a lot of skin-boosting properties. As a skincare ingredient, Reishi mushroom is especially appreciated for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, soothing and cleansing properties, as well as for skin brightening.

How Has Reishi Mushroom Been Used Historically As A Medicinal Mushroom?

In China, the Reishi mushroom is called lingzhi, which roughly translates to “spiritual potency”. Sometimes, it is also called the “mushroom of immortality”. Historically, it has often been used to promote health and well-being, to energize, improve memory, immune system, and cardiac function. It has also been recognized as an anti-aging product, as well as a means to fight fatigue and depression.

Today, though not a standard therapy, Reishi mushroom is often used as an additional cancer treatment, as well as for prevention. Many of its benefits and uses are based on anecdotal evidence. However, lately, a lot of these claims have been scientifically confirmed.

What Are The Compounds Of It That Make Reishi Mushroom So Beneficial For The Skin?

Reishi mushrooms are rich in beneficial bioactive compounds, antioxidants, skin-friendly sugars, minerals and enzymes. Here’s how each of them affects your complexion:

Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are sugars that have protective and replenishing effects on the skin. Skin Benefits: They promote a healthy skin barrier and improve water retention. By thoroughly hydrating it, they give the skin a plump, healthy look and reduce the appearance of the aging signs. Polysaccharides also have some antioxidant properties.

Peptidoglycans

Peptidoglycans are another physiologically active constituents of Reishi mushroom that give the mushroom a lot of its health and skincare benefits. Skin Benefits: Peptidoglycans are polymers made up of sugars and amino acids that help the skin to produce antimicrobial peptides and improve its wound healing process.

Terpenes

Terpenes are anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds. Over 100 types of their subclass triterpenoids can be found in Reishi mushrooms, and over 50 of them are unique to this mushroom. Skin Benefits: Especially when combined with polysaccharides, terpenes have powerful anti-aging, restoring and soothing effects on the skin.

Minerals

Reishi mushrooms are rich in many minerals, and especially in phosphorus, silica, sulfur, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Each of them has its own benefits for the skin. Skin Benefits: For example, in addition to many health benefits, phosphorus is very important for healthy skin, hair, and nails. Silica promotes the skin’s healing and regenerative abilities. Sulfur has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Potassium affects the skin’s hydration levels and prevents dehydration. Calcium is important for the strength and firmness of the skin. Magnesium improves the skin’s elasticity and suppleness.

Selenium

Selenium is best known as antioxidants, but it also has a few other important benefits for your skin. Skin Benefits: It flights the breakdown of collagen as well as the premature development of aging spots, fine lines, and wrinkles, promoting the skin suppleness and smoothness. Selenium can also help you soothe acne inflammations, redness, and skin sensitivity, due to its strong anti-inflammatory and skin-restoring abilities.

Proteins

The proteins found in Reishi mushroom contain all the essential amino acids. They are especially rich in lysine and leucine. Skin Benefits: Lysine reinforces the skin’s supportive elements and visibly makes the skin firm. Leucine can help improve the skin’s natural healing process and reduce fine lines.

All amino acids are extremely important for healthy, youthful skin. They are responsible for the skin’s texture, firmness, resilience and overall health, and appearance. Amino acids promote cellular repair, protect the skin against free radicals and promote hydration.

Enzymes

Enzymes are another important component of Reishi mushrooms that gives them various important benefits. Skin Benefits: In skincare, enzymes are especially appreciated as mild but effective exfoliators. They help dissolve dead skin cells build up, remove the dull, dry layer of skin and encourage the skin to produce new, healthy cells.

They also help cleanse pores, reduce acne and blackheads and even out the complexion. But, they do all of this much gentler than mechanical scrubs would do, without irritating the skin or causing micro damages.

So, What Are The Main Benefits of Reishi Mushroom For Skin?

To sum up everything, here are the most important benefits of Reishi mushroom for your skin and why you should definitely consider including it into your skincare routine:

1. It embraces antioxidant powers to fight off wrinkles

Full of antioxidant compounds, Reishi mushroom fights free radicals and maintains the skin’s youthful appearance.

2. It soothes skin and reinforces the skin’s natural barrier

Reishi mushroom can help soothe skin irritations and inflammations. It also strengthens the skin’s protective barrier and prevents future sensitivities.

3. It encourages revitalized skin

Reishi mushroom can help improve the skin’s resiliency and encourages the natural healing process. Therefore, it can help with calming various skin issues, such as rashes, sunburns, insect bites and small wounds.

4. It helps improves skin hydration

Regular use of products based on this mushroom can give you an optimally hydrated skin, with improved water retaining abilities.

5. It enhances a clear, even and bright skin

It can purify and detoxify the skin, helping with acne and blemishes and giving you a clear, even and bright complexion.

6. It promotes healthy hair scalp

This multifunctional mushroom also has many benefits for your hair. It can improve the health and condition of your scalp, reduce hair loss and promote hair growth.