Benefits of Using Fantastic Fungi (Adaptogens) in Skincare
Written by Lauren Arent (Lo Clark)
Owner of Bewitched Esthetics & Licensed Esthetician since 2013
June 19th, 2023
This beauty blog includes a skin healthy recipe because healthy skin begins within.
Hello my darlings,
Have you seen the documentary called Fantastic Fungi on Netflix? It is an incredible look into the magical world of mushrooms. While this documentary was for most people the first time they started to see mushrooms as something other than gross squish fungus, for me I began to see mushrooms as something truly powerful when Eminence began using adaptogenic mushrooms in their products. So lets discuss the powerful benefits of using adaptogens in your skincare ritual.
It’s kind of in the name. Adaptogens are organic matter (often derived from plants) used for centuries in healing practices to help the body to adapt to different stressors and to aid in restoring balance. “Adaptogen” was first coined by Soviet scientist Dr. Nikolai Lazarev sometime in the 1940’s. He stated that in order for matter to be qualified as adaptogenic it must #1. Behave in a non-specific action, meaning they must have a wide variety of effects on the body instead of targeting specific organs or systems. #2. Perform normalizing effects, to bring the body into balance or equilibrium, aiding in restoring hormone balance, immune function, and regulating stress responses. #3. Nonspecific resistance enhancement or strengthening the body’s reactions and resistance to stress.
Adaptogens in Skincare
Non-Specific Action
In this way adaptogens can be incredibly beneficial to this skin when both ingested and applied topically. Behaving in a non-specific action means that adaptogens can aid in healing the skin AND calm anxiety in one use, making them the perfect example of a holistic ingredient.
Normalizing Effects
Adaptogens can bring your skin into balance. These materials can aid in restoring hormone balance (therefore reducing the signs and symptoms like hormonal acne) normalize immune function to defend the skin from invasive bacteria and infection, and regulate stress responses to reduce inflammatory issues in the skin.
Nonspecific Resistance Enhancement
Resistance enhancement means aiding the body, and in this I specifically mean your skin, in strengthening its ability to handle stress. This can vary from environmental stressors to emotional stressors, hormonal stressors and even dietary stressors.
Adaptogens for the Skin
Which adaptogenic mushrooms do we love for the skin? The most common three are reishi, chaga, and cordyceps but there are many others like snow mushroom, shittake, and lions mane.
#1. Adaptogenic mushrooms contain anti-oxidants. This element makes mushrooms incredibly useful for anti-aging. Anti-oxidants fight off the degenerative effects of free-radicals by neutralizing these unstable elements.
#2. Adaptogenic mushrooms have anti-inflammatory properties which can heal numerous skin conditions such as acne, rosacae, psoriasis, eczema and rashes, even soothing sensitive skin and reducing redness.
#3. Adaptogenic mushrooms contain hydrating and moisturizing properties to aid in plumping and healing the skin’s moisture barrier.
#4. Adaptogenic mushrooms have skin brightening properties and can enhance the complexion by reducing hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
#5. Adaptogenic mushrooms enhance the skin resilience by aiding the skin’s ability to handle stressors like pollution, UV radiation, enviornmental toxins as well as internal stressors like hormonal inbalnces and dietary sensitivities.
Using Adaptogens in Your Skincare
Find organic skincare from Eminence that contains adaptogens like reishi and snow mushroom.
Try the Snow Mushroom and Reishi Masque to restore hydration and reduce inflammation in the skin. Deeply hydrate to reduce the appearance of puffiness in the skin. It even contains paracress which is an alternative to botox that in this masque tightens and firms (great for the neck and jawline).
The Snow Mushroom Moisture Cloud Eye Cream revitalizes the eyes. It’s soft and fluffy texture cools the skin around the eyes and deeply hydrates and de-puffs. Using the power of quinoa to smooth out rough texture and reduce eye bags.
And the Birch Water Purifying Essence is a serum enhancer applied by pressing into the skin. Tones and deeply hydrates to repair the moisture barrier for a beautifully healthy, plump and supple complexion.
Mushroom Mocha Chia Pudding
Prep time: 4 hours
Total time: 4 hours or overnight
Serving Size: 4
2 cups unsweetened oat milk
(or 1 cup of oats + 4 cups of water)
1 tbsp Anima Mundi Mushroom Mocha Milk
1/2 cup chia seeds
1 tbsp maple syrup
2 tsp vanilla
shaved chocolate bar for garnish
Directions
#1. I make my own oat milk for this recipe. If you want to do this, simply blend the oats and water together and strain through a fine mesh bag or colander. It’s that easy!
#2. Mix all ingredients together in a jar. I love mason jars because you can shake the jar to make sure everything is fully combined!
#3. Leave in the fridge for at least 4 hours so the chia seeds can absorb the oat milk and swell to create the pudding. I prefer to leave mine overnight if possible.
#4. Shaved chocolate over the top of the pudding and serve!
Using Ai to Learn About Adaptogens
I would like to briefly mention that I engaged in a chat with Ai sources (ChatGP) to discuss some of the facts I included in this article. After listening to Episode 252 of Diary of a CEO podcast, I decided to put some serious though into working with Ai. I don’t need to fully discuss my personal beliefs here, but I strongly agree with a lot of the discussion on the podcast, specifically about the responsibility of good people to influence Artificial Intelligence by having deep and positive discussions on the platforms. I did not copy and paste my discussions, but I sure do value the helpful information the Ai helped me uncover and validate. In an evolving world, I hope you might also consider the benefits and responsibilities that lie before you. Give the podcast a listen and let me know what you think in the comments or @bewitchedestheticsboise.
Wishing you a life full of beauty and blessings!
