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Is it just us, or have mushrooms gotten an excellent rebrand? Though many of us pushed them around our plates in our youth (or perhaps as adults too—no judgement), they’re now getting the superfood star treatment, appearing in pricey chocolate bars and in steaming mugs of mushroom coffee due to their adaptogenic benefits. Unsurprisingly, fungi has spread into beauty routines too. Behold: the benefits of snow mushroom skin care.
Originally utilized in traditional Chinese medicine, snow mushroom, also known as tremella fuciformis, is a well-loved skin-care ingredient for good reason, according to board-certified dermatologist Anetta Reszko, MD. “It functions like a botanical version of hyaluronic acid with an added soothing, healing component that makes it particularly special,” she explains. In fact, snow mushroom is often considered a more effective hydrator than hyaluronic acid (HA), without the sticky, tacky finish that often comes with the use of HA products. Ahead, we dig into all the benefits of using snow mushroom skin care, plus our favorite formulas to shop now.
Best Night Cream: Medik8 Advanced Night Ceramide Cream
- Why We Love It: This ultra-rich formula is the perfect companion to potent actives like tretinoin; it features skin-barrier-supporting hydrators and moisturizers like snow mushroom, squalane, and ceramides to stave off dryness and flaking, so you’ll wake up to perfectly plump skin. Despite its indulgent texture, it’s noncomedogenic and nongreasy.
- Key Ingredients: Snow mushroom, squalane, ceramides, cholesterol, peptides
- Best For: Dryness, dullness, calming, all skin types
- Type: Moisturizer
- Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Best Toner: Thayers Milky Hydrating Face Toner With Snow Mushroom and Hyaluronic Acid
- Why We Love It: If you associate the word toner with the dehydrating, astringent formulas of yesteryear, this product from Thayers will transform your opinion of the category. Yes, it still removes impurities after cleansing, but because it’s infused with humectants like snow mushroom, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and black elderflower water, it also helps your skin stay hydrated for up to 48 hours, even if you skip your moisturizer.
- Key Ingredients: Snow mushroom, sodium hyaluronate, glycerin, black elderflower water
- Best For: Dryness, dullness, calming, all skin types
- Type: Toner
- Size: 12 fl. oz.
Best Firming: Chanel Le Lift Pro Concentré Contours
- Why We Love It: The epitome of efficacious luxury, this Chanel serum uses a blend of cica, honey enzymes, and snow mushroom to quench thirsty skin while redefining facial contours. “It hydrates without disrupting the tightening effect, resulting in lifted, cushioned skin that feels balanced and refined,” says Dr. Reszko.
- Key Ingredients: Snow mushroom, honey, sodium hyaluronate, centella asiatica
- Best For: Fine lines, dark spots, skin elasticity
- Type: Serum
- Size: 1 fl. oz.
Best Serum: Shani Darden Moisture Boost Plumping Serum
- Why We Love It: This nonsticky serum absorbs quickly to deliver hydrators like snow mushroom, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid, supporting skin barrier function while giving skin a dewy, bouncy look. “It layers beautifully under actives or makeup, making it a strong choice for skin that feels dehydrated but not necessarily dry,” Dr. Reszko says.
- Key Ingredients: Snow mushroom, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, red algae
- Best For: Dryness, dullness
- Type: Serum
- Size: 1 fl. oz.
Best Eye Cream: Eminence Organic Skin Care Snow Mushroom Moisture Cloud Eye Cream
- Why We Love It: The term “moisture cloud” in this product’s name doesn’t just refer to the fluffy texture of the formula, but also aptly describes how it feels once you apply it to the delicate skin under the eye: deeply nourishing without leaving a greasy residue. “The snow mushroom gives an immediate plumping effect, while botanical extracts reduce puffiness and brighten,” explains Dr. Reszko. You only need a small dab of this eye cream to help hydrate the skin, and because it doesn’t leave you feeling greasy, it’s perfect for a daytime routine—concealer won’t crease when layered on top.
- Key Ingredients: Snow mushroom, reishi mushroom, shea butter, birch water
- Best For: Dark circles, undereye puffiness
- Type: Eye Cream
- Size: 0.5 fl. oz.
Best Face Cream: Shikohin 5-Mushroom Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: Inspired by traditional remedies, this clean cream is formulated with buzzy snow mushroom and four other fungi: reishi, chaga, wood ear, and maitake. “The snow mushroom contributes deep hydration, while the blend of other mushrooms enhances antioxidant protection,” explains Dr. Reszko, meaning the formula is apt to protect against free radical damage and environmental stressors alongside antiaging benefits. The moisturizer also contains CBD for anti-inflammatory properties, helping to soothe redness for calmer, clearer-looking skin.
- Key Ingredients: Snow mushroom, reishi mushroom, chaga mushroom, wood ear mushroom, maitake mushroom, cannabidiol
- Best For: Dryness, dullness, skin elasticity
- Type: Moisturizer
- Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Best Sunscreen: The Outset Hydrasheer 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
- Why We Love It: While some mineral SPFs can leave the skin feeling weighed down or give it a chalky finish, this zinc-based sunscreen from The Outset is remarkably lightweight with no white cast. The fragrance-free formula spreads easily to protect against UV rays as well as stave off dehydration with snow mushroom and ceramides, leaving skin looking hydrated, smooth, and slightly glowy (not sparkly!).
- Key Ingredients: Snow mushroom, ceramides, niacinamide, zinc oxide
- Best For: Sun protection
- Type: SPF
- Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Best Cleanser: Youth to the People Adaptogens Oat Oil Lipids + Vitamins Supershroom Calm Cleanser
- Why We Love It: Ideal for those with very dry, sensitive skin or those who find themselves feeling parched as weather cools down, this milky, lather-free cleanser from Youth to the People washes away dirt, oil, and grime without stripping, thanks to a blend of mushroom extracts and skin-friendly ceramides. For added defense against irritation, the formula features niacinamide and oat lipids to calm and soothe.
- Key Ingredients: Snow mushroom extract, chaga mushroom extract, ashwagandha, niacinamide, ceramides
- Type: Cleanser
- Size: 8 fl. oz.
This article was originally published on Vogue.com.
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