Beauty Mushroom Is the Ground-Breaking Skin Care Ingredient Your Routine Is Missing As it turns out, the fungi has a slew of skin health benefits. By Claire Sullivan Claire Sullivan Website Claire is an associate editor at Martha Stewart Living. Editorial Guidelines Published on November 3, 2021 10:10AM EDT Share Tweet Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Photo: Ren Fuller To brighten and calm your complexion in one fell swoop, go foraging for mushrooms. While all kinds are nutrient-rich, new research shows that the chaga variety, found mainly on birch trees, is extra-magical at nourishing skin. They have calming properties, so they're especially effective in treating breakouts, contact dermatitis, rosacea, and eczema, says Birmingham, Alabama, dermatologist Corey L. Hartman. However, their benefits are universal: They reduce the look of discoloration and spots, and also have betulinic acid to help maintain collagen. Top Picks Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Soothing Treatment Lotion House of Grō After Dark Anti-Aging Night Serum Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Cream Dr. Dennis Gross B3 Adaptive SuperFoods Stress Repair Face Cream Frwrd Mushroom Super Serum As for other types to search for? Reishi mushrooms, excellent free-radical fighters, can be found in Eminence Organic Skin Care Birch Water Purifying Essence ($49, dermstore.com). The snow variety delivers good moisture; try Olay Regenerist Collagen Peptide24 Moisturizer ($29, ulta.com). Shiitakes have high levels of kojic acid to brighten, says NYC dermatologist Marie Hayag. Consider Plant People Restore Botanical Face Mask ($60, plantpeople.com). Ahead, learn more about what makes the fungus such a phenom—and where to find it. Our Opinionated Guide to Medicinal Mushrooms, Including the Best Supplements to Buy Now The Super Smoother Courtesy of Sephora moisturizing A layer of this treatment lotion infuses skin with extra-potent fermented chaga. Morning and evening, shake it, then sweep it across your face with a cotton pad before moisturizing. Shop Now: Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Soothing Treatment Lotion, $38, sephora.com. The Nightcap Courtesy of Neiman Marcus CBD This serum is packed with chaga that's hand- harvested in Maine, plus CBD to maximize anti-inflammatory effects while your skin's in regeneration mode. Shop Now: House of Grō After Dark Anti-Aging Night Serum, $135, neimanmarcus.com. The Wrinkler Smoother Courtesy of Ulta hyaluronic acid A smart option for fighting fine lines without irritation, this cream from Kiehl's plumps cells with hyaluronic acid as the fungi help even out skin tone. Shop Now: Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Cream, $68, ulta.com. The Glow Booster Courtesy of Verishop For extra radiance, try this serum packed with aloe, chaga, and two other types of 'shrooms to tamp down discoloration. Shop Now: Frwrd Mushroom Super Serum, $56, verishop.com. The Mega Moisturizer Courtesy of Dermstore dry, dull skin Chaga, niacinamide, and superfoods like Kakadu plum make this reparative cream a one-stop shop for rehabbing dry, dull skin. Shop Now: Dr. Dennis Gross B3 Adaptive SuperFoods Stress Repair Face Cream, $72, dermstore.com. Prop styling by Nidia Cueva; product styling by Laura Kinsey Dolph Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit