What is Chaga Mushroom Extract?

Chaga mushroom, or Inonotus obliquus, is a type of fungus that predominantly grows on birch trees in cold climates like Northern Europe, Siberia, Russia, Korea, This extract is gaining popularity in the beauty and skincare industry due to its rich content of antioxidants and other beneficial compounds.

How does this ingredient work in skincare?

Chaga mushroom extract's effectiveness in skincare is largely due to its rich antioxidant content, including polyphenols and superoxide dismutase, which reduce oxidative stress in skin cells and combat cellular damage from free radicals, slowing skin aging. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory properties help suppress harmful cytokines, alleviating conditions like acne and eczema. Chaga also contains melanin, providing some UV protection and further enhancing its skin-protective qualities. These attributes make Chaga a valuable ingredient in skincare products aimed at promoting skin health and reducing signs of aging.

How does this ingredient compare to others?

While it’s hard to compare plant extracts, since there are so many of them out there, mushrooms in general are more geared towards barrier support, hydration, soothing, and sometimes brightening.

Potential benefits of this ingredient for the skin

Chaga mushroom extract is an excellent ingredient in skincare, primarily because of its robust antioxidant content and soothing properties. Here’s how it works:

• Antioxidant Protection: The antioxidants in Chaga, such as superoxide dismutase, combat free radicals that cause oxidative stress, helping to prevent premature aging and maintaining skin's overall health and vitality.
• Soothing Effects: Chaga has significant anti-inflammatory properties that can help calm skin conditions such as redness, sensitivity, and irritation, making it suitable for use in products aimed at soothing and repairing the skin.
• Hydration and Elasticity: It can improve skin elasticity and hydration by enhancing the skin's ability to retain moisture, contributing to a firmer, plumper skin appearance.
• Environmental Protection: Chaga also helps to protect the skin from environmental stressors like pollution and UV radiation, which can lead to skin damage and accelerated aging.

Products we use this ingredient in

Mushroom B5 Toning Cocktail

References

• Park, Jihyun et al. “Protective Effects of Lanostane Triterpenoids from Chaga Mushroom in Human Keratinocytes, HaCaT Cells, against Inflammatory and Oxidative Stresses.” International journal of molecular sciences vol. 24,16 12803. 15 Aug. 2023, doi:10.3390/ijms241612803