Add Snow Mushroom To Your Skincare Routine For Maximum Hydration

Having dry skin can cause discomfort and lower your self-confidence. Dryness can lead to the skin feeling tight and inflamed, amongst other things. This can result from environmental factors and conditions such as eczema. The skincare ingredients you should avoid if you have dry skin include salicylic acid, alcohol, and more. Arguably, hyaluronic acid is one of the most popular ingredients for dry skin. When you put hyaluronic acid on your skin, you can expect it to feel smooth, plump, and hydrated. However, there is an ancient Chinese ingredient that is threatening to take hyaluronic acid's crown — snow mushroom. 

A snow mushroom looks like a pale spongy substance and can be eaten in recipes like snow fungus soup. Dermatologist Corey Hartman, M.D., told Who What Wear that snow mushroom has many names, including snow fungus, snow ear, silver ear, and tremella fuciformis. Snow Mushroom is common in Asian countries but can also be found in Brazil and anywhere that is tropical or subtropical. 

When used in Chinese medicine, the snow mushroom boosts the immune system and reduces inflammation. In the past few years, snow mushroom has become a popular skincare ingredient in the United States. This is thanks to what the snow mushroom has to offer, including deep hydration and other perks.

As a skincare ingredient, snow mushrooms have a surprising amount of benefits. Experts like dermatologist Hadley King, M.D., and cosmetic chemist Ginger King explained to Allure that snow mushrooms have fatty acids and polysaccharides, which help ensure your skin stays moisturized. But that's not all, snow mushroom also has anti-aging properties. Corey Hartman, M.D., said to Who What Wear, "There is also research to show that snow mushroom can help protect against the damaging effects of free radicals. By protecting against harmful free radicals, snow mushroom can decrease fine lines and wrinkles and help even the skin's tone."

The snow mushroom's structure is the key to its antioxidant benefits. Besides polysaccharides, it has polyphenols and triterpenes. These work together to reduce signs of aging, discoloration, and inflammation, all while keeping your skin hydrated. Dr. King told Allure that, in general, mushrooms are a fantastic skincare ingredient because they are full of vitamin A, vitamin C, Vitamin D, and kojic acid. The latter can reduce the appearance of dark sports.

Experts say that people with any skin type can incorporate snow mushroom into their skincare routine. Popular products with snow mushroom include Thayers Hydrating Milky Toner. This product has gone viral on TikTok and was approved by Dr. Zion Ko Lamm on the app. The Snow Mushroom Water Serum from Volition is another option.

Like hyaluronic acid, snow mushroom can leave the skin supple and soft. But which one is best for dry skin? Snow mushroom can hold a lot of water, about 500 times its weight. On the other hand, hyaluronic acid can hold around 1,000 times its weight in water. Although you might think this makes hyaluronic acid better, this is not the case. Corey Hartman, M.D., explained to Who What Wear, "There is research to show that snow mushroom molecules are smaller than hyaluronic acid molecules, which means it can more effectively reach deeper layers of the skin for a richer, more effective hydration."

Despite this discrepancy, small polysaccharide molecules ensure that your skin receives the maximum hydration benefits from snow mushroom, more than you would from hyaluronic acid. Furthermore, snow mushroom is an organic ingredient. If an organic skincare routine is essential to you, you might want to make the switch. However, both snow mushroom and hyaluronic acid are great skincare ingredients. Whichever you decide to use, you will nonetheless see results.

Dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, M.D., told Skincare how to use snow mushroom. She said, "[S]now mushroom can be applied one or more times a daily." She added, "It works well when combined with other ingredients and is easy to tolerate." If you are loyal to hyaluronic acid, you could use both ingredients in your skincare routine or purchase a product that has both, such as the Mega-Mushroom Soothing Hydra-Mist With Reishi And Snow Mushroom by Origins.