Mushroom-based skin care has been trending big recently, but Origins was working with mushrooms for decades. Through a partnership with renowned integrative medicine expert Dr. Andrew Weil, the brand has expanded its Mega-Mushroom collection, which now contains 12 products. The latest addition to the line, launching today, is the Mega-Mushroom Dark Spot Brightening Moisturizer. I’ve been secretly testing it and love so many things about it so far.
The Benefits of This Brightening Moisturizer
So many of us are dealing with a compromised skin barrier in one way or another. Maybe the cause is using too many heavy-hitting actives (glycolic acid, retinol, etc.) or not shielding our skin properly from environmental aggressors (UV, pollution, etc.). Whatever it is, skin barrier repair is essential for achieving a healthy glow. Now what does that have to do with this moisturizer exactly? Amber Garrison, global brand president of Origins explained to me best. “Our Origins Biotech Lab revealed that one of the root causes of hyperpigmentation in skin is inflammation,” she says. “By quieting irritation with the power of mushrooms, we not only address the symptoms, but target the cause of visible discoloration.” Did you know inflammation could lead to hyperpigmentation like dark spots and post-acne marks?
To accomplish that task, the brand formulated this vegan moisturizer with its proprietary Molecular Mushroom Complex, which includes Reishi and Chaga mushrooms, and the new addition, Trametes mushroom. The brand calls this mushroom a “cluster buster” for its ability to break up clusters of melanin (aka dark spots). Together, these mushrooms work to help visibly calm skin irritation, strengthen the barrier and promote overall skin health. To me, that’s nature at its finest. You also get brightening vitamin C (plant-based derivative ascorbyl glucoside), nourishing ceramides and hydrating hyaluronic acid. In clinical testing, this formula provided a 111-percent boost in hydration immediately upon application.
The gel-cream texture is also very lightweight and feels great on the skin, and the citrusy scent comes from natural essential oils (no synthetic fragrance). There’s also a complementary serum in the line, if you want to pair the two for even more benefits. Another perk is the new eco-friendly packaging. The new moisturizer is housed in a fully recyclable jar (the cap is, too), which uses 40-percent less plastic than the brand’s previous products.
