Chaga Benefits for Skin

If there’s one type of mushroom that can bring back the glow on your face, it’s chaga. This potent mushroom with a thick exterior is found in high elevations in Canada, Alaska, and Siberia. For years, it was used for respiratory disorders. However, chaga mushroom skin benefits are now making headlines.

Here’s everything you need to know about chaga for your skin.

Key Takeaways

• Chaga mushroom is a potent mushroom found in high elevations in Canada, Alaska, and Siberia. It contains high levels of melanin and antioxidants that protect against free radical damage that can degenerate tissue. 
• Skincare products containing chaga can help address various skin issues. The chaga cream for psoriasis is considered better than topical corticosteroids because it does not result in adverse effects in the long run. 
• For DIY enthusiasts, chaga oil and wax-based salves can be made at home. Making an herb-infused oil involves adding chaga powder to carrier oil and heating it in a water bath for 3-5 days. Once the oil is ready, adding beeswax can create a salve that can be used for various skin issues. 

Chaga Mushroom Skin Benefits

Like other mushrooms, chaga is known for its nutritional density. It also contains high levels of melanin and antioxidants. The latter are especially important as they protect against free radical damage that can degenerate tissue. Moreover, chaga is rich in betulinic acid, which gives skin a youthful look.

And it’s these properties that ensure the following five chaga mushroom benefits for skin.

Sun Protection

The sun’s rays, especially UV beams, are responsible for skin cancer and imperfections like dark spots. As chaga has high pigment and melanin content, it can protect your skin while you’re out in the sun. Moreover, the mushroom will reduce the damage prolonged sun exposure can cause to the skin.

As for your dark spots, chaga can reduce their appearance. And since it’ll shield your skin against the sun, you won’t need to worry about these blemishes anymore.

Super Antioxidant

Chaga can counter the effects of pollution, stress, etc., on your skin since it’s a rich source of antioxidant enzymes. In fact, the shroom’s ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) score is the highest in natural foods.

The mushroom eliminates oxidative stress, which may impact your skin and trigger the onset of aging and acne. Moreover, its antioxidants can help repair damaged cells due to aging and sun exposure.

Anti-inflammatory

If you have sensitive skin or are prone to skin allergies, chaga is what you’ve been missing all along. The mushroom has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties. As a result, it can reduce skin sensitivity resulting from allergies.

The mushroom achieves this by doing two things: it strengthens the body’s natural immune system with much-need nutrients and antioxidants, and it improves the skin’s resilience to environmental triggers.

Skin Support

The top four benefits will significantly support your skin needs with age and exposure. Moreover, the mushroom’s betulinic acid content ensures quicker skin regeneration and wound healing.

Chaga Skincare

If the chaga mushroom benefits for skin tempt you to try it, you can easily find skincare products that contain it, especially if you’re facing these three skin problems.

Chaga Cream for Eczema

Eczema breakouts can be embarrassing and frustrating. Luckily, chaga may help ease both with regular use.

The best chaga creams contain superoxide dismutase - or SOD. This enzyme disarms free radicals and reduces their harmful effects. These creams further deliver the 19 amino acids that help the body rebuild itself. Moreover, their kojic acid content nourishes the skin and keeps it moist.

Chaga Mushroom Anti Aging 

Chaga is being touted as the mushroom of immortality. Its high ORAC score makes it one of the superfoods for countering premature aging and damage done by free radicals. Further, its melanin content ensures skin remains supple and protected against sun damage.

Chaga Cream for Psoriasis

Chaga cream for psoriasis is better than topical corticosteroids because the latter result in adverse effects in the long run. These include diabetes, memory loss, and mental psychosis.

On the other hand, chaga may help fight psoriasis symptoms through regular application. By acting as an adaptogen, it can balance and strengthen the immune system. Therefore, people with psoriasis may resist the disease better.

Moreover, the mushroom’s antioxidant content combats cellular damage. This, in turn, prevents radicals from worsening outbreaks. It also helps the skin heal more rapidly after an outbreak.

Chaga’s anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties are sought after. Creams containing this mushroom will eliminate bacteria that may trigger outbreaks. Moreover, they’ll reduce inflammation, potentially causing psoriasis to recede.

How to Make Chaga Salve

If you’re more of a DIY person, you can always make your chaga skincare products. For instance, you can create oils and wax-based salves. Before you make one, though, you’ll need to make an herb-infused oil. 

For that, you’ll need:

•   4 oz. chaga mushroom powder.
•   8 oz. carrier oil (preferably lavender since it complements the mushroom).
•   One quart-sized mason jar.

Once you have all these ingredients, you can begin preparing the oil with these steps:

1. Add the powder to the jar and cover with the oil. Stir gently to mix the powder.
2. Prepare a water bath in a crockpot or a stockpot.
3. Put the lid on the jar and place it in the water bath.
4. Heat the water for 3-5 days while maintaining the oil’s temperature at 110 degrees.
5. On the 6th day, remove the jar and let the oil cool slightly.
6. Strain the oil using muslin or cheesecloth to remove any sediments.

Once the oil is ready, you can make the salve using the following ingredients:

•   8 oz. herbal oil.
•   1 oz. beeswax.
•   Essential oils (optional).
•   Glass jars or metal tins.

Once you get these ingredients, simply follow the steps below:

1. Warm the oil in a double boiler.
2. Add the beeswax and stir until it’s completely melted.
3. Test the consistency of the salve. If you think it’s too soft, add more beeswax.
4. Pour the salve while warm into the containers.
5. Add the essential oils if you’re using any. Make sure to stir with a clean spoon.
6. Store the salve in a dark, cool place.

How to Make Chaga Skin Cream

If you’d rather use chaga cream instead of a salve, that’s fine. All you need to do is get your hands on the following ingredients:

•   2 teaspoons of chaga extract.
•   9 tablespoons of shea butter.
•   6 tablespoons of extra virgin coconut oil.
•   3 tablespoons of cacao butter.
•   10 drops of essential oils (preferably tea tree oil).

Once you get these ingredients, simply follow the steps below:

1. Add the shea butter, coconut oil, and cacao butter to a double boiler. Let the ingredient melt at low heat.
2. Add your favorite essential oils and chaga powder. Whisk the ingredients thoroughly
3. Pour your cream into a jar and refrigerate for 2-4 hours. Once the cream solidifies, you can store it at room temperature.