In ancient medicine systems, the skin was never just an organ—it was a mirror. A living parchment upon which the soul’s health, the body’s harmony, and the spirit’s nourishment could be read like an illuminated manuscript.
In the modern world, two powerful fungi have emerged from the shadows of the forest to take center stage in helping this mirror shine: Chaga and Reishi.
These medicinal mushrooms are more than trends—they are ancient beings of intelligence and transformation. But which is best for the transformation of your skin? The answer lies in the nature of your skin’s story, and in understanding the gifts that each mushroom offers.
Chaga: The Alchemist of Radiance
Growing like charcoal embers on the trunks of birch trees, Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a mushroom that doesn’t look like a mushroom at all. It’s hard, dense, and dark—like obsidian. But within that crust lies an elixir of profound anti-aging potential.
Chaga is one of nature’s most powerful sources of antioxidants, ranking far higher than acai, blueberries, or green tea on the ORAC scale. These antioxidants—especially superoxide dismutase (SOD)—protect the skin against oxidative stress, the invisible erosion that time and pollution leave behind.
But Chaga’s gifts don’t stop there.
— Antioxidant Powerhouse
— Melanin Magic
Chaga contains high levels of melanin, the same pigment found in human skin. Applied internally or topically, this may help protect against UV damage, reduce hyperpigmentation, and support a more even, luminous skin tone.
— Birch-Born Betulinic Acid
Chaga siphons compounds from its host, the birch tree—most notably betulinic acid, a powerful triterpene known to support cellular regeneration, fight inflammation, and stimulate collagen production, the holy grail of firm, youthful skin.
Chaga is the fire in the forge—it fortifies, defends, and sharpens the edges of your glow. It is best for those who seek anti-aging support, brightness, and protection from the modern world’s elemental onslaught.
Reishi: Skin Harmony
If Chaga is fire, then Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is water.
Long revered in Taoist medicine as the “Mushroom of Immortality,” Reishi works not by force but by flow. It soothes the immune system, calms inflammation, and nurtures balance in the places where the body has forgotten its rhythm.
In the world of skincare, this translates into one key word: calm.
— Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulating
Inflamed skin is aging skin. Whether it shows up as acne, rosacea, eczema, or sensitivity, inflammation breaks down collagen and weakens the skin’s barrier. Reishi contains triterpenes and polysaccharides that calm inflammation and reduce histamine reactions, making it ideal for skin that overreacts.
— Skin Barrier Strength & Deep Hydration
Reishi boosts ceramide production, helping your skin lock in moisture and rebuild its protective layer. This is essential for those with dry, irritated, or compromised skin—especially in colder climates or high-stress lifestyles.
— Inner Alchemy: Hormonal Balance
Unlike most skincare ingredients, Reishi also works through the endocrine and nervous systems, helping to modulate stress hormones like cortisol. This can indirectly reduce hormonal acne, which often resists topical treatments.
Reishi is the moon reflected on still water—it heals through harmonization. It is best for those with sensitive, inflamed, or hormonally reactive skin seeking deep nourishment from within.
Which Is Best for You?
Choose Chaga if you want to:
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Protect skin from aging and environmental damage
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Improve skin tone and reduce pigmentation
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Support collagen integrity and elasticity
Choose Reishi if you need to:
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Soothe sensitive or inflamed skin
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Address skin issues rooted in stress or hormones
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Rebuild moisture and restore barrier function
Why Not Both?
Unlike many mushroom companies, we advise dosing medicinal mushrooms one at a time. This is mainly due to the fact that these mushrooms would not be found in a "blend" in nature, and they also do not grow in clusters together. We also have to consider that each have separate mechanisms of action in the body, so we don't want to run into a situation where we are encouraging two opposite reactions in the body at the same time.
As such, we recommend dosing your Chaga in the morning, followed by your Reishi at night.
Rituals for Radiance
Internal Tonics:
In the morning, add brewed Wild Chaga Tea to your coffee (don't worry, it tastes nearly identical to coffee), and sip.
In the evening, brew a pot of your favorite tea and add two droppers full of our Shroomy Temple Wild Reishi Tincture. Add raw honey, rose, or schisandra for additional skin magic.
Final Spell
The forest does not ask us to choose between day and night—each brings its own blessing. So it is with Chaga and Reishi. These two mushroom allies are not in competition; they are complementary archetypes, guiding us to skin that is not only beautiful but balanced, not only youthful but wise.
When used with intention, these fungi become more than skincare—they become a form of herbal alchemy, a return to the ancient path of beauty woven through the mycelial web of life.
