Snow fungus
The snow fungus is a medicinal and edible mushroom that is particularly popular in Japan and China. The mushroom thrives best in a tropical and subtropical climate and grows preferentially on mango wood. In Asia, the mushrooms are now often cultivated on a special wooden substrate and sold in dried form.
Its peculiar appearance has given the snow fungus its colloquial name. The fungus has a pale yellow to whitish colour and intergrown gelatinous lobes that actually look like ears. In this country, the snow fungus is still considered a real secret weapon in the anti-ageing field. It is becoming increasingly important in “green cosmetics”.
The Snow fungus: a vital mushroom that has it all
Snow fungus has a pleasant sweet smell and a mild and also rather sweet taste. It is said to be able to help against diseases such as tuberculosis, colds and also high blood pressure and is very often offered in powder or capsule form. The vital mushroom can also support blood circulation and ensure firm skin. That is why tremella is contained in more and more high-quality cosmetic products. Most of these products are combinations of various natural ingredients that, when used together and on a regular basis, smooth the skin’s appearance and make it look younger and fresher. Whether moisturising cream and serum, eye care or face mask, the extract is almost identical to hyaluronic acid in its chemical structure and provides a cosmetically almost equivalent effect. Some experts even claim that the Snow fungus is even more moisture-binding than the tried and tested hyaluronic acid. In some cases, the extract from snow fungus is also called bio-hyaluronic acid. The vital mushroom is therefore mainly used in products for mature skin.
But the silver ear (Tremella fuciformis or white fungus) also plays a major role in traditional Chinese cuisine. Due to its sweet taste, it is very suitable for Asian soups or desserts.
Snow fungus fact sheet
INCI: Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Alternative names: Tremella Fuciformis (Mushroom) Extract, White Fungus.
Origin: vegetable
Definition: extract from the spore fruit of the fungus Tremella Fuciformis
INCI-function: antioxidant, moisturising, conditioning hair
We like to work with these active ingredients based on the vital fungus:
| Tradename | Supplier | INCI Name | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biothex Tremella | Shanghai GREAF Biotech Co., Ltd. | Water (and) Butylene Glycol (and) Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract (and) 1,2-Hexanediol (and) Hydroxyacetophenone | |
| iMOIST Tremella | KimiKa, LLC (Formerly Cosphatech) | Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract | |
| HyaCare Tremella | Evonik – Personal Care | Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract | |
| Tremella Polysaccharide Hyaluronic Acid | Alpha Environmental | Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide | |
| Tremella Hyaluronic acid (THA) | Hangzhou Rebtech Novel Material Co., Ltd. | Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide | |
| Gold NR -TFPS | Hangzhou Rebtech Novel Material Co., Ltd. | Gold (and) Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide (and) Water | |
| Tremellan-MC Extract | Daebong LS Co., Ltd. | Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide (and) 1,2-Hexanediol | |
| Clearogel ACR | MMP Europe | Tremella Fuciformis (Mushroom) Extract (and) PVP (and) Polyglycerin-3 | |
| Vegeluron Gel | MMP Europe | Tremella Fuciformis (Mushroom) Extract | |
| Detoxiquin (PF) | Infinitec | Glycerin (and) Tremella Fuciformis (Mushroom) Extract (and) Ferric Hexapeptide-35 | |
| SpecKar Nano Au | Spec-Chem Industry Inc | Gold (and) Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide (and) Hexylene Glycol (and) Aqua | |
| Lip Plumper Active (PF) | Infinitec | Aqua (and) Glycerin (and) Sorbitol (and) Lecithin (and) Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (and) Tremella Fuciformis (Mushroom) Extract (and) Xanthan Gum (and) Diatomaceous Earth (and) Methylsilanol Mannuronate (and) Dictyopteris Polypodioides Extract |
Conclusion: Snow fungus is at least as effective as hyaluronic acid.
With snow fungus, Asian culture has given us a vital fungus that has an enormously positive effect on the skin. Snow fungus is particularly suitable for anti-aging products because it is said to have a similar or, according to some experts, even better effect than hyaluronic acid.
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Literature
Lourith N, Pungprom S, Kanlayavattanakul M.J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021 Feb;20(2):554-56
Chiang JH, Tsai FJ, Lin TH, Yang JS, Chiu YJ.In Vivo. 2022 Mar-Apr;36(2):713-722