Did you take a walk recently? Did you notice mushrooms popping up everywhere? One of the delights in autumn is the return of mushrooms and truffles. Now, you might be asking “aren’t mushrooms and truffles the same thing?” And, “wait, what do mushrooms and truffles have to do with my skin?” It’s a no and very much! Spoiler: truffles are like the diamonds in skin care. Read on to find out why.
Truffles? Mushrooms?
Mushrooms and truffles are not quite the same. What both have in common is that both belong to the fungi kingdom. What people see and call “mushroom” is actually the fruiting body of the fungi. It’s the part that grows above ground and it’s the part that contains the spores. It’s also the part of some fungi that’s used to make great delightful food but it’s only just a part of the fungal organism.
Truffles are a subterranean fungus called Tuber. What we find so delightful and price highly is also the fruiting body. You probably have heard of truffle pigs or dogs. That’s because the fruiting body is also underground and they’re sniffed out by pigs or dogs – depending on the country.
There are different varieties of truffles – mainly white and black. The white truffle (Tuber magnum) is the most priced and even called Earth’s gold, culinary gold, or the diamonds of the kitchen. As you can see from its names, it’s the same truffles you find in elite restaurant menus along with caviar. It’s so expensive because it’s mostly found in the Piedmont region in northern Italy. But unlike the black truffles, it’s nearly impossible to cultivate them.
Black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) is the second-most priced species and can be farmed. Black truffles grow in the shadow of oak, hazelnut, cherry and other trees that shed their leaves in autumn.
You could mistake black and white truffles for a lumpy potato, especially the white ones. Since black truffles can be cultivated, it’s more common in cuisine. They’re easier to find, making them a more affordable choice but they taste different from the white truffles.
Don’t confuse truffles with mushrooms when you prepare them. Mushrooms are hardy compared to truffles, you can fry, boil, or bake them and they remain flavourful. The cooking process destroys what makes truffles so special. The aroma and flavour comes from volatile compounds. This chemical compound infuse well with fats such as butter, cream, cheese, and avocado but they dissipate when heated.
What makes truffles so great for your skin?
In general, mushrooms are brimming with many important vitamins, minerals, and other compounds that are beneficial for your skin. Particularly truffles are known for their health benefits.
Like other fungi, truffles are filled with vitamins A, Bs, C, antioxidants, sugars, and amino acids. Mushrooms come with many repair and renewal abilities. At a stroke, they make your skin appear firmer, bouncier, and brighter.
That’s a given. But truffle has more to offer: contains a special enzyme called “superoxide dismutase” (SOD). SOD is an essential defence in nearly all living cells exposed to oxygen. Or in other words, it’s a vital antioxidant shield against oxidative stress. SOD is the most powerful natural antioxidant enzyme in any living cell. It helps break down potentially harmful oxygen molecules in your cells. For your skin, it means it prevents damage from occurring so that it can stay smooth and firm for longer.
Anti-ageing and skin repair
The antioxidant effects of SOD are boosted by a high amount of vitamin C present in truffles. In combination, this antioxidant shield with the building blocks of proteins, the amino acids, and vitamin B complex, truffles work like a charm to repair and rejuvenate your skin.
Vitamin C is a crucial element when your body synthesises collagen. This protein gives your skin its structure and firmness.
The different vitamin Bs are involved in almost every process in your body, also your skin’s renewal process. Your body needs them to synthesise new skin cells and for them to function normally.
Even out skin tone and texture
The vitamin C content is especially high in truffles. This vitamin is the queen of ingredients when it comes to lightening, brightening, and fading dark spots. It can also work its charm to improve skin texture.
Vitamin B3, also called niacinamide is also a popular ingredient when it comes to evening out skin tone. Its general role is to repair damaged skin.
Prevent dry and irritated skin
Containing ceramides, these tiny lipids in truffles repair your skin barrier. In fact, many moisturisers contain ceramides. These are natural moisturising factors that occur naturally in your skin.
Moisturisers containing ceramides help to replenish the lipids in the outermost layer, the stratum corner or skin barrier, of your skin. This helps to protect your skin and alleviate irritation.
Plus, the vitamin Bs and fatty acids strengthen your skin barrier and preserve its natural moisture levels.
Target inflammation and redness
Rich in essential fatty acids, truffle not only repair your skin barrier, it also reduces inflammation. Regular use reads to more resilient skin overall
Who can use the gourmet ingredient?
As with all food, you and your skin might react. So it’s best to patch-test before using it on a larger scale. Truffle-infused skin care is beneficial for all skin types but may show the greatest effects for
- Ageing skin
- Dry skin
- Sensitive skin
- Uneven skin tone and texture
- Damaged skin
How to use
You may find black truffle infused products more readily and they also tend to weigh less on your pockets.
If you want to see results and not Earth’s gold wash down the drain, you’ll want to opt for leave-on products.
Final words
Mushrooms and truffles have many repair abilities. Truffles even more so thanks to superoxide dismutase. Thanks to this compound, truffles are often considered a super food both for culinary purposes and for your skin.
Truffle skin care helps your skin to regain a healthier complexion: truffle is rich in anti-inflammatory components, so they help soothe skin and reduce inflammation and redness. It also brightens and repairs dry skin and helps even out dark spots.
But, it comes with a price tag that makes you swallow hard. The average price per kg of white truffle is around $3400. If you don’t want to open your purse strings, you may want to look at how coriander or dragonfruit repairs your skin.
