Effectiveness is based in the ingredient alone—extracts must be specially formulated so that they get into the skin,” says Leslie Baumann, director of the University of Miami Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute. We asked Hippocrates’s modern-day disciples to reveal which foods can help. It seems that ancient science, may be just what the doctor ordered.
MUSHROOMS There are magic mushrooms and there’s mushroom magic—and dermatologists are enthusiastic about the latter. “All mushrooms are packed with compounds such as proteins, lipids, and phenols, and are rich in vitamins and amino acids,” says Bumann. “But there is emerging evidence that some species have strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and tumorinhibiting activity when applied topically.” That’s why experts believe mushrooms are destined to become a powerful antiaging ingredient. Scientists have discovered that shiitake and mannentake mushroom extracts help prevent the breakdown of collagen and elastin. And mushrooms are showing promise as an antioxidant: The potent ergothioneine, derived from them, is the key ingredient in several new Remergent products. “Our clinical data shows that this antioxidant significantly reduces a free-radical species called hydroxyl radicals, which we now contribute significantly to photodamaged skin,” says Daniel Yarosh, president and scientist of AGI Dermatics, which makes the products. PRODUCTS: Remergent Clarifying Concentrate2
