Foraging for Mushrooms

“Rare, efficacious ingredients are, and always have been, at the center of our story. What you may not know is that we grow and wild harvest some of the active botanicals found in our formulations. This practice requires a profound reverence and dedication to nature. And allows us to extract for optimal efficacy on the skin, and minimal impact on our irreplaceable Earth.

A few weeks ago, as the first cold front passed through the wooded East Coast of Canada, we ventured to the farm for mushroom season. Fungi emerges on fallen tree logs, spurred by the dampness that follows rainfall. We wandered through a covering of auburn maple leaves, in search of adaptogenic Turkey Tail Mushrooms; a hero ingredient in our Regeneration Mist.

We first found a few small clusters of mushrooms before we came across a large fallen tree with a vast mycelium of Turkey Tail. Though these had just sprouted, you can see the distinctive pattern already beginning to take shape. As they grow, these marking will become darker, indicating they are ready to be harvested — which will be done by hand for the gentlest effect on nature.

I personally love mushrooms. They are a life force for nature, and for our skin. Turkey Tail has exceptional complexion-enhancing properties, and is most meaningful for those with sensitive skin and diverse skin needs. This medicinal mushroom contains powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, as well as phenols, which work tirelessly to heal, rejuvenate, and protect the skin.

Turkey Tail is also an anti-tyrosinase, meaning it naturally inhibits the excess production of melanin which causes hyperpigmentation. A skin concern that is most commonly treated with too-harsh synthetic treatments, which deplete the skin barrier and cause other concerns.

As we continued to walk the woods, I took inspiration documenting other mushrooms, plants, and types of bark that grow naturally on the land — and contain incredible benefits for the skin. There was Black Hoof Mushroom, which has been used in Chinese Medicine for more than 2,000 years.

A favorite was the Stump Puffball Mushroom, an adorable variety with incredible benefits. For hundreds of years, Native Americans have used this fungi to heal wounds and burns, and to treat skin conditions with its powerful antibacterial properties.

Who knows, you may find these small mushrooms or another ingredient discovered on this trip, in a future formulation. It was a beautiful and inspiring trip that brought into focus how we do things differently here at LESSE, and why. Nature, for us, will always lead the way.”