Walk through a forest and almost everything you see, from the trees to the moss, is being fed by something you cannot see. Beneath the soil runs mycelium: the root network of mushrooms, a living web of fine threads that pulls minerals from rock, breaks down damage, moves water between plants and defends the whole ecosystem from stress. The mushroom you notice above ground is only the fruit. Mycelium is the organism.
That is also why it has become one of the most interesting ingredients in skincare, and why HAOMA built an entire collection around it. Read the full Mycelium guide here, or start with the short version below.
What mycelium actually contains
Mycelium is dense with four groups of compounds that stressed skin runs short of. Polysaccharides bind and hold water, working like a plant-derived hyaluronic acid. Beta-glucans calm reactivity and support the skin's own defenses. Ceramides rebuild the lipid barrier that keeps moisture in and irritants out. And antioxidants neutralize the free radicals that drive premature aging. Most ingredients do one of these jobs. Mycelium does all four.
Why stressed skin needs it
HAOMA's philosophy is that skin ages biologically before it ages chronologically. Anxiety, dehydration, mineral depletion and environmental stressors show up as dullness, redness, dehydration and a barrier that no longer holds. Mushroom actives address every one of those at once, which is why the Mycelium collection is our answer for skin that is sensitive, reactive or simply tired, and why it is CBD-free: it is built to stack with the Cannabidiol collection rather than replace it.
Six mushrooms, one root cause
Every product in the collection carries six mushrooms, each chosen for a specific job. Shiitake brightens and resurfaces, helping fade discoloration. Tremella, the snow mushroom, holds many times its weight in water. Oyster is a natural source of ceramides and beta-glucans for the barrier. Mesima is a powerful antioxidant. Maitake and turkey tail defend against free radicals and support recovery. All six sit on top of our Spiritus Vitae™ complex of sixteen studied botanicals.
The Mycelium ritual
Cleanse morning and night with the Cleansing Gel, a thick, soothing gel that rinses without tightness. Two or three times a week, treat with the Gel Mask, the product our rosacea-prone customers reach for first. Finish with the Mycelium Eye Cream, a richer, winter-weight formula that layers under makeup. Most people start with the Nourishing Cleansing Duo, which pairs the gel and the mask.
For the complete guide, including what customers say and the full five-step AM/PM ritual, visit Mycelium: What It Is and Why Your Skin Needs It. To see how it fits with the rest of the line, read our guides to the Night Cream, Cleansing Balm, Eye Cream, Temple Balm and Cleansing Gel.