Mushrooms may have always been Sonia Gaillis-Delepine’s destiny. Her great-great-grandfather cultivated them in France over 150 years ago. Today, she has translated that legacy into something entirely new: Verdoie, a duo of a mushroom-based moisturizer and supplement designed to revive skin from all angles. As someone who struggled with chronic skin issues, Gaillis-Delepine wanted to tap the unique healing properties of fungi. So, she collaborated with mycologists and a regenerative farm to create the two formulas that restore skin health and vibrancy. “Mushrooms are packed with a fiber called beta-glucans and antioxidants that enhance your skin’s natural ability to heal, protect, and thrive,” she explains.
While Gaillis-Delepine’s focus is skincare, mushrooms are sounding a lot like fairy dust—legit fairy dust—for our overall wellbeing. While used in traditional medicine dating back thousands of years, lately, however, fungi are having a modern revival due to advanced science that continues to discover their phenomenal benefits. And with over 14,000 known species in existence, they are vastly diverse in what they offer, improving immunity, brain function, energy, and, as Gaillis-Delepine will tell you, glowing skin.
Lion’s Mane, for instance, is brain food. Compounds in the mushrooms may stimulate Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), which supports the growth and repair of neurons. Studies suggest that Lion’s Mane can enhance focus, memory, and creativity over time.
For stamina, there’s Cordyceps. Shown to boost athletic performance, this mushroom helps improve the body’s production of ATP, the molecule responsible for cellular energy.
Reishi backs your immune system. It contains polysaccharides that stimulate immune cell activity, helping the body fight off viruses and infections. It also helps you sleep.
There’s the gut-factor too: Polysaccharides and beta-glucans found in fungi nourish the beneficial bacteria.
And then there’s beauty. Tremella, also called Snow Mushroom, holds up to 500 times its weight in water to hydrate skin; Chaga is packed with antioxidants that reduce inflammation and protect against environmental damage, while Shiitakes support cell renewal and help preserve elastin, keeping skin firm.
Verdoie’s Le Shroom Stack supplement contains Tremella and Reishi to work internally to boost hydration and elasticity by calming the body’s stress response, explains Gaillis-Delepine. The moisturizer contains Chaga to reduce redness and Shiitake to brighten, while strengthening the lipid barrier. “Your skin health is a reflection of what is going on internally,” says Gaillis-Delepine. “Together, they tackle the root causes of skin issues.”
Alice Mushrooms Chocolates takes a decadent approach to functional fungi with their line of Brainstorm, Nightcap, and Happy Ending treats designed to support focus, sleep, and sexual arousal, respectively. Each chocolate blends various mushrooms with nootropics and herbal supplements for immediate and long-term benefits. “We take a now and later approach to formulation,” explains co-founder Charlotte Cruze. “Our chocolates have instant effects from herbs and long-term benefits from functional mushrooms that compound over time.”
Nightcap combines calming chamomile and L-theanine with Reishi to promote deep sleep. Brainstorm features Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps to enhance focus and energy, and Happy Ending uses Cordyceps to boost circulation and vitality for sexual support. A square a day works, but you’ll have to use willpower to not eat the whole bar, they’re that delicious.
Prefer to sprinkle mushroom magic into your coffee, tea, or smoothie? Mother Made’s AM and PM Blends are mixable powders. The AM Blend gets you going—Lion’s Mane for focus, Cordyceps for energy, and Chaga to keep your immune system strong. For evenings, the PM Blend has Reishi to calm your nerves, Shiitake for glowing skin, and Turkey Tail to aid gut health. They’re simple, effective, and have no fillers—just mushrooms doing their thing.