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WELLNESSWEEK
Summer is brilliant for the mood, but not always for the skin. Increased ultraviolet (UV) exposure, heat, pollution and dehydration can all contribute to oxidative stress, inflammation and premature ageing. Chaga, known botanically as Inonotus obliquus has superpowers to help the skin defend itself from within.
Chaga grows in Boreal forests across Northern Europe, Canada and Russia as a parasitic fungus on Birch trees. It eventually drains all the nutrient and powerful compounds from the tree. Traditionally used across Northern Europe and Siberia, chaga has long been valued for its rich antioxidant content. Drunk as a tea through the harsh winters, modern research is now beginning to explain why this dark, dense fungus may offer meaningful support for skin health during the sunnier months too.
Oxidative stress and aging
One of the biggest drivers of visible skin ageing is oxidative stress caused by UV radiation. When skin is exposed to sunlight, particularly UVA and UVB rays, it produces unstable molecules known as free radicals. These molecules damage collagen, elastin and DNA within skin cells, contributing to wrinkles, pigmentation and inflammation. Researchers have identified antioxidants as one of the body’s primary defence systems against this process.
Chaga stands out because it contains exceptionally high levels of antioxidant compounds, including polyphenols, melanin, polysaccharides and triterpenoids. Several laboratory studies suggest these compounds may help reduce oxidative damage triggered by UV exposure. In a 2004 study published in Biofactors, researchers found that chaga extract significantly protected human lymphocyte DNA from oxidative stress , indicating a strong ability to neutralise free radical damage.
This may be down in part to the powerful affects of betulinic acid. Chaga grows primarily on birch trees and absorbs compounds from its host. Birch bark is rich in betulin, a triterpene that chaga converts into betulinic acid through its metabolic processes. This means chaga contains higher concentrations of betulinic acid than many other medicinal mushrooms.
Why Betulinic Acid Matters for Skin
UV exposure generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which trigger inflammation and contribute to collagen breakdown. Betulinic acid has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in numerous laboratory studies, helping to reduce oxidative stress pathways that are activated following UV exposure.
More recent research has looked specifically at skin cells. A 2023 study investigating chaga-derived lanostane triterpenoids in human keratinocyte cells found that compounds from chaga suppressed inflammatory cytokines triggered by UVB exposure. The study also suggested benefits for collagen and hyaluronic acid production, both essential for maintaining firm, hydrated skin.
This is particularly relevant during summer, when UV exposure accelerates what dermatologists call “photo-ageing”. Unlike chronological ageing, photo-ageing is driven primarily by environmental stressors such as sunlight. Fine lines, uneven tone and loss of elasticity are all linked to this process. Scientists studying chaga polysaccharides have reported that they may help regulate pathways associated with oxidative stress and skin ageing, including the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway and cellular autophagy mechanisms.
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity
Chaga may also support the skin barrier from the inside out. Healthy skin is not simply about appearance; it functions as an immune and protective organ. UV exposure weakens the skin barrier and increases inflammation, which can leave skin more reactive, dry or sensitive. Research published in the Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications explored the effects of chaga and birch sap extracts on UV-exposed skin cells. The findings suggested that chaga extracts demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and DNA-protective activity against both UVA and UVB damage in keratinocytes.
Another interesting aspect of chaga is its naturally high melanin content. Melanin is the pigment responsible for helping protect skin against UV radiation. Although consuming melanin does not replace sunscreen or directly darken the skin, researchers believe chaga’s melanin compounds may contribute to its antioxidant and photoprotective effects.
There is also emerging interest in chaga’s ability to help reduce glycation, a process accelerated by UV exposure and high sugar intake. Glycation damages collagen fibres and contributes to stiffness, wrinkles and dullness in the skin. Experimental studies have shown antioxidant and anti-glycation activity in skin-related cell models, suggesting another pathway through which chaga may support healthier-looking skin during the summer months.
Of course, it is important to keep expectations realistic. Most current evidence comes from laboratory and cell-based studies rather than large human clinical trials. Chaga should not be viewed as a substitute for protective clothing or sensible sun exposure habits. However, the available research does suggest that chaga may offer valuable nutritional support by helping the body manage inflammation and oxidative stress associated with UV exposure.
For those spending more time outdoors in summer, chaga can be an appealing addition to a broader skin-supportive routine. Whether consumed as a tea, tincture or extract, it offers a unique combination of antioxidants and bioactive compounds that align well with the skin’s seasonal needs.
In many ways, chaga represents a modern example of traditional wisdom meeting contemporary science. While more human research is needed, the current evidence suggests this ancient mushroom may help protect the skin both inside and out — making it one of the most interesting functional mushrooms to consider during the brighter months of the year.
Integrating our potent dual extract Enrichd King Chaga into your summer routine can add another layer of protection from the inside out!
Awesome in coffee, drunk as a tea iced or with milk. Its rich malty flavour also works in chocolate based drinks and baking!