Exclusive: Trendy Mushroom-Coffee Brand Four Sigmatic Is Getting in the Skin-Care Game
You may describe a particularly delectable-looking lip gloss or cherubic baby as "good enough to eat," but how often have you used it to describe your skin-care? (If we were a betting folk, we'd venture a guess to say, "not often.") However, turning that concept on its head is California-based wellness brand Four Sigmatic, which is venturing into the beauty space with a face mask and serum that — yes — you can actually ingest, in addition to slathering all over your skin.
"There are plenty of products that are organic, green, and natural, but I wanted something so pure you could actually eat it," founder Tero Isokauppila exclusively tells Allure. "So, I started playing around with adaptogens and superfoods, and finally created a set of skin-care products you can — and should — eat. If you can’t eat it, I’m not going to put it on my skin or in our skin-care products."
Four Sigmatic was founded based on Isokauppila's passion for mushrooms and adaptogens, so it comes as little surprise that both figure heavily in the launches. "There are four mushrooms that get a lot of attention when we're talking about skin and beauty: shiitake, tremella, reishi, and chaga," he explains, adding that skin care was a natural next step, as fans already had been seeking out the brand's products for their beautifying side effects.
"Many of our products were known for their skin benefits," he says. "And my goal since day one was to always create effective products."
The Mushroom Face Mask & Tonic, which retails for $50, comes in a powder formula that, when mixed with water to form a paste, helps clarify and soothe stressed-out skin, thanks to calming reishi and chaga mushrooms, which offer potent antioxidant properties. Activated charcoal, ginseng, and gotu kola (also known as centella asiatica, or cica, for short) also help to purify and nourish skin. It vaguely smells like a healthy version of Swiss Miss hot chocolate, thanks to cacao, nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon, and can be mixed with hot water and ingested as a tonic.
"We wanted to create products that anyone can effortlessly integrate into their daily and weekly beauty routine," says Isokauppila, which is why the brand created two products that work together to purify and hydrate skin. After applying it on my skin (which tends to be on the oily side) for 10 minutes, my skin felt less congested without feeling too dry or tight.
The second launch is the Superfood Serum packed with adaptogenic reishi, plus avocado, olive, and tsubaki oils, rich in essential fatty acids for maximum glow-boosting and hydrating benefits. Grapefruit peel and frankincense oil lend a subtle citrus-y and herbal scent, and also help combat excess oil and breakouts. It toes the line between a serum and face oil, but at $55, is a solid mid-range option for those looking for a vegan formula with a rich texture. After rubbing a couple drops into my hands and patting it onto my skin, the lightweight oil absorbed readily and left a healthy, nourished glow.
However, this is hopefully the beginning of the brand's beauty offerings: "We hope to expand our skin-care line based on the initial feedback to these products," Isokauppila shares. So, watch this space.
The Four Sigmatic Mushroom Face Mask & Tonic and Superfood Serum launch today, January 17 and will be available in the U.S. and Canada exclusively at foursigmatic.com.
More new skin-care launches to check out:
11 Korean Skin-Care Products That Allure Korea's Editors Actually Use
Shop These Just-Dropped Skin-Care Products for That New Year Glow
Now, see how face masks have evolved within the last 100 years:
