Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide: Natural Hydration Booster for Skincare Formulations

Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide (TFP) is increasingly being used in moisturizing and other skincare products, becoming an indispensable natural ingredient in modern skincare formulations. So what is Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide, and why is it used in skincare formulas? In this blog post, we’ll delve into how Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide has become a natural moisturizer and explore its scientific principles, applications, and significant advantages.

What Is Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide in Skincare?

Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide is a bioactive macromolecule extracted from Tremella fuciformis (also known as snow mushroom or silver ear fungus). In skincare formulations, it is widely used as a natural humectant, helping to retain water and maintain skin hydration. In addition to its moisturizing effects, tremella polysaccharide can also form a flexible, breathable film on the skin’s surface, which helps the skin effectively protect against environmental damage.

Formulators often incorporate tremella polysaccharides into moisturizers, serums, and masks to improve skin texture and hydration levels. Additionally, it is valued for its lightweight, non-sticky sensory profile, making it suitable for both premium and clean beauty product lines.

How Is Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide Produced?

The production of wholesale Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides is generally carried out under controlled conditions using hot water extraction. Freshly harvested Tremella is washed multiple times, dried and pulverized, then extracted with hot water multiple times, filtered, concentrated, and purified through processes such as alcohol precipitation and membrane separation to finally obtain a high-content Tremella polysaccharide powder.

How Does Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide Improve Skin Hydration?

The polyhydroxy structure forms stable hydrogen bonds with water molecules

Each monosaccharide unit of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide has multiple hydroxyl (-OH) and carboxyl (-COOH) groups. These polar groups have strong electronegativity and can form strong hydrogen bonds with the hydrogen atoms of water molecules. This property enables it to attract and lock in moisture on the skin surface.

Formation of a continuous, soft, hydrophilic film on the stratum corneum surface

Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide has a complex tertiary and quaternary structure. Its highly branched network structure provides the physical basis for its excellent water-locking ability. This network structure can form a breathable biofilm on the skin surface, effectively preventing moisture loss without causing a tight feeling.

Can Tremella Polysaccharide Help Strengthen the Skin Barrier?

Yes. In addition to its direct hydrating effects, Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides play a crucial role in supporting and strengthening the skin’s natural barrier function.

A healthy skin barrier is essential for preventing moisture loss and protecting against environmental irritants, pollutants, and microorganisms. TFP helps lock in moisture and enhance the integrity of the skin barrier by forming a breathable protective film on the skin’s surface and deeply moisturizing the stratum corneum. This not only prevents dry skin but also enhances skin elasticity, reduces skin sensitivity and damage, thereby promoting overall skin health and elasticity.

Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide vs. Hyaluronic Acid

Both TFP and Hyaluronic Acid (HA) are well-known moisturizers, but they each have unique properties. TFP has a slightly smaller particle size compared to high molecular weight HA, potentially allowing for slightly better penetration into the upper layers of the skin, offering both surface hydration and deeper moisturizing benefits. Furthermore, TFP’s unique polysaccharide structure often leaves a less tacky or sticky feel on the skin compared to some HA formulations, which makes it a preferred choice for certain product types.

Both are excellent hydrators, but TFP often brings an added dimension of skin-conditioning benefits and a more elegant sensory experience, making it a compelling alternative or complement to HA.

What Types of Skincare Products Commonly Use Tremella Polysaccharide?

Due to its multifunctionality and significant efficacy, Tremella polysaccharide is widely used in various skin care products.

1. Serums and Essences: Providing concentrated hydration and a plumping effect.

2. Moisturizers and Lotions: Enhancing long-lasting moisture retention.

3. Sheet Masks and Sleeping Masks: Delivering intense hydration and soothing benefits.

4. Eye Creams: Helping to diminish the appearance of fine lines around the delicate eye area.

5. Toners and Mists: Boosting immediate hydration and prepping the skin.

6. Foundations and BB Creams: Infusing makeup with hydrating and skin-conditioning properties. Its gentle nature also makes it suitable for sensitive skin types.

Stability, Solubility, and Compatibility in Multi-Ingredient Formulations

Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide exhibits excellent stability, solubility, and compatibility. It is highly water-soluble, making it easy to incorporate into aqueous skincare formulations without requiring specialized equipment. Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide remains stable across a wide pH range commonly found in cosmetics, ensuring its efficacy over the product’s shelf life. Furthermore, it plays well with a vast array of other active ingredients, including vitamins (like Niacinamide), peptides, antioxidants, and various botanical extracts. This compatibility allows many skincare manufacturers to create synergistic blends.

Quality Standards and Testing Methods for Cosmetic-Grade Tremella Polysaccharide

The quality and purity of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides are crucial for the manufacture of your skincare product line. You should confirm the following information with your supplier, including:

1. Purity Testing: Verifies the absence of heavy metals, pesticides, and microbial contaminants.
2. Polysaccharide Content Analysis: Quantitative analysis using methods such as High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
3. Molecular Weight Distribution: Characterizes the size of polysaccharide molecules, which affects their skin penetration and texture.
4. pH Stability and Solubility Testing: Verifies its performance under various formulation parameters.
5. The supplier can provide analytical certificates, safety data sheets, and product specifications to support regulatory compliance and formulation development.

Maxmedchem is dedicated to producing high-purity functional cosmetic ingredients, supporting the research and development of skincare brands. We supply bulk Tremella polysaccharide powder. Our stable production capacity, rigorous quality control system, extensive industry experience, and reliable Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide solutions enable us to meet diverse skincare formulation needs.

We provide technical documentation such as COA, specification sheet, SDS, flowchart, application guideline, and stable supply solutions to meet diverse product development requirements. Partner with Maxmedchem to enhance your product performance and market competitiveness. Contact us today!

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Reference

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Luo, D., Liu, X., Guan, J., Jang, G., Hua, Y., Zhang, X., & Xu, X. (2023). Effects of Tremella fuciformis-derived polysaccharides with different molecular weight on D-galactose-induced aging of mice. Polish Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences, 163–174. 

Ma, X., Yang, M., He, Y., Zhai, C., & Li, C. (2021). A review on the production, structure, bioactivities and applications of Tremella polysaccharides. International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, 35, 1–13. 

Mineroff, J., & Jagdeo, J. (2023). The potential cutaneous benefits of Tremella fuciformis. Archives of Dermatological Research, 315(7), 1883–1886. 

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