The recently popular "divine-grade" antioxidant ingredient—L-Ergothioneine—has been widely adopted by many skincare brands. What formidable power does it possess to earn the title of the "ace" antioxidant?
L-Ergothioneine is a naturally occurring amino acid derived from histidine.
In nature, L-Ergothioneine can only be produced through microbial fermentation, as no eukaryotic organisms (plants or animals) can synthesize it. In 1909, L-Ergothioneine was first isolated and purified from ergot fungi (hence its name).
L-Ergothioneine exhibits strong antioxidant properties and does not undergo auto-oxidation under physiological conditions, making it more stable than other water-soluble antioxidants, such as glutathione, which rapidly oxidizes under the same conditions.
Due to its high efficiency, stability, and ease of skin absorption, L-Ergothioneine is widely used in dietary supplements and cosmetics.
Mushrooms contain 45 times more L-Ergothioneine than other foods. Varieties such as oyster mushrooms, porcini, maitake, and shiitake are particularly rich in this compound.
Although eukaryotic organisms cannot synthesize L-Ergothioneine themselves, they can absorb it from soil. Thus, legumes like black beans and kidney beans also contain significant amounts of it.
Studies have observed that individuals with depression exhibit higher oxidative stress and lower antioxidant levels.
Compared to conventional antidepressants, which often have noticeable side effects, L-Ergothioneine—as a potent natural antioxidant—is frequently studied as a potential novel antidepressant.
Multiple studies have demonstrated that feeding mice extracts from oyster mushrooms promotes neuronal cell differentiation, producing antidepressant effects.
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s are linked to increased free radicals. Therefore, scavenging free radicals is an effective way to reduce neuronal stress.
L-Ergothioneine can neutralize powerful free radicals, including hydroxyl radicals, hypochlorite, and peroxynitrite.
In animal studies, administering 8 mg/kg body weight of L-Ergothioneine to mice with Alzheimer’s for 58 days significantly restored their learning and memory capabilities.
Aging is also considered a systemic chronic inflammatory process.
Under chronic inflammation, myeloperoxidase in neutrophils reacts with H₂O₂ and Cl⁻ to produce hypochlorous acid (HClO), a strong oxidant that damages protein structures and functions. Since proteins are crucial for skin elasticity, their degradation leads to sagging and loss of firmness.
Research indicates that L-Ergothioneine effectively inhibits the reaction between hypochlorous acid and proteins.
Although cells have natural defense mechanisms (antioxidant enzymes and small-molecule antioxidants) to combat reactive oxygen species (ROS), excessive ROS can still cause damage.
Studies confirm that L-Ergothioneine reduces intracellular ROS in keratinocytes, inhibiting ROS-induced degradation of DNA and proteins.
Additionally, L-Ergothioneine aids in repairing damaged DNA, ultimately suppressing cell apoptosis and enhancing cell vitality. Thus, the uptake, storage, and utilization of L-Ergothioneine play a critical role in cellular antioxidant mechanisms.
Sunlight consists of approximately 4% UVB and 90% UVA.
UVB promotes ROS generation. Prolonged exposure to intense sunlight can trigger free radical production, leading to sunburn, photoaging, and even skin cancer.
L-Ergothioneine suppresses ROS formation more effectively than glutathione, a widely used antioxidant.
UVA, though less intense than UVB, penetrates deeper into the dermis (unlike UVB, which only affects the epidermis). Studies show that UVA exposure increases matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) production.
MMP-1 degrades bioactive molecules that maintain skin elasticity, such as collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, resulting in rough, loose skin.
However, adding L-Ergothioneine reduces MMP-1 synthesis by nearly 50%.
Thanks to its superior UV-blocking properties, L-Ergothioneine is often used in sunscreens. Examples include:
Elizabeth Arden Prevage City Smart SPF 50
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Multi-Defense UV Aqua UV Gel
Dior Solar The Protective Cream
Since L-Ergothioneine effectively inhibits MMP-1 activity, it prevents collagen loss. This protective effect extends to elastin and hyaluronic acid, delivering remarkable anti-aging benefits.
Another study found that 100 μmol/L of L-Ergothioneine suppresses hyaluronidase activity, preventing hyaluronic acid degradation by hydroxyl radicals for up to six hours.
L-Ergothioneine significantly inhibits tyrosinase, blocking melanin synthesis and delivering skin-brightening effects.
Tyrosinase is an enzyme that regulates melanin production and is associated with hyperpigmentation (e.g., freckles, age spots).
Research shows that while L-Ergothioneine does not reduce tyrosinase quantity, 10 mg/ml of it can suppress tyrosinase activity (0–250 μg/ml) to below 0.0005 μmol/min.
Though few skincare products currently market L-Ergothioneine as a brightening agent, whitening is indeed one of its hidden benefits—alongside its primary roles in UV protection and anti-aging.
Arshine Lifescience Inc.,
Your Trusted Ingredient Partner.
Add.: Ontario, California, USA
Email: info@arshineusa.com
WhatsApp: +1 6576561513
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