In the clean beauty world, we’re often hearing about the next-big-thing in natural skincare. But which hyped ingredients actually work? I asked Michelle Connelly, director of merchandising and planning at Credo, to fill me in. Connelly’s shortlist of trendy — and effective — ingredients included two powerhouse ingredients: bakuchiol and silver ear mushroom. Here’s why.
Bakuchiol
“Bakuchiol is a plant alternative to retinol that has been shown to have similar benefits without the irritating side effects,” Connelly told me. “It seems like the ingredient everyone is talking about,” she added.
Unlike rosehip oil, moringa oil, mango butter, Spanish needle, or sea fennel, bakuchiol does more than brighten and protect your skin. It can actually reduce existing signs of aging just like retinoids, according to promising clinical studies. In fact, bakuchiol has been shown to improve lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, and firmness, and reduce photo-damage. Connelly recommends trying these Bakuchiol products from Credo:
Alpyn Line Filling Eye Balm: this silky eye balm will reduce the appearance of fine lines. Alpyn Beauty sources its botanitcals from the mountains of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
BYBI 1% Bakuchiol in Squalane Booster: add this serum to your nighttime beauty routine. It works well with other products and will boost your anti-aging results.
Silver Ear Mushroom
“I think we will continue to see more mushroom ingredients,” Connelley told me. One example she’s seeing everywhere is silver ear mushroom (tremella fuciformis), which she said promises hydrating benefits similar to hyaluronic acid. These mushrooms can hold 500 times their weight, and their gelatinous molecules effectively penetrate the skin. If you want to give them a try, Connelly pointed me toward these products:
Tata Harper Hyaluronic Gel Moisturizer: this daily moisturizer works well on all skin types and does the job of keeping your skin hydrated all day. 
Moon Juice Beauty Shroom Vegan Collagen Protection: you can blend this beauty food into your coffee, tea, or smoothie to help hydrate your skin from the inside out.
It’s not enough to be on the cutting edge of natural skincare — we want our products to work, too. These will.