Is there any kind of mold that might be good for your skin?

Concluding, living active fungi are not to be applied on the skin, but some purified extracts from them can and are being used in skin care.

In general, such extracts are not colonized by active-form fungi, even if they originate from the fungi kingdom. Among others, enhancing the skin’s hydration and barrier functionalities, providing a brightening effect alongside the potential to diminish dark spots, and delivering antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, are recognized benefits.

Sometimes cosmetic and dermatological manufacturers use extracts from particular fungi (mushrooms, for instance) in their formulations due to their believed anti-inflammation, antioxidant, and moisturization effects. Such extracts go through a thorough purification process followed by safety evaluations.

I’m wondering about attachment and transference with the therapist and the idea of escape and fantasy? How much do you think your strong feelings, constant thoughts, desires to be with your therapist are a way to escape from your present life? I wonder if the transference serves another purpose than to show us our wounds and/or past experiences, but is a present coping strategy for managing what we don’t want to face (even if unconsciously) in the present—-current relationships, life circumstances, etc. Can anyone relate to this concept of escape in relation to their therapy relationship? How does this play out for you?

Generally, such extracts do not contain active colonized or spored forms of fungi. In the field of skin care, several kinds of fungi are sources of bioactive extracts or compounds, such as, for skincare masks, polysaccharides (mainly beta-glucans) from Tremella fuciformis, triterpenes, polysaccharides, antioxidant-rich constituents, vitamin D2 and skin-beneficial trace minerals such as copper and selenium from Ganoderma lucidum, polyphenols and cordycepin from Cordyceps sinensis, and Beta-glucans and kojic acid from the Shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) - some studies indicate that L. edodes extract is a potential therapeutic candidate for treating patients with atopic dermatitis.