Lichen Extract

Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic association of a fungus and a photosynthetic partner (usually a green alga or cyanobacterium). Lichens occur in some of the most extreme environments on earth (arctic tundra, hot deserts, rocky coasts, etc.), including areas with extremely low water levels. However, they are also abundant as epiphytes on leaves and branches in rain forests and temperate woodland, on bare rock, and on exposed soil surfaces in temerate and tropical habitats.

The body of most lichens is quite different from those of either the fungus or alga growing separately, and may resemble simple plants in form and growth. The fungus surrounds the algal cells, often enclosing them within complex fungal tissues unique to lichen associations. In many species the fungus penetrates the algal cell wall, forming penetration pegs.

Lichens are useful in skincare product because they naturally produce a wide spectrum of nutrients. Because lichens can survive in extremely low water environments they are easily dehydrated for transportation and when reconstituted in a water environment release several metabolites from both the mycobiont and phycobiont leaks into the extracellular spaces. This creates an easily extractable, nutrient rich leachate that is rich in phytonutrients.