Why HY-5 Tremella Serum Deserves a Spot on Your Shelf

Hydration is the cornerstone of healthy skin, which is not new. But the way we hydrate the skin has evolved.
For more than a decade, hyaluronic acid (HA) has been treated as the gold standard. And to be clear: HA is a valuable, well-studied humectant. It has earned its reputation.
But as skin science advances, so does our understanding of what different humectants can (and cannot) do, especially for reactive, breakout-prone, or barrier-compromised skin.

At The Statement, we design skincare with a focus on reducing inflammation, maintaining barrier integrity, and fostering long-term skin resilience.
So when we formulated our hero hydrating serum, HY-5 Tremella Serum, we chose a different star ingredient:

Tremella fuciformis, the snow mushroom.

A botanical humectant with centuries of ancestral use and a growing body of modern research supporting its benefits.
This is not about replacing hyaluronic acid. It's about expanding hydration science to include ingredients that offer more dimension, calm, and compatibility for the skin.

Below, we walk you through the science.

A Grounded, Respectful Look at Hyaluronic Acid (HA)

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring polysaccharide found in skin, joints, and connective tissue. Topically, it is known to:

• Increase hydration on the skin's surface 
• Reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL) 
• Temporarily smooth the appearance of fine lines

These benefits are well supported in the literature (Papakonstantinou et al., 2012).
But hyaluronic acid is not a single ingredient; it comes in varying molecular weights, and that matters more than the industry often communicates.

When Hyaluronic Acid Helps, and When It May Not

✔ High-Molecular-Weight HA (HMW-HA): Typically >1,000 kDa

• Demonstrates anti-inflammatory activity
• Helps regulate the skin’s natural repair processes
• Supports barrier recovery (Papakonstantinou et al., 2012; Lee et al., 2018)

✔ Low-Molecular-Weight HA (LMW-HA): Typically <50 kDa, sometimes formed as hyaluronic acid breaks down over time.

• It can bind to inflammatory receptors in the skin (TLR2 and TLR4)
• It may increase pro-inflammatory cytokines
• It has been shown to exacerbate inflammation in acne-prone or compromised skin (Jiang et al., 2007; Campo et al., 2022)

This doesn’t mean Hyaluronic Acid is “bad.”
It means formulation nuance matters—especially for sensitive and reactive skin.
LMW-HA is often used to improve penetration and “plumping,” but in certain skin types, it may trigger or amplify redness, irritation, or inflammatory pathways associated with acne and rosacea.
Our brand, rooted in calm-first formulation, needed a humectant that supported hydration without the inflammatory risk profile in vulnerable skin scenarios.

Enter Tremella: The Mushroom Hydrator With Impressive Skin Science

Tremella fuciformis, known as snow mushroom, has been used for centuries in East Asian beauty rituals for its ability to promote supple, bouncy, hydrated skin. Modern research now supports those traditional observations.

What makes Tremella unique?

1. Exceptional Water Binding

Tremella polysaccharides form a soft, flexible hydration matrix that can hold significant amounts of water (up to 500 times its weight in water), sometimes compared to hyaluronic acid’s water-binding ability, but with a different molecular structure that allows for:  

• Even, diffused hydration
• A breathable, non-occlusive film
• Long-lasting moisture retention (Chen et al., 2011; Guo et al., 2017)   

   2. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Tremella extract has demonstrated the ability to:

• Reduce inflammation mediators
• Calm, irritated or reactive skin
• Support recovery in stressed epidermal environments (Zhang et al., 2020) 

3. Antioxidant Activity

Tremella’s polysaccharides help neutralize free radicals that contribute to premature aging and inflammation. (Guo et al., 2017; Liu et al., 2016)

4. Photoprotective + UV Buffering Benefits

Emerging studies suggest Tremella may:

• Reduce UV-induced oxidative damage
• Support DNA repair pathways
• Prevent collagen degradation triggered by UVB exposure

These photoprotective effects have been attributed to Tremella’s antioxidant polysaccharides, which help buffer oxidative stress from sunlight. (Nguyen et al., 2021; Liu et al., 2016)

5. Support for Wound Healing & Barrier Restoration

Polysaccharides from medicinal mushrooms, including Tremella, have been associated with enhanced wound repair and improved barrier function, thanks to their ability to modulate inflammation and support the health of the extracellular matrix. (Liu et al., 2016)

   6. A Silky, Non-Tacky Texture

Compared to some hyaluronic acid serums that pill or feel sticky, Tremella:

•  Spreads more evenly
• Leaves a smoother finish
• Layers beautifully under SPF and makeup
• Feels breathable and weightless

This sensorial quality contributes to better long-term adherence.

So, Why Did We Choose Tremella for HY-5?

Because it met and exceeded every requirement in our formulation philosophy:

✔ Hydration

Deep, diffused, long-lasting hydration from flexible polysaccharides.

✔ Calm

Anti-inflammatory, ideal for breakout-prone/reactive/overstimulated skin.

✔ Barrier Support

Maintains moisture balance, supports resilience.

✔ Antioxidant Defense

Protection that hyaluronic acid alone does not offer.

✔ Photoprotective Effects

Buffers UV-related oxidative stress.

✔ Texture & Wear

Lightweight, refreshing, silky, zero tackiness.

 ✔ Organic + Verified

USDA-certified organic & third-party tested.

HY-5 isn’t simply a “hydrating serum.”
It’s a multi-dimensional hydration and skin-calming treatment, powered by an ingredient that aligns fully with our mission:
“Functional, intentional skincare that respects inflamed, sensitive, and real-world skin.”

How to Use HY-5 for Maximum Benefit

AM:

1. Gentle cleanse
2. Optional mist or toner
3. HY-5 Tremella Serum on damp skin
4. Moisturizer (optional for oilier skin types)
5. SPF 30–50 (every day, without exception)

PM:

1.  Cleanse thoroughly
2.  HY-5 Tremella Serum on damp skin
3.  Targeted treatments (retinoids, exfoliants, pigment correctors)
4.  Barrier-supportive moisturizer or balm

HY-5 Tremella Serum plays nicely with everything: retinoids, niacinamide, peptides, and exfoliants.

The Bottom Line

This is not about replacing hyaluronic acid or undermining its value.
It’s about acknowledging that skincare has evolved and our understanding of hydration must evolve with it.
Tremella offers hydration, calm, and antioxidant & environmental defense in a way that respects even the most reactive skin stories.
As the industry focuses on the same hero ingredients, without providing a complete understanding, we’re choosing to elevate a different conversation:
Hydration is not one-dimensional, and neither is your skin.

If you’re ready to experience hydration that feels soft, balanced, breathable, and calm:
HY-5 Tremella Serum is our natural and deeply researched answer for you.
Explore HY-5 Tremella Serum at thestatementskincare.com

References

1. Guo, S. et al. (2017). Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides: Structural characteristics and antioxidant activity. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.
2. Chen, H. et al. (2011). Moisturizing and anti-aging effects of Tremella polysaccharides. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
3. Rawlings, A. (2010). Moisturization and skin barrier function. Dermatology Research and Practice.
4. Farage, M. et al. (2012). The epidermis: Structure and function. Dermatology and Therapy.
5. Papakonstantinou, E. et al. (2012). Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging. Dermato-Endocrinology.
6. Kim, J. & Cho, S. (2019). Comparative moisturizing effects of polysaccharides vs. hyaluronic acid. Cosmetic Science Review.
7. Zhang, W. et al. (2020). Anti-inflammatory properties of Tremella fuciformis extract. Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
8. Lee, D. H. et al. (2018). HA’s role in barrier function. Skin Research and Technology.
9. Liu, Y. et al. (2016). Polysaccharides from edible mushrooms and their skin benefits. Food & Function.
10. Campo, G. M. et al. (2022). Low–molecular weight hyaluronic acid and its pro-inflammatory effects. Molecular Medicine.
11. Nguyen, H. et al. (2021). Cosmeceutical applications of medicinal mushrooms. Journal of Cosmetic Science.
12. Jiang, D. et al. (2007). Regulation of inflammation by LMW-HA fragments. Journal of Biological Chemistry.
13. Taylor, K. R. et al. (2004). TLR2/TLR4 activation by HA fragments. Journal of Biological Chemistry.