Fungal-derived compounds are attracting increasing interest in cosmetic science because of their chemical diversity, multifunctional biological activity, and suitability for controlled biotechnological production. Macrofungi produce a wide range of bioactive metabolites, including polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, terpenoids, sterols, and pigments, many of which exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, photoprotective, and barrier-supporting properties relevant to skin health. However, current research is largely limited to isolated metabolites and simplified in vitro models, whereas comparatively little attention has been paid to the performance of fungal-derived compounds in finished cosmetic formulations. In practice, cosmetic efficacy depends not only on biological activity but also on extraction methods, physicochemical stability, formulation compatibility, and delivery efficiency. This review examines fungal-derived bioactive compounds from the perspective of cosmetic formulation and industrial applicability. It discusses how cultivation conditions, extraction procedures, and formulation design influence stability, bioavailability, and cosmetic performance, and critically evaluates extraction technologies, fermentation systems, encapsulation strategies, lipid carriers, hydrogels, and nanoscale delivery platforms. The review also addresses major limitations, including oxidative instability, variability in metabolite composition, limited penetration of high-molecular-weight compounds, and insufficient standardization and clinical validation. Although fungal-derived compounds show considerable promise for multifunctional cosmetic formulations, their broader industrial application will require improved standardization, optimized formulation strategies, and robust clinical evaluation of efficacy and safety.
Kolisz et al. (Tue,) studied this question.
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