Emily Johnson
Mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, but they are now also becoming popular in the beauty industry. The global mushroom cosmetics market was estimated to be worth USD 1.88 billion in 2023, with online sales projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.0% in the near future. Mushrooms are being used in skincare products due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hydrating properties, and they are also starting to appear in makeup products. For example, Rituel de Fille's foundation contains an innovative new carotenoid active derived from mycelium, which has benefits for the skin. Additionally, Jesse Adler, a mycological alchemist, has developed a method of extracting pigments from fungi, including mushrooms, to create renewable makeup pigments as a replacement for industrially produced dyes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fungi-based makeup | Carotenoids, phenolics, polyphenolics, terpenoids, selenium, polysaccharides, vitamins, and volatile organic compounds |
| Benefits | Anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, skin whitening, moisturizing, antioxidant, hydrating, anti-inflammatory, skin repair, skin protection, and supporting the hydro-lipid barrier |
| Types of Mushrooms | Reishi, shiitake, tremella, chaga, and cordyceps |
| Commercial products | Lipsticks, eyeshadows, tinted skin creams, foundation, lotions, face masks, face serums |
| Market | The global mushroom cosmetics market size was estimated at USD 1.88 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.0% from 2024 to 2030 |
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What You'll Learn
Fungi in makeup is a growing trend
The use of mushrooms in cosmetics is not entirely new. In 2005, integrative medicine practitioner Dr. Andrew Weil collaborated with Origins to launch a fungi-packed lotion, which is still on the market today. However, in recent years, the age-old use of fungi in beauty products has seen a renaissance, with a growing number of cosmetic companies incorporating mushrooms into their formulations.
The global mushroom cosmetics market was estimated to be worth USD 1.88 billion in 2023, with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.0% from 2024 to 2030. This growth is driven by the increasing popularity of mushrooms in skincare products, attributed to their antioxidant, hydrating, and anti-inflammatory properties. The presence of specific compounds such as beta-glucans, triterpenes, polysaccharides, and polyphenols in mushrooms is driving their inclusion in cosmetic formulations.
Mushrooms have been valued as a traditional source of natural bioactive compounds for centuries and are known to be beneficial to the skin and hair. They contain phenolics, polyphenolics, terpenoids, selenium, polysaccharides, vitamins, and volatile organic compounds. These compounds exhibit excellent antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, skin whitening, and moisturizing effects, making them ideal for cosmetic products.
Some types of mushrooms, such as reishi, shiitake, and tremella, are classified as adaptogens. Applying adaptogens to the skin can help it recover from environmental stressors such as UV radiation, pollution, and toxins. They also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help calm and repair the skin.
In addition to their skin benefits, mushrooms are also being used for their colour. In 2023, Jesse Adler, a mycological alchemist, developed a method of extracting pigments from fungi, including mushrooms, for use in makeup products. Adler collaborated with a cosmetic formulation chemist to create prototype versions of lipsticks, eyeshadows, and tinted skin creams, which could potentially become commercial products in the future. This shift towards using renewable and natural colourants derived from mushrooms presents growth opportunities for the mushroom cosmetics industry and is a significant step towards sustainability.
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Mushrooms in makeup are beneficial to the skin
Mushrooms are the new magic ingredient in skincare and makeup. The beauty industry is officially on a 'shroom boom'. The use of mushrooms in makeup is a significant step towards sustainability and is driving the market growth.
Mushrooms have been valued as a traditional source of natural bioactive compounds for centuries and have recently been exploited for their potential in cosmetics. They are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and excellent sources of β-glucan, selenium, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, panthothenic acid, and folic acid.
Some types of mushrooms, such as reishi, shiitake, and tremella, are classified as adaptogens. Applying adaptogens to the skin can help it recover from environmental stressors such as UV radiation, pollution, and toxins. They have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can neutralize free radicals and help calm and repair the skin.
Reishi mushrooms, also known as the "mushrooms of longevity", contain anti-inflammatory compounds and powerful antioxidants that keep skin healthy. They also contain beta-glucans, which are hydrating ingredients that support the skin barrier and have been studied to increase collagen production.
Tremella is loaded with polysaccharides and is an excellent moisturizer. According to a study, products tested with 0.05% tremella offered better moisture retention than products with 0.02% hyaluronic acid.
Chaga mushroom extract helps protect the skin and aids in cell repair, in addition to reducing inflammation. Chaga mushrooms contain unique super antioxidants that can protect cells from free radicals.
Mushrooms are also a natural source of carotenoids, which are plant-based antioxidants that are extremely beneficial for the skin. Rituel de Fille, a Los Angeles-based natural beauty brand, has released a foundation that is the first-ever beauty product to feature an innovative new carotenoid active derived from mycelium, the root-like structure of a fungus.
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Mushroom-infused makeup is a sustainable alternative
Mushrooms have been valued for their medicinal properties for centuries, and now they are also being recognised for their cosmetic benefits. The beauty industry is embracing the power of fungi, with mushrooms appearing in skincare and makeup products.
Mushrooms are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and excellent sources of β-glucan, selenium, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, panthothenic acid, and folic acid. Certain types of mushrooms, such as reishi, shiitake, and tremella, are classified as adaptogens, which can help the skin recover from environmental stressors such as UV radiation, pollution, and toxins. These adaptogens have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can neutralise free radicals, soothe the skin, and protect from pollution.
The broad adaptability of mushroom extracts is bringing life to new cosmetic applications, including fresh cosmetic colours to offset the industry's dependence on non-renewable colourants. In 2023, Jesse Adler, a mycological alchemist, developed a method of extracting pigments from fungi, including mushrooms, for use in makeup products. The resulting lipsticks, eyeshadows, and tinted skin creams are prototype versions of what could become commercialised products in the future. This shift towards using renewable and natural colourants derived from mushrooms is a significant step towards sustainability in the cosmetics industry.
Rituel de Fille, a Los Angeles-based natural beauty brand, has released a foundation that is the first-ever beauty product to feature an innovative new carotenoid active derived from mycelium, the root-like structure of a fungus. Carotenoids are plant-based antioxidants that are beneficial for the skin. Rituel de Fille isolated a uniquely colourless carotenoid called phytoene using a patent-pending process involving mycelial fermentation. The inclusion of this potent ingredient means that, unlike many other foundations, Rituel de Fille's foundation benefits your skin while you wear it.
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The broad adaptability of mushroom extracts
Mushrooms have been valued as a traditional source of natural bioactive compounds for centuries. They have been used in the pharmaceutical and tonic industries as medicinal mushrooms and are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and excellent sources of β-glucan, selenium, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, panthothenic acid, and folic acid. In addition to their nutritional and medicinal benefits, mushrooms have also been recognized for their potential in the cosmetics industry.
Mushrooms are also valued for their skin-benefitting properties, making them ideal for skincare products. Certain compounds found in mushrooms, such as beta-glucans, triterpenes, polysaccharides, and polyphenols, have been shown to address various skin conditions, including sensitivity, rosacea, acne scarring, and compromised skin barriers. Additionally, specific mushroom types, known as adaptogens, such as reishi, shiitake, and tremella, exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, aiding the skin in recovering from environmental stressors like UV radiation and pollution.
The inclusion of mushroom extracts in makeup products is also gaining traction. Rituel de Fille, a natural beauty brand, has formulated a foundation fueled by fungi, incorporating a colorless carotenoid called phytoene, which offers skin benefits during wear. The growing innovation in extraction methods and the adaptation of fungi-based ingredients are driving the market growth of mushroom cosmetics, with an estimated market size of USD 1.88 billion in 2023 and an expected compound annual growth rate of 5.0% from 2024 to 2030.
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The first-ever mushroom-based makeup product
Mushrooms have been valued as a traditional source of natural bioactive compounds for centuries. They have long been appreciated for their flavour, texture, and nutrition as culinary mushrooms, as well as for their pharmaceutical and tonic attributes as medicinal mushrooms. The use of mushrooms in skincare and makeup is not entirely new. In 2005, integrative medicine practitioner Dr. Andrew Weil collaborated with Origins on a fungi-packed lotion, which is still on the market today.
However, in 2023, the age-old fungi experienced somewhat of a renaissance, with restaurants incorporating them into their menus, wellness brands using them in supplements and powders, and people micro-dosing psychedelic strains to limit anxiety. This renewed interest in mushrooms has also extended to the beauty industry.
Rituel de Fille, a Los Angeles-based natural beauty brand, has released the first-ever mushroom-based makeup product: the 3 Drop Weightless Serum Foundation. This foundation is the first of its kind to be fuelled by fungi and contains an innovative new carotenoid active ingredient derived from mycelium, the root-like structure of a fungus. Carotenoids are plant-based antioxidants that are beneficial for the skin. Rituel de Fille was able to isolate a uniquely colourless carotenoid called phytoene using a patent-pending process involving mycelial fermentation.
The inclusion of this potent ingredient means that, unlike many other foundations, Rituel de Fille’s 3 Drop Weightless Serum Foundation actually benefits your skin while you wear it. In clinical trials, the foundation demonstrated significant, measurable improvements in radiance, firmness, elasticity, and evenness of skin tone, while also soothing the skin, protecting from pollution, and supporting the hydro-lipid barrier.
In addition to this foundation, there have been other recent innovations in mushroom-based makeup. In January 2023, Jesse Adler, a mycological alchemist, developed a method of extracting pigments from fungi, including mushrooms, for use in makeup products. Adler collaborated with a cosmetic formulation chemist to create prototype versions of lipsticks, eyeshadows, and tinted skin creams that could potentially become commercialised products in the future. This shift towards using renewable and natural colourants derived from mushrooms presents a significant step towards sustainability in the cosmetics industry.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms contain bioactive metabolites, such as lectins, polysaccharides, phenolics, terpenoids, ergosterols, and volatile organic compounds. These compounds have excellent antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, skin whitening, and moisturizing effects.
Yes, mushrooms have been valued as a traditional source of natural bioactive compounds for centuries and have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries.
Yes, Rituel de Fille, a Los Angeles-based natural beauty brand, has released a foundation that contains mushrooms.
Common mushrooms used in makeup and skincare include shiitake, maitake, reishi, cordyceps, coprinus, chaga, and trametes versicolor.
