Mushrooms: Splendid gifts for the cosmetic industry

Abstract

Mushrooms are heterotrophic organisms and sources of nutrients and beneficial components widely used for food and medicinal purposes. Valuable secondary metabolites such as fatty acids, polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, and terpenoids make mushrooms interesting applications as natural cosmetic and cosmeceutical ingredients. Bioactive substances include anti-oxidant, antityrosinase, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyaluronidase, anti-collagenase, anti-elastase, and antimicrobial activities. Mushroom-associated compounds can be used as anti-aging and skin whitening agents. Many commercially available cosmetic products containing mushrooms have replaced synthetic compounds that have long-term adverse effects. This review highlights bioactive substances, functions, and cultivation processes of certain mushroom species that have potential cosmetic applications as splendid gifts from nature.