Bioactive compounds derived from mushrooms have been shown to present promising
potential as cosmeceutical or nutricosmetic ingredients. Scientific data reviewed herein showed that
extracts prepared from medicinal and edible mushrooms and their individual metabolites presented antiinflammatory,
antioxidant, photoprotective, antimicrobial, anti-tyrosinase, anti-elastase, and anticollagenase
activities. These metabolites can be utilised as ingredients to suppress the severity of
Inflammatory Skin Diseases, offer photoprotection to the skin, and correct Hyperpigmentation. However,
studies regarding the molecular mechanism behind the mentioned bioactivities are still lacking.
Challenges associated with the use of mushroom extracts and their associated metabolites as
cosmeceutical and nutricosmetic ingredients include several steps from the fruiting bodies to the final
product: extraction optimization, estimation of the efficacy and safety claims, the use of micro and
nanocarriers to allow for controlled release and the pros and cons associated with the use of extracts vs
individual compounds. This systematic review highlights that mushrooms contain diverse biomolecules
that can be sustainably used in the development of nutricosmetic and cosmeceutical formulations.
Reports regarding stability, compatibility, and safety assessment, but also toxicological studies are still
needed to be considered. Furthermore, some of the constraints and limitations hindering the development
of this type of ingredients still require long-term studies to achieve major breakthroughs.