Consumer interest in “natural” cosmetics has expanded to photoprotective products. Plant-derived ingredients, including oils and extracts, are frequently marketed as natural alternatives to conventional UV filters, often with claims of high photoprotective efficacy. However, their actual ability to provide broad-spectrum, clinically relevant photoprotection remains largely unverified, raising concerns about potential inadequate UV protection. In this study, eleven plant oils and nine cosmetic products marketed as “natural” (declared sun protection factor (SPF) 25–50) were tested. Test products were applied in standardized amounts on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) plates. Absorbance spectra were measured using an SPF Analyzer, then in vitro photoprotective parameters were calculated. Plant oils, including raspberry seed, carrot seed, coconut, shea butter, and others, exhibited negligible in vitro SPF and in vitro UVA PF values, with the exception of tamanu oil (in vitro SPF 21.5, in vitro UVA PF 3.3). However, its in vitro SPF decreased to 5.2 after photostability testing. Among cosmetic products, those containing primarily inorganic UV filters (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide) displayed variable efficacy, with most providing insufficient protection despite marketing claims, while one formulation containing titanium dioxide achieved high in vitro SPF (64.2) but low in vitro UVA PF (9.8). In overall, plant oils do not provide adequate photoprotection and cannot replace conventional UV filters. Consumers relying on such products may be unknowingly exposed to harmful UV radiation, potentially compromising dermatological interventions, including hyperpigmentation therapies. Effective photoprotection requires formulations containing multiple complementary UV filters, and highlights the need for standardized in vitro testing to ensure accurate product labelling and reliable consumer protection.

Edible and medicinal mushrooms are widely studied for their bioactive compounds, yet their role as sources of essential vitamins remains inadequately defined and often overestimated. This review provides a critical assessment of vitamin composition in edible and medicinal mushrooms, with an emphasis on B-group vitamins and vitamin D₂, focusing on variability, bioavailability, and limitations for nutritional applications. Current evidence indicates that mushrooms can contribute to the intake of selected B vitamins, particularly riboflavin (B₂) and thiamine (B₁), at levels comparable to common plant foods. However, their relevance as a source of vitamin B₁₂ is highly uncertain due to pronounced compositional variability, the frequent occurrence of inactive corrinoid analogues, and limited evidence of physiological bioavailability. In contrast, vitamin D₂ represents a distinctive and technologically controllable feature of mushrooms, formed via the ultraviolet-induced conversion of ergosterol. Post-harvest UV exposure can substantially enhance vitamin D₂ content, enabling targeted biofortification strategies. Nevertheless, the nutritional significance of mushroom-derived vitamins is constrained by inconsistencies in reported concentrations, lack of standardized analytical methodologies, and insufficient clinical evidence. Overall, edible and medicinal mushrooms should not be regarded as universal natural sources of vitamins; rather, their nutritional relevance depends on species, cultivation conditions, post-harvest processing, analytical verification, and, particularly in the case of vitamin D₂, controlled UV-induced biofortification. Future research should prioritize standardized analytical approaches and well-designed human studies to support evidence-based nutritional applications.

The field of cosmetic science is rapidly evolving due to advances in skin biology research and increasing demand for evidence-based, personalized skincare solutions. A key aspect of this progress is the targeted modulation of biological macromolecules involved in skin aging, pigmentation, inflammation, and tissue regeneration. This review highlights major molecular targets in modern cosmetic research, focusing on telomerase, histone deacetylases (particularly sirtuins), matrix metalloproteinases, antioxidant enzymes, CD44 receptor, tyrosinase, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, and melanocortin receptors, all of which regulate processes such as DNA repair, gene expression, extracellular matrix remodeling, and melanogenesis. Recent findings indicate that natural and synthetic compounds can effectively modulate these targets, supporting anti-aging and depigmenting strategies. Telomerase activators and sirtuin modulators show potential in maintaining cellular homeostasis and delaying skin aging. In pigmentation research, the transition from mushroom to human tyrosinase assays has enabled development of more selective inhibitors, including thiamidol. The review also addresses molecular targets relevant to inflammatory skin disorders, scars, and skin atrophy. Advances in molecular and biotechnological methods are expected to improve mechanistic understanding and support the rational design of safer, more effective next-generation cosmetic ingredients and formulations.

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.