Mushroom Cosmetics & Skincare
Develop cosmetic formulations with mushroom extracts, chitosan and fungal ferments within EU and US cosmetic regulations.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Mushroom Cosmetics & Skincare
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Medicinal & Functional Fungi. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 11 January 2027 to 2 April 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 8 March 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
This course explores how fungal ingredients are used in cosmetics and skincare, from mushroom extracts and polysaccharides to chitosan and fermented ingredients. You will learn how these materials are named under INCI, what documentation suppliers should provide, and how to formulate serums, creams and masks that remain stable and safe. The course covers preservation, safety assessment and the rules on cosmetic claims in the EU and the US.
Fungal ingredients are increasingly visible in beauty products, often presented with vague promises. Cosmetic chemists, formulators and independent beauty brands need technical knowledge to choose suitable ingredients, formulate them well and make only claims they can support. The course treats fungal actives as cosmetic ingredients, not as treatments, and shows how efficacy and safety are documented under cosmetic law. Practical formulation exercises and regulatory case studies are taught live by working professionals. In your final project you will develop a formulation concept for a skincare product with a fungal ingredient, including the INCI list, stability plan, safety considerations and substantiated claims.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in medicinal fungi, useful in areas such as cosmetics and personal care, cosmetic ingredient supply, natural beauty retail, contract cosmetic manufacturing.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:
Develop cosmetic formulations with mushroom extracts, chitosan and fungal ferments within EU and US cosmetic regulations.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Fungal Ingredients in the Cosmetics Market; INCI Naming and Ingredient Dossiers.
- Put them into practice: Polysaccharides, Chitosan and Fungal Ferments; Formulating Serums, Creams and Masks.
- Apply everything to a real case: Preservation, Stability and Safety Assessment; Cosmetic Regulation and Claim Substantiation.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Select fungal cosmetic ingredients using INCI names and supplier data.
- Formulate stable serums, creams and masks containing fungal ingredients.
- Plan preservation and stability testing for a cosmetic formula.
- Distinguish cosmetic claims from prohibited medicinal claims.
- Assemble the basic documentation needed for an EU product information file.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Cosmetic chemists, formulators and independent beauty brands.
4.2Entry requirements
Basic knowledge of cosmetic formulation or chemistry is recommended. Simple formulation equipment is helpful for optional practical exercises.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Cosmetic formulator for natural skincare brands
- Product developer at an independent beauty brand
- Technical sales specialist for fungal cosmetic ingredients
- Regulatory assistant for cosmetic products
- Founder launching a fungal-based skincare line
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Fungal Ingredients in the Cosmetics Market | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | INCI Naming and Ingredient Dossiers | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Polysaccharides, Chitosan and Fungal Ferments | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Formulating Serums, Creams and Masks | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Preservation, Stability and Safety Assessment | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Cosmetic Regulation and Claim Substantiation | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Market trends in fungal beauty ingredients
- Common species and ingredient types
- Marketing narratives versus evidence
- How INCI names are assigned
- Supplier technical files and safety data
- Raw material documentation gaps
- Film-forming and moisturising polysaccharides
- Chitosan properties and uses
- Fungal ferment filtrates
- Serum and gel bases
- Emulsions and creams
- Sheet and wash-off masks
- Preservative systems and challenge tests
- Stability and compatibility testing
- Safety assessment requirements
- EU Cosmetics Regulation and the PIF
- US cosmetic rules and MoCRA
- Substantiating cosmetic claims
5.3Company placement
This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A skincare formulation concept with a fungal ingredient, including INCI list, stability plan and substantiated claims.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your tutor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions and module exercises such as INCI reviews and formula calculations. The final formulation concept is reviewed by the tutor.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your tutor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Medicinal Fungi school coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The tutor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Course Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrolment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 11 January 2027 is open until 4 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £340
- Full payment before the start: £272 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£136) and 3 monthly instalments of £68.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Mushroom Cosmetics & Skincare?
Basic knowledge of cosmetic formulation or chemistry is recommended. Simple formulation equipment is helpful for optional practical exercises.
How is Mushroom Cosmetics & Skincare taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions and module exercises such as INCI reviews and formula calculations. The final formulation concept is reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A skincare formulation concept with a fungal ingredient, including INCI list, stability plan and substantiated claims.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Mushroom Cosmetics & Skincare?
The natural next step is Diploma in Functional & Medicinal Mushrooms.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Read before you start.
Keep branching.
From our species guide.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in pounds sterling (GBP).