(Grifola frondosa · INCI: Grifola Frondosa Fruiting Body Extract)
Beta-glucan rich · Hydration support · Antioxidant · Sensitive-skin suited · Part of the M-Veil mushroom complex
5 min read · One of four mushrooms in the M-Veil complex
[Hero image slot: maitake mushroom. Alt text: "Maitake (Grifola frondosa), a mushroom in the Philogeni M-Veil complex."]
Maitake for menopausal skin is one of four adaptogenic mushrooms in our M-Veil complex, chosen for its rich beta-glucan content. Grifola frondosa, known as hen of the woods, is valued in skincare for the polysaccharides that support hydration and a comfortable, resilient-looking barrier, and for its antioxidant compounds.
Why menopausal and perimenopausal skin changes
As estrogen declines, skin loses moisture more easily and the barrier becomes thinner and more reactive. Beta-glucan-rich mushrooms like maitake earn their place here because those polysaccharides are prized in skincare for supporting hydration and a soothed, comfortable barrier, alongside antioxidant defence against environmental stress.
What maitake does for menopausal skin
- Beta-glucan hydration support: maitake is rich in beta-glucans, valued for helping skin feel more comfortable and hydrated-looking. In cosmetic studies, maitake-containing formulas supported the look and feel of skin hydration (see the research below).
- Barrier support: supports the look of a resilient, well-conditioned barrier.
- Antioxidant defence: rich in flavonoids and phenols that help defend against environmental stress.
- Gentle: well-tolerated and appropriate for sensitive, menopausal skin.
What the research shows
Maitake's skin research centres on two things: antioxidant activity and its beta-glucans. In a 2022 study developing mushroom-based cosmetics, maitake extract had the highest flavonoid and phenol content of the mushrooms tested and the strongest free-radical scavenging, and the maitake-containing formulas supported skin's hydrated look and feel while testing safely on cultured skin cells. Separate in vitro work found a Grifola frondosa extract acted as an antioxidant, protecting cultured dermal fibroblasts from stress-induced damage (2022). As with the other mushrooms, this is laboratory-based evidence rather than clinical trials, which is how we position maitake: an antioxidant, beta-glucan ingredient that supports the feel of hydration and a comfortable barrier.
Ingredient profile
- INCI: Grifola Frondosa Fruiting Body Extract
- Common name: Maitake, hen of the woods
- Key compounds: beta-glucans, polysaccharides, flavonoids and phenols
- Function: hydration and barrier support, antioxidant defence
- In Philogeni: part of the 10% four-mushroom M-Veil complex, in sunflower oil
- Suited to: sensitive, reactive and menopausal skin
Featured in
Start with the Resilience Balm, our most-loved formula, or explore the Bio-Lipid Concentrate. In both, maitake sits within the four-mushroom M-Veil complex, alongside bakuchiol and CoQ10. Read more in why mushrooms matter for menopausal skin.
Common questions
What does maitake do for skin?
Maitake is rich in beta-glucans, valued for supporting the look and feel of hydration and a comfortable, resilient-looking barrier, alongside antioxidant defence from its flavonoids and phenols.
Is maitake clinically proven?
Maitake's skin research is laboratory-based, showing antioxidant activity and hydration support in cosmetic studies, rather than clinical trials. We describe it on that basis.
Is maitake good for sensitive, menopausal skin?
Yes. It is gentle and well-tolerated, and its beta-glucans suit dry, reactive skin.
What are the other mushrooms in the complex?
Maitake works alongside reishi, chaga and cordyceps in our four-mushroom M-Veil complex.
References and further reading
- Cosmetic properties of washing gels with maitake, reishi and lion's mane extracts: antioxidant, hydration and TEWL (2022). PubMed Central
- Grifola frondosa extract and antioxidant protection of dermal fibroblasts (in vitro, 2022). PubMed Central
- Venturella G, et al. (2021). Medicinal Mushrooms: Bioactive Compounds, Use, and Clinical Trials. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(2), 634. DOI
At a glance
- Common name: Maitake (hen of the woods)
- INCI: Grifola Frondosa Fruiting Body Extract
- Key compounds: beta-glucans, flavonoids, phenols
- Cosmetic function: hydration and barrier support, antioxidant
- Found in: Bio-Lipid Concentrate, Resilience Balm
- Status: vegan, part of the M-Veil complex
One of four mushrooms in the M-Veil complex, maitake brings beta-glucan hydration support to menopausal skin. Shop the Resilience Balm or explore the Bio-Lipid Concentrate.