Cosmetics · Plant extracts
Shiitake Extract
シイタケエキス (Shiitake ekisu)
Also known as: Lentinula Edodes Extract
2Japanese suppliers ready to quoteView on the Sourcing platformWhy now · 2022 — ongoing
Shiitake and Japanese Functional Mushrooms
Shiitake, maitake, and reishi anchor Japan's functional mushroom export chain. Beta-glucan content, lentinan, and GMP-grade extracts.
Read the trend reportAt a glance
| Category | Cosmetics |
|---|---|
| INCI name | Lentinula Edodes Extract / Lentinus Edodes Extract |
| Japanese labeling name | シイタケエキス |
| Common Japanese notations | シイタケエキス, 椎茸エキス |
| Origin | Fungal (Lentinula edodes mushroom) |
| Typical functions | Food ingredient (primary), Skin conditioning, Supplement ingredient (beta-glucan source) |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Food regulated under the Food Sanitation Act. Cosmetic ingredient listed in the JSCI (Japanese Cosmetic Industry Association) labeling name dictionary. |
Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) is one of the most important mushrooms in Japanese cuisine. It is also one of the core vegetarian-compatible dashi ingredients: dried shiitake soaked overnight produces a rich umami stock distinct from bonito-based dashi. As a cosmetic ingredient, shiitake extract is used in specialty formulations emphasizing beta-glucan content.
Find OEM manufacturers
Browse Japanese OEM manufacturers that build products in this category. Filter by small lot, certifications, prefecture.
Classification
Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.
Product applications
Functions
Origin
Common OEM product categories
Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.
- Dashi (shiitake dashi)
- Functional food supplements
- Cosmetic applications
Ingredient profile
Shiitake extract is produced by water or hydro-alcoholic extraction of Lentinula edodes fruiting bodies. The extract contains lentinan (a beta-glucan polysaccharide), eritadenine, ergosterol, amino acids including free glutamate, and guanosine 5'-monophosphate.
OEM applications
In cooking, dried shiitake (hoshi-shiitake) is soaked and used as dashi base, especially in vegetarian (shōjin ryōri) preparations. Fresh and dried shiitake are widely used in simmered dishes and across Japanese cuisine.
In cosmetics, shiitake extract appears in specialty formulations; the ingredient's beta-glucan content underlies much of the marketing positioning.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Food regulation under Food Sanitation Act. Cosmetic use under JSCI dictionary.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Listed in CosIng. Permitted for cosmetic use. |
|---|---|
| USA | INCI recognized by PCPC. |
| China | Permitted. |
| Korea | Permitted. |
Market reference formulations
Example finished products will be added after each product's current full ingredient list has been verified.
All brand names and product names referenced anywhere on this site are the property of their respective owners. Example entries are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement.
Seasonality & supply calendar
- Harvest months
- Source mushrooms harvested year-round (sawdust-block) or seasonally (log-grown)
- Peak supply
- Extract production runs continuously from dried stock
- Off-season
- None — finished extract is shelf-stable
Storage requirements
How the receiving OEM facility needs to handle inbound raw material.
- Temperature
- Sealed dry stock at room temperature; refrigerated for spray-dried
- Conditions
- Moisture-proof packaging
- Shelf life
- 24 months sealed
Supply concentration
Where this ingredient comes from — useful for single-source-risk planning.
- Primary regions
- Oita and Miyazaki for log-grown source; extract production at multiple kanto / kansai facilities
- Import dependence
- Extract production in Japan; raw shiitake source partly imported
農林水産省 特用林産物統計
Certifications commonly available
Certification schemes commonly obtainable for this raw material. Always confirm the specific supplier's current certificate before contracting.
| Scheme | Availability | |
|---|---|---|
| Organic JAS | On-request | Source shiitake organic-certified |
| Halal | Inherent | |
| Kosher | Inherent | |
| Vegan | Inherent | |
| GMP | Common | For supplement-grade extract |
Alternative ingredients
Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.
Quick answers
- What is Shiitake Extract?
- Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) is one of the most important mushrooms in Japanese cuisine. It is also one of the core vegetarian-compatible dashi ingredients: dried shiitake soaked overnight produces a rich umami stock distinct from bonito-based dashi. As a cosmetic ingredient, shiitake extract is used in specialty formulations emphasizing beta-glucan content.
- What is the regulatory status of Shiitake Extract in Japan?
- Food regulated under the Food Sanitation Act. Cosmetic ingredient listed in the JSCI (Japanese Cosmetic Industry Association) labeling name dictionary.
- What products typically use Shiitake Extract?
- Dashi (shiitake dashi) / Functional food supplements / Cosmetic applications
- Where does Shiitake Extract come from?
- Fungal (Lentinula edodes mushroom)
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Shiitake Extract?
- INCI: Lentinula Edodes Extract / Lentinus Edodes Extract / JSCI: シイタケエキス
Explore related ingredients
Used in similar product applications
Other ingredients commonly used in the same finished-product families.
Apple Ceramide
Facial skincareSupplementsFunctional foods (FFC / Tokuho)
Astaxanthin
SupplementsFunctional foods (FFC / Tokuho)Facial skincare
Botanboufu (Sakuna)
Facial skincareSupplementsFunctional foods (FFC / Tokuho)
Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Facial skincareSupplementsFunctional foods (FFC / Tokuho)
Fermented Soybean Extract (Natto)
Facial skincareSupplementsFunctional foods (FFC / Tokuho)
Sharing similar functions
Ingredients that overlap on functional benefit tags.
From the same origin
Other ingredients that share an origin classification.
Regulatory guidance
Take the next step
FAQ for OEM buyers
Q. What INCI name covers shiitake mushroom extract?
The INCI listing is 'Lentinula Edodes Extract' (older synonym 'Lentinus Edodes Extract'); both forms appear in supplier CoAs. Confirm with the supplier which form their dictionary listing uses.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- Personal Care Products Council — INCI Dictionary (Lentinula Edodes entries)
Q. Is shiitake extract approved for any quasi-drug active claims in Japan?
No — it is a general cosmetic ingredient and not on 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)'s quasi-drug active ingredient lists, so it cannot anchor whitening or anti-wrinkle claims. Beta-glucan content is typically used as the formulation talking point only.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) — quasi-drug active ingredient standards
Q. Are there allergen/regulatory disclosure concerns for fungal ingredients?
Mushroom-derived ingredients are not on Japan's cosmetic allergen disclosure list, but EU and Korean buyers sometimes request mycotoxin and heavy-metal CoAs for fungal extracts. Request a residual solvent and microbial spec at qualification.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- Industry knowledge — fungal extract QA practice
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Q. What format is the extract typically supplied in?
Most Japanese suppliers offer it as a BG (1,3-butylene glycol) or water/glycerin extract, sometimes as a freeze-dried powder for higher-actives positioning. Powder forms allow lower microbial-load specs but require dispersion testing.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- Industry knowledge — Japanese botanical extract formats
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Use cases
Premium anti-aging essence
- Positioning
- Beta-glucan-led barrier story, 'Japan-grown mushroom' angle
- Typical usage level
- 0.1–1%
- Formulation notes
- Water-soluble; pairs with hyaluronic acid and other polysaccharides.
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese specialty skincare
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Sheet mask
- Positioning
- Botanical / functional-mushroom mask
- Formulation notes
- Compatible with standard mask serum bases; combine with niacinamide for brightening claims.
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese mask category
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Sensitive-skin moisturizer
- Positioning
- Soothing / barrier-support cream
- Formulation notes
- Often combined with dipotassium glycyrrhizate and ceramides for gentle positioning.
Sources
- Industry knowledge — sensitive-skin formulation
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Functional mushroom skincare line
- Positioning
- 'Adaptogenic' or 'wellness' cross-category line including reishi, tremella
- Formulation notes
- Used as part of a multi-mushroom complex for marketing differentiation.
Sources
- Industry knowledge — global functional mushroom trend
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Search the academic literature
Pre-filled queries for the major research databases. Opens in a new tab.
Official regulatory databases
External links to public Japanese / international regulatory authorities. We are not affiliated.
References
- 農林水産省 (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) food classification — shiitake
- JSCI (Japanese Cosmetic Industry Association) labeling name directory — シイタケエキス
Last updated: 2026-04-22. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.