Sayuri Science · Ingredient Guide
Schizophyllan is a beta-glucan — a natural polysaccharide — produced by the mushroom Schizophyllum commune. In skincare it works as a high-molecular-weight humectant: it binds water, forms a soft, breathable film on the skin and helps the barrier hold on to moisture, which makes skin feel calmer and more comfortable. At Sayuri it is one of the signature actives in our renewal formulas.
By Katerina Trofimova, biochemist and founder of Sayuri · Last updated: November 2026
What is Schizophyllan?
Schizophyllan is a beta-glucan with a β-(1→3)-linked glucose backbone and short β-(1→6)-linked side chains, produced outside the cells of the fungus Schizophyllum commune. Its structure belongs to the same family as other well-studied mushroom glucans such as lentinan and pleuran (review of mushroom glucans, 2023).
The Schizophyllan Sayuri works with is made by Contipro, a Czech biotech company, through controlled cultivation of the fungus’s mycelium — not harvested from the wild. On an ingredient label it appears simply as Schizophyllan; its official cosmetic function in the EU is humectant (COSMILE Europe).
What does Schizophyllan do for the skin?
- Hydration that stays. As a large polysaccharide it binds water at the skin surface and forms a thin, flexible film that slows water loss.
- Barrier support. In the supplier’s in-vivo study, a face emulsion with 0.1% Schizophyllan reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) by 25% compared with placebo after four weeks in 7 volunteers (Contipro technical data). This is manufacturer data on a small group, so we treat it as supportive rather than conclusive.
- Comfort for reactive skin. In a second supplier study, even 0.005% Schizophyllan reduced facial redness by 11% after four weeks. That soothing effect is why Sayuri pairs Schizophyllan with exfoliating acids: it helps the skin tolerate active renewal.
What the supplier studies show
Source: Contipro supplier studies (in-vivo on volunteers’ faces; ex-vivo on human skin explants). Small groups, manufacturer data — indicative, not conclusive. Results refer to the ingredient, not to a finished Sayuri product. PDF
What Schizophyllan does not do
Honesty matters more than marketing. Independent ingredient reviewers rate the evidence for Schizophyllan as limited but solid for surface hydration and comfort, and note that bolder claims about “deep repair” go beyond the data (Evigrade). The best-known anti-wrinkle study on beta-glucan used a different glucan — from oats — in 27 volunteers over eight weeks (Pillai et al., 2005). It is a promising signal for the whole ingredient family, but it is not proof for Schizophyllan specifically.
That is why at Sayuri Schizophyllan is never the only active in a formula. It is the hydrating, calming partner that lets the other actives do their work.
Schizophyllan and the Longevity Axis™
In the Longevity Axis™, Schizophyllan works on the mineral axis — the skin’s ability to hold water and keep its barrier intact. A well-hydrated barrier recovers faster after exfoliation, which is the foundation for visible renewal.
Which Sayuri products contain Schizophyllan?
- Glow Perfection Drops™ — multi-acid resurfacing serum with 0.1% Schizophyllan, the concentration tested in Contipro’s barrier study. It keeps the skin comfortable during renewal.
- Matrix Firming Mask — with niacinamide and caffeine for a firmer, fresher look.
- Glow Reset Ritual — the complete four-step set built around Glow Perfection Drops™.
Frequently asked questions
Is Schizophyllan better than hyaluronic acid?
They do different jobs. Hyaluronic acid draws large amounts of water into the upper layers of the skin; Schizophyllan forms a soothing film that helps keep that water there. Many Sayuri formulas use both.
Is Schizophyllan suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes. It is considered well tolerated and is used precisely to make active formulas more comfortable. As with any product, patch-test first if your skin is very reactive.
Can I use Schizophyllan during pregnancy?
Schizophyllan is a large molecule that stays at the skin surface and is generally considered suitable. Products that also contain exfoliating acids should be discussed with your doctor or midwife during pregnancy.
Is Schizophyllan vegan?
Yes. It is produced by fungal fermentation, without animal-derived materials.
Sources
- Review of mushroom glucans including schizophyllan, lentinan and pleuran (2023). PMC10000499
- Contipro. Schizophyllan — technical data and in-vivo studies (supplier documentation). PDF
- Pillai R, Redmond M, Röding J. Anti-wrinkle therapy: significant new findings in the non-invasive cosmetic treatment of skin wrinkles with beta-glucan. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2005;27(5):292. Abstract
- COSMILE Europe — Schizophyllan ingredient entry. cosmileeurope.eu
Sayuri products are cosmetics intended to support the appearance and condition of the skin. They are not medicines and do not treat or prevent disease.
