Herbar

Name: Herbar
Brand: Germany
Availability: OutOfStock

since 2020 : Fungi-Fueled Skincare, Rooted in Tradition and Innovation

Herbar was founded in Berlin by Catarina Oliveira and Rui Liu, two individuals whose shared interest in herbalism and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) shaped the brand’s DNA. Oliveira comes from a background in sports science, wellness, and teaching in Berlin, while Liu studied nutrition and agriculture with a focus that included oncology. They met in Berlin around 2017 and bonded over personal health journeys and a mutual fascination with adaptogens and fungi as healing tools.

By 2021, they began intensive product development, culminating in the brand’s public launch in 2022 with the introduction of The Face Oil. From the start, Herbar positioned itself as a bridge between ancient botanical wisdom and contemporary skincare science, offering products that nourish the skin while reconnecting users to natural rhythms.

Research, Development, and Expert Collaboration

Herbar’s development process is unusually rigorous for an indie skincare brand. The Face Oil alone took almost two years to formulate, particularly as the team sought reliable sources for high-grade fungi extracts and ensured their safety, purity, and functionality.

The brand collaborates closely with TCM practitioners, including Dr. Zonkai Wu and Dr. Betsy Wang, to develop product formulations, particularly for their ingestible line. This collaboration ensures that Herbar’s offerings respect traditional pharmacopoeia principles while complying with modern safety and efficacy standards.

Ingredients and Technical Formulation Highlights

Herbar blends medicinal fungi, adaptogens, and botanical extracts with modern cosmetic actives, creating formulations that are both bioactive and sensorial. Some of their key ingredients include:

Tremella mushroom (snow mushroom)

Rich in polysaccharides, it acts as a potent humectant comparable to hyaluronic acid, hydrating and soothing while supporting barrier repair. Its performance depends on careful preservation and the quality of the extract.

Reishi mushroom

Known in TCM as a longevity mushroom, it provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, supports cell renewal, and helps skin resist environmental stressors.

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)

Contains flavonoids and polysaccharides that protect against oxidative stress and help brighten dull skin.

Cordyceps militaris

An adaptogenic fungi known to boost cellular energy and resilience while helping protect against UV-related damage.

Bakuchiol

A plant-derived retinol alternative that supports collagen production and smooths fine lines without the irritation associated with traditional retinoids.

Product Portfolio and Performance Focus

Herbar’s product line remains compact but highly curated, with each item designed to deliver skin barrier support, antioxidant protection, and deep nourishment.

The Face Oil

Combines bakuchiol, hemp seed oil, rosehip, reishi, tremella, jujube fruit extract, vitamin E, and rosemary extract. It offers rich antioxidant protection, barrier repair, and glow without essential oils or synthetic fragrance. Customers praise its quick absorption, calming effect, and radiant finish.

The Barrier Cream

A richer moisturizer designed to lock in hydration while reducing transepidermal water loss. It combines lipid-rich emollients with fungi and adaptogens to calm redness and strengthen the barrier, earning strong reviews for texture and long-lasting moisture.

The Face Nectar

A lighter, serum-like hybrid meant to deliver concentrated hydration and adaptogenic nourishment, often used as a prep layer before the Face Oil or Barrier Cream.

Skin Pearls

Ingestible supplements made in Shanxi Province, formulated with TCM herbs and fungi to support skin resilience from within. They embody Herbar’s belief in an inside-out approach and are produced under the oversight of TCM practitioners.

The Essence of Herbar

Herbar embodies a fusion of ancient wisdom and modern cosmetic science, using medicinal fungi and adaptogenic herbs to build resilient, radiant skin from the inside out. By pairing cutting-edge formulation with cultural authenticity and design artistry, Herbar stands as one of the most distinctive new names in the functional skincare space — offering beauty that nourishes both skin and spirit.