A method for at least one of protecting skin and promoting wound healing is provided. The method comprises administering to a subject in need an effective amount of Poria cocos extract, dehydropachymic acid (DPA), pachymic acid (PA), dehydrotumulosic acid (DTA), tumulosic acid (TA), polyporenic acid C (PAC), 3-epi-dehydrotumulosic acid (EDTA), dehydrotrametenolic acid (DTTA), trametenolic acid (TTA), dehydroeburicoic acid (DEA), eburicoic acid (EA), poricoic acid A (PAA) and/or poricoic acid B (PAB).