Beta-glucan is a type of sugar chain taken from oats, yeast or mushrooms. It is added to serums, moisturisers and soothing products to hold water in your skin and help calm redness.
- Also known as
- beta glucan, oat beta-glucan, yeast beta-glucan, mushroom beta-glucan, sodium carboxymethyl beta-glucan, schizophyllan
- Pregnancy
- Generally considered fine in pregnancyBeta-glucan applied to the skin is generally considered suitable during pregnancy, but ask your doctor if you have any concerns.
- Evidence
- Some good studies
What it does
Beta-glucan draws water and holds it on the surface of your skin. It forms a light, flexible film that helps reduce water loss, so your skin feels smoother and less tight. It is often used in products for sensitive or irritated skin because it is gentle and may help calm redness and discomfort. Early studies suggest it may support the skin barrier and help skin recover after irritation, but this is less well established than its moisturising effect. Its texture is light and non-greasy, which suits hot, humid weather.
Good for
- dehydrated skin
- dry skin
- oily skin that needs light hydration
- sensitive skin
- redness and irritation
- skin feeling tight after actives
- humid climates
How to use it
You can use it morning and evening, every day. Apply it to clean, slightly damp skin, then follow with a moisturiser to help seal in water. In the morning, finish with sunscreen. It is usually found in serums and moisturisers at low levels, and it sits well under other products. It is often used alongside stronger actives to help keep skin comfortable.
Who should be careful
Beta-glucan is generally well tolerated, including by sensitive skin. Reactions are uncommon, but if you have a known allergy to oats, yeast or mushrooms, check the source with the seller or patch test first. As with any new product, try it on a small area for a few days. Irritation on darker skin can leave dark marks that take time to fade, so stop if you notice stinging or redness that lasts. Other ingredients in the same product, such as fragrance, are more likely to cause a reaction than beta-glucan itself.
Pairs well with
hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, panthenol, niacinamide, centella asiatica, retinol, alpha hydroxy acids, sunscreen.
