BETA-GLUCAN

📋 Quick facts

Description: BETA-GLUCAN — soothing, hydration, skin barrier support.

All Functions: soothing, hydration, skin barrier support

Quick Facts:

• Category: active

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Beta-glucan is a natural polysaccharide found in yeast, fungi, mushrooms, cereals, and some bacteria
• Research suggests beta-glucan may help protect skin from UV damage and support skin repair
• Beta-glucan has antioxidant and soothing properties that may benefit overall skin health
• The ingredient is being explored as a natural alternative to synthetic compounds in skincare
• Multiple studies indicate potential anti-aging benefits, though research is still developing

⚗️ Chemical Overview

beta-Glucan has been reported in Phanerodontia chrysosporium, Avena sativa, and other organisms with data available. Beta-Glucan is a polysaccharide isolated from the cell walls of bacteria, plants, and fungi with immunostimulant and antineoplastic activities. In a solubilized form, beta-glucan binds to a lectin site within complement receptor 3 (CR3) on leukocytes, priming the receptor to trigger cytotoxic degranulation of leukocytes when leukocyte CR3 binds to complement 3 (iC3b)-coated tumors. Thus, the attachment of beta-glucan to CR3 of circulating leukocytes simulates leukocytes to kill iC3b-coated tumor cells in the same way as they kill iC3b-coated yeast. (NCI04) This fact sheet provides information on weight-loss dietary supplements*, including summaries of research on the safety and efficacy of several of the most commonly used ingredients in these products.

Source(s): NIH Dietary Supplement Fact Sheets, LOTUS – the natural products occurrence database, NCI Thesaurus (NCIt), via PubChem

📊 Comedogenicity

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

Derived from this ingredient’s irritancy potential and comedogenicity rating against the needs of each skin type — e.g. oily and acne-prone skin are marked down for pore-clogging ingredients, sensitive skin for irritants. A starting heuristic, not a dermatological verdict.

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Beta-glucan is a type of polysaccharide—essentially a chain of sugar molecules—that occurs naturally in various organisms including mushrooms, yeast, cereals, and certain bacteria (Phytother Res). It’s gained attention in skincare because it appears to work through multiple biological pathways. #1: UV Protection and Photoaging: One specific beta-glucan called lentinan polysaccharide was shown to reduce UV-induced skin damage in both cell cultures and mice by suppressing inflammatory pathways (the NF-kappa B and MAPK signaling routes) and slowing senescence markers—essentially signs that cells are aging prematurely (Int J Biol Macromol). Another formulation containing beta-glucan maintained 95% of its antioxidant activity even after 72 hours of photo-aging exposure, partly because the formulation could absorb UV rays in the 200-300 nanometer range (Carbohydr Polym, 2026).

These findings suggest #2: Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Activity: Beta-glucans possess inherent soothing and antioxidant properties that theoretically help skin maintain balance and respond better to environmental stressors (Carbohydr Polym, 2023). In cell studies, beta-glucan-containing formulas suppressed oxidative stress markers like ROS (reactive oxygen species) and reduced expression of pro-inflammatory factors (Carbohydr Polym, 2026). #3: Skin Repair Support: When tested in damaged skin cells, beta-glucan formulations promoted cell proliferation and enhanced collagen synthesis—key markers of skin regeneration (Carbohydr Polym, 2026). The ingredient is being explored as a way to support the skin’s natural repair processes. It’s important to note that most mechanistic research shown here uses beta-glucan in specific formulations or concentrations, often combined with other ingredients.

While these studies are promising, they represent early-stage research. The sources acknowledge that skin health benefits of beta-glucan have “received little attention” compared to its other biological effects (Phytether Res), and one review describes the approach as “promising” rather than proven (Carbohydr Polym, 2023). Beta-glucan appears to work as a natural, potentially eco-friendly option, but more human studies would be needed to establish definitive efficacy claims.

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Wei K et al. (2025). The β-glucan from Lentinus alleviates UVB-induced dermal fibroblasts senescence and skin photoaging. Int J Biol Macromol.
• Sousa P et al. (2023). β-Glucan extracts as high-value multifunctional ingredients for skin health: A review. Carbohydr Polym.
• Kaga H et al. (2024). Interaction between Sophorolipids and β-glucan in Aqueous Solutions. J Oleo Sci.
• Song Q et al. (2026). Chitosan/β-glucan/cystine multifunctional hydrogel loading retinol liposomes for efficiently treating UV-induced skin damage and aging. Carbohydr Polym.
• Du B et al. (2014). Skin health promotion effects of natural beta-glucan derived from cereals and microorganisms: a review. Phytother Res.

🧴 Products Containing BETA-GLUCAN

• Caudalie Caudalie Coffret Cadeau Noël Indispensable Hydratation
• Caudalie Vinoperfect crème mains anti taches
• Caudalie Crème sorbet hydratant Vinosource
• Hoito Saç maskesi
• elmex OPTI-SCHMELZ
• dr groot shampoo
• rael beauty collagen plump and smooth facial sheet masks
• Dr. Squatch Men’s Natural Moisturizing Lotion
• Caudalie PREMIER CRU LA CRÈME
• L’Occitane Crème mains – peaux sèches
• Avogood Time With Me Masque pour visage
• Dr. Althea Dr.Althea 147 Barrier Cream 50ml
• Caudalie Premier Cru Le Sérum
• Caudalie Crème gourmande mains et ongles – Thé des vignes
• Caudalie Crème gourmande mains et ongles
• Caudalie Crème gourmande mains et ongles Pamplemousse rose
• Caudalie Crème réparatrice mains & ongles – thé des vignes
• cherry blossom hand cream
• Ariul Bambou + B hydrating mask
• Bergamo Hyaluronic acid essential intensive cream
• Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence
• Some By Mi Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum 50ml
• Dr Squatch Dr. Squach Moisturizing Lotion
• MANUFAKTURA Self-tanning fluid APRICOT
• L’Occitane Crème Mains Peaux Sèches 20% Beurre de Karité
• L’Occitane Crème mains hand cream
• L’occitane Crème ultra riche corps – peau seches et peau sensibles
• THALGO Source marine