Ingredient glossary

Beta-Glucan

What Beta-Glucan does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.

INCI: Beta-Glucan · Also: Oat Beta-Glucan, Pleuran

Solid and proven

In short: Beta-Glucan delivers hydration and barrier support, suits dry and sensitive skin best, and the evidence behind it is moderate.

What it does
Hydration, barrier support
Best for
Dry, Sensitive skin
Evidence
Moderate
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The Glow take

Genuinely worth a spot in your routine.

When your goal is deep, lasting hydration, Beta-Glucan pulls genuine weight, with a solid amount of evidence behind it. It tends to suit dry skin best.

— Maya

What it does

  • hydration
  • barrier support
  • soothing
  • anti aging

moderate evidenceClinical and mechanistic studies show topical beta glucan improves atopic dermatitis scores enhances barrier markers and reduces wrinkle depth at around zero point five percent with good tolerability.

On a label: usually effective at 0.2-1%.

Who it's for, and who should skip it

Tends to suit

  • dry
  • dehydrated
  • sensitive
  • very sensitive
  • compromised barrier
  • photoaged
  • atopic

Approach with care

No specific group flagged to avoid it.

  • Clogs poresLow
  • Irritation riskLow

How it fits each skin type

  • DrySuits
  • CombinationNeutral
  • OilyNeutral
  • SensitiveSuits

Often chosen for compromised barrier, photoaged, atopic.

Where it fits in your routine

WhenMorning and evening
Where in the orderOn damp skin, before your moisturizer

Plays well with

Beta-Glucan, answered

Is Beta-Glucan safe during pregnancy?

Yes. Beta-Glucan is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with anything, if you are unsure it is worth a quick word with your doctor or midwife.

Who should avoid Beta-Glucan?

No specific group is flagged to avoid Beta-Glucan. It is well tolerated by most skin. Still, introduce anything new one product at a time.

What concentration of Beta-Glucan actually works?

Beta-Glucan tends to do its job in the 0.2 to 1% range. Much lower and it is likely underdosed.

This, for every label you own

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Sources & how we reviewed this

Last reviewed July 2026. Educational information about a cosmetic ingredient, not medical advice.