MEET BETA GLUCAN – THE LATEST MULTITASKING SKINCARE MUST-HAVE
If you’ve ever damaged your skin barrier, over-used your retinol or have incredibly sensitive skin, then chances are your complexion is going to love the latest skincare ingredient we’re currently obsessed with: Beta Glucan. Slowly gaining traction as the ingredient to rival hyaluronic acid (!), this naturally occurring skin-enhancer can soothe, soften and restore your complexion, boosting its natural-looking glow.
But what is beta glucan? What are beta glucans benefits and what skincare products are available that are infused with this powerhouse ingredient? Well, here at Cult Beauty we’re going to take a skincare lesson on everything beta-glucan. Lab coats at the ready...
In This Article
- What is Beta-Glucan
- What are the benefits of Beta-Glucan
- The Best Beta Glucan Skincare
- Beta-Glucan FAQs
WHAT IS BETA GLUCAN
Beta glucan is a polysaccharide made up of sugar molecules derived from sources like oats, yeast and seaweed. Although you can ingest beta glucan in food, it’s making waves within the beauty industry because of its deeply hydrating properties. Used topically, beta glucan has shown to boost hydration levels, strengthen your skin’s barrier function as well as help soothe redness, irritation and the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BETA GLUCAN
So now we understand what is beta glucan, let's get into its benefits and how they work...
Beta glucan is a powerhouse humectant, able to hold 10x times its weight in water. This means it can attract and retain moisture and form a protective layer on skin so that it looks plumper – making fine lines appear smoother.
By stimulating the production of lipids and proteins in your cells, beta glucan strengthens the skin’s natural barrier – helping to defend against environmental stressors while simultaneously keeping moisture locked in.
Beta glucan activates fibroblasts – the cells in your dermis responsible for producing collagen, elastin and other connective tissue components. The result? A complexion that feels plumper, firmer, and more refined.
Beta glucan interacts with skin immune cells to help reduce redness and support faster healing – quickly calming stressed or irritated skin.
Ultimately, beta glucan is a multi-tasking ingredient that hydrates, soothes, repairs, and protects. It’s perfect for sensitive, dry or irritable skin in need of some TLC.
THE BEST BETA GLUCAN SKINCARE
With the what's and the how's out of the way, let’s dive into some of the best beta glucan skincare products you can seamlessly incorporate into your routine.
80
11.45€
Start your beta glucan infused skincare routine as you mean to go on with Glow Recipe’s Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser. Doubling up as deep-cleansing mask, this rich, gel-textured face wash is powered by glycolic and lactic acid, hyaluronic acid and of course beta glucan, to quickly and effortlessly lift makeup, dirt and grime without disrupting your skin barrier.
16
14.40€
With a water-based formula that's ultra-lightweight on skin, The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan is the ideal daily moisturiser to soothe dry and lacklustre skin. Blending ceramides, amino acids, fatty acids and star ingredient beta glucan, it works instantly to replenish, nourish and strengthen your skin’s moisture barrier for a healthy and refreshed sign off.
95.95€
Offering your skin long lasting hydration is Allies of Skin’s Beta Glucan & Resveratrol Advanced Hydrating Serum. Enriched with 8% beta glucan and ceramides, 5.5% resveratrol and polysaccharides and 1.5% carnosine, this antioxidant rich serum comforts and protects your complexion. Ideal for layering, it’s lightweight enough to work well under your moisturiser and your makeup.
4
9.95€
Skin screaming for an SOS? Reach for Dr. Jart+’s Dermask Soothing Hydra Solution. Designed specifically for skin that’s craving comfort, this soft sheet mask is enriched with beta glucan to minimise discomfort and soothe redness and panthenol to deliver long-lasting moisture and essential hydration. The result? A complexion that looks and feels luminous and bright.
8
185.00€
Formulated using the brand’s famous plant-based Epidermal Growth Factors (EGF) and combined with beta glucan, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, squalane and oridonin, BIOEFFECT’s EGF Power Cream is the ultimate solution for radiant-looking skin. Crafted to reduce the chances of oxidative stress while improving skin texture and tone, this redness reducing moisturiser also targets fine lines, dark spots, loss of firmness and dehydration. A powerhouse potion for defending against premature ageing, it’s a standout solution that brings the best out of your skin.
86
23.95€
If a parched pout is your beauty bugbear, reach for LANEIGE’s Lip Sleeping Mask. Working overtime while you snooze, this indulgent overnight treatment buffs away dead skin cells and drenches lips in moisture for a softer, smoother, more supple-looking finish by morning. Powered by the brand’s patented Berry Mix Complex — a cocktail of antioxidant-rich berries and vitamin C — alongside its innovative Moisture Wrap technology with beta glucan, it cocoons your lips in lasting hydration. The result? A calm, cushioned and irresistibly nourished pout that stays moisturised all night long.
BETA GLUCAN FAQs
Is beta-glucan better than hyaluronic acid?
Both beta-glucan and hyaluronic acid are brilliant hydrators — they just bring different strengths to the table. Like hyaluronic acid, beta-glucan draws water into the skin, but it goes a step further: it’s far better at soothing irritation and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Thanks to its larger molecular structure, it also forms a protective, cushioning veil over the skin. Hyaluronic acid, on the other hand, binds up to 1000x its weight in water and delivers that instantly juicy, deeply hydrated feel. So, if you’re after a quick moisture surge, hyaluronic acid is your go-to. But if long-lasting comfort, calming benefits and barrier support are top of your list, reach for beta-glucan.
Can I use beta-glucan and retinol together?
Yes, you can definitely use beta-glucan and retinol together. Beta-glucan’s soothing, hydrating and barrier-supporting properties make it the perfect companion for retinol. Since retinol can sometimes cause dryness, irritation and increased sensitivity, pairing it with beta-glucan helps comfort the skin and minimise any potential side effects, so you can enjoy all the benefits of retinol without the stress.
Does beta-glucan help hyperpigmentation?
Yes, beta glucan can help support pigmentation but it is not a primary brightening ingredient. Beta glucan isn't a pigmentation-targeting active like vitamin C, azelaic acid or retinols. Instead, beta glucan helps with pigmentation issues indirectly by helping reduce inflammation, strengthening the skin barrier and supporting your skin to repair and heal.
So, whether you’re chasing plump, hydrated skin, battling irritation or just want a little extra TLC for your barrier, beta-glucan has your back. Think of it as your skin’s personal bodyguard — calming, protecting and keeping hydration locked in all day (and night!). Now, are you adding the moisturiser, cleanser and the lip mask to your routine or is that just us?
Rina is Cult Beauty’s Midweight SEO Copywriter and has always had a passion for beauty and skin care (rich moisturisers are her obsession). What started as a love for The Body Shop and their famed Born Lippy lip balms (in ‘Watermelon’ of course!), she is now more interested in finding products with proven effectiveness instead of broken promises. A loud and proud VIEVE fan, Rina owns nearly every item of the range and recommends the brand to anyone who will listen... When she’s not intently reading ingredient lists, you can find her either immersed in multiple true crime podcasts or a fantasy romance novel, with an *extra* hot cappuccino in hand.
