Buy with Prime
Beta Glucan, Oat Straw
What Is Beta-Glucan in Skincare?
Beta-glucan is a natural sugar chain (polysaccharide) found in the cell walls of oats, barley, yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed. In skincare, it works as a film-forming humectant: it holds water on the skin, leaves a smooth, soft finish, and gives dry or easily stressed skin a calmer, more comfortable look. Oat beta-glucan, often sold as oat straw or oat kernel extract, is the form most used in serums and moisturizers.
EWG Skin Deep rating for beta glucan
Quick Facts
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| INCI names | Beta-Glucan; Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan (a water-soluble yeast form); oat forms may appear as Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract |
| Common names | Oat beta-glucan, oat straw beta-glucan, yeast beta-glucan, 1,3 beta-glucan |
| Sources | Oats, barley, baker's yeast, shiitake and other mushrooms, seaweed |
| Form | Usually a clear to slightly hazy liquid solution; also sold as powder |
| Solubility | Water-soluble; not oil-soluble |
| Usage rate | Commercial oat beta-glucan is often supplied as a 1% solution (for example Symrise SymGlucan, supplier data); the clinical study below used a 0.5% solution. Follow your supplier's range. |
| Working pH | Comfortable in typical skincare pH, about 4.5 to 7 |
| Skin types | All, especially dry, mature, and sensitive skin |
How Beta-Glucan Works on the Skin
Hydration and a smoother surface
Beta-glucan is a large, water-loving molecule. On the skin, it forms a light, flexible film that binds water and slows its loss to the air, so skin feels softer and looks plumper and smoother. This is the same comfort people have long associated with oatmeal baths and oat-based creams.
Fine lines
Pillai, Redmond, and Röding (2005) studied oat beta-glucan (a 1,3 and 1,4 linked form with a molecular weight of about 1 million). In a test on donated human abdominal skin, a 0.5% beta-glucan solution applied once was found in the epidermis and dermis, even though the molecule is large. In a follow-up with 27 people with facial fine lines, 8 weeks of use was measured with silicone skin replicas, and the researchers reported significant reductions in wrinkle depth, wrinkle height, and roughness. The published abstract does not describe a control group, so read this as an encouraging early result rather than proof.
Antioxidant and comfort benefits
A 2014 review by Du, Bian, and Xu gathered research on cereal and yeast beta-glucans and their antioxidant activity, moisturizing properties, UV-related effects, and ability to move into the skin. Much of that work is in the lab, but it explains why beta-glucan is a common pick in formulas made for dry, reactive-feeling skin.
Claims we removed
The earlier version of this page said oat beta-glucan speeds cell turnover, fades spots, and acts on the immune system. We could not verify those claims for topical use and have removed them.
Beta-Glucan vs Hyaluronic Acid
| Feature | Beta-glucan | Hyaluronic acid |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Glucose polysaccharide from oats, yeast, or mushrooms | Polysaccharide made by fermentation, also found naturally in skin |
| Main job | Film-forming humectant with a soothing, silky feel | Humectant that binds water at the surface |
| Feel on skin | Slightly silky, cushioning | Light, can feel tacky at high levels |
| Best for | Dry, stressed, or sensitive-feeling skin; after exfoliation | All skin types needing lightweight hydration |
| Use together? | Yes. They work in similar ways and layer well in the same serum or routine. | |
How to Use It and Formulating Notes
- Routine: apply a beta-glucan serum to damp skin after cleansing, then follow with moisturizer. It layers well under peptide serums and is gentle enough for twice-daily use and for the eye area.
- Pair it with: hyaluronic acid and glycerin for hydration, niacinamide for tone, and peptides for firmness. It also helps make retinoid routines feel more comfortable.
- DIY formulating: add beta-glucan solution to the water phase or at cool down below about 40 C (104 F); heavy heating can thin some grades. Use the supplier's recommended rate, and expect a slightly silky, film-forming feel.
- Preservation and storage: beta-glucan is a sugar, so it can feed microbes. Use a broad-spectrum preservative and store solutions cool and tightly closed.
Who It Suits
Beta-glucan suits nearly every skin type and shines for dry, mature, wind-chapped, or easily stressed skin, and after exfoliation. Sensitive skin: patch test on the inner arm for 24 hours first and start at the lowest rate in your supplier's range. If you react to oats or gluten-containing grains, look for yeast or mushroom beta-glucan instead, and check the label.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does beta-glucan do for skin?
Beta-glucan holds water on the skin and forms a light, flexible film, so skin feels softer and looks smoother and plumper. In a small 8-week study, oat beta-glucan was also measured to reduce the look of fine lines and roughness.
Is beta-glucan better than hyaluronic acid?
They do similar jobs in different ways. Both are water-binding polysaccharides, and beta-glucan adds a soothing, film-forming feel. Many formulas use both.
Is beta-glucan suitable for all skin types?
Yes. It is light and non-greasy, so oily skin tolerates it, and it is a favorite for dry, mature, and easily stressed skin. If you react to oats, choose a yeast or mushroom source instead.
How do I use beta-glucan in my routine?
Apply a beta-glucan serum to damp skin after cleansing and before moisturizer, morning and night. It also works well right after exfoliation, when skin can feel tight.
Can beta-glucan be combined with other actives?
Yes. It layers well with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides, and vitamin C, and it helps retinoid routines feel more comfortable. It has no known conflicts with common actives.
Is oat beta-glucan the same as colloidal oatmeal?
No. Colloidal oatmeal is finely ground whole oats, which contain beta-glucan along with oils, proteins, and starch. Beta-glucan is one purified part of the oat.
Can beta-glucan go around the eyes?
Yes. It is light and non-greasy, which makes it a good fit for eye serums. Patch test first if your eye area is very reactive.
Does mushroom beta-glucan differ from oat beta-glucan?
Yes. Mushroom and yeast beta-glucans have a different branched structure from oat beta-glucan. All are humectants, but the studies on this page used oat or cereal forms.
Shop Beta-Glucan
For hydration plus firming peptides, try our Liquid Facelift Collagen Serum. To make your own, read 1-3 Beta D Glucan in Skincare and DIY Formulations, and explore related ingredients in our oatmeal and mushroom guides.
Sources
- Pillai R, Redmond M, Röding J. Anti-wrinkle therapy: significant new findings in the non-invasive cosmetic treatment of skin wrinkles with beta-glucan. IFSCC Magazine. 2005;8(1):17-21; abstract in J Cosmet Sci. 2005;56:211-212. library.scconline.org
- Du B, Bian Z, Xu B. Skin health promotion effects of natural beta-glucan derived from cereals and microorganisms: a review. Phytother Res. 2014;28(2):159-166. doi:10.1002/ptr.4963
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
About the Author
Written by Kari Thomas, cosmetic formulator and founder of Skin Perfection.