Beta-Glucan

Beta-glucan is a linear polysaccharide with beta-1,3 and 1,6 glycosidic bonds, which gives the substance the ability to activate the skin's immune system at the cellular level. It binds to specific receptors on macrophages and Langerhans cells in the epidermis, effectively strengthening the skin's innate immune response against bacteria and environmental stressors. Research shows that the polysaccharide reduces TEWL by up to 20 percent and provides a measurable increase in skin hydration after just one to two weeks of regular application. Its moisture-binding capacity is comparable to hyaluronic acid but with the added repair-promoting and anti-inflammatory effects unique to the substance. It is extracted from oats, baker's yeast, and shiitake mushrooms, and each source yields a slightly different molecular structure with similar but distinct properties. In Korean skincare, it is often combined with ceramides, panthenol, and niacinamide for complete barrier repair and deep hydration for dry, sensitive, and stressed skin. With its unique combination of moisture, immune support, and barrier repair, the substance plays a role in the skincare routine that neither hyaluronic acid nor ceramides alone can fully cover.