Beta-glucan
Soothes, hydrates and reinforces the barrier; very well tolerated.
What the evidence says
Promising but still-limited human evidence.
How to use it
Morning and night, usually in soothing essences and serums. It's a large molecule that forms a hydrating, protective film over the skin — perfect after exfoliating or when the barrier is compromised.
What it pairs with
With everything; natural synergy with hyaluronic acid, panthenol and centella in repair routines.
Frequently asked questions
Does beta-glucan hydrate better than hyaluronic acid?
Some manufacturers claim so citing old in-vitro data, but there are no robust clinical head-to-heads. What is distinctive: besides being a humectant, it's soothing (it interacts with the skin's immune receptors). For reactive skin, pick beta-glucan; for pure hydration, call it a tie.
Where does it come from?
From the cell walls of oats, yeast or mushrooms. The yeast- and mushroom-derived kind is the usual one in Korean cosmetics, and it's vegan.
