Keep reading to know more about beta-glucans, their benefits, and why you need them in your skin care routine. In dermatology, beta-glucans are used in personal care products. They promote wound healing, moisturize the skin, and have anti-aging benefits. They improve the skin’s resilience to infections (1). They are especially beneficial for sensitive skin, may help soothe symptoms of eczema and dermatitis, and protect the skin. Keep reading to learn what beta-glucans can do for your skin.

What Do Beta-Glucans Do For The Skin?

1. Hydrate The Skin

Beta-glucans extracted from oats can hydrate and moisturize your skin. They can penetrate deep into the dermis (second layer of the skin), and reduce the skin roughness (2). It also increases the efficacy of the product.

2. Reduce Signs Of Aging

Oat-derived beta-glucan can rejuvenate the skin and minimize fine lines and wrinkles. It stimulates the fibroblast cells to promote collagen production and cell renewal process to tighten the skin and minimize crow’s feet in eight weeks to give you a youthful appearance (2).

3. Have Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Beta-glucans derived from mushrooms have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (3). This might help alleviate inflammation caused by skin conditions like eczema, burns, wounds, and dermatitis. Beta-glucans play an important role in treating and preventing allergic reactions triggered by the immune system (4). These properties make them effective agents for soothing allergy symptoms like skin rashes, redness, and swelling.

4. Prevent UV Damage

Excessive ultraviolet light exposure produces harmful free radicals in your body, one of the main factors that cause photodamage and photoaging. The antioxidative properties of beta-glucans protect the skin against free radical damages and prevent signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and cell damage (1). You can use beta-glucans orally and topically to reap their skin benefits (5). Here is how you can incorporate them into your daily routine.

How To Use Beta Glucans For Skin

You can use serums, moisturizers, creams, and other skin care products with beta-glucans. You can also consume foods rich in beta-glucans to maintain your skin and overall health. You can eat:

Oats Whole grains Seaweed Shiitake, maitake, and reishi mushrooms Barley

Beta-glucans are considered safe (both orally and topically)(5). They do not have any serious side effects unless you are allergic to them or any of the foods listed above. Let’s understand who can use or consume beta-glucans.

Who Should Use Them?

You can use topical (or oral) beta-glucans if you have:

Dry and sensitive skin Mature skin Wrinkles, fine lines, and other aging signs

You can consume beta-glucans if you want to boost:

Cardiovascular health Immune function

However, avoid consuming beta-glucans (through supplements or foods) if you have certain medical conditions like:

Asthma (6) Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome by causing intestinal inflammation (7) Rheumatoid arthritis (8) Lupus (9) Multiple sclerosis (10)

This is because beta-glucans can further trigger the hyperactive immune system in people with these conditions. Is beta-glucan good for oily skin? Yes, beta-glucan is good for all skin types. However, do a patch test before applying it. Can I use beta-glucan and hyaluronic acid together? Yes, using beta-glucan and hyaluronic acid together can provide maximum hydration to the skin. Is beta-glucan safe for fungal acne? Yes, you can apply beta-glucan to soothe discomfort caused by fungal acne as it has anti-inflammatory properties. However, it may not treat acne.

Sources

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