If you’ve ever struggled with acne, you know it can feel like an undertaking trying to find the right ingredients for your skin—especially if it’s also extremely sensitive. To be perfectly honest, it took me years (and connecting with the right aesthetician) to figure out what ingredients worked for my sensitive, breakout-prone skin, but once I found the right routine, my whole life changed.
For a long time, I struggled after tretinoin seriously damaged my skin barrier. My skin became extra dehydrated, red, and prone to acne after that, and I found it frustrating trying to find ingredients that didn’t make it worse. The ingredient that really turned things around for me, though, was beta-glucan. While you may have seen this ingredient pop up in a formula or two in your routine, I still feel that it doesn’t get the spotlight that it deserves. It’s truly fantastic for dehydrated, damaged, acne-prone, and barrier-damaged skin because it’s known for its skin-healing properties.
My aesthetician Sonia Vargas is a huge fan of it and told me it was worth adding to my lineup because it accelerates wound healing and tissue repair. It sounded like exactly what I needed at the time. My skin has taken a huge turn for the positive since I started using it regularly four months ago. For everything you need to know about why this powerhouse ingredient should be on your shelf, straight from the experts, keep on reading.
What is Beta-Glucan?
Vargas explained that beta-glucan is a polysaccharide (made up of sugar molecules) derived from sources like oats, yeast, and fungi. “[They] benefit all skin types,” she says. “It’s good for all skin because it provides deep hydration, strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier, and has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties. This combination makes it excellent for soothing irritation and protecting the skin from environmental damage.”
Keep in mind, beta-glucan may not be the best ingredient for you if you deal with fungal acne, but if your breakouts are not fungal, it can be an amazing assistant when you’re in the process of clearing up your skin. Although it’s helpful for breakouts, it’s also generally great for skin that’s dry or dehydrated because provides moisture without being overly heavy on the skin.
Why Should You Add Beta-Glucan to Your Routine?
Plastic surgeon and founder of Asian Pacific Plastic Surgery Shim Ching, MD confirms that beta-glucan is a superhero when it comes to traumatized skin. “Most of the research around beta-glucans have been around how they help heal damaged skin,” he says. “We’re theorizing that they can help other skin problems by reducing inflammation, hydrating the skin, repairing the skin barrier and boosting the skin’s immune system.” Ching is referring to the fact that beta-glucan is known to stimulate the Langerhans cells—the immune cells within the skin’s epidermis layer. This initiates its immune and reparative functions.
Not only that, beta-glucan is really helpful for treating traumatized skin (like tretinoin damage), abrasions, damage, burns, oxidative stress, premature aging, acne, inflammation, and even calming rosacea. Basically, it does it all and everyone could benefit from adding it to their routine. Ching also suggests taking beta-glucan as a dietary supplement to get the full list of benefits. Beta-glucans can be found in oats, barley, wheat, rye, and certain mushrooms like shitake, maitake, and reishi.
If you struggle with breakouts, though, Vargas says it’s especially key. “Beta-glucan is an essential ingredient for acne-prone skin because it targets multiple issues that contribute to breakouts, including inflammation, a compromised skin barrier, and impaired healing,” she explains. “Traditional acne treatments can be harsh—beta-glucan is gentle and non-irritating, making it a safe choice for inflamed and impaired skin.”
Vargas knew beta-glucan would be perfect for my skin because I struggled with all of the above. It was tough to find ingredients that would clear my breakouts without causing more irritation and barrier damage. What truly helped was stopping all retinoids, exfoliating less, and giving my skin the time it needed to reset and heal. Adding DMK’s signature Beta Gel formula on top of that was the key to my success. Vargas recommended it to me and I haven’t looked back since.
The Best Products With Beta-Glucan
Vargas recommended I try DMK’s signature beta gel formula because it’s designed to address reactive, chronically irritated, or traumatized skin. After I started using this, my skin totally changed. It wasn’t as red, reactive, or sensitive, and I was breaking out a lot less. I couldn’t believe the difference after just a few short months. It really goes to show that a skin reset is necessary sometimes—a.k.a., stopping all strong actives for a period of time (exfoliants and retinoids). DMK is an incredible brand (truly one of my all time favorites on the market), but it’s only available through an aesthetician. If you’re in the L.A. area, Vargas is amazing to chat with or you can go for celebrity facialist Candace Marino who is also a favorite and DMK therapist in the area. DMK also has a handy tool on their website to help you locate a practitioner near you.
Mixsoon
Beta-Glucan Essence
Mixsoon is one of my favorite Korean skincare brands and this beta-glucan essence from the brand is a simple formula, but gets the job done. It’s so soothing and hydrating on the skin. It’s also perfect if you’re on a budget.
The Ordinary
Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan Moisturizer
Board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD recommends The Ordinary’s lightweight clear gel moisturizer. It’s perfect for oilier or acne-prone skin types, helps protect the skin from water loss, and features beta-glucan and natural moisturizing factors as its star ingredients.
IUNIK
Beta-Glucan Power Moisture Serum
Both Ching and I are a fan of this Iunik formula for its high concentration of beta-glucan. This is another simple formula that deeply hydrates and calms the skin. Iunik is known for using beta-glucan in many of its formulas and this serum contains a hefty dose (400,000 ppm)—perfect for calming ultra-sensitive skin.
IUNIK
Beta-Glucan 3x Barrier Cream
For richer moisture and extra barrier repair, try Iunik’s beta-glucan cream. Other hydrators like ectoin and panthenol give skin a radiant glow.
Paula’s Choice
Repairing Serum
This antioxidant-rich serum from Paula’s Choice immediately soothes sensitive skin with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, beta-glucan, and glycerin. It also helps reduce future sensitivity and helps repair the skin barrier so your skin is less red and reactive.
Allies of Skin
Allies of Skin Beta Glucan & Resveratrol Advanced Hydrating Serum
This newer offering from Allies of Skin is a spendier option, but it’s totally worth the extra money. It’s one of the most hydrating formulas I’ve used boasting ingredients like beta-glucan, resveratrol, and a ceramide complex. It really locks hydration into the skin and even helps support collagen synthesis. Your skin is so radiant and plump after a few weeks of use.
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