Effective skin care relies on trusted formulations and the discovery of new, cutting-edge ingredients. Hyaluronic acid, long celebrated as a go-to for hydration and anti-aging, has become almost synonymous with skincare. However, scientists are learning about its limitations, paving the way for novel, advanced ingredients. One such ingredient is beta-glucan.
This article compares beta-glucan with hyaluronic acid, explaining how they differ and how to use both ingredients to maximize the results.
Beta-Glucan Overview
Beta-glucan is a polysaccharide – a type of carbohydrate made up of simple sugar molecules bound together by glycosidic bonds. It is abundant in the cell walls of oats, barley, rye, and some types of mushrooms, algae, and bacteria. Our bodies don’t produce beta-glucan.
Extensive research proves its healing, immunomodulating, and antimicrobial properties. Emerging evidence also points to its impressive skin-enhancing potential. Beta-glucan’s ability to generate moisture and coat the cells to lock in water makes it a powerful competitor to an established hydrating agent in skin care – hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic Acid Overview
Like beta-glucan, hyaluronic acid (HA) is a polysaccharide. It is naturally found in most vertebrates (including humans), some bacteria, and viruses. It is a staple ingredient in medical and cosmetic settings due to its unique ability to bind water, help to heal wounds (if other hydrating ingredients like ceramides are present), and rejuvenate the skin.
However, HA can cause transepidermal water loss and dehydrate the skin if it’s not the right molecular weight. Also, it can dehydrate the cells if the body has a low moisture content because it binds moisture from within the body.
Beta-Glucan vs. Hyaluronic Acid: What Are the Differences?
Beta-glucan and hyaluronic acid have many similarities. They help rejuvenate the skin thanks to their antioxidant, collagen-stimulating, skin-strengthening, and wound-healing properties. However, the following distinctions are worth considering when looking for a skincare product.
| Beta-Glucan | Hyaluronic Acid | |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Form | Sugar molecules linked by β-1,3 and β-1,4 or β-1,6 glycosidic bonds. Its structure enables immune modulation and healing. | Glucose derivatives linked by β-1,3 and β-1,4 glycosidic bonds. Its structure enables moisture retention and tissue lubrication. |
| Hydration | 20% more hydrating than HA at a certain concentration (0.4%). | Potent hydrating agent at large molecular weight but dehydrating at low molecular weight. |
| Moisturizing mechanism | Generates more moisture and creates a biofilm around cells to seal in moisture. | Pulls water from deeper dermal levels and can hold 1,000 times its weight in water. |
| Effect on inflammation | Anti-inflammatory | Pro-inflammatory at low molecular weight. |
| Effect on the skin barrier | Repairs and protects the skin barrier. | Strengthens the skin barrier at the right molecular weight. Otherwise, it causes transepidermal water loss. |
| Bioavailability | More bioavailable than HA, especially when sourced from oats. | Poor bioavailability – it has a short half-life and quickly degrades when exposed to air. |
| Effect on the microbiome | As a prebiotic, beta-glucan feeds probiotics and bolsters the skin barrier. | As a postbiotic (a byproduct of the probiotics’ breakdown), HA helps build a stronger skin barrier. |
| Benefits/Results | Enhanced skin immunity Increased moisture Reduced inflammation Reduced allergic reactions UV protection | Increased hydration (at the right molecular weight) Volumized skin Wrinkle reduction Increased skin elasticity |
Beta-Glucan vs. Hyaluronic Acid: Form
Both ingredients are polysaccharides but have distinct chemical structures.
Beta-Glucan
Beta-glucan is made up of glucose monomers linked by β-1,3 and β-1,4 or β-1,6 glycosidic bonds, depending on the source (e.g., oats, yeast, fungi). Its structure allows it to interact with receptors on the immune cells and modulate the immune system.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is made up of alternating glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine (glucose derivatives) linked by β-1,3 and β-1,4 glycosidic bonds. Its long and unbranched structure helps retain moisture and lubricate tissues.
Beta-Glucan vs. Hyaluronic Acid: Benefits
Beta-glucan and hyaluronic acid provide various skin benefits that overlap, including building a stronger skin barrier, stimulating collagen production, and rejuvenating the skin. The following lists provide the ingredients’ distinct benefits.
Beta-glucan
- Protects from UV – Scavenges free radicals caused by UV and helps reduce sun damage.
- Improves skin immunity – Removes bacteria to stimulate immune repair.
- Generates moisture – Generates and seals in moisture, providing more hydration than hyaluronic acid at certain concentrations (source).
- Reduces allergic reactions – As a natural immunomodulator, it can help improve allergic conditions.
- Anti-inflammatory – It modulates the production of cytokines, which regulate inflammation.
Hyaluronic Acid
- Binds moisture – It has a high moisture-binding capacity, helping to hydrate the skin (if formulated properly).
- Volumizes the skin – In dermal fillers, it is a superior treatment for restoring skin volume and plumpness.
- Increases skin elasticity – HA enhances hydration and collagen synthesis, helping increase skin elasticity.
- Reduces wrinkles – Its moisturizing and volumizing features make it an effective anti-aging ingredient.
It is important to note that hyaluronic acid has a high capacity to hydrate the skin, but only if it’s the right molecular weight. A 2018 study found that, in humid environments, topical HA makes the skin look hydrated by pulling moisture to the surface but actually leads to dehydration. A 2016 study found that low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (also known as short-chain HA) increased water loss by over 55 percent.
Beta-Glucan vs. Hyaluronic Acid: Results
The results of using skincare products with beta-glucan and hyaluronic acid depend on their concentrations and other ingredients in the product.
Larger HA molecules are generally considered safe and effective for hydrating the skin’s surface. Smaller, low molecular weight HA fragments can penetrate deeper and trigger inflammation in some individuals, potentially disrupting the skin barrier.
Right formulations of beta-glucan and HA aim to relieve dry skin, reduce signs of compromised skin barrier (e.g., wrinkles and blemishes), and protect the skin from harmful external factors.
Beta Glucan vs. Hyaluronic Acid: Side Effects
Incorporating new skincare products may cause side effects. Always patch-test the product first. Apply a small amount on the back of your hand and wait for 24 hours before using it on your face or other large area.
Beta-Glucan
Beta-glucan is not known to cause any side effects. It is a soothing, anti-irritating ingredient that you can use daily in the morning and evening. Users allergic to the source of beta-glucan used in the product (e.g., oats) may develop a rash.
Hyaluronic Acid
Topical hyaluronic acid is typically well tolerated. Users prone to allergies may experience a rash.
While generally considered well tolerated and beneficial for skin hydration, some studies suggest that hyaluronic acid can potentially harm the skin barrier if used in high concentrations or if it’s a very low molecular weight. Small molecules may disrupt the skin's natural barrier function by creating microscopic cracks in the epidermis, particularly when applied excessively.
Applying too much HA, even with a suitable molecular weight, can lead to an excessive drawing of moisture. This causes the skin to feel tight or irritated, especially if not properly balanced with other moisturizing ingredients like ceramides.
Dermal fillers with hyaluronic acid can cause pain, redness, swelling, and bruising, but these side effects are associated with the injection procedure, rather than HA.
Beta-Glucan vs. Hyaluronic Acid: Ideal Candidates
Beta-glucan and hyaluronic acid target similar skin concerns. People with the following issues can benefit from incorporating products with beta-glucan and HA in their skincare routine:
- Dry or irritated skin
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Compromised skin barrier
- Acne and blemishes
- Sun damage
- Aging signs
What Is Better: Beta-Glucan or HA?
Evidence suggests beta-glucan is more stable and hydrating than hyaluronic acid. It is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, while hyaluronic acid may act as a pro-inflammatory if not at the right molecular weight.
Beta-glucan is emerging as a novel hero in cosmetics, being especially effective because of its immunomodulating and free radical scavenging properties. It also balances beneficial bacteria in the gut and skin, helping to repair, remodel, and protect the skin from damaging factors.
Hyaluronic acid also improves skin health, but it is important to use products with the right HA formulation.
Can Beta-Glucan and Hyaluronic Acid Be Used Together?
Beta-glucan and hyaluronic acid complement each other’s hydrating and skin-healing potentials. Products containing both ingredients may offer superior anti-aging results.
Note: To ensure your skin gets the nourishment and protection it needs, try products from the new skincare line by Vibrant. They are carefully formulated with soothing, microbiome-friendly ingredients that stimulate hyaluronic acid synthesis and improve the skin’s innate ability to repair and remodel itself.
Conclusion
Beta-glucan and hyaluronic acid can transform dry, compromised, and aging skin. Though hyaluronic acid dominates the cosmetics industry as an effective moisturizer, we are now learning more about the power of beta-glucan. It is lesser-known, but potentially more hydrating and skin-enhancing than hyaluronic acid.
If you need advice on the best products for your skin concerns, our knowledgeable medical skincare professionals will be happy to help.
