Ingredient glossary / Humectant
Beta-glucan
On the label: Beta-Glucan · Humectant
What it is
A sugar from oats, yeast or mushrooms; a humectant and film former with a soothing reputation.
Humectants: Humectants draw water into the outer layer of skin from the air and the layers below; glycerin is the classic one.
Wikidata: Class of chemical compounds. Q2076617 →
In the research
217 PubMed papers mention it with skin, cosmetics or hair; the three most recent:
- Exploring Structure-Activity Relationships: Discovering the Anticancer Potential of Dietary Bioactive Constituents: A Mini-Review · Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry, 2026
- NIR-II photothermal CSGGT hydrogel for antibacterial therapy and accelerated healing of infected wounds · RSC advances, 2026
- Single-Helical Dopamine-g-Curdlan Hydrogels Showing High Adhesiveness and Injectability · ACS applied bio materials, 2026
A paper is a paper, not a verdict: titles are listed so you can read them, and a study on cells or mice says little about a cream on a face.
Products whose label lists it
3 on the siteMatched from the ingredient list the supplier printed; the position in the list (first or thirtieth) is on each product page.
Made in the USA
Made in the USA
Made in the USAOther humectants
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