ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare
☑ Haircare
◐ Handmade Soap (liquid and syndet only; rinse-off waste in bars)
☑ Cosmetics — three-line dual-use ingredient
Beta-glucan is a large, water-binding polysaccharide extracted from the cell walls of oats or baker’s yeast. On the skin it forms a fine, breathable film that holds water like a super-humectant, and — unusually for a large polymer — it also signals: beta-glucans bind receptors on skin immune cells and fibroblasts, stimulating repair, collagen synthesis, and wound healing, as reviewed across cereal and microbial sources [1, 2]. Clinically, a beta-glucan formulation reduced wrinkle depth and roughness and improved elasticity over eight weeks [3], and oat beta-glucan is central to the soothing, anti-itch action of oat products. It is one of the gentlest actives in ORY®‘s library, suited to reactive and post-procedure skin, and it conditions hair and scalp with a weightless film. Because it is water-soluble and rinses away, it is wasted in bar soap but valuable in liquid cleansers.
What is Beta-Glucan made of?
Beta-glucan is extracted from oat bran (water/enzyme extraction) or from yeast cell walls, purified, and supplied as a viscous gel or dry powder. Points to know [1, 2]:
- Oat β-(1,3/1,4)-glucan: Linear polysaccharide; strongest film-forming and moisturizing; soothing (oat heritage).
- Yeast β-(1,3/1,6)-glucan: Branched; most studied for immune signaling (dectin-1 receptor) and wound healing [2].
- Carboxymethyl beta-glucan: Water-soluble derivative with improved penetration; used in anti-wrinkle studies [3].
- High molecular weight (100–1,000+ kDa): Forms a moisture-holding film; some penetration into the epidermis documented.
- Use 0.1–2% active (5–10% of a 1–2% gel); water phase; pH 4–8; heat-tolerant.
What skin type is best suited for Beta-Glucan?
Beta-glucan suits all seven ORY® skin types and is a first choice for sensitive and stressed skin:
- Sensitive: Soothing, anti-itch, barrier-supporting; ideal for reactive and post-procedure skin [1].
- Dry: Super-humectant film reduces water loss and hydrates.
- Mature: Reduced wrinkle depth and improved elasticity in clinical testing [3]; stimulates collagen.
- Acne-prone: Anti-inflammatory; supports healing of lesions; non-comedogenic.
- Oily: Weightless, oil-free hydration.
- Combination: Balanced film-forming hydration.
- Normal: Daily hydration and repair support.
What hair type is best suited for Beta-Glucan?
Beta-glucan forms a weightless conditioning film on hair and soothes the scalp:
- Dry or damaged: Moisture-holding film improves softness and reduces breakage.
- Sensitive scalp: Soothing, anti-itch; supports scalp barrier repair.
- Curly and coily: Humectant film for definition without weight.
- Color-treated or chemically processed: Protective film over damaged cuticle.
- Straight and wavy: Weightless body and shine.
- Dandruff-prone, oily scalp, mature or thinning: Scalp soothing in serums and shampoos.
What are the benefits of Beta-Glucan?
Beta-glucan’s benefits are supported by reviews and a clinical wrinkle study [1–3]:
- Deep hydration: High-molecular-weight film holds water at the surface and reduces water loss [1].
- Wound healing and repair: Activates immune and fibroblast receptors to accelerate repair [2].
- Anti-wrinkle: Reduced wrinkle depth and roughness; improved elasticity [3].
- Soothing and anti-itch: Calms irritation; the core of oat products [1].
- Barrier support: Protective film and repair signaling.
- Antioxidant support: Reduces oxidative stress in skin cells [1].
- Hair conditioning: Weightless moisture film.
- Cosmetic comfort: Hydrating primers and foundations.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
Beta-glucan is a leave-on and liquid-cleanser ingredient for three ORY® lines; it rinses away from bar soap.
| ORY® line | Dual use? | How it is used | Typical level |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ORY® Skincare |
Yes |
Serums, gels, creams, sheet masks, post-procedure and eczema products, eye creams. |
0.1–2% active |
|
ORY® Haircare |
Yes |
Leave-ins, scalp serums, conditioners, masks, shampoos. |
0.1–1% active |
|
ORY® Handmade Soap |
Limited |
Liquid and syndet cleansers for after-feel; wasted in cold-process bars (use colloidal oat there). |
0.1–0.5% in liquid/syndet |
|
ORY® Cosmetics |
Yes |
Hydrating primers, foundations, setting sprays, lip products. |
0.1–1% active |
Pros and cons of Beta-Glucan
Pros
Cons
- Clinical wrinkle evidence: [3].
- Exceptionally gentle: Post-procedure and eczema-prone skin.
- Humectant plus repair signaling: Two mechanisms in one polymer.
- Natural, oat- or yeast-derived: Clean-label.
- Skin and hair: Weightless conditioning.
- Cost: Premium active.
- Viscosity: Thickens formulas; can feel filmy above 1% active.
- Preservation: Polysaccharide solutions need robust preservation.
- Rinse-off waste: Not for bar soap.
- Oat allergy: Rare; specify yeast-derived for oat-sensitive customers.
What is the best application of Beta-Glucan?
Beta-glucan is built into hydrating and repair products:
- Soothing serum: 1% active with panthenol and allantoin.
- Anti-wrinkle serum: 1–2% active with peptides [3].
- Post-procedure gel: 1% with Centella.
- Cream: 0.5% active.
- Sheet mask: 0.5–1%.
- Scalp serum or leave-in: 0.3–0.5%.
- Cosmetics: 0.3–0.5% in primers.
Peer-reviewed references
- Du B, Bian Z, Xu B. Skin health promotion effects of natural beta-glucan derived from cereals and microorganisms: a review. Phytotherapy Research. 2014;28(2):159–166.
- Majtan J, Jesenak M. β-Glucans: multi-functional modulator of wound healing. Molecules. 2018;23(4):806.
- Pillai R, Redmond M, Röding J. Anti-wrinkle therapy: significant new findings in the non-invasive treatment of skin wrinkles with beta-glucan. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2005;27(5):292.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about beta-glucan as an ingredient, including laboratory and animal studies and clinical studies of formulas that may differ from ORY® products. Results from these studies may not apply to every person or to ORY® products. This page is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a dermatologist, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORY® Skincare, Haircare, Handmade Soap, and Cosmetics products are cosmetics. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition, including wounds, eczema, dermatitis, post-procedure skin, wrinkles as a medical condition, or dandruff. References to FDA or Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) findings describe the ingredient, not ORY® products, and do not mean FDA has reviewed or approved any ORY® product.
Results vary by skin and scalp type, formulation, and use. Beta-glucan is rarely irritating; people with oat allergy should choose yeast-derived beta-glucan. Any cosmetic can cause irritation, sometimes from other ingredients. Always patch test, follow label directions, and stop use if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, consult a healthcare provider before use.
ORY International, LC works to keep this page accurate and current but makes no warranty as to its completeness. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORY International, LC is not liable for any loss or injury arising from reliance on this information or from use of any product contrary to its label directions. To report a reaction, contact us at [insert contact email / phone].
