Beta-Glucan vs Hyaluronic Acid
Which is right for your skin?
Beta-glucan is a newer-gen humectant that also calms skin and may hold more moisture than HA in dry air; Hyaluronic acid is the classic plumping essential. Use beta-glucan if HA feels too tacky or drying.
A heavy-duty hydrator that also reduces irritation. Often called "better than hyaluronic acid" for sensitive skin.
A pure hydrator that holds water in your skin. Makes skin look plumper and smoother almost immediately.
Can you use Beta-Glucan and Hyaluronic Acid together?
Yes, Beta-Glucan and Hyaluronic Acid are documented to pair well together.
You want hydrating, anti-inflammatory. A heavy-duty hydrator that also reduces irritation. Often called "better than hyaluronic acid" for sensitive skin.
You want hydrating. A pure hydrator that holds water in your skin. Makes skin look plumper and smoother almost immediately.
Cited research
Feng X et al., Exploring the Properties and Application Potential of beta-Glucan in Skin Care, Food Science and Nutrition 2025;13(4):e70212 — review concludes beta-glucan exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, barrier repair, and moisturizing bioactivities
Kussie HC et al., Avenanthramide and beta-Glucan Therapeutics Accelerate Wound Healing Via Distinct and Nonoverlapping Mechanisms, Advances in Wound Care 2024;13(4):155-166 — in vivo: beta-glucan accelerated wound closure with increased angiogenesis
Cao Y et al., Improving the outcome of treating striae gravidarum by combined therapies using topical β-glucan and 1565-nm non-ablative fractional laser, Journal of Dermatology 2022;49(9):829-836 — RCT; topical beta-glucan twice daily for 12 weeks on stretch marks
Du B et al., Oat β-glucan ameliorates epidermal barrier disruption by upregulating CaSR via dectin-1-mediated ERK/p38 signaling, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 2021 — mechanism for barrier-repair effects; in-vitro and animal-model evidence
Jesenak M et al., β-Glucan-based cream (containing pleuran isolated from Pleurotus ostreatus) in supportive treatment of mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis, Journal of Dermatological Treatment 2016;27(4):351-354 — split-body trial; topical beta-glucan cream improved EASI score
Karabat MU, Tuncer MC. Effects of hyaluronic acid on skin at the cellular level: a systematic review. Rev Assoc Med Bras. 2025;71(8):e20250208. — Systematic review of 45 studies found low-molecular-weight HA stimulates keratinocyte proliferation and migration while high-molecular-weight HA drives skin hydration, supporting topical HA as an effective skin-hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredient.
Bravo B et al., Benefits of topical hyaluronic acid for skin quality and signs of skin aging: From literature review to clinical evidence, Dermatology and Therapy 2022;12(12):2657-2680 — HA-based cosmeceuticals reliably improve hydration and signs of skin aging
Lee SG et al., Hyaluronan Oligosaccharides Improve Rosacea-Like Phenotype through Anti-Inflammatory and Epidermal Barrier-Improving Effects, Annals of Dermatology 2020
An JH et al., Anti-Wrinkle Efficacy of Cross-Linked Hyaluronic Acid-Based Microneedle Patch with Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Epidermal Growth Factor on Korean Skin, Annals of Dermatology 2019;31(3):263-271 — cross-linked HA microneedle patches improved wrinkles on Korean skin with minimal discomfort
Jegasothy SM et al., Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humans, Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology 2014;7(3):27-29 — nano-HA produced up to 40% wrinkle-depth reduction, 96% hydration increase, and 55% elasticity improvement over 8 weeks
Papakonstantinou E et al., Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging, Dermato-Endocrinology 2012;4(3):253-8 — mechanism review (not a clinical efficacy claim)
Pavicic T et al., Efficacy of cream-based novel formulations of hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights in anti-wrinkle treatment, Journal of Drugs in Dermatology 2011;10(9):990-1000 — low-MW HA significantly reduced wrinkle depth, all formulations improved hydration and elasticity
Every entry points to a specific paper or regulatory document. See methodology for what each outcome label means.