-Glucan extracts as high-value multifunctional ingredients for skin health: A review

beta-Glucans, which are naturally present in cereals, yeast, and mushrooms, have gained attention as a potential natural source for functional foods and pharmaceuticals. Due to the availability of beta-glucans from several sources, different extraction methods can be employed to obtain high purity extracts that can be further modified to enhance their solubility or other biological properties. Apart from their known ability to interact with the immune system, beta-glucans possess specific properties that could benefit overall skin health and prevent agerelated signs, including soothing and antioxidant activities. As a result, the use of beta-glucans to mitigate damage caused by environmental stressors or skin-related issues that accelerate skin aging or trigger chronic inflammation may represent a promising, natural, eco-friendly, and cost-effective approach to maintaining skin homeostasis balance. This review outlines beta-glucan extraction methodologies, molecular structure, functionalization approaches, and explores skin-related benefits of beta-glucans, along with an overview of related products in the market.