Alpha-Glucan Best Antioxidant Hydration Soothing Alpha-Glucan at a glance Chelating agent (prevents metal ions or metallic compounds from interfering with skin) Bulking agent (increases the viscosity/thickness of a formula) Prebiotic (helps to nourish skin’s healthy microbiome balance) Humectant (attracts and retains moisture in the skin) Enhances the delivery of other ingredients in a formulation, maximizing their impact Alpha-Glucan description Alpha-glucan (α-glucan) is a polysaccharide with a diverse range of properties that allow it to serve a variety of roles in skin care formulations including chelating agent, bulking agent, prebiotic, and humectant. Studies also suggest alpha-glucan possesses antioxidant potential. Worth noting, alpha-glucan’s molecular structure allows it to enhance the delivery of other ingredients in a formulation. This means that other beneficial substances in the product can penetrate deeper into the skin, potentially increasing their effectiveness and maximizing their impact. Alpha-glucan may be derived from natural sources such as fungi (think mushrooms). While alpha-glucan offers prebiotic benefits when applied topically to the skin, it does not have the same effect when ingested. Due to its large size, alpha-glucan cannot be fermented by gut bacteria; instead, it passes through the digestive system as insoluble fiber. Note: Skin-specific benefits of alpha-glucan have not been as extensively researched as other glucans such as beta-glucan and alpha-glucan oligosaccharide (a popular skin care ingredient derived from alpha-glucan, though the two offer different properties/benefits). You can learn more about those ingredients via their individual entries. Related ingredients: Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide Beta-Glucan