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30 September 2005
Study Endorses Oat’s Anti-Ageing Properties 
New research has dispelled a long-held belief about the natural ingredient, beta glucan. The study, appearing in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science, is the first to show that oat beta glucan can penetrate the skin, despite years of scientists believing that the large molecule was too big. The finding is significant, not only for the treatment of skin disorders and removing fine lines and wrinkles, but in the promotion of wound healing following surgical procedures. Beta-glucan is a soluble fiber found in the cell wall of oat kernels. Oat has a long history of use in providing fast relief of itching and pain associated with minor skin irritations and has been reported to improve the appearance of skin. But the researchers wanted to establish scientifically that beta glucan could actually penetrate skin. In the study, the researchers, from a University of Alberta spin-off company, used beta glucan-specific tracking dyes to show that skin penetration did take place. "Interestingly, the glucan penetrates in the same way that water penetrates a brick wall - it does not go through the brick, it goes through the concrete binding the bricks together," said researcher Mark Redmond. "As a result of our study, we now know that glucan works through the inter-cellular lipid matrix, or the cells' cement, to enter the lower levels of the skin." The research team measured the depth of skin that the glucan penetrated. They then took photographs that showed the actual reduction of wrinkles that consumers should expect to see in themselves in as little as 10 days. Beta glucan is already used in a number of products available to consumers including brand name products. "The proof that we provide in this paper and other research that we have conducted is that glucan can have a specific and measurable effect on skin," concluded Redmond.
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