Soybeans are an extraordinary food that is readily accessible to most people and can provide some amazing benefits for your skin as well as your overall health. Soy is a plant-based food that contains an abundant high-quality protein content, fiber, and isoflavones. Isoflavones are a compound derived from plants that contain phytoestrogen which has estrogenic activity. This will mimic human estrogen which is highly beneficial for women experiencing hormonal fluctuations during menopause and can contribute to healthier skin and stronger bones.
Adding soy protein to your diet has many positive effects on your overall health including the ability to lower cholesterol thereby reducing the risk of heart disease. Soybean oil is high in Omega 3 fatty acids which prevent cardiovascular disease. The phytic acid in soy has antioxidant effects that may be able to combat cancer and diabetes. The high iron and zinc content in soybeans can also prevent hearing loss as you age by expanding capillaries, softening red blood cells, and stimulating the blood supply to your ears. These and many more overall health benefits generally can be obtained by consuming products that contain soy and soy proteins. But soy protein also has amazing benefits to help you maintain beautiful skin.
Soy Protein Benefits for Beautiful Skin
Soy protein also benefits the skin by reducing the appearance of wrinkles, reversing sun damage, and even tightening skin that has begun to sag. The benefits of soy protein in supporting beautiful skin are numerous. Keep reading for 7 amazing ways that soy protein will benefit your skin and leave you looking healthier, younger, and more radiant than ever.
Skin Moisturizing
Soy protein, whether consumed through soy food products or applied in a daily moisturizing cream, is great for combination skin as it will remove both excess oils from the skin and exfoliate dry flaky skin while providing an overall moisturizing effect.
Anti-Aging Effects
The phytoestrogens present in soybeans will create the same benefits as natural human estrogen production by improving the skin’s elasticity as well as reducing visible signs of aging such as skin discolorations, dark spots, and fine lines and wrinkles.
Increase Skin Cell Reproduction
Soybeans contain Vitamin E which is crucial for renewing dead skin cells and increasing the production of new skin cells. To get the best moisturizing results from the Vitamin E present in soybeans, crush soybeans in water and apply the paste to your face for 20-25 minutes a few times a week.
Antioxidant Benefits
Antioxidants are valuable for the overall health of your body and your skin. Soybeans contain antioxidants that will flush your body of free radicals leaving your skin healthy, radiant, and beautiful.
Skin Firming Effects
Soy proteins will help boost collagen production which is responsible for keeping your skin firm and elastic. As we age, the elastin fibers in our skin begin to weaken which ultimately causes the skin to sag. Soy proteins help repair the elastin fibers which will keep the skin firmer and younger looking for longer.
Sun Damage Reversal
Too much exposure to the harmful UV rays of the sun can cause the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the skin as well as blotches and discoloration. Moisturizers containing soy and soy protein have been shown to gradually reverse these signs of sun damage to the skin.
Sensitive Under-Eye Care
The delicate skin under and around the eyes is much thinner than the rest of the skin on your face and is thereby more prone to the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and dark circles. The abundant nutrients present in soybeans have shown to be an effective treatment in the healing and stabilizing the delicate skin and tissue around the eyes. Look for anti-aging products that contain soy extract and soy protein which will improve the circulation around the eyes while reducing hyperpigmentation and increasing collagen production at effective levels.
3 Types of Skin Care Products that Contain Soy Protein
Soybean Oil
Soybean oil is rich in vitamins and has a tiny molecular structure giving it the ability to penetrate the top layer of your skin. When the soy oil penetrates the skin, it can intertwine into the cellular structure of your epidermis and it will stimulate the production of collagen, elastin, and other proteins in your skin that help keep you looking youthful and healthy. The properties in soybean oil also help promote skin cell growth and regeneration.
Soy-Based Moisturizers
Soy is very high in Vitamin E, lecithin, and essential fatty acids which are highly beneficial to the skin when applied topically. Vitamin E heals and regenerates damaged skin through its antioxidant properties. Lecithin is responsible for maintaining elasticity in the skin which will help prevent the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while essential fatty acids moisturize the skin and promote collagen production. Due to all of these properties and benefits contained in soy proteins, soy-based skin products can even out skin tone, repair sun damage, and correct any hormone-induced issues with the skin.
Plant Estrogens
Soy-based skin care products may also contain the naturally occurring phytoestrogens that are present in the soy plant. These plant estrogens have the same skin repairing benefits as human estrogen and are highly beneficial especially for women who may be experiencing decreases in natural estrogen levels. While plant estrogens will not penetrate into the bloodstream, they are not an adequate hormone replacement, but they will definitely provide the benefits to the skin that one enjoys during normal production of human estrogen in our younger years.
8 Types of Foods You Can Eat That Contain Soy and Soy Protein
- Soybeans
- Tofu: Made from soybean curd.
- Edamame: Green soybeans.
- Soy Cheese: Cheese substitute made from soybeans.
- Soy Flour: Flour ground from roasted soybeans.
- Soy Milk: Milk derived from mature soybeans.
- Soy Yogurt: Yogurt produced using soy milk.
- Tempeh: Made from fermented soybeans.
By adding soy to your daily skin care routine and diet, you can boost your overall health and the health of your skin. Whether you ingest the soy protein through your food choices or apply it to your skin topically, the benefits are undeniable. So, what are you waiting for? Find your way to more beautiful skin with the amazing benefits of soy protein.
