Soy isoflavones are isolated bioactive compounds obtained from soybeans that have anti-wrinkle properties, especially on aging skin in post-menopausal women.
Chemically, the isoflavones belong to the family of flavonoids, but, due to the specific shape of their molecules, they act as phytoestrogens. Their effects on the skin are very complex, so let’s look at it in more detail.
After menopause, women stop producing as much estrogen as before, which may reflect in their aging skin. Collagen synthesis slows down and the skin gradually becomes thinner and drier.
Applying a cream with genistein (one of the major soy isoflavones) has been proven to be beneficial on skin collagen levels in a clinical trial (not as beneficial as a cream containing estrogen, but still beneficial). Soy isoflavones also work regardless of estrogen – the same antioxidant and collagen-boosting effects were observed in male rats.
Soy isoflavones are overall beneficial ingredients, especially for aging skin.
Science
1
Rzepecki, A. K., Murase, J. E., Juran, R., Fabi, S. G., & McLellan, B. N. (2019). Estrogen-deficient skin: The role of topical therapy. International journal of women's dermatology, 5(2), 85–90.
2
Silva, L. A., et al. (2017). Collagen concentration on the facial skin of postmenopausal women after topical treatment with estradiol and genistein: a randomized double-blind controlled trial. Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology, 33(11), 845–848.
3
Duchnik, E., Kruk, J., Baranowska-Bosiacka, I., Pilutin, A., Maleszka, R., & Marchlewicz, M. (2019). Effects of the soy isoflavones, genistein and daidzein, on male rats' skin. Postepy dermatologii i alergologii, 36(6), 760–766.
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