Soybeans are one of nature’s best-kept secrets to maintaining healthy, youthful skin. Many Asian populations live on a soy-based diet, consuming up to 300 milligrams of soy a day. They also have significantly lower incidents of skin conditions, cardiovascular disease, prostate, uterus and breast cancer, osteoporosis and even hot flashes than any other population in the world. In addition, the residents of Asia are known to maintain clearer and younger looking skin than Western and Eastern European countries.
In the United States, soy grown in the Midwest is the most pure and non-genetically modified form. It’s now making its way into Western diets for its immeasurable health benefits, as well as the skin care industry as a game-changing natural therapy for the skin. Soy contains some of the richest concentrations of isoflavones, phospholipids, phytosterols, saponins, vitamins, omegas, minerals and protein of any food source. As the holistic lifestyle and healing movement continues to grow, the relevance of soy only becomes stronger.
NUTRITIONAL POWERHOUSE
Soy is a highly nutritional plant. It is a clean, pure source of protein rich in iron, manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, zinc, potassium, copper, folic acid, vitamins and omegas. Eating soy on a regular basis may boost immunity, strengthen bones, support healthy, younger looking skin, and even potentially lower the risk of many widespread diseases.
WRINKLE REPAIR
During the normal maturation process, hormonal imbalances develop, which for women typically involves a decrease in estrogen levels. As a result, skin becomes dehydrated, thinner and less firm due to a decline in collagen and elastin production. There is also a significant drop in hyaluronic acid in the intercellular layers, which is key to keeping skin looking plump.
To understand how soy addresses this problem, visualize a lock and key. Picture the locks as receptors, and the keys as hormones. Ideally, there are uninterrupted cycles of keys being accepted by the locks. As skin matures, however, a shortage of keys occurs in the body, leading to an interruption in the process, where there are locks being neglected. An interruption in this flow ultimately causes visible signs of aging.
The remarkable ability of genistein, a phyto-hormone and the heart of soy isoflavones, is to promote an internal balance. Genistein is a plant compound that has a human hormone-like composition, but is not an actual hormone. Because of this, it does not cause any adverse effects. Genistein has remarkable skin benefits. Genistein, together with phosopholipids, critical to the lipid bilayer of every cell membrane, has the unique ability to generate cell membranes. They can rebuild collagen and elastin, increase skin thickness, enhance skin hydration and improve overall wellness while smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
To illustrate how the balancing process works, keep in mind the example of a lock and key. The chemical structure of real estrogen and the chemical structure of genistein are so similar that when genistein makes contact with the skin, the body accepts it as its own “key”. The skin can actually respond and reactivate the normal flow of receptors being triggered by the genistein, which otherwise are left lingering due to the lack of estrogen. Without ever actually introducing hormones into the body, genistein has the phenomenal properties to initiate internal balance by shifting the equilibrium toward the body’s natural estrogenic side by reactivating stagnant receptors.
REDUCES ACNE
Acne commonly affects hair follicles, sebaceous glands on the face, chest and sometimes the back. The sebaceous glands secrete sebum, which reaches the skin’s surface coming through the hair follicle. In the case of excess sebum production, blockages in the pores occur, provoking breakouts and acne.
Androgens, the male hormone, are the only hormones that stimulate the sebaceous glands to enlarge and produce greater amounts of sebum, which becomes a culprit that leads to acne. Real estrogen is known for its ability to block the effects of androgens on the sebaceous glands, but that requires a pharmaceutical route, often accompanied by certain side effects. Soy isoflavones have a remarkable adaptogenic ability, and can sense where the internal equilibrium needs to shift, either toward the estrogenic or androgenic side without ever having to implement real hormones. Therefore the skin is able to benefit from exceptional results without the side effects that may accompany pharmaceutical hormone options.
LESSENS REDNESS AND INFLAMMATION
Soy is rich in phytosterols, saponins and phytic acid. Phytosterols and saponins enhance skin’s immunity and resistance to environmental effects and inflammation. Saponins even have anti-viral characteristics, further protecting the skin from external harmful factors. The saponins’ molecule can absorb toxic buildup, boosting the energy and rejuvenation level of every cell.
Phytic acid is an antioxidant rich herbal skin brightener and soother. Phytic acid, along with nourishing topicals omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid) and omega-6 (linoleic acid), counters skin sensitivities and redness, making soy a remedy that can improve rosacea, eczema, psoriasis and other dermatitis related skin concerns. The combined action of B-vitamins and vitamin K enhances overall blood cell quality and resiliency.
DECREASES SEVERITY OF CELLULITE
Cellulite is a metabolic disorder of the connective adipose (fat) tissue. It is described as being composed of waste product such as fatty deposits, toxins and fluid between the layers of the connective tissue. Soy isoflavones are a gentle and non-invasive option to reduce the severity of mild grades of cellulite. Daidzein and genistein inhibit adverse rapid cellular growth and encourage the blocking of estrogen when appropriate, which in turn counters the progression and accumulation of cellulite development.
USE IN THE SPA
Treatments incorporating soy are ideal for clients distressed by imbalances, as soy works to remedy hormone-associated acne and menopause-related skin changes in synergy with the body’s own processes. Products containing pure hydrolyzed soy, the most active and penetrable form, can regenerate cells and boost skin vitality.
A soy-rich facial treatment is a great option for a wide spectrum of clients depending on their specific skin concerns. A typical 60-minute session can range from $95 to $195. A soy treatment has the potential for immediate and long-term cumulative results, especially when combined with recommended daily home care. Studies have shown that routine treatment and use of soy-based products can be effective enough to substitute some pharmaceutical-based treatments for problem skin and aging.
Written by Victoria Tabak for Les Nouvelles Esthetique & Spa Magazine.
© All Rights Reserved. Published in August 2016 Issue
