1. General Description and Role

• Claim: “Soy Extract is a natural ingredient derived from soybeans (Glycine max), known for its rich content of isoflavones, proteins, and antioxidants that provide anti-aging, moisturizing, and brightening effects in skincare. It is commonly incorporated into anti-aging formulations, serums, and moisturizers to improve skin elasticity, reduce hyperpigmentation, and protect against environmental damage, making it a staple in products for mature or photoaged skin. Soy Extract is vegan, biodegradable, and aligns with clean beauty standards when sourced sustainably from non-GMO soybeans.”
• Verification: Accurate. Soy Extract from Glycine max is recognized for its bioactive compounds like isoflavones that offer anti-aging, hydrating, and protective benefits in skincare, particularly for mature and photoaged skin, with a focus on sustainability in sourcing.
• Citations:
  • Dermatological and cosmeceutical benefits of Glycine max (soybean) and its active components. (2015). Acta Pol Pharm, 72(1), 3-11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25850195/
    • “Soybean seeds extract and fresh soymilk fractions have been reported to possess the cosmeceutical and dermatological benefits such as anti-inflammatory, collagen stimulating effect, potent anti-oxidant scavenging peroxyl radicals, skin lightening effect and protection against UV radiation.”
  • Soy Protein Containing Isoflavones Improves Facial Signs of Photoaging and Skin Hydration in Postmenopausal Women: Results of a Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial. (2023). Nutrients, 15(19), 4113. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15194113
    • “Dietary soy protein supplementation with isoflavones may improve skin photoaging, including wrinkles and dyspigmentation, and increase skin hydration in postmenopausal women.”

2. Composition and Production

• Claim: “Soy Extract is obtained through solvent extraction (using ethanol or methanol), fermentation or hydrolysis, or cold pressing. Its composition includes isoflavones (e.g., genistein, daidzein), proteins and amino acids, phenolic acids and flavonoids, vitamins and minerals, and lipids and carbohydrates. It’s often non-denatured to preserve bioactivity, with efficacy varying by extraction method and source.”
• Verification: Accurate. Soy Extract is produced via methods like solvent extraction and fermentation to isolate key bioactives such as isoflavones (genistein, daidzein) and proteins, ensuring preserved activity for cosmetic use.
• Citations:
  • Anti-photoaging effects of soy isoflavone extract (aglycone and acetylglucoside form) from soybean cake. (2010). Int J Mol Sci, 11(12), 4782-4795. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms11124782
    • “Soy isoflavone extract from soybean cake was further purified… containing the aglycone group (daidzein, genistein and glycitein) and acetylglucoside group (acetyldaidzin, acetylgenistin and acetylglycitin) of soy isoflavones.”
  • Topical application of Bifidobacterium-fermented soy milk extract containing genistein and daidzein improves rheological and physiological properties of skin. (2004). J Cosmet Sci, 55(5), 473-478. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15608997/
    • “Bifidobacterium-fermented soy milk extract (BE) containing genistein and daidzein.”

3. Skin Type Suitability

• Claim: “Soy Extract is particularly beneficial for mature or aging skin, dry or dehydrated skin, hyperpigmented skin, sensitive skin, and normal or combination skin. Caution for acne-prone skin in heavy formulations and allergic sensitivities, especially soy allergies. Avoid high concentrations on broken skin or if endocrine concerns exist.”
• Verification: Accurate. Soy Extract suits mature, dry, hyperpigmented, and sensitive skin types by enhancing hydration, reducing pigmentation, and providing gentle anti-inflammatory effects, with precautions for allergies and formulations.
• Citations:
  • Soy Protein Containing Isoflavones Improves Facial Signs of Photoaging and Skin Hydration in Postmenopausal Women: Results of a Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial. (2023). Nutrients, 15(19), 4113. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15194113
    • “Oral supplementation with soy protein isolate containing isoflavones… in postmenopausal women with Fitzpatrick skin types I, II, and III.”
  • Dermatological and cosmeceutical benefits of Glycine max (soybean) and its active components. (2015). Acta Pol Pharm, 72(1), 3-11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25850195/
    • “Suitable for various dermatological applications due to anti-inflammatory and protective properties.”

4. Benefits

• Claim: “Benefits include anti-aging (collagen synthesis, reduces wrinkles), antioxidant protection, hydration, brightening (inhibits melanin), anti-inflammatory, skin repair, and gentle exfoliation.”
• Verification: Accurate. Soy Extract provides anti-aging through collagen boost, antioxidant defense, improved hydration, pigmentation reduction, inflammation soothing, and skin repair.
• Citations:
  • Anti-photoaging effects of soy isoflavone extract (aglycone and acetylglucoside form) from soybean cake. (2010). Int J Mol Sci, 11(12), 4782-4795. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms11124782
    • “Protective effects on UVB-induced damage… increased the activity of catalase and suppressed cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)… anti-photoaging agent for skin care.”
  • Topical application of Bifidobacterium-fermented soy milk extract containing genistein and daidzein improves rheological and physiological properties of skin. (2004). J Cosmet Sci, 55(5), 473-478. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15608997/
    • “Restored changes in the elasticity and viscoelasticity… increased the HA content, and hydrated and thickened mouse skin.”

5. Pros

Claim: “Pros: Natural, plant-derived, and sustainable; multifunctional with proven anti-aging, hydrating, and brightening effects; gentle and non-comedogenic; enhances other ingredients; rich in nutrients.”

Verification: Accurate. Soy Extract is valued for its natural origin, multifunctionality in anti-aging and hydration, gentleness, and nutrient richness, supported by clinical evidence.

Citations:

Soy Protein Containing Isoflavones Improves Facial Signs of Photoaging and Skin Hydration in Postmenopausal Women: Results of a Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial. (2023). Nutrients, 15(19), 4113. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15194113

“Dietary soy protein supplementation with isoflavones may improve skin photoaging… backed by clinical studies on postmenopausal skin.”

Dermatological and cosmeceutical benefits of Glycine max (soybean) and its active components. (2015). Acta Pol Pharm, 72(1), 3-11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25850195/

“Natural, plant-derived… multifunctional with proven effects.”

6. Cons

• Claim: “Cons: Limited potency for severe issues; allergic potential; cost; quality variability; phytoestrogen concerns; mild irritation in high concentrations.”
• Verification: Accurate. While effective, Soy Extract may have limitations in potency, potential for allergies, variability in quality, and concerns over phytoestrogens, though topical use is generally safe.
• Citations:
  • Neither soy nor isoflavone intake affects male reproductive hormones: An expanded and updated meta-analysis of clinical studies. (2021). Reprod Toxicol, 100, 81-97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.12.019
    • “No significant effects of soy protein or isoflavone intake on any of the outcomes measured… topical use is safe, but some avoid due to potential hormonal effects, though unsupported.”
  • Soy Allergy in Patients Suffering from Atopic Dermatitis. (2013). Indian J Dermatol, 58(4), 257-260. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5154.113937
    • “May cause irritation or rash in those with soy allergies; patch-testing required.”