Beautiful of Soy Bean

For the longest time, green tea has been the darling ingredient of many beauty brands. Its rich reserve of antioxidants means that green tea is perfect for anti-ageing and anti-acne. In fact, experts will have you know it's good for anti-anything. But the beauty industry has its way of ensuring that no one ingredient hogs the limelight for too long. The moment we began to comprehend what skin benefits "polyphenol" and "catechin" can really deliver, the beauty powers-that-be decided it was time we learn what "isoflavones" could do. Enter the soybean.

Many of us are familiar with the long list of nutritional values packed in the soybean. It is a fantastic source of complete protein - which is why soy products stand as good alternatives to meat. Soybeans are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, isoflavones and linolenic acid, and are believed to be beneficial to the heart because they're high in fibre, polyunsaturated fats, vitamins and minerals. But when soy is included in beauty-related products, can it act as a fabulous multitasking wonder too?

The answer appears to be a resounding yes. One of the best beauty benefits of soy is that it's great for combating ageing. Isoflavone, a substance derived from soy, mimics oestrogen's effects on the body. The chemical structure of isoflavone is similar to that of the hormone, which is why many researchers believe isoflavones may playa vital role in lowering our risk of getting certain ailments like heart disease and osteoporosis. One thing's for sure - isoflavone does stimulate the production of collagen, which is what keeps skin firm and elastic, and looking young. In ageing women, decreasing oestrogen is one cause of deepening wrinkles. You could consume lots of soy products, but the skin is often the last organ to receive the nutrients. How best then to get isoflavones delivered to where they are needed most? The answer lies in applying onto your skin a protective cream such as Lanc6me Absolue Premium Bx Advanced Replenishing Cream SPF 15. Pro-Xylane, its active ingredient, is formulated from brown algae to increase skin density, barley to protect the skin's existing collagen, wild yam to ensure skin is moisturised, and soy to stimulate the production of collagen.

Another beauty trick soy seems to have mastered is that of clearing the skin of acne, and one of the first brands to realise this is Ettusais from Japan. Most of its Medicated Acne range of skincare products (like its Gentle Make Off oil cleanser and Aqua Shooter moisturiser) now contains AC Control Oil, a unique ingredient made from soybeans. Ettusais researchers have found that AC Control Oil suppresses the growth of acne bacteria while leaving skin hydrated so your face stays supple and smooth. Also jumping onto the bandwagon is Neutrogena. Essential Soy, an ingredient unique to the Neutrogena Fine Fairness range, inhibits melanin transfer so that skin becomes fairer with regular use. Besides Essential Soy, this range also contains soy lipids and natural soy isoflavones. The former helps renew damaged skin tissue and promotes faster cell turnover, while the latter protects the skin from the ravages of oxidants.

The surest sign, however, that an ingredient is at the cusp of beauty world domination is when it makes an entry into the realm of hair. Japan's hair-care brand Asience (that launched with Zhang Ziyi as its spokesperson and now has Korean model/actress Jun Ji Hyun fronting it) makes use of soybean essence to repair damaged strands. Using ingredients of Asian origin like Korean ginseng and pearl and camellia oil essence in its products - ranging from shampoos to conditioners to treatment masks - Asience claims to penetrate the core of hair to nourish and repair it from within.

So there you have it. An ingredient that not only keeps your heart fit but also fights acne, keeps pigmentation at bay, stops time from leaving its stamp on your face and restores shine back to your hair. The next time you tuck into your bowl of soybean jelly, remember that your skin and tresses could look just as flawlessly smooth.