Non-denatured Soybean Extracts in Skin Care: Multiple Anti-Aging Effects

Non-denatured soybean extracts contain all the ingredients of the soybean in their natural conformations, which is different from soy foods that must be denatured, or from soy isoflavone-based cosmetic products. The multiple benefits of non-denatured soybean extracts for skin care range from skin lightening, extracellular matrix enhancement and delayed hair growth, to a protective effect from photodamage and possibly from skin cancer. The discovery of the role of the keratinocyte receptor Protease-Activated Receptor-2 (PAR-2) in keratinocyte-melanocyte interactions and pigment transfer resulted in the identification of novel agents that affect skin color. The inhibition of serine proteases was found to reduce PAR-2 activation and therefore to alter skin color. A search for naturally occurring serine protease inhibitors identified non-denatured soybean extracts. These extracts inhibit PAR-2 activation and induce human skin lightening. Non-denatured soybean extracts also enhance collagen and elastin synthesis, and protect existing elastin fibers from degradation, therefore providing anti-aging benefits such as reducing skin sagging and wrinkling. Additionally, non-denatured soybean extracts delay hair growth, resulting in thinner and smaller hair shafts and reduced visibility of undesired hair growth. Topical pretreatment with nondenatured soybean extracts reduces UV-induced edema and erythema, and additionally reduces UVB-induced DNA and cellular damage, which could lessen the risk of skin cancer. Thus non-denatured soybean extracts could serve as inexpensive, safe and efficacious natural agents, which provide multiple skin care benefits, ranging from protection to restoration.