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There’s a common belief that eating soybeans – or soy-heavy foods for that matter – can give you a fair complexion that glows from the inside out.

But is it just yet another old wives’ tale, or does consuming soy actually offer lesser-known benefits beyond flavour, nutrition, and versatility?

To find out, we have to first dive into what properties soybeans have.

Properties of soybeans that can benefit skin

bowl of soybeans photo source polina tankilevitch pexels.

Photo source: Polina Tankilevitch/Pexels

As it turns out, there is some truth to soy’s ability to improve skin health, whether the ingredient is consumed as part of your diet or used as a moisturising ingredient in skincare products.

That’s because soy was found to possess antioxidant properties as well as the potential to reduce photo-ageing of the skin from chronic sun exposure. On the other hand, soybean oil is said to be a rich source of linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, and offers antioxidant nutrients that can help promote skin cell regeneration and maintain healthy skin.

It may all sound too good to be true but studies have been conducted on this natural ingredient to prove its skin-loving benefits. A 2017 study from Japan found that the skin health of postmenopausal women improved after consuming one cup of soymilk daily for eight weeks.

woman smiling and examining her skin

Additionally, soybeans are often associated with the ability to reduce the visible effects of skin ageing too. As we age, our body’s natural collagen and elastin level decrease which, in turn, affects our skin’s youthful radiance.

But upping your intake of soy – or soy-heavy foods – has been found to help slow down this process, according to double-blind research in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology which discovered that women who took a 40-milligram dose of soy isoflavones daily over a period of 12 weeks saw fewer facial lines.

Another nine-week study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology demonstrated a decrease in skin age spots when a soy derivative was applied topically twice a day, while research in Experimental Dermatology found that soy extract increases elastin activity, which makes skin feel firmer and bouncier while reducing sagging and signs of ageing.

scattered soybeans photo source polina tankilevitch pexels

Photo source: Polina Tankilevitch/Pexels

This anti-ageing benefit that soybeans can offer to our skin is largely thanks to three key components: protein, fibre, and isoflavones – all of which has their individual function that helps maintain skin youthfulness.

Soy protein increases collagen synthesis, which contributes to skin firmness, tone, and texture. Soy’s fibre is said to help maintain normal blood sugar levels and is also proven to have a positive impact on skin health, while soy isoflavones can fend off damaging free radicals and also deliver a luminous, even-toned complexion.

On top of that, soybeans are also believed to help calm skin redness — making them ideal for those with rosacea or irritation.

The fuss-free, convenient way to get your daily dose of skin-loving soybeans

woman touching lips photo source pixabay pexels

Photo source: Pixabay/Pexels

Research has shown that nutrients in soy may play a vital role in increasing skin elasticity and tone, lightening sun-damaged pigmentation, and reducing wrinkles, but getting your daily dose of soy doesn’t mean you need to only dig into soy-based foods like tofu, edamame, tempeh, and soymilk for the rest of your life.

An easy, fuss-free way to reap the benefits of soybeans for brighter skin is through a supplement that’s dedicated to skin health, like Illuminate Health & Beauty Supplement.

illuminate health and beauty supplement box

Photo by Daily Vanity

Illuminate is an all-new skin-brightening supplement that contains purified essential phospholipids that create a protective barrier to fight off harmful substances that can damage the skin.

While the human body can naturally produce phospholipids, essential phospholipids can only be obtained through the food you eat.

This is why Illuminate is formulated with this substance that acts as an antioxidant, which supports the restoration of skin cells and tissues while helping to protect and regenerate cells.

illuminate health and beauty supplement with blister

Photo by Daily Vanity

In addition to skin protection, the supplement can promote skin health as well. With regular consumption, you can achieve clearer, younger-looking skin that glows from within.

Illuminate Health & Beauty Supplement retails for S$96.30 for a box of 30 capsules. You can find Illuminate online at Lazada and Shopee.

This article is brought to you by Illuminate.