When you hear soybean, you might think tofu, soy milk or even cooking oil. But it has been discovered that these little legumes also have powerful anti-aging, hydrating and protective properties. Our skin can greatly benefit from soybean oil and this is why we have included it in our ChitoCare beauty skin care line. Read on to discover how it can help your skin.

What is soybean oil?

Officially known as glycine soja oil, soybean oil is a non-fragrant plant oil extracted from soybean seeds. Sometimes called “gold from the soil” in Southeast Asian countries, it has been an essential crop, feeding people for 4000 years. Today it is still highly popular as a plant-based protein and cooking oil.

The little soybean and its derivatives have mighty abilities when it comes to health, lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease, regulating bone metabolism and protecting bones from osteopenia and osteoporosis, while it can also increase memory and fight Alzheimer’s disease.

Why is soybean oil good for the skin?

Soybean oil counts many abilities when it comes to skin care. It has anti-aging, hydrating and soothing properties, it can calm irritated skin, promote collagen production, protect against UV damage and help the skin retain moisture. That’s a lot for a tiny little bean!

Soybean oil is rich in antioxidants that help fight free radicals in the skin. These are what damage cells and tissues and lead to oxidative stress. It is also rich in fatty acids, such as linoleic and oleic acids, that protect the skin from environmental stressors. These acids can penetrate the layers of the skin, ensuring that other active ingredients can reach deeper into the skin. This makes soybean oil a prefect carrier oil for creams, lotions and serums.

The oil absorbs quickly without lingering on the skin, while it has a comedogenic rating of 3, meaning it has a moderate ability to clog pores, though people with acne might want to avoid using it directly on their skin. It also strengthens hair by nourishing hair follicles, hydrating scalp skin and boosting hair growth. Let’s look at its main benefits for the skin in some more detail.

Protects

Soybean oil contains powerful antioxidants that have been shown to protect skin from sun damage. Overexposure to UV light is the number one cause of premature skin aging and nasty side-effects include sun spots, hyperpigmentation, dryness, loss of elasticity and redness. Soybean fatty acids, combined with antioxidants, provide powerful protection from exterior aggressors as well, such as pollution, toxins, blue light and harsh weather, that can cause breakouts, dehydration, wrinkles and sensitivity.

Renews

The fatty acid content of soybean oil strengthens the skin’s extracellular matrix. The main structural component of the matrix is collagen, and this is where wound healing takes place. Soybean oil promotes collagen production while also promoting cell regeneration, so the matrix is reinforced and new cell growth is encouraged. Vitamin K in soybean oil is cell-activating and thus anti-aging, making it ideal for mature skin, resulting in a smoother, more plump appearance.

Nourishes

The oil from soybeans is also rich in Vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids, such as Omega-3 and Omega-6. These are anti-inflammatory nutrients that help treat skin conditions such as acne and atopic dermatitis and improve skin texture and softness. Like coconut oil, soybean oil has a soothing effect and can relieve the skin from inflammation, dryness, puffiness or irritation.

Moisturizes

Soybean oil has deep moisturizing and water-retaining qualities. Topical use of soybean oil has been shown to decrease transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This is when water passively evaporates through the skin. Water loss is a result of an impaired barrier function, so soybean oil can be instrumental in helping the skin retain moisture. Maintaining sufficient moisture levels slows down the aging process, allowing the skin to regenerate and remain supple and firm.

The potent combination of antioxidants, moisture retention, collagen stimulation and deep moisture delivery make soybean oil an all-around anti-aging powerhouse. ChitoCare beauty Face Cream, containing bioactive marine chitosan and powerfully moisturizing oils such as soybean, coconut and macadamia oil, will boost your skin's natural barrier function and help it retain moisture. Applying ChitoCare beauty Face Cream every day and night will also protect your skin from inflammation and sun exposure, keeping it silky smooth and soft.