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This Ingredient May Help Boost Skin Thickness During Menopause

Hannah Frye
Author:
September 24, 2024
Hannah Frye
Beauty & Health Editor
By Hannah Frye
Beauty & Health Editor
Hannah Frye is the Beauty & Health Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.S. in journalism and a minor in women’s, gender, and queer studies from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Hannah has written across lifestyle sections including beauty, women’s health, mental health, sustainability, social media trends, and more. She previously worked for Almost 30, a top-rated health and wellness podcast. In her current role, Hannah reports on the latest beauty trends and innovations, women’s health research, brain health news, and plenty more.
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Image by Aila Images / Stocksy
September 24, 2024
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Ever wonder why your skin begins to droop as you age? Much of the sagging comes from a decline in collagen production. See, when people hit menopause, they experience a 30% drop in collagen1. That's in comparison to the steady 1% per-year decline in collagen we see typically. 

Luckily, there are certain topical ingredients that can help support aging skin, especially during menopause for those who experience it. To come, one underrated pick from a dermatologist. 

How soy benefits aging skin

The superstar addition: topical soy. "Soy contains polyphenols, which are potent antioxidants that scavenge up skin-damaging free radicals that you come into contact with on a daily basis," board-certified dermatologist Jeffrey Morris, M.D., FAAD (aka, @TikTokSkinDoc1), recently explained in this TikTok video

This is important, as free radicals can throw your skin into a state of oxidative stress. When you stay under that kind of stress, skin aging will accelerate. 

Morris adds, "It mimics the hormone estrogen, which mitigates the effects of menopause on the skin2."

This sounds confusing, but here's why it works: Soy can increase your skin thickness by improving collagen production and microcirculation3 (aka, blood flow) and decreases the degradation of your dermal matrix, as he says, which influences sagging and wrinkling of the skin. 

Morris notes that soybean oil is best for anyone with dry or sensitive skin because it serves as an occlusive barrier to trap in hydration. "It also contains linoleic acid, which is the building block of ceramides, which can help repair a damaged skin barrier," he adds. 

One study even documents soybean oil's protective activity against UVB-induced skin inflammation4, like sunburn. Morris notes that soybean oil will never replace sunscreen, but it can be a helpful booster ingredient. 

Finally, it's helpful for those with an uneven complexion: "It inhibits an enzyme in pigment product called tyrosinase5, so it evens out skin tone and is great for people with dark spots and melasma," he shares.

One important note is that soybean oil isn't the best for anyone with super-oily skin or those prone to breakouts, as it could clog the pores. But for those with mature skin prone to dryness, it's sublime.

How to use it in your routine

Many skin care products contain soybean oil and soybean extracts, so you don't necessarily need an isolated step of soy. If you do opt for an oil or cream, make sure you use that at the end of your routine (but before SPF) as it will lock in any hydrating serums you apply before. 

Given the UVB protection, it's best to use soybean oil in your morning routine, Morris adds. Below, find some of our favorite products rich in soy.

The takeaway

Soy is a great ingredient for aging skin, as it helps protect your complexion from free radical damage, boost collagen production, support skin thickness, and even promote sun protection. But menopause skin care goes way beyond soy; check out this story for a deeper dive.

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