SKINIPEDIA - Skinipedia TV: Skin Care & Soy and soy-lotions

Skinipedia TV, Episode #02:
Should you use skin care products containing SOY while Pregnant?

Even skin care is going ‘green’ these days and some moms-to-be are actually paying attention to ingredients and seeking out these more natural skin-care products. Soy has become a popular ingredient in this new ‘green’ category.

Soy and its components have an overwhelming amount of research showing them to be powerful antioxidants and highly beneficial for skin. Studies show that these derivatives slow down environmental damage, reduce irritation, improve skin texture, build collagen, and fight sun damage. In particular, genistein (a component of soy) benefits skin´s elasticity, strengthens the skin´s dermis, and prevents DNA damage. There is also research showing it improves the appearance of scars.

Soy-based lotions and facial products are generally safe to use while pregnant or nursing. Although, soy and its components do not pose danger to a fetus or nursing baby, there is one warning with this powerful ingredient. Soy can increase the dark pigmentation on facial skin, commonly called the 'mask of pregnancy'. This hyper pigmentation is also referred to as melasma or chloasma. An increase of estrogen during pregnancy is responsible for these dark areas and the isoflavones in soy attach to the body’s estrogen receptors and further increase this estrogenic effect.

Some skin care products contain 'active soy' and these product lines have mostly proven okay because the estrogenic components have been taken out which should mean that the ingredient should not enhance the dark patches. If you want to use this natural ingredient, but are concerned about the hyper pigmentation, look for a product containing the ‘active soy’ ingredient.

When choosing a skin care product, (especially during pregnancy and breast feeding) it is always best to familiarize yourself with the ingredients. There are many ways soy can appear in your ingredient list, so look for the following names in your skin care products.

Lethicin

Phosphatidylcholine

Soy

Textured vegetable protein (TVP)

We want to stress that it is always best to consult your doctor on issues such as this because he or she is the one who is most aware of your personal health and because it's his or her specific field of study. The following information is only our viewpoint, and although it is based on research, it is still essential that you review it with your physician.

Our bottom line for using skin care products containing soy during pregnancy and breast feeding is to avoid if you have dark skin or hyper pigmentation (melasma, cholasma). You are better off avoiding these types of products, or choose 'active soy' products instead. If your skin is free from dark patches, soy can be safe to use and is a nice natural choice for skin care.

SKINIPEDIA, your Skin Encyclopedia