Used as an ingredient in the culinary field, soybean oil is also valued for skin care. Rich in skin benefits, this vegetable oil is often incorporated into the formulation of care products such as creams, lotions, or soaps. However, before including it in one's skincare routine, it's important to question whether its use is safe. Learn more about this in this article.
The dangers of soybean oil for use in cosmetics?
Summary
Published on February 2, 2024, updated on October 4, 2024, by Pauline, Chemical Engineer — 5 min of reading
Themes:
The essential knowledge about soybean oil.
The soybean oil is typically extracted by cold pressing from the seeds of the legume of the same name. If we look at its organoleptic characteristics, we can say that soybean oil is penetrating, has a golden color, and does not emit a characteristic fragrance. This vegetable oil is present in many cosmetic treatments because it has interesting properties for taking care of the skin and hair.
Rich in fatty acids, the soybean oil is hydrating and nourishing. It is therefore a valuable ally for dehydrated or dry skin, and it is also useful in preventing dehydration fine lines. Lastly, soybean oil has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, allowing it to protect the skin and scalp from oxidative stress, as well as soothe irritations and redness.
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Are there any contraindications to the use of soybean vegetable oil?
The use of pure soybean vegetable oil is, as a precautionary principle,not recommended for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children. This recommendation stems from the suspicion that it may be an endocrine disruptor. It's important to note that this is a suspicion and this characteristic is still a subject of debate within the scientific community today.
More specifically, if soybean oil is suspected as a potential endocrine disruptor, it's due to the isoflavone content in soybean seeds. Isoflavones are classified as phytoestrogens, a family of molecules with a structure similar to that of the natural hormone estradiol. Phytoestrogens are thus capable of mimicking the action of estradiol and substituting for it, thereby causing disruptions in the hormonal system.
However, it is important to clarify that soybean oil, unlike soybeans, contains onlyminute traces of isoflavones. When it is extracted, the phytoestrogens indeed tend to remain in the beans. This is why soybean oil is not officially considered an endocrine disruptor, but the principle of precaution is applied in regards to pregnant women and children, whose hormonal system is more sensitive.
Precautions to take before using soybean oil.
Like any substance applied to the skin, soybean vegetable oil can potentially cause a skin reaction (irritations, redness, dryness...). Although these reactions are rare, to protect oneself, it is advised to perform a tolerance test before applying it to an entire area of the skin. This test is very simple: take a few drops of soybean oil and apply them to the inside of your elbow or behind your ear. Wait 24 hours and, if you observe no skin reaction, it means your skin tolerates this ingredient.
Another point of caution pertains to individuals with food allergies to soy. Although a food allergy does not necessarily lead to a cosmetic allergy, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare professional before applying the oil.
Finally, the soybean oil has a comedogenicity index of 2, which makes it slightly comedogenic. People with oily or acne-prone skin can still use it, however, it is preferable for them to apply jojoba oil, hazelnut oil, or even argan oil, vegetable oils that have similar properties to soybean oil but are not comedogenic.
Sources
EBOSHIDA A. & al. Effects of isoflavone supplement on healthy women. Biofactors (2000).
HARRATH A. H. & al. Phytoestrogens and their effects. European Journal of Pharmacology (2014).
MURTAZA G. & al. Dermatological and cosmeceutical benefits of Glycine max (soybean) and its active components. Acta Polonia Pharmaceutica (2015).
