Beauty and the (soy-based) feast ...

The extracts, which are available as a dietary supplement in soft gel and tablet form and for water and oil-based cosmetics, has been in development for two years, said the firm, which has coined the slogan: "Not even Cleopatra could rely upon baths alone for beautiful skin."

Research suggests that soy isoflavones can help maintain skin elasticity, improve antioxidant activity and tackle conditions such as hot flushes, said Karina Bedrack, global marketing and sales manager. "The opportunity for suppliers to provide manufacturers with products that truly make good on their promises of improved skin tone has opened up exciting new opportunities."

The extracts delivered synergistic benefits in combination with grape seed extracts and natural lycopene, claimed Gary Brenner, vice president for marketing and development. "We believe that the age of single ingredients as an end to all problems is past, with responsible suppliers discovering the benefits of comprehensive synergistic properties of multiple actives."

Leatherhead Food International, which recently published a report on cosmeceuticals, said it was difficult accurately to estimate the size of the market owing to its niche status and the lack of a clear definition. "Estimates range from euro 700M to euro 3.6bn, with Japan taking the lion's share, but the category is experiencing double-digit growth," said a spokeswoman.

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