Whole soybeans contain daidzein, a plant substance that, when metabolized by the naturally occurring bacteria in some people's digestive tracts, converts to S-equol. Not all people have the necessary gastrointestinal bacteria needed to metabolize daidzein into S-equol, the researchers said. About half of Asians and 20 to 30 percent of Europeans and North Americans can produce S-equol naturally.

Previous research has shown that S-equol can have some of the same effects as estrogen when it binds to hormone receptors, which may be why some older women feel soy helps them adjust to menopause.

The latest study compared three groups of Japanese menopausal women over the course of 12 weeks: one took placebos, another took 10 milligrams of S-equol, and the last was administered 30 milligrams of the substance. The results showed that the higher the dosage, the younger the women's skin appeared, as published in the journal Menopause. Furthermore, the researchers noted that there were no serious side effects from the supplements.

Additional research, which should include more women from across different ethnic backgrounds, will be needed to validate these results.

Recently, the Huffington Post published an article highlighting several natural options that you can use to maintain good skin health.

Products like lotions or gels that contain aloe vera may promote cooling sensations on skin that has been affected by the sun, the news provider explained.

Similar to aloe, some shaving creams that contain menthol may also help induce feelings of coolness.

"Shaving cream in a lot of cases has menthol and other chemicals, and those things are naturally cooling and feel good to the skin," said Jonette Keri, M.D., associate professor of dermatology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, quoted by the news source.

The website recommended vitamin C and E supplements to help promote healthy skin cell regeneration on areas that have been exposed to UV rays.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that proper skin care is important since this organ is the largest in the body and serves as a physical defense separating internal structures from the external environment.

A recent study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry indicated that there may be a natural way to promote good skin health, even when outdoors.

The study's results showed that polyphenolic compounds, called flavonoids, found in grapes may support a healthy cell cycle despite the well-known damaging effects that UVA and UVB rays have on these processes.

"This study supports the idea of using these products to protect the skin from cell damage and death caused by solar radiation, as well as increasing our understanding of the mechanism by which they act," said lead researcher Marta Cascante.

The investigators added that their findings should be considered in the future when scientists aim to use natural, plant-based products for wellness and healing products.

In a recent article published by the Erie Times-News, Dr Peter Gott offered several tips on how to naturally improve skin health.

He explained that depriving problem areas of skin from oxygen may help reduce the appearance of unsightly growths.

One woman asked the expert if it were possible that the chalk she used in her classroom was the reason why her warts subsided.

Gott told the news provider that many chalks are made of calcium carbonate, which is a natural component found in rocks that has also been used as a dietary supplement to promote a healthy balance of gastric acids.

He explained that the ingredient creates an air-tight seal over problem areas of the skin, which may help reduce the size or visibility of growths. Other things that may provide similar benefits include glue and clear nail polish, the expert told the news source.

According to the National Institutes of Health, the skin is the largest organ of an individual's body.

Dr. Jeannette Graf, an assistant professor of dermatology at New York University Medical Center, told the news provider that gentle cleansers may provide better results than those that contain harsh ingredients. She recommended that individuals seek milk, gel or foam face washes with coconut or fruit sugars.

Individuals who have problem skin should opt for fragrance-free products, the news organization suggested. These added scents may cause irritation or allergic reactions. Even soaps or cosmetics that claim to be unscented may still contain small amounts of perfume, which is why the fragrance-free label is especially important to recognize, the source noted.

Plant-based moisturizers with natural oils, plant-derived butter and essential fatty acids may provide deeper hydration and better sun protection for long-term skin health than those made of synthetic ingredients, Graf explained.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the most frequently reported type of cancer is skin carcinoma.

A recent article published by BecomeGorgeous.com highlights some of these options, one of which involves lathering up with lemon juice. The news provider recommends squeezing the juice from a few medium-size lemons and combining this with three tablespoons of water. Individuals who use a washcloth to apply the cocktail to their burned skin may be able to reduce their pain thanks to the citric acid found in the fruits.

While cucumber has been associated with temporary cooling sensation that may relieve sunburn discomfort, the news source explained that leaving slices of the vegetable on top of skin for 10 minutes may help transfer vitamins to the area that are essential for healing.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, sustaining one or more blistering sunburns during childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person’s chances of developing melanoma later in life.

People who have trouble sleeping can sprinkle lavender oil on their bed pillows or add the liquid to their nighttime baths, since lavender has been shown to act as a sedative and relaxant, the newspaper recommended.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, some balding individuals who use lavender experience hair regrowth.

Mothers of young children who frequently scrape their knees or elbows may want to consider trying tea tree oils. The news source said that these help fight a variety of infections. Essential oils from tea tree plants may also aid in treating conditions such as acne or athlete's foot. The news provider also explained that some women rub eucalyptus oils on the bottoms of their babys' feet when the infants have chest congestion or runny noses, since inhaling the scent from this substance has been shown to ease cold symptoms.

To treat skin irritations such as dryness, insect bites or poison ivy, the news provider recommended that people try smoothing a layer of oatmeal paste on the burdened areas of flesh.

Feelings of nausea may disrupt a person's daily activities. The article explained that pregnant women may consider eating ginger to ease symptoms of morning sickness. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the herb has been used among Asian cultures to treat stomach aches, nausea and diarrhea.

Also, people who tend to get car sick should snack on olives to inhibit the production of excess saliva in the mouth, which can exacerbate queasy sensations, the news provider suggested.

"It is important [that healthcare providers do] not to give too much medication because people may then become dependent on medications with potential side-effects," Dr. Sakilba Mines told the news source.

Dermatologist Patricia K. Farris noted that several new cosmetic procedures and treatments are utilizing the skin-stimulating properties of electrical charge, including radiofrequency (RF) treatments and skin creams that contain metal.

Heat that results from the use of RF devices causes contractions across several layers of the skin, which may result in the tightening of these tissues without surgical intervention. Farris said that these procedures typically improve the appearance of individuals who experience sagging of the neck, chin or cheeks.

She also explained the function of "bioelectricity" technology that is being tested in some skin creams. People who use these products would require two separate creams that contain metals with opposite charges.

When applied one after the other, the interaction between the metals can modify cellular activity, which may improve the strength of facial tissues. Farris added that these techniques are also used in wound healing and are believed to have similar affects on both aging and damaged skin.

A group of recovered melanoma patients who had been in remission for up to 10 years were given surveys to determine how much of an effect their cancer had on their lives after their original diagnoses.

On average, survey respondents were 57 years old. Females comprised 62 percent of the group and the majority of all respondents, 76 percent, had melanoma less than two millimeters thick.

Survey questions covered physical, psychological, social, existential, meaning of cancer and health concern topics.

The results showed that significantly more women than men reported higher levels of both positive and negative impacts of cancer.

Questions about melanoma or treatment-related symptoms that impacted patients' socializing, traveling or family time received the lowest survey scores. Moreover, the highest scores were reported on questions involving existential views, positive outlook and spirituality stemming from patients' cancer experience.

"In clinical practice, this observation may imply that women need additional care, including follow-up and possibly counseling to optimally cope with their melanoma," study authors said.