Patent ID: 8668914

Claim:
A method of mediating androgen hormone action so as to ameliorate at least one condition of the skin or hair of a subject, comprising administering a non-racemic mixture of R- and S-equol, wherein R-equol binds free 5α-dihydrotestosterone and inhibits its binding with androgen receptor, and wherein at the least one condition of the skin and hair is selected from the group consisting of: a) inducing increased skin integrity by cell renewal; b) enhancing water content or moisture of skin; c) enhancing glycoaminoglycans and hyaluronic acid for improved skin radiance; d) reducing trans epidermal water loss, skin flaking and scaling; e) invigorating for energetically healthy skin; f) improving skin thickness and enhanced cellular durability; g) strengthening skin collagen and improving skin health; h) enhancing skin tensile properties and improving the protective nature of the skin; i) increasing elastin production and improving skin elasticity; j) protecting against and inhibiting elastase; k) protecting against and inhibiting collagenase; I) protecting against and decreasing matrix metalloproteinases; m) improving skin texture and tone; n) reducing skin pores size and enhancing skin smoothness; o) rejuvenating and renewing skin; p) improving the appearance of scars and skin abrasions and enhancing skin repair and wound healing; q) decreasing oily skin by minimizing sebaceous gland secretion and improving sebaceous gland function; r) enhancing hair pigmentation; s) increasing blood flow in the skin; t) improving skin temperature and thermoregulation of the skin; u) inhibiting fibroblast cell apoptosis; v) stabilizing skin color changes and hair pigmentation and enhancing skin lightening; w) treating, ameliorating and protecting against hyperpigmentation, age-spots and photo-aging; x) decreasing or eliminating acne; y) decreasing scalp hair loss or enhancing the retention of scalp hair (in male and female pattern baldness); z) retarding facial and body hair growth, decreasing facial and body hair growth, and reducing hirsutism; aa)reducing vaginal dryness; and bb)attenuating skin and hair abnormalities in steroid hormone synthesis and function and metabolism of steroids and binding steroid receptors involving androgenic and/or estrogenic effects.