OpenTube

The Truth About Topical Estrogen for Aging Skin

THE SKIN REAL with Dr. Mary Alice Mina

20,264 views

If you’re searching: topical estrogen for face, you are not alone. Thousands of women in perimenopause and menopause want to know whether estrogen cream can improve dry, thin, sensitive skin that seems to change overnight.

In this episode of The Skin Real, Dr. Mary Alice Mina explains exactly how estrogen loss affects your skin in perimenopause and why your retinoid suddenly irritates you. She breaks down the science on topical estrogen for facial skin, what current research shows, where the data is still limited, and how estrogen impacts collagen, elasticity, hydration, and skin barrier strength.

You will learn:
• Whether topical estrogen works on photoaged skin
• How estrogen supports collagen and elastin
• How to use topical estrogen on the face safely
• How much systemic absorption occurs
• Why your skin becomes dry and sensitive in midlife
• When to use retinoids, sunscreen, and estrogen together
• Non hormonal alternatives like MEP for women who want an estrogen free option

In this episode:
00:00 Intro. Why skin changes overnight in perimenopause
00:42 Estrogen’s role in skin health
02:05 What happens when estrogen drops
03:40 Perimenopause roller coaster. Acne, chin hair, sensitivity
05:02 Why doctors avoided estrogen for years
06:12 Topical estrogen for vulvar and vaginal skin
07:22 Can topical estrogen help facial skin
08:57 Safety. Absorption. Myths
10:03 When topical estrogen does not work
10:52 How to use estrogen cream the right way
11:33 Non hormonal alternatives. MEP
12:00 Final guidance

📢 Are you in the Atlanta area? Then I would love for you to be part of the Founder’s Experience! My guided dermatology program built around a comprehensive consultation and a long term plan for your skin. Now open to a small, intentional group for a limited time. Book here: https://theskinreal.janeapp.com/locat...

📲 Not in the Atlanta area. No problem! Join me inside The Skin Real app for science backed routines, dermatologist guidance, and product recommendations I trust. Download here https://linktr.ee/theskinreal

#TopicalEstrogenForFace #MenopauseSkincare #PerimenopauseSkin #MidlifeSkinChanges #EstrogenCream #DermatologistTips

20 Comments

@RitaLinehan-p5h 5 months ago

Most dermatologist aren't/won't ready to prescribe estrogen for face. Wish they would catch up with the new data!

@MyColombianLife 7 months ago

This was a really straightforward video and explanation- I appreciate this a lot! I’ve been listening to channels of Derms about vaginal estrogen on the face and a majority seem like they try not to promote it too hard but say it can’t hurt. You were the 1st Dr. I’ve heard say that you might not see as many results on sun damaged skin and how to get your skin ready if you do want to use it and see results, this was all very helpful🎉

@maureengreen8695 10 months ago (edited)

Thank you for green-lighting vaginal estrogen cream for the face. It is the cheapest method I have found. Some online dermatologists seem ready to arrest us for applying the vaginal cream to our face.😂😂😂

@DoreSteinert 9 months ago

thank you so much, and good luck with your channel!

@carolabraham9629 8 months ago

Thanks ❤

@stephanietimmerman443 5 months ago

I use tretinoin .05% + estradiol .01% daily on my face, neck, and back of hands. I combine the estradiol cream with my CeraVe face cream for a nicer texture. This is in addition of all of the systemic HRT. I’ve been doing this since I was 48 and peri. Still peri and plan to stick with this routine long-term. Thank you for a very well laid out overview!

@jrsupstateny 7 months ago

❤

@rebeccabarnell 1 month ago

You are the first person I heard talking about estrogen associated with excessive facial hair. I’m very interested in learning more about how to stop that and can it be reversed? Is it from to much estrogen or not enough? I’m 57 and the last couple years while being on Hormone Therapy estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, the facial hair, especially in the lower part of the face is getting to be nuts. I thought it might be the testosterone, but from what I heard you say it sounds like it could be estrogen related. What’s the best place for me to do the research on that any help would be appreciated thank you thank you for what you do. There’s so much contradicting information out there and all doctors are definitely not equal in their education, Dermatologist Obgyn or otherwise.

@MM-pb6qh 7 months ago (edited)

Yes, estradiol cream is thick, but I apply tretinoin on top, then moisturizer, waiting a minute or so in between each one on my face, neck, and hands usually every day or so. I don't use the estradiol on my entire face...just in the trouble areas like forehead, undereye, smile and lip lines, neck, decolette.

@allisonbates2026 1 month ago

Is it safe to use if you have a history in your family, (mother, aunts) who have had uterine cancer?

@demzwordz 8 months ago

I am post menopausal and just started using my estrogen cream on my face and see an immediate difference. However, I have eye bags and dark circles that aren’t going away. I am hoping with continue use they will disappear.

@Lohrannette48 6 months ago

I’m 77 and used vaginal estriol cream on my face for about a week. I had two small brown age spots that got much darker and bigger. Also developed one above my lip which I didn’t have before. I used it with my night cream but my skin felt so dry and looked more wrinkly. I stopped as I didn’t want or need anymore brown age spots. I always use mineral sun screen during the day. Any thoughts as to why this happened?

@Conny226 2 months ago

Retinol is really bad for my skin it actually dryes my skin out I have very white skin and red blonde hair.

@therealaudreyparker9966 5 months ago

I've been using estriol formulation but I don't see any difference. It's been 4 months. Would retinol work better for me, what strength, there are so many!! Or do I need the chemical peel you mentioned? Thanks!

@joeanna1100 5 months ago

I heard a derm say there arent many estrogen receptors in the skin on face as thier is in vagina

@joannew6697 3 months ago

On the eyelids and close to lower lashes is okay?

@mysticalmimi18 7 months ago

I went through menopause super early. I have 0 estrogen levels….. is that even possible? My blood work said 0. Would this still help me?

@sfleischer1336 6 months ago

Everyone invest in these companies who make HRT…their stock will blow up the next 2-5 yrs. GLP1’s will also create opportunity bc the skin always gets so saggy from rapid weight loss. If estrogen is the new skin care it’s about to blow up and the prices will rise.