Managing Menopausal Skin Changes: Estrogen Facial Creams
What is the study about?
A brand-new narrative review, “Managing Menopausal Skin Changes: A Narrative Review of Skin Quality Changes, Their Aesthetic Impact, and the Actual Role of Hormone Replacement Therapy in Improvement” (Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, September 2025), pulls together decades of research on how estrogen decline impacts the skin and what role hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may play in reversing some of those changes.
When was it conducted?
This review was published in September 2025, making it one of the most up-to-date pieces of literature on menopausal skin health.
How many participants?
As a narrative review, it didn’t enroll new participants. Instead, it analyzed and synthesized existing studies that examined how menopause and hormones affect skin quality.
What did they find?
The authors confirmed what many of us already notice in the mirror. As estrogen levels decline, skin loses its collagen, elastin, hydration, and thickness. This is why dryness, sagging, and wrinkles often accelerate during menopause.
The review also highlights that HRT can help. Multiple studies show improvements in elasticity, hydration, and thickness of the skin when hormones are replaced. But results aren’t always consistent, and the scientific community is still cautious about recommending HRT solely for aesthetic reasons. What really stood out to me is that most women aren’t even told about these connections. Dermatology studies often skip over whether participants are in menopause or using HRT. That gap leaves women without answers when they’re looking for solutions.
What do other studies say?
The 2025 review isn’t the only evidence we have. Earlier studies have already hinted that estrogen creams could directly benefit the skin:
- A 1996 trial with 59 women tested both 0.01% estradiol cream and 0.3% estriol cream applied to the face for six months. The results were impressive: wrinkle depth and pore size decreased by up to 61–100%, and skin elasticity and hydration improved. The only side effect reported was a slight rise in prolactin, but no systemic estrogen changes.
- A smaller pilot study with 10 postmenopausal women used a low-dose estradiol cream for six months. Researchers saw increases in epidermal thickness and collagen, again without changes in systemic hormone levels.
- Another shorter study showed a 38% increase in skin collagen after three months of topical estradiol. While promising, not every trial replicated these exact results, which is why reviews like the 2025 paper are still cautious.
Together, these studies suggest something many women already feel: that estrogen decline shows up on our skin, and replacing it topically may help slow or even reverse some of those changes.
Why it matters
This isn’t just about vanity. Skin is the body’s largest organ, and its changes reflect what’s happening inside. Thinner, drier skin is more vulnerable, not only to wrinkles, but also to injury and slower repair.
This review matters because it shines a light on something many women don’t hear about until they’re already struggling: the skin symptoms of menopause are hormonal, and HRT has the potential to help. But we’re still missing the kind of high-quality studies that would allow doctors to recommend HRT specifically for skin health. Until then, too many women are left piecing things together on their own.
What am I doing about it?
As a gerontologist and menopause coach, I don’t just read the studies. I experiment, track, and share what works in real life. For my skin, here’s what I do:
- Hormone Optimization: I use bioidentical HRT with a menopause-trained doctor. And I also use Karen Martel’s Estro2Rejuvenate* cream. When I test my blood, I don’t see my estrogen levels change as a result of adding this cream. It’s not impossible to increase levels systemically with a face cream containing estrogen, but rare and highly unlikely. The only way to find out is to try it and test for yourself.
- Targeted Skincare: My stack includes Timeline’s serum and night cream**, which I love for their longevity science. I also use OneSkin’s day cream, cleanser, and eye cream*. The cleanser is new to me, and I’m obsessed—it’s one of the few that leaves my skin feeling truly hydrated. And of course, I use Vitali’s copper peptide serum*, which has medical-grade strength.
- Sun Protection: Every day, no exceptions. I use OneSkin’s face SPF* and their body SPF*.
- Nutrition & Hydration: I eat protein-rich, collagen-supporting foods, and I also take collagen powder daily. Right now, I’m testing out Puori’s collagen supplement*. I also load up on omega-rich fish, walnuts, and blueberries to keep inflammation low and skin nourished.
- Tech & Treatments: I use red light therapy regularly and I’m now testing the MM Skincare Light Sphere*. It combines red, blue, green, and purple light to improve skin health and reduce damage.
Menopause isn’t just hot flashes and missed periods—it’s in our skin too. And while HRT shows promise, the best approach is layered: hormones, skincare, lifestyle, and tech all working together.
Practical tips you can try
- Talk with your healthcare provider about HRT and whether it may help you.
- Don’t overlook the basics: SPF, hydration, retinoids, vitamin C, and peptides.
- Support your skin from the inside out with protein, collagen, and omega-3s.
- Consider red light therapy or other non-invasive treatments to complement your routine.
- Share your experience with other women—you’ll be surprised how many are in the same boat.
✨ Bottom line: Menopause shows up on your skin. This new review confirms estrogen is a key player, and earlier studies back that up too. While the science is still catching up, we already have more tools than ever to keep our skin strong, resilient, and radiant through the transition and beyond.
My Skin Stack & Discounts
- Estro2Rejuvenate Cream (Karen Martel) – Link – Code ZORA for 10% off
- Timeline Serum – Link – Code ZORA for 20% off
- Timeline Night Cream – Link – Code ZORA for 20% off
- OneSkin Day Cream – Link
- OneSkin Cleanser – Link
- OneSkin Eye Cream – Link
- Vitali Copper Peptides – Link – Code ZORA for 20% off
- OneSkin Face SPF – Link
- OneSkin Body SPF – Link
- Puori Collagen – Link – Code HACKMYAGE for 20% off
- MM Skincare Light Sphere – Link – Code ZORA for 15% off
References
- Viscomi B, Muniz M, Sattler S. Managing Menopausal Skin Changes: A Narrative Review of Skin Quality Changes, Their Aesthetic Impact, and the Actual Role of Hormone Replacement Therapy in Improvement. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025 Sep;24 Suppl 4:e70393. PubMed
- Schmidt JB, Binder M, Demschik G, Bieglmayer C, Reiner A. Treatment of skin aging with topical estrogens. Dermatology. 1996;193(4):289–94. PubMed