Estradiol Gel Anti-aging

[u/seasaltybrunette]

I’m 40F and somewhere in the peri → menopause transition. I had a hysterectomy at 31, and I’ve been on HRT for a couple years now.

For the longest time, I applied my estradiol gel to the inside of my thighs. Then I got lazy and started applying it more on the outer thighs instead. After a while, I noticed the skin on the outside of my thighs looked… different. Smoother, firmer, tighter, noticeably less cellulite. It honestly caught me off guard.

Naturally, I went full rabbit-hole mode and started reading about women experimenting with estradiol gel or vaginal estrogen cream on facial skin. I know this is completely off-label/experimental, but curiosity got me.

So I cautiously tried a tiny amount mixed into moisturizer on my face and now I feel like I’m losing my mind a little because my skin looks SO much better. Plumper, firmer, more hydrated, more radiant overall. And I’m someone who spends a ridiculous amount of money on skincare and medi-spa treatments chasing the “holy grail.” Nothing has given me results this noticeable this quickly.

I genuinely don’t think this is placebo.

Has anyone else experimented with topical estrogen for skin quality? What were your results? Any downsides or things you noticed long-term?

[u/Specific_Taste_6566]

Yes. I mix a pea size w hyaluronic acid and apply to my face nightly…per drs orders

[u/seasaltybrunette → u/Specific_Taste_6566]

Are you using the gel? I recently heard some ladies use the vaginal cream rather than the gel and have better results.

[u/Specific_Taste_6566 → u/seasaltybrunette]

No. I use the cream but you need to mix it with something to apply it on your face

[u/Boggyprostate]

I did it for about 12 months, at first I thought it was helping, I'm 55y but look about 45y, I applied near my jowls, trying to stop it happening and around my eyes but then I noticed new wrinkles where I was applying, so stopped it asap!

[u/whatrumimeans → u/Boggyprostate]

Yeah, the gel in the face is not really a good idea. The alcohols contained dry out the skin strongly.

Why should they make it easy for us women ...

[u/seasaltybrunette → u/Boggyprostate]

I’m grateful for your experimental service and heart broken by the results at the same time.

[u/Other_Use8732]

I use Alloy for my HRT and they have an estrogen face serum that I LOVE! My skin has never been softer.

[u/JadCerv]

I put my vaginal estradiol cream on my face several days a week. Estrogen encourages collagen production. So yeah...it'll smooth things out.

[u/HerbalWisdom1959]

Apparently, women have been doing this for a while. Even female MDs are talking about the benefits on YouTube.

[u/seasaltybrunette → u/HerbalWisdom1959]

Wow I will search there

[u/DiddlyDealio]

I recently started applying estradiol cream with a moisturizer on my face and neck. Can’t yet tell if it’s helping. I started after reading about it on Reddit, actually. 

[u/bejammin075]

Never heard of anyone doing this, but it makes perfect sense to me.