No, this isn’t a Goop editorial, but we can understand why you’d mistake it for one. The idea of applying an estrogen cream, once used to repair vaginal tissue, to the face doesn’t sound quite as wild as, say, using bee venom to treat scars, which Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow called “pretty incredible,” but it’s a little common. And as more beauty influencers recommend vaginal estrogen cream as an anti-aging agent, this trend is gaining traction and is typically aimed at menopausal and post-menopausal women.
But is it useful to apply an estrogen cream to the face? To back this up a bit: Is it safe? What are the advantages and disadvantages? The truths and myths? The accessibility and the cost?
HealthyWomen spoke to two dermatologists to learn more about the latest glow-up sensation.
The powers of estrogen cream for vaginal rejuvenation during menopause
Vaginal estrogen cream has long been prescribed to menopausal women to treat vaginal dryness, thinning vaginal skin, itching, and burning, which are extremely common symptoms of menopause—and it can work wonders.
“I’m 48 and entering perimenopause,” said Dr. Melanie Palm, board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon at Art of Skin MD. “And I see how vaginal estrogen cream changes patients’ bodies.”
Vaginal estrogen cream helps rejuvenate vaginal skin and improve dryness by supplying estrogen to the skin, which permanently drops during menopause.
“When we stop having periods, it affects the estrogen receptors on our skin,” Palm said. “We lose collagen. Estrogen-dependent areas like the genitals change a lot. These creams help with that.”
Vaginal estrogen cream can also help prevent urinary tract infections, which Palm says are a leading cause of acute care needs in older women.
“Urinary tract infections can lead to sepsis, which is common in older patients, particularly those who suffer from dementia or urinary incontinence,” Palm said.
Facial skin is very different from vaginal skin
If estrogen cream is so effective at rejuvenating vaginal skin, why shouldn’t it also do wonders for the skin on our faces, even though it dries out as we age? This is the line of thought that has led some skin care enthusiasts to turn to estrogen cream as an anti-wrinkle agent. But it’s not that simple, because the skin on your face is simply not the same as the skin down there.
In 2025, the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology published research on the use of estrogen cream for facial rejuvenation. The study found that estrogen creams provide anti-inflammatory action and support your blood vessels and collagen production. However, it turned out that this only happened in areas not exposed to sunlight.
“For light-exposed areas of skin — areas that see the sun — estrogen had no effect,” Palm said.
Scientific research on the use of vaginal estrogen on the face is weak and inconsistent
Now can we say that this one study has proven once and for all that applying estrogen cream to the face to achieve anti-aging effects is a waste of time? Not quite, because this study, like every other study conducted on estrogen creams as facial care products, was small.
“The challenge is that they are all small studies with mixed results,” Palm said. “Some studies show mild effects. But nothing major.”
If you are the right candidate, it’s not a bad idea to give it a try
While we don’t have enough data to prove clear benefits, estrogen facial creams (which typically use estriol, the gentlest form of estrogen) could still play a role in your nighttime skincare routine, assuming you’re suited for it (we’ll get to that in a moment).
“There is an argument for using it as part of your skin care routine, if chosen correctly,” Palm said. “Estrogen creams are said to restore tissue. We see these effects when they are applied to the genital area. And we know that the skin on the face becomes drier as we age.”
An estrogen cream may also be able to help make your skin a little fuller and softer.
“Based on what we know about the effects of estriol on the mucous membranes in the vaginal area and based on hormone science, we can conclude that if you apply estriol directly to your face, the skin may become smoother,” said Hannah Kopelman, DO, a dermatologist at Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery. “It might look more hydrated and plumper, but we can’t say for sure yet.”
Who can use estrogen face cream – and who needs to avoid it?
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Estrogen cream products are a no-no for women with a history of estrogen-dependent cancers or a history or risk of blood clots.
“The theoretical risk is that this would be like pouring gasoline on a potential fire,” Palm said.
And while you can technically use an estrogen facial cream if you’re nowhere near perimenopause or menopause, that would be a complete waste.
“If you produce enough estrogen, you don’t need estrogen creams,” Palm said.
This stuff isn’t cheap – and you need a recipe
A few things you should know if you’re thinking about trying an estrogen cream for your face:
- You can get authentic and safe estrogen creams only upon prescription from a healthcare provider (consult an educated and open-minded dermatologist who knows your history).
- Under no circumstances should you use an estrogen cream prescribed for vaginal use on your face (remember that there are different skin types!)
- Be prepared to spend some money
“A brand-name estrogen cream costs about $340 to $450,” Palm said. “Maybe $35 to $100 for a generic. I’m a little picky about some products like retinoids… but with this product you don’t necessarily have to go by the brand name. That means you shouldn’t buy the worst of the worst generics either.”
Vaginal estrogen face cream is not a miracle cure – and we know that other remedies work better
There may be no reason not to try the facial estrogen creams prescribed by your dermatologist, but consider this fact for both your time and your wallet: We know that other tried-and-true skin care products work better.
“There is stronger evidence that topical retinoids, ascorbic acids, alpha-hydroxy acids and small proteins have a rejuvenating effect on the face,” Palm said, adding that the best skin care ingredient is something we should all use every day, regardless of age and gender: sunscreen.
“Broad spectrum UVA and UVB sunscreens of 30 or more are fine,” Palm said. “I like physical sunscreens. I prefer zinc oxide and titanium oxide. It’s not sexy, but wearing sunscreen is your No. 1 anti-aging tip.”
What would Gwyneth from Goop say about all this? Well, she has said in the past that she only uses mineral sunscreen “on my nose, so to speak, and where the sun really shines,” which is definitely not the way to go. You have to apply it everywhere and reapply it throughout the day. So maybe it’s best if we listen to the experts on this one – and not the beauty influencers.
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