What the Latest Research Reveals
At Balanced Body Solutions, we know menopause isn’t just about hot flashes or sleep struggles—it shows up on your skin too. A brand-new narrative review published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (September 2025) looked at how declining estrogen levels impact skin health, and whether hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may help.
What the Review Looked At
This was a narrative review, which means the researchers didn’t recruit new participants. But they did pull together decades of existing research to better understand how menopause affects the skin and what role HRT might play.
Key Findings
- Estrogen decline = skin changes. As estrogen levels drop, skin loses collagen, elastin, hydration, and thickness. That’s why sagging, dryness, and wrinkles often accelerate during menopause.
- HRT may help. Some studies show that women on HRT see improvements in skin elasticity, hydration, and thickness. But results aren’t always consistent, and providers remain cautious about prescribing HRT for skin benefits alone.
- A major knowledge gap. Surprisingly, but not really when it comes to women…. Many dermatology studies don’t track whether participants are menopausal or on HRT. That leaves women with unanswered questions when seeking solutions.
Earlier Evidence on Estrogen and Skin
The new review isn’t the first to connect hormones with skin health:
- A 1996 study found that women using topical estrogen creams saw up to 61–100% improvement in wrinkle depth and pore size, plus increased hydration and elasticity.
- A pilot study with 10 women showed thicker skin and more collagen after six months of low-dose estradiol cream.
- Another trial reported a 38% increase in collagen after just three months of topical estradiol.
The takeaway? Estrogen matters for skin health—but we still need more quality research.
Safety
No one likes to talk about it, but it’s important. Low-dose vaginal estradiol has been demonstrated to be safe and considered a standard of care treatment guideline recommended by The American Urological Association for treating genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).
What does that mean? GSM includes symptoms like:
- Vaginal dryness
- Painful sex
- Recurrent UTIs
- Vaginal atrophy (thinning and irritation of tissues)
The powerful news is that low-dose vaginal estradiol is considered safe for women with a history of breast cancer, blood clots, and at all ages until death.This isn’t about boosting systemic hormone levels—it’s about delivering a tiny, localized dose that helps restore vaginal health and comfort where it’s needed most. So while low-dose estradiol isn’t officially approved for cosmetic use, at Balanced Body Solutions we believe the evidence shows it to be very safe—even when used on the face. It makes sense—if low-dose estradiol is considered safe for vaginal use (a highly sensitive area of the body), it’s reasonable to assume it’s safe for facial skin as well.
Why This Matters
Menopause is hard enough—hot flashes, mood shifts, sleep struggles—and on top of it all, we see the changes in the mirror. Watching your face age more rapidly, skin thinning and drying, can feel deeply discouraging. And it’s not just about appearance: your skin is your body’s largest organ, your first line of defense. When it becomes thinner and drier, it’s more vulnerable to injury, slower to repair, and less resilient overall.
That’s why this research matters. Understanding the hormonal drivers behind these changes isn’t about vanity—it’s about health, confidence, and reclaiming some control during a season of life that can feel overwhelming. Knowing that hormones play a role in skin aging empowers women to make informed, proactive choices instead of silently struggling.
What am I doing about it?
For the past two plus years, I’ve been using a custom compounded facial cream which combines estriol 0.3%, peptides, vitamin C, and antioxidants in a gel-cream base without fragrance or added color. This isn’t a random luxury product off the shelf—it’s a targeted formula designed to address exactly what my skin needs during menopause.
Here’s the surprising part: I stopped using expensive skincare lines, tossed out the clutter in my bathroom cabinet, and stayed consistent with this one low dose estriol based formula.
The payoff? Noticeably smoother, more hydrated, more resilient skin than I ever achieved with my concoctions of pricey creams that promised everything but delivered little.
Consistency and personalization have been the real game-changers.
I currently love Elemis PRO-Collagen Cleansing Balm to melt off any make-up. I then apply my REPAIR cream 5 nights per week and work in my retinol 2 nights per week. These are both non-negotiables for me. The third non-negotiable includes a wide-brimmed hat and higher SPF while intentionally spending time in the sun or on the beach.
Inquire about my REPAIR custom blend, which can be prescribed, compounded, and delivered specifically to you.
Other Skincare Tips in Menopause
- Hormone Optimization: Work with a trained provider to explore whether bioidentical HRT could be right for you.
- Smart Skincare: Daily SPF, medical-grade products with peptides, retinoids, and antioxidants support skin at the cellular level.
- Nutrition & Hydration: Protein, omega-3s, collagen-rich foods, and staying hydrated all give your skin what it needs from the inside out.
- Technology & Treatments: Non-invasive options like red light therapy can help stimulate collagen and repair damage. More advanced treatments such as CO₂ laser, BBL, IPL, and radiofrequency may also provide benefits, but these should always be carefully discussed and performed by a vetted and highly trained medical professional. The same diligence applies when considering any cosmetic injectables.
- Lifestyle Foundations: Sleep, stress management, and movement all impact your skin’s ability to repair and thrive.
Bottom Line
Menopause doesn’t just change how you feel—it changes how your skin looks and functions. The latest research confirms estrogen is a key player. While HRT isn’t yet prescribed specifically for skin, combining hormone support with advanced skincare, nutrition, and treatments can help your skin stay strong, resilient, and radiant through menopause and beyond.
Stay Balanced everyone!
Link to study mentioned above
PubMed article