E3 Face Cream

What is estriol, and why put it on my face?

Estriol is a bio-identical oestrogen, and a weaker one than estradiol. Applied to the skin, it acts on the oestrogen receptors on the skin, supporting skin thickness and elasticity in the area where you apply it. (Topical estriol acts via estrogen receptors on fibroblasts and keratinocytes, increasing type III collagen and elastic fiber content, improving hydration via hyaluronic acid and sebum production, and thickening the papillary dermis with better-organised elastic fibers.)

One study compared estriol and estradiol creams used on the face over six months in perimenopausal women. Both improved signs of skin ageing, with slightly greater improvement seen with estriol. Skin biopsies have also shown decreased wrinkle depth, increased skin elasticity and hydration, and increased type III collagen with topical estriol.²

Will E3 get into my bloodstream and affect my hormones?

This is the question almost everyone asks first, and the honest answer is that the data is limited but reassuring.

Several studies of facial creams containing estriol or estradiol have monitored hormone-related markers to test for systemic absorption. Most found no evidence of it. FSH, serum estradiol and vaginal cytology generally remained unchanged. One study reported breast tenderness in some participants, but there was no placebo group, so it was not possible to tell whether the cream caused it, and the authors concluded no systemic hormonal side effects were observed.

The overall picture is that systemic effects from topical facial estriol at this dose are likely to be minimal. We will not tell you the evidence base is bigger than it is, and we keep reviewing it.

Can I use E3 if I am already on MHT?

Yes. A clinical study found no increase in blood estriol levels after use, so E3 is not adding meaningfully to your systemic hormone load. Tell your doctor what you are on so they have the full picture.

Can I use E3 if I have had breast cancer, or another oestrogen-sensitive cancer?

This needs a proper conversation, not a website answer. Tell your doctor at the consultation. In most cases we would want input from your oncologist before prescribing, and we may recommend ATRA or TXA instead.

Will E3 help with the skin dryness?

That is often what women notice first. The hyaluronic acid in the formulation helps immediately with water retention, and the estriol works on the underlying cause over a longer timeframe.

Can I use it on my neck?

Yes. Apply 1 to 2 pumps to face and neck. You don't have to avoid the eye area as it's safe.

Do I have to be menopausal to use it?

No, but it is designed for oestrogen-related skin change, so it makes most sense from perimenopause onwards. If your skin concern is texture or pigmentation rather than oestrogen decline, ATRA or TXA may be the better fit.

Does E3 cause melasma?

It can, particularly if you are already prone to melasma.⁵ This is why we ask about your pigmentation history before prescribing E3.

Oestrogen can stimulate pigment-producing cells, which is one reason melasma can appear during pregnancy or with hormonal contraception.¹ Most reports linking hormone therapy to melasma involve oral oestrogen, and the evidence is limited.⁶ There is also one published case of melasma developing with an oestrogen cream.⁷

There is not enough evidence to say how often this happens with a facial E3 cream, so we cannot give you a reliable percentage.

What we do instead: If you are prone to melasma, your doctor may recommend starting with a very small amount of E3 and increasing slowly. They may also suggest using TXA Face Serum alongside E3, or starting with TXA first.

If your pigmentation worsens, stop using E3 and contact us.

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How long before I see results?

Skin turnover takes time, so give it three to six months before judging results. The published facial studies ran for six months.[1]

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References

1. Verdier-Sévrain S, Bonté F, Gilchrest B. Biology of estrogens in skin: implications for skin aging. Experimental Dermatology. 2006.
2. Schmidt JB, Binder M, Macheiner W, Kainz C, Gitsch G, Bieglmayer C. Treatment of skin ageing symptoms in perimenopausal females with estrogen compounds. A pilot study. Maturitas. 1994;20(1):25-30.
3. Schmidt JB, Binder M, Demschik G, Bieglmayer C, Reiner A. Treatment of skin aging with topical estrogens. International Journal of Dermatology. 1996;35(9):669-74.
4. Troxel J, Correa Ferrer L, Iwamoto A, Van Voorhis BJ, Powers JG. Topical estrogen therapy for aging skin: current evidence and clinical considerations. JAAD Reviews. 2026;7:73-80. doi:10.1016/j.jdrv.2025.12.003.
5. Cario M. How hormones may modulate human skin pigmentation in melasma: an in vitro perspective. Experimental Dermatology. 2019.
6. Abdeen S, Shao E, Lim D. Does hormone replacement therapy influence melasma development? A review of the evidence and management guidelines. Dermatologic Surgery. 2026.
7. Snyder A, Schiechert RA, Zaiac MN. Melasma associated with topical estrogen cream. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2017;10(2):57-58.