The Effect of Topical Estrogen in Skin Aging Process in Estrogen Deficiency Skin (EDS)

Estrogen deficient skin (EDS): a skin condition characterized by dryness, dullness, atrophy, and pruritus of the skin. The causes of this condition are varying and are mostly seen in menopausal women in which estrogen hormone levels in the body drop. Other causes of estrogen deficient skin (EDS) such as medications, low function of pituitary gland or surgery, primary ovarian insufficiency, and other causes. Treatment varies from oral using replacement hormonal therapy which is lead to side effects to topical treatment using topical estrogen, isoflavones products, and methyl estradiol propanoate (MEP). The article aims to outline the responsibility of estrogen hormone in the skin and the alterations that occur when there is a lack of estrogen in the body, in addition to alternative ways of treatment other than systemic estrogen, and represent the effect of each type of therapy on the estrogen-deficient skin (EDS). Estrogen therapies are restrictedly used by obstetricians and gynecological physicians. Therefore, there is a lack of scientific studies on estrogen topical therapy and its effect on the skin for decades. Recently and with increasing interest in cosmetics worldwide, more studies come to light and new topical therapies are presented like methyl estradiol propanoate (MEP) because of the raising interest by the cosmeceutical company and dermatologist.