What is Estrogen Deficient Skin & How to Treat It

Estrogen-deficient skin can be treated 

If you are perimenopausal/menopausal and have FDA approved indications for systemic menopause hormone treatment, we have medically proven solutions to help you. In this post, Alloy will explore estrogen-deficient skin and how to treat it. But we’ll have to briefly dive into the science to do that. 

Let’s return to our anatomy 101 or biology classrooms and  , and let’s dig in!

The Link Between Estrogen and Aging Skin

Estrogen is a hormone that has unique functions beyond what it is most famous for—kicking off puberty and regulating the menstrual cycle. As it turns out, estrogen plays a vital role in collagen production in your skin (among other skin benefits, mentioned below).

As you are probably aware (mostly due to all the collagen beauty products and collagen supplements flooding the market), collagen is a vital protein found throughout your body. The structure of bones, tendons, muscles, ligaments, and skin is supported by collagen proteins. In fact, collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body.

So, where does estrogen fit into the picture?

The collagen in your skin is produced by cells called fibroblasts. Fibroblasts have receptors on their surface called ERβ receptors. ERβ stands for estrogen beta receptors. For these fibroblasts to function optimally and produce high-quality collagen, they require estrogen.

Estrogen has other benefits for skin as well -

• Estrogen aids in skin moisturization

• Estrogen aids in wound healing by affecting the inflammatory response

• Estrogen helps hair follicles remain healthy and strong

• Estrogen has cytoprotective effects that protect against oxidative stress

Declining Estrogen and Collagen Production

We know that estrogen levels decline steadily over a woman’s reproductive years and reach a low level once menopause is reached.  As estrogen levels decline with age, your skin’s ability to produce collagen declines at a rate of about 1% to 1.5% per year, starting roughly in your early 30s.

In the first 5 years of menopause alone, the average woman loses 30% of their facial collagen. And the rate of loss continues to decline at a rate of about 1% - 1.5% thereafter. 

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Estrogen-Deficient Skin?

When the quantity and quality of available dermal skin collagen declines,  skin becomes less elastic, thinner, drier, and more prone to wrinkles—especially in areas of high movement and tension, like the face. Let’s explore some of the symptoms of estrogen-deficient skin in greater detail. 

Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Fine lines and wrinkles occur in areas of skin that are actively moving and under tension. This affects the face and hands most noticeably. That’s why we have colloquial names for wrinkles, like “smile lines” and “frown lines.”

As skin loses elasticity and suppleness due to declining facial skin collagen, the active areas that get the most wear and tear begin to crease and fold, causing wrinkles.   

Thinner, More Delicate Skin

Declining collagen and elastin levels also cause your skin cells to get thinner and more fragile. Not only does collagen and elastin fiber levels decline, but what is available has become thinner and weaker. 

Thus, estrogen-deficient skin is more prone to ripping and tearing and therefore takes longer to heal and this is due to an overall decrease in vascularity. 

Dry Skin

In addition to playing a role in collagen production, estrogen helps skin retain moisture. The presence of estrogen in the skin increases the amount of acid mucopolysaccharides and hyaluronic acid, both water-binding molecules that help skin retain moisture. 

As estrogen production ceases, your skin becomes drier.

Dull Skin

As skin dries out and becomes thinner, it loses the properties that once caused it to glow and appear vibrant.

“Many women experience and observe facial skin improvement within several weeks that align with the clinical studies on estriol creams”

Most Women Assume Skin is Aging … There are  Solutions

Yes, drier, and wrinkles are a result of aging, but it is not entirely inevitable. Most women are committed to caring for the skin and improve it’s appearance. Do not  ignore that you have agency to improve your skin’s health. Overall the primary factors driving aging skin in women are UV damage (cumulated sun exposure )and the decline in estrogen as women age.  By taking bioidentical hormones either topically or systemically, you can treat vasomotor symptoms and also prevent osteoporosis and reduced fracture risks associated perimenopause and menopause. Using MHT, menopause hormone treatment, you may also get the additional benefit of stronger, healthier skin. In addition to systemic menopause hormone treatment, women may consider adding topical estrogens to their skin regimen.

Topical estrogen can—

• Increase Skin Thickness

• Increase Skin Elasticity

• Reduce Wrinkle Depth 

• Improve Skin Hydration and Moisture

• Improve Wound Healing 

All of which can help reclaim Your Youthful, Vibrant-Looking Skin

Do You Have Estrogen-Deficient Skin?

If you are currently in menopause or have already experienced it and are frustrated by the symptoms mentioned above, you may be experiencing estrogen-deficient skin. However, many of the symptoms of estrogen-deficient skin are treatable.

Yes, aging is inevitable. But, there are  interventions that can vastly improve your experience. Alloy offers several products that help estrogen-deficient skin produce more collagen. Check out our M4 face cream, a topical estriol face cream containing glycerin, vitamin E, and estriol.

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Alloy Has a Proven Solution for Estrogen-Deficient Skin

We got you—

We’re a women-owned menopause care and resource center dedicated to helping you find proven treatments for menopause symptoms. We offer a variety of products, services, and solutions to make your menopause symptoms more manageable.

If you are interested in treating estrogen-deficient skin, check out our topical estriol face cream, M4, and reclaim your youthful, radiant skin. Take our M4 assessment to see if our M4 Mega Miracle Menopause Moisturizer is right for you.

Or, fill out our MHT assessment if you want a more generalized menopause treatment plan by a menopause-trained doctor.