‘Vaginal estrogen as a face filler? I think not’: Experts critique the new skincare trend

Vaginal estrogen cream is prescribed to ease genital dryness, irritation and discomfort that results from the loss of estrogen during menopause.

The name tells you exactly where to put it. Yet a new trend has been making the rounds on social media. People are calling vaginal estrogen cream the new “filler” for the face and other body parts, claiming it can smooth wrinkles, reduce dryness and sagginess and plump up the skin.

“Patients are definitely asking about this, usually after seeing videos on TikTok or Instagram,” says Dr Oma Agbai, associate clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California Davis School of Medicine. Online, people suggest “applying it to the face, particularly around the eyes, mouth, neck, and chest, and some are also using it on areas like the thighs, buttocks or abdomen”.

“A small number of patients admit they’ve tried it,” Agbai says. “Some report their skin feels less dry or slightly softer. That’s not surprising, because estrogen is known to affect skin hydration. But subjective improvement doesn’t equal proven safety or long-term benefit.”

The Food and Drug Administration, which regulates the safety and efficacy of drugs, has not approved these creams for use anywhere on the body other than the vagina, and the American Academy of Dermatology does not include them among acceptable facial fillers or as a treatment for wrinkles and dryness.

However, once the FDA approves a medicine for a specific purpose, it is not uncommon for physicians or patients to engage in so-called “off-label” uses.

We asked experts what science has to say about the trend.