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Skin aging is a result of internal (genetic, metabolic and hormonal) and external (UV rays, pollution, chemicals) factors, which can induce modifications of skin thickness, skin moisture, collagen and elastin production.

It was demonstrated that external factors, such as UV rays can irreversibly induce skin damage and wrinkles.

Internally, hormonal balance, especially estrogen balance has an important impact in skin aging. Due to hormonal menopausal changes women's skin losses its elasticity and firmness becoming wrinkled. It has been shown that after menopause skin elasticity declines by 0.55% per year. In addition there is a relationship between the decrease of skin thickness, skin collagen and bone mineral density in the year following menopause.

The effect of estrogen on skin is a relatively new area of research. Scientific studies showed that estrogen prevents skin aging by influencing skin thickness, skin wrinkling, collagen production and skin moisture. In addition topical estrogen cream resulted in significant improvement in fine wrinkles as clinically evaluated by dermatologists. Application with estradiol (type of estrogen) ointments onto skin of menopausal women resulted in thickening of the elastic fibers.

The influence of estrogen (a steroidal hormone produced in both women and men with a wide variety of functions) on several body systems and especially reproductive tissues, nervous and cardiovascular systems and skeleton are well studied. Lately there is an increase in data showing that Hormone Replacement Therapy, HTR can increase the risk of coronary artery disease and breast cancer. This has contributed to careful consideration of the risks and benefits of systemic HTR. This is the reason that HTR is not recommended to treat skin aging and topical estrogen cannot be used before conducting studies to find minimum concentration of estrogen compound that achieves the best local effect without hormonal side effects.

Phytoestrogens, non steroidal plant compounds with estrogen like biological activity seem a promising alternative for skin aging treatment. In particular isoflavones- containing cosmetic creams were shown to improve skin dryness and wrinkles. Natural plant estrogens are easily metabolized and pass quickly through the body, unlike synthetic estrogens, which stay inside the body for up to two weeks, greatly increasing the danger of the development of abnormal cells.

In conclusion: If you choose to use an estrogen cream look carefully for natural estrogen creams. Ingredients containing plant estrogens can simulate the body's production of estrogen and efficiently reduce skin aging.