A woman in her mid fifties laughing on a sunlit terrace

Estriol face cream before and after

Estriol face cream before and after: what changes, and when

Quick answer: Expect nothing visible in the first weeks. In the main study, women using a 0.3% estriol cream were measured at six months, when their skin was firmer and better hydrated with shallower wrinkles and more collagen. Judge it at three months and again at six, using dated photos taken in the same light.
Dr. Jonathan Snipes, MDMedically reviewed by Dr. Jonathan Snipes, MD and Kim Callender, NP, FNP-BC. Last reviewed September 29, 2026.

The timeline

What to look for, month by month

Only one timepoint in this timeline comes from a study: six months. The rest is a sensible way to pace your expectations, because collagen and skin thickness change slowly (Schmidt et al., Int J Dermatol 1996).

  1. 1

    Weeks 1 to 4

    Getting used to it

    Your skin is adjusting to a new nightly cream. Watch for dryness, redness or irritation, and don't judge results yet. Collagen doesn't change in days.

  2. 2

    Months 2 to 3

    The first honest check

    This is a fair point to compare your first photos with new ones. Many women look first at how their skin feels: softer, more comfortable, less tight.

  3. 3

    Month 6

    Where the study measured

    Six months is the timepoint the 1996 study reported: firmer, better-hydrated skin, shallower wrinkles and more type III collagen on biopsy.

  4. 4

    After 6 months

    Keeping it

    Studies of topical estrogen found collagen rises most in skin that starts lowest, then levels off. Staying consistent is what holds the result.

What the study measured

The before and after that was actually measured

In the 1996 study, researchers measured skin before and after six months of daily 0.3% estriol cream: moisture with a corneometer, wrinkle depth with profilometry, and collagen with skin biopsies in ten of the women.

Those instruments pick up changes a mirror can miss, which is another reason to judge by dated photos rather than a daily glance. For the full picture of the research, see our estriol face cream guide.

The key study

0.3% estriol cream on the face for 6 months

women
59
women
months
6
months
estriol
0.3%
estriol
  • Skin elasticity and firmness improved
  • Skin moisture increased
  • Wrinkle depth decreased, measured by skin profilometry
  • Type III collagen increased in skin biopsies
  • No systemic hormonal side effects were noted; prolactin was the only hormone that rose significantly

The women were in the years just before menopause, and a second group used 0.01% estradiol with similar results. There was no placebo group. (Schmidt et al., Int J Dermatol 1996)

A woman checking her skin in a bathroom mirror

Your own before and after

How to take before-and-after photos that show real change

  1. 1Same lightFace a window at the same time of day, or use the same lamp. Light changes wrinkles more than any cream.
  2. 2Same distance and angleMark where you stand, and shoot straight on plus both sides at the same height.
  3. 3Bare, dry skinNo makeup and no cream on the skin, about 30 minutes after washing.
  4. 4Neutral expression, then a smileOne relaxed photo and one smiling, so you can compare the lines that come and go.
  5. 5Date every photoTake a set before your first night, then monthly. Compare month 3 and month 6 against day one, not against last week.

How to get it

Estriol is a prescription, so it starts with a provider

We serve 28 states plus Washington, DC. There is no subscription; you reorder when the jar runs low.

Start with the Biocosmetic Cream
  1. 1Complete a short intakeYour history, medications and a pregnancy screen.
  2. 2A provider reviews itA licensed provider reviews it for a one-time $39 and prescribes if it fits.
  3. 3The pharmacy ships itOptimal Balance Pharmacy, a licensed 503A pharmacy, compounds and ships your jar.

Frequently asked questions

How long does estriol face cream take to work?
The main study measured results after six months of daily use. Give it at least three months before deciding, and compare dated photos taken in the same light rather than relying on the mirror.
What does estriol face cream do before and after?
In the 1996 study of 0.3 percent estriol cream, women had firmer, more elastic and better-hydrated skin after six months, with shallower wrinkles measured by profilometry and more type III collagen on biopsy. The study was small and had no placebo group.
Are there real before and after photos of estriol face cream?
Published research reports measurements rather than photos, and results vary by person. The most useful before and after is your own: take a dated set before you start and repeat it monthly in the same light and position.
When will I see results from estriol cream on my face?
Skin feel often changes first. Firmness and fine lines take longer because they depend on collagen, which builds slowly. Most women judge it at three months and again at six.