The aim of this study was to determine the effect of topical estradiol hormone replacement therapy on skin surface texture, a major determinant of skin appearance. Estradiol was administered as a daily 1.08mg gel to the upper limbs of menopausal or ovariectomised women for a period of 8 weeks, followed by a lower-dose estradiol 0.54 mg or placebo gel applied for a further 16 weeks. Overall, the study found that there was an increase in fineness of texture by topical HRT observed not only in the forearm, where estradiol was applied, but also in the cheek. This finding suggests that topical HRT can improve the age-associated decline of fineness of skin surface texture.
