Oestriol Cream and Estrogen Face Cream in Australia: What Women Over 45 Should Know
Quick summary
Oestriol (also spelled estriol) cream in Australia, such as Ovestin, is a prescription-only vaginal cream for dryness and discomfort after menopause. It is not sold over the counter, and it is approved for vaginal use, not for the face.
Estrogen face creams you see online are usually made to order by compounding pharmacies on a doctor's prescription. Early studies suggest topical estrogen may improve skin, but the research is small, and Australian menopause experts do not endorse custom-compounded hormones.
At Genova Skincare we make non-hormonal skincare for women over 45, and this guide explains both paths honestly. Results vary from person to person.
What is oestriol cream, and why are women over 45 searching for it?
At Genova Skincare, we are often asked about oestriol cream, and it is searched thousands of times a month in Australia. Some women want it for vaginal dryness. Others have seen "estriol face cream" on social media and want to know if it could help their skin after menopause.
Oestriol and estriol are the same hormone, spelled two ways. It is one of three main forms of oestrogen in the body, and it is weaker than estradiol. Our guide to estriol vs estradiol explains the difference.
In Australia, the best-known oestriol cream is Ovestin. The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care lists it as a Schedule 4, prescription-only medicine. It is used inside the vagina with an applicator, for dryness, irritation and pain during sex after menopause.
Can you buy estrogen cream over the counter in Australia after 45?
No. Oestriol and estradiol vaginal products, including Ovestin cream and Vagifem Low pessaries, need a prescription. Ovestin cream is listed on the PBS, so with a script it costs about the standard PBS price.
Jean Hailes, the Australian women's health organisation, notes that vaginal oestrogen cream is only effective for bladder, vaginal and vulval symptoms. It is not designed or approved for your face.
Applying a vaginal cream to your face is off-label, meaning outside its approved use. If you are thinking about it, talk to your GP first rather than using a script meant for something else.
Estrogen cream for the face: what the research shows after menopause
Oestrogen matters for skin. A 2024 review by See and Chan in Medicine Today notes that a large share of skin collagen is lost in the first five years after menopause, with a slower decline after that. Skin becomes thinner, drier and less springy.
So it makes sense to ask whether putting oestrogen back on the skin would help. The best-known study is small. Schmidt and colleagues, writing in the International Journal of Dermatology in 1996, gave 59 women an estradiol or estriol cream for six months. Their skin was firmer, more elastic and better hydrated, and wrinkles looked shallower.
That study had important limits. There was no placebo group, the women had not yet reached menopause, and it has not been repeated on a large scale. A 2019 review by Rzepecki and colleagues in the International Journal of Women's Dermatology notes topical oestrogens are promising but not widely used for skin.
Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) taken for other reasons may have some skin benefits. But the Medicine Today review says there are no clear data on using it for skin and hair changes alone, and any benefit should be weighed against risks with your doctor.
Who should check with a doctor before using estrogen cream after 45?
Because oestrogen is a hormone, it is not the same as picking up a moisturiser. A GP will usually ask about your history before prescribing it. It is especially important to raise:
- Breast cancer, or other hormone-sensitive cancers, now or in the past
- Blood clots, stroke or heart disease
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Liver disease
- Any other hormone medicines you already use, including MHT
Age on its own does not decide whether oestrogen suits you. Women in their 60s and 70s can still ask about vaginal oestrogen, and your GP will weigh the benefits against your personal risks.
Once you have a script, read the consumer medicine information that comes with it. It lists how to use the product, side effects to watch for and when to seek help. Your pharmacist can talk you through it.
Compounded estrogen face creams in Australia: what women over 45 should know
Most "estriol face creams" sold in Australia are compounded. That means a pharmacy mixes the cream to a doctor's prescription, rather than it being a product the TGA has assessed for safety and effectiveness.
The Australasian Menopause Society says it cannot endorse compounded bioidentical hormone therapies. It notes they are made without the same quality standards for content, effectiveness and contamination as approved medicines.
Absorption is another question. The Rzepecki review says the amount that reaches the bloodstream from local oestrogen is thought to be low, but other reviews caution that topical use can still cause effects elsewhere in the body. That is why a doctor, not social media, should guide this decision, especially if you have had breast cancer, blood clots or other hormone-sensitive conditions.
Oestriol cream vs estrogen face cream vs non-hormonal skincare after 45
Each option has a different purpose and a different level of evidence.
| Option | What it is for | How you get it | Evidence for facial skin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oestriol vaginal cream (e.g. Ovestin) | Vaginal dryness and discomfort | Prescription (S4), PBS listed | Not approved for the face |
| Compounded estriol face cream | Facial skin ageing (off-label) | Doctor's prescription, compounding pharmacy | Small, older studies only |
| MHT (tablets, patches, gels) | Hot flushes, bone health and other symptoms | Prescription after a GP consult | Possible skin benefits, not a reason on its own |
| Non-hormonal skincare and SPF | Hydration, firmness, even tone, sun protection | Over the counter | Varies by ingredient; sunscreen is strongest |
A non-hormonal option for menopausal skin after 45
Many women prefer not to use hormones on their face, cannot use them for medical reasons, or want to support their skin while they talk to their GP. A simple non-hormonal routine focuses on what you can control: moisture, the skin barrier and sun protection.
Genova Firming Cream is one option designed for this. It is a face and neck cream for skin losing firmness from the mid-40s, in a 120ml pump bottle. Used morning and night with SPF 50+, it may help skin look and feel firmer and smoother over 8–12 weeks. We do not quote supplier test figures, because they are not independent studies.
120ml face and neck cream, made in Australia for skin after 45. Contains no hormones. 30 day money back trial.
What it is not
Genova Firming Cream is a cosmetic. It contains no oestrogen, it is not a medicine, and it does not replace hormones or do what MHT or vaginal oestrogen does. It is not a treatment for vaginal dryness or any menopausal symptom. Talk to your GP about hormone options.
Pros and cons of a non-hormonal routine after 45
Pros:
- No prescription, and no hormone risks to weigh up
- Suits women who cannot or prefer not to use oestrogen
- Can be used alongside MHT if you are already on it
- Daily SPF has the strongest evidence for protecting ageing skin
Cons:
- Does not replace the oestrogen your skin has lost
- Changes are gradual and subtle
- Does not lift sagging skin
- Only works while you keep using it
Who each option may suit after 45
Talk to your GP about oestrogen if you have vaginal dryness, bladder symptoms, hot flushes or other menopausal symptoms, or you want to discuss whether hormones suit you.
A non-hormonal routine may suit you if you mainly want drier, thinner skin to look and feel better, you prefer not to use hormones on your face, or you have been advised to avoid them.
How to build a non-hormonal routine for menopausal skin: step by step
- Cleanse gently. Use lukewarm water and a non-stripping cleanser, morning and night.
- Apply a moisturising cream to face and neck. Use it twice daily, while skin is slightly damp.
- Wear SPF 50+ every morning. Sun damage breaks down collagen faster than anything else.
- Add one active at a time. For example, a retinoid at night, spaced a few weeks after any other new product.
- Look after your whole body. Sleep, not smoking and a protein-rich diet all support skin.
- Book a GP visit for symptoms. Vaginal dryness, flushes or poor sleep deserve proper care, not just skincare.
- Review at 12 weeks. Take photos in the same light to judge change fairly.
For more ideas, see our guide to non-hormonal alternatives to estrogen face cream and what skincare can and cannot do for oestrogen loss.
Realistic expectations
A good non-hormonal routine may help skin feel more comfortable within weeks and look smoother over 8–12 weeks. It will not replace oestrogen.
No cream, hormonal or not, reverses menopausal skin changes completely. Results vary from person to person.
Oestriol and estrogen cream questions women over 45 ask
What is oestriol cream used for?
In Australia, oestriol cream such as Ovestin is prescribed for vaginal dryness, irritation and pain during sex after menopause. It is used inside the vagina.
Can I buy estrogen cream over the counter in Australia?
No. Oestriol and estradiol creams and pessaries are prescription-only in Australia.
Is oestriol the same as estriol?
Yes. It is the same hormone, with British and American spellings.
What does estriol cream do for your face?
Small studies suggest topical oestrogen may improve firmness and hydration, but the evidence is limited. The oestriol products approved in Australia are for vaginal use.
Is it safe to use vaginal oestrogen cream on your face?
It is off-label, and it has not been tested for that use. Speak to your GP before trying it.
What are the first signs that estrogen is working?
For vaginal oestrogen, some women notice less dryness and discomfort within a few weeks. Your GP can tell you what to expect for your situation.
Oestrogen does matter for skin, but oestriol cream in Australia is a prescription vaginal medicine, not a face cream. If you want hormonal help, start with your GP. If you want to care for your skin without hormones, a simple routine with daily SPF is a sensible place to begin.
Non-hormonal care for skin after 45
Made in Australia, with a 30 day money back trial.
Made in Australia. Results vary from person to person.
Individual results vary. This article is general information, not medical advice. Genova products are cosmetics; they contain no hormones and do not treat menopausal symptoms or any medical condition. Decisions about oestrogen, MHT and compounded medicines should be made with your doctor. Ovestin and Vagifem are brands of their owners and are not affiliated with Genova Skincare. Information was checked on 25 September 2026.
Sources:
- Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Medicine Finder: Ovestin Cream (vaginal cream). safetyandquality.gov.au.
- Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Estriol 0.1% cream (item 1781R). pbs.gov.au.
- Healthdirect Australia. Vagifem Low. healthdirect.gov.au.
- Jean Hailes for Women's Health. How to use vaginal estrogen cream. jeanhailes.org.au.
- Schmidt JB, Binder M, Demschik G, Bieglmayer C, Reiner A. Treatment of skin aging with topical estrogens. International Journal of Dermatology. 1996;35(9):669-674.
- Rzepecki AK, Murase JE, Juran R, Fabi SG, McLellan BN. Estrogen-deficient skin: the role of topical therapy. International Journal of Women's Dermatology. 2019;5(2):85-90.
- See J-A, Chan L. Skin and hair changes in menopause: it's not just ageing! Medicine Today. 2024;25(11):21-27.
- Australasian Menopause Society. Bioidentical custom compounded hormone therapy. menopause.org.au.
1 comment
There is a lot of New information available on Estriol vaginal cream. Please take time to read up on this as it will save many elderly women’s lives that are suffering from UTIs often leading to premature aging and death?
Please keep up-to-date with new information on women’s Health.
Regards Antoinette