BestLife EPT+ FAQ

What are the benefits of BestLife’s Estriol+Progesterone+Tretinoin (ETR+) skin cream?

 

ETR+ helps address skin changes related to decline in estrogen through perimenopause and menopause. These changes include thinning, dryness, wrinkles and uneven complexion.

 

ETR+:

-       Helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

-       Improves skin firmness and hydration.

-       Smooths skin texture.

-       Evens and brightens complexion.

 

What are the ingredients in ETR+ skin cream?

Medicinal ingredients: estriol 0.3%, progesterone 2%, tretinoin 0.01%

Additional active ingredients: aloe vera leaf juice, tocopherol acetate (vitamin E)

ETR+ is free of parabens, methylisothiazolinone (MI), methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI), mineral oil, petrolatum, fragrances and comedogenic ingredients.

How does it work? 

The mechanism of action for ETR+ on skin revitalization:

• Estriol and progesterone increase collagen production in the skin which increases firmness and elasticity.
• Estriol increases hyaluronic acid production, which increases skin hydration and firmness.
• Tretinoin improves the appearance of wrinkles and discoloration.
• Vitamin E is an antioxidant that may prevent damage to skin caused by UV exposure.
• Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties that help with sensitive skin.

Can I use ETR+ skin cream while on hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?

Yes. The estriol used in ETR+ is a milder form of estrogen than the estradiol used in HRT. The amount of estriol in ETR+ will not affect the levels of estrogen in the rest of your body in a meaningful way. Similarly, the amount of progesterone in ETR+ is too low to affect the levels of progesterone in the rest of your body.

Is this the same estrogen found in skin products I can get without a prescription?

No. The estrogenic substance found in soy, for example, is a type of phytoestrogen. Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that are similar to human estrogen, but with much weaker effects.

Can men use ETR+ skin cream?

Yes. The amount of estriol and progesterone in the cream is too low to affect a man’s normal hormone levels or have a negative impact on his health.

What is the difference between tretinoin and retinol?

Retinol and tretinoin, both Vitamin A derivatives (retinoids), are used for skincare, but differ in strength and availability: tretinoin is a prescription-strength, potent form (retinoic acid), while retinol is a weaker, over-the-counter option. 

 

Is ETR+ skin cream right for me?

To determine if ETR+ skin cream is right for you, complete the questionnaire which will be reviewed by a Best Life physician. Once the physician has reviewed your medical history and current symptoms, they will advise on whether the cream might be a helpful addition to your skin regimen.

How should I apply ETR+ skin cream?

Apply one (1) pump of cream to the upper face and one (1) pump of cream to the lower face and neck, once daily. Smooth onto clean, dry skin, wait for the cream to absorb fully, then follow with makeup or sunscreen approximately 5 minutes later.

Can I use retinol while using ETR+ skin cream?

Tretinoin, a retinoid, is in the ETR+ skin cream, and so, it is not advised that you use an additional retinoid product like retinol.

Note that the hydrating benefit of ETR+ skin cream is intended to balance the potential drying effect of tretinoin.

Can I use other skin creams or sunscreen while using ETR+ skin cream?

Sun protection remains one of the most valuable things you can do to ensure your skin’s health. Use sunscreen as you normally would to protect your skin from UV damage. If applying ETR+ skin cream in the morning, wait 5 minutes to let it fully absorb before applying your sunscreen.

If you choose to continue using other non-tretinoin (or retinol) skin creams, you can consider applying such creams during a different time of day.

What should I know about safety?

If you have a known allergic reaction to estriol, progesterone, Tretinoin or any other ingredients in the cream, do not use ETR+ skin cream. Your physician will review allergies and skin sensitivities, among other medical questions, before prescribing this product. 

Estriol may enhance pigmentation, exacerbating melasma (age spots). We’ve formulated this product with progesterone and brightening ingredients (Tretinoin) to counteract this, but you may want to avoid applying the cream to areas prone to hyperpigmentation. 

Do not use the product on open skin wounds or active skin diseases (such as eczema or psoriasis). Do not use the product if you are receiving radiation therapy to the same skin area, or, receiving chemotherapy.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid using this product.

Is there research behind the use of estriol, progesterone and tretinoin?

 

These are a few studies related to the topical use of estriol, progesterone and tretinoin on skin aging:

Treatment of skin aging with topical estrogens

“After treatment for 6 months, elasticity and firmness of the skin had markedly improved and the wrinkle depth and pore sizes had decreased by 61 to 100% in both groups. Skin moisture had increased and the measurement of wrinkles using skin profilometry, revealed significant, or even highly significant, decreases of wrinkle depth in the estradiol and the estriol groups, respectively. On immunohistochemistry, significant increases of Type III collagen labeling were combined with increased numbers of collagen fibers at the end of the treatment period. read more

Treatment of skin aging with topical 2% progesterone

“The results of this study demonstrate that topical 2% progesterone acts primarily in increasing elasticity and firmness in the skin of peri- and postmenopausal women. These effects in combination with good tolerability make progesterone a possible treatment agent for slowing down the ageing process of female skin after onset of the menopause.” read more

Menopause and the Skin: Cosmeceuticals for Estrogen-Deficient Skin

“Menopause represents an estrogen-deficient hormonal state with general and dermal health concerns, where the skin reflects a conspicuous decline in physical attributes due to the lack of estrogen’s positive effects.” read more

Human Skin Aging and the Anti-Aging Properties of Retinoids like Tretinoin

“This review emphasizes the recent molecular discoveries related to skin aging and evaluates preventive approaches, such as the use of topical retinoids, like tretinoin. Topical retinoids have demonstrated promise in enhancing skin texture, diminishing fine lines, and augmenting the thickness of both the epidermal and dermal layers.” read more