Skin & Beauty

Evidence on skincare, cosmetic treatments, devices, and ingredients for skin health, appearance, and visible signs of aging.

Evidence level:

Strong evidence

Skin & Beauty

Topical Retinoids: Retinol vs Tretinoin

Prescription tretinoin has strong evidence for improving signs of sun-damaged skin, including fine wrinkles and uneven pigmentation. OTC retinol may help too, but its evidence is less extensive and products vary considerably.

From OTC retinol products commonly range from about $10–$100+ per product. Generic prescription tretinoin may cost roughly $20–$100+ without insurance depending on strength, pharmacy and tube size. Premium cosmetic retinoid products can cost considerably more.Read card

Limited evidence

Skin & Beauty

Topical Estrogen for Menopausal Skin

Estrogen face creams are gaining attention for menopausal skin aging. Small studies show promising effects on collagen and skin structure, but visible anti-aging benefits and long-term safety remain uncertain.

From Highly variable. Cosmetic or compounded estrogen/estriol creams may cost roughly $30–$100+ per container. These products vary considerably in formulation and are not equivalent to one standardized facial treatment.Read card

Moderate evidence

Skin & Beauty

Red-Light Therapy Face Masks

Red and near-infrared light can modestly improve some signs of facial photoaging, including wrinkles, but results depend heavily on the device and treatment parameters—and not every consumer mask has been clinically tested.

From About $100–$500+ for many consumer red-light face masks. Price does not by itself establish that a device has been clinically tested or is effective.Read card

Moderate evidence

Skin & Beauty

Microneedling for Facial Rejuvenation

Microneedling can improve some signs of facial aging and skin texture, but the evidence base is smaller and less standardized than its popularity might suggest.

From Professional microneedling commonly costs about $200–$700 per session in the U.S. Multiple sessions are often marketed or recommended, which can raise the total cost substantially. Prices vary by provider and location.Read card