Anti-Aging S and Anti-Aging 2S share the same five-active anti-aging foundation. The distinction is finasteride, and it matters clinically — not cosmetically.

Anti-Aging S is appropriate for patients whose primary skin concerns are estrogenic decline, photoaging, collagen loss, and oxidative damage — the universal drivers of facial aging in women. It is the broader-use formulation.

Anti-Aging 2S is specifically indicated for patients who additionally present with androgenic facial skin changes: visible unwanted terminal hair (chin, jaw, upper lip), coarsened skin texture or enlarged pores associated with relative androgen excess, or sebaceous overactivity in the context of perimenopausal hormonal shift. These are patients for whom the androgen-to-estrogen ratio has become clinically significant at the skin level, and for whom an estrogen-only hormonal correction is insufficient.

Your prescribing provider will determine which formulation is appropriate based on your specific skin presentation and hormonal history.

Anti-Aging 2S is prescribed in dermatology and integrative medicine for female patients with multi-factorial facial aging that includes an androgenic component. Primary clinical contexts include:

Perimenopausal and postmenopausal facial skin aging with androgenic features: The core indication — patients in the estrogen-declining phase whose skin shows both estrogenic deficiency changes (thinning, dryness, laxity) and androgen-relative-excess changes (coarse facial hair, pore enlargement, sebaceous activity).

Unwanted terminal facial hair in women: Finasteride's local DHT suppression at follicles driving terminal hair growth on the chin, upper lip, and jaw — areas commonly affected in women with hormonal shifts or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)-related androgen activity.

Photoaging with concurrent hormonal skin changes: Patients with significant UV-induced photodamage (hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, texture changes) occurring alongside hormonally driven skin quality changes.

Sebaceous overactivity and enlarged pores: Androgen-driven sebaceous gland stimulation contributing to visible pore enlargement and excess oil production — particularly in patients who did not have oily skin in youth.

All uses of this compounded formulation are off-label. Providers should discuss the investigational nature of this specific combination with patients before initiating treatment.

With consistent nightly use as part of a supervised skincare protocol, Anti-Aging 2S supports:

Reduction in the appearance of fine lines and improvement in wrinkle depth and structure

Improved skin firmness, elasticity, and dermal thickness

Accelerated cell turnover and refinement of skin texture and surface tone

Increased dermal collagen density through dual-pathway stimulation

Reduction of hyperpigmentation, sunspots, and uneven skin tone

Reversal of estrogen-related skin thinning, dryness, and laxity

Reduction of unwanted terminal facial hair through local follicular DHT suppression

Improvement in pore appearance and reduction of androgen-driven sebaceous overactivity

Deep dermal hydration and improved moisture retention

Antioxidant protection against ongoing UV-induced oxidative damage

More balanced local hormonal skin environment through combined estrogenic and anti-androgenic activity

Results vary by individual. Initial improvements in hydration and texture are typically noticed within 2–4 weeks. Collagen remodeling and pigmentation correction develop over 8–12 weeks. Reduction in terminal facial hair is a gradual process requiring consistent use over multiple months; hair growth cycles mean visible improvement may take 3–6 months of regular use.

Anti-Aging 2S is for evening / bedtime use only. Tretinoin is photolabile and degrades with UV exposure; daytime application also increases photosensitivity. Always apply at night.

Application Instructions:

Cleanse the face thoroughly and pat completely dry. Allow skin to dry for 10–15 minutes before applying — applying tretinoin-containing products to damp skin increases penetration and irritation risk during the adjustment period.

Dispense a small amount (a pea-sized quantity covers the full face) onto fingertips.

Apply in a thin, even layer to the face and neck, including areas of unwanted facial hair growth. Avoid the immediate eye area, corners of the nose, and lip margins where skin is thinnest.

Allow to absorb fully before applying any other products.

Wash hands thoroughly after application.

Starting Protocol — Retinoid Adjustment Period: Tretinoin causes an initial adjustment period of 2–4 weeks during which mild redness, flaking, or skin sensitivity may occur as cell turnover accelerates. Begin with every-other-night application for the first 2 weeks, then progress to nightly as tolerated. This is an expected transitional phase, not an allergic reaction.

Morning Routine Requirement: Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) is mandatory during tretinoin therapy. Unprotected sun exposure significantly increases the risk of sunburn, irritation, and hyperpigmentation during active tretinoin use.

This is a prescription-only compounded medication containing tretinoin (a teratogenic retinoid), estriol (a topical estrogen), and finasteride (a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor with known reproductive risks). Patients must be fully counseled before initiating therapy.

Contraindications:

Pregnancy — Absolute Contraindication for Both Tretinoin and Finasteride: Both active ingredients carry significant reproductive risks. Tretinoin is teratogenic (causes birth defects) and is absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy. Finasteride is teratogenic specifically to male fetuses — it causes abnormalities of the external genitalia in male fetuses exposed in utero. Although topical finasteride at facial concentrations has minimal systemic absorption, the severity of this risk means Anti-Aging 2S is absolutely contraindicated during pregnancy and in women who may become pregnant. Women of reproductive age must use reliable contraception during treatment and must discontinue immediately if pregnancy occurs or is suspected.

Breastfeeding: Safety of tretinoin, topical estriol, and topical finasteride during lactation has not been established. Use is not recommended.

Hormone-sensitive malignancies: Estriol is an estrogen. Patients with a personal history of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, endometrial cancer, or other hormone-sensitive malignancies should discuss use explicitly with their oncologist before initiating therapy.

Known sensitivity to any formula component: Patients with documented allergy or sensitivity to retinoids, finasteride, estriol, or ascorbic acid should not use this product.

Active inflammatory skin conditions: Do not apply to actively inflamed, broken, sunburned, or acutely irritated skin.

Potential Side Effects:

Tretinoin-related (most common during initial weeks):

Redness, peeling, dryness, or flaking during the retinoid adjustment period — expected and transient

Increased photosensitivity — managed by strict daily SPF

Temporary worsening of appearance during initial cell turnover ("purging")

Finasteride-related (topical, minimal systemic absorption):

Local skin irritation at application sites, reported infrequently

Systemic finasteride side effects (decreased libido, hormonal changes) are associated with oral doses; risk from topical facial application is substantially lower due to minimal systemic absorption, but should be reported to your provider if experienced

Estriol-related:

Mild local skin sensitivity in reactive-skin patients

Rare reports of mild systemic estrogenic effects (breast tenderness) if significant systemic absorption occurs — uncommon at low topical facial concentrations but should be reported

General:

Contact dermatitis in patients with component allergy

Mild sulphurous odor from alpha lipoic acid on application — transient

Seek immediate provider evaluation if you experience: persistent severe burning or swelling, signs of allergic contact dermatitis (spreading rash, blistering), any unexpected systemic hormonal symptoms, or signs of pregnancy.

Topical or oral finasteride / dutasteride: Do not combine with other 5-alpha reductase inhibitors — additive DHT suppression offers no additional benefit and increases risk of systemic hormonal effects.

Other topical retinoids: Do not combine with adapalene, tazarotene, or other retinoid-class products — additive irritation without proportional benefit.

Topical exfoliating acids (AHAs/BHAs) and benzoyl peroxide: Benzoyl peroxide inactivates tretinoin on contact. AHAs and BHAs combined with tretinoin increase barrier disruption risk. Avoid concurrent use, particularly during the retinoid adjustment period.

Oral hormonal therapies: Patients on oral contraceptives, menopausal hormone therapy, or other estrogen/androgen-modulating treatments should ensure their prescribing providers are aware of all concurrent hormonal exposures, including this topical formulation.

Photosensitizing medications: Certain antibiotics, diuretics, and antifungals increase photosensitivity additively with tretinoin. Strict sun protection is essential.

Store at room temperature, 68°F – 77°F (20°C – 25°C), away from heat, humidity, and direct light

Keep container tightly closed

Do not freeze

Tretinoin is light-sensitive — store in original packaging, away from sunlight

Keep out of reach of children — this product contains finasteride, which must never be handled by pregnant women or women who may become pregnant, and must not be used by or near children

Use before the labeled expiration date