Stella+

• Boosts collagen production for firmer, more resilient skin
• Smooths fine lines and wrinkles
• Improves skin texture and tone
• Enhances skin elasticity
• Brightens and evens complexion
• Supports skin barrier function and hydration

Potential side effects

• Dryness
• Redness
• Irritation
• Increased sensitivity to the sun

Precautions

• For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.
• Tretinoin has been reported to cause severe irritation on eczematous skin. Use with caution.
• Discontinue use if irritation or redness occurs.
• Follow with a broad-spectrum sunscreen during the day, as tretinoin increases sun sensitivity.
• Do not use on broken or irritated skin.
• Before using a topical medication for the first time, perform a patch test by applying a small amount to a discrete area of skin and monitoring for any adverse reactions over 24 hours.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Do not use if allergic to any of the ingredients.

Pregancy

• Tretinoin ingestion has been known to cause birth defects. While data for topical application is inconclusive, it is advised pregnant women avoid topical application of tretinoin or estriol containing medications.

Estriol:

• Estriol has been shown to enhance skin moisture, elasticity, and collagen production, helping to counteract the effects of aging. It is capable of restoring the skins vitality while also being mild enough for regular use.¹

GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide):

• GHK-Cu is a well-known copper peptide that has been shown to stimulate collagen production, support skin regeneration, promote hydration of the skin, and improve skin elasticity. It may also help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, restoring skin’s youthful firmness and resilience.²

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3):

• Niacinamide helps to strengthen the skin barrier, reduce inflammation, and improve elasticity. It also aims to brighten skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation, promoting an even, radiant complexion.³

Tretinoin:

• A powerful retinoid, tretinoin has been shown to accelerate skin cell turnover, smooth fine lines, and promote collagen production. It helps improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, making it an essential element in anti-aging skincare.⁴

Q. Is there a best time of day to apply Stella+?

A. Stella+ should always be applied at night. The tretinoin in Stella is light sensitive and will degrade in daylight. Tretinoin may also cause skin irritation, and is better tolerated whilst a patient is asleep.

Q. Will the estriol in Stella+ interfere with the body's natural estrogen or other estrogen containing medications?

A. No. The estriol is a weak estrogen and absorption of topically applied estriol into the body's circulation is negligible. It will not interfere with other hormonal medications. The estriol will exert its effects only locally to the area of skin applied.

Q. How can I minimize side effects?

The tretinoin in Stella+ may cause a transient increase in irritation. The inclusion of niacinamide in our formulation not only amplifies tretinoin's benefits, but helps with tolerability. Night time application will also decrease any perceived irritation. Your provider may also have you titrate the medication, using it less frequently at first and gradually increasing frequency as tolerated. Studies have found that lower strengths of tretinoin yield comparable photoaging benefits to higher strengths (0.025% versus 0.1%) but with significantly lower irritation.⁵

Q. Can Stella+ be used in nursing mothers?

While use is not recommended pregnant women, there is insufficient data on the use of tretinoin or estriol containing creams in nursing mothers. Please refer to your doctor for guidance.

1. Schmidt JB, Binder M, Demschik G, Bieglmayer C, Reiner A. Treatment of skin aging with topical estrogens. Int J Dermatol. 1996 Sep;35(9):669-74. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4362.1996.tb03701.x. PMID: 8876303

2. Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Jul 7;19(7):1987. doi: 10.3390/ijms19071987. PMID: 29986520; PMCID: PMC6073405

3. Wohlrab J, Kreft D. Niacinamide - mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2014;27(6):311-5. doi:10.1159/000359974. Epub 2014 Jun 27. PMID: 24993939.

4. Sitohang IBS, Makes WI, Sandora N, Suryanegara J. Topical tretinoin for treating photoaging: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2022 Mar 25;8(1):e003. doi: 10.1097/JW9.0000000000000003. PMID: 35620028; PMCID: PMC9112391.

5. Griffiths, Christopher EM, et al. "Two concentrations of topical tretinoin (retinoic acid) cause similar improvement of photoaging but different degrees of irritation: a double-blind, vehicle-controlled comparison of 0.1% and 0.025% tretinoin creams." Archives of dermatology 131.9 (1995): 1037-1044.