The invention relates to the use of a steroid-3-carboxylic acid ester, a steroid-4 carboxylic acid ester or a steroid-17 carboxylic acid ester of a steroid, selected from the group of androstanones, androst-4-ene-diones, androst-5-ene-diones, dehydroepiandrosterones, androstenetriones or testosterones, with an acyl group of the carboxylic acid ester where R is selected from alkyl with at least two carbon atoms or cycloalkyl, or with the use of a compound containing these steroid carboxylic acid esters for local topical application for cosmetic or dermatological purposes. Moreover, this invention also relates to steroid carboxylic acid esters and their compounds used for local topical application.