Testosterone therapy tends to cause acne for a lot of folx. Trying over-the-counter acne medicines is a great first treatment step because:
- they work for a lot of people
- some insurances require a trial of these prior to paying for prescriptions
- topical medicines are safer for your body then ones you swallow
But which ones should you try?
This depends on what your acne looks like. If you have a lot of redness to your acne – they get big, swollen, red, and tender, you will want to try Option 1. If you have more blackheads and smaller, less tender acne, you will want to try Option 2.
Option 1
- Mornings:
- wash your face with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser with 2% salicylic acid
- pat – don’t rub – your face dry
- apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer with sunscreen
- Evenings:
- wash your face with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser
- pat – don’t rub – your face dry
- apply a thin layer of benzoyl peroxide cream or gel 2.5% to face
Option 2
- Mornings:
- wash your face with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser
- pat – don’t rub your face dry
- apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer with sunscreen
- Evenings:
- wash your face with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser with 2% salicylic acid
- pat – don’t rub – your face dry
Important tips and tricks…
- Use your hands to wash your face
- the medication in the products recommended will exfoliate and irritate the skin – DO NOT exfoliate on top of that with either scrubbing products (a washcloth, brush, puff, or other device, etc.) or exfoliative cleansers
- Drying towel – allow it to hang dry in a well aerated location between uses and wash it twice a week
The bleach of it all
- Benzoyl peroxide will bleach fabric – use old sleep clothes/sheets or white fabrics at night
- Use 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, it works just as well as 5% or 10% AND it causes LESS redness and drying
The dryness of it all
- These medicines can cause a lot of redness, drying, and flaking of the skin
- if this happens, space out how frequently you use them – try every other day or every two days
- you can gradually work your way back to daily as your skin lets you
The brand names of it all
- avoid products with fragrance or dyes
- brands like CeraVe, Neutrogena, Cetaphil, and Clean and Clear can be found in local drug stores
- Read these product labels for fragrances and dyes
- it is fine to use the store brand as long as it doesn’t have fragrance
And the duration of it all…
Acne treatments need at least 3 months of consistent use for you to start seeing results, and things may get worse before they get better. Hang in there and stay consistent. If after 3 months, your acne continues to persist, talk to your healthcare provider about other prescription treatment options!
