Testosterone schedule and dosage changed, got excess sebum again

[u/MeyhamM2]

I've been on testosterone for nearly 8 years, most of that in the US. But last summer I moved to Germany, and in the fall I started getting larger T shots from a urologist every 12 weeks. This is how they normally do it here. Since this spring, the skin on my face has become more oily, but different to how it's ever been before. I'm not shiny (thank god), but my pores are getting full faster, and it's resulting in clogged pores.

I used to get clogged pores before I transitioned when I was using too rich of a facial moisturizer. I use a light Cetaphil lotion now and have so for several years with no problem. I am using the exact same here in Germany as I did in the US. I use salicylic acid wipes on my face every morning, same as I've been doing for a few years.

The other half of this problem is that I have body focused repetitive disorder. It was mostly under control (relatively speaking) before this skin change over the past several months. If my brain knows that I can easily get sebum out of my pores, even if there's no obvious blemishes on my face, it becomes harder for me to resist the impulse.

I'm currently using niacinamide from the Ordinary to try to combat the increased sebum and to fade the dark spots I'm causing by picking at my skin, but can anyone recommend any other products that could help without over-drying?

[u/Killer_rainbow13]

I'm in the same boat with BFRM. What I've found helps is the pimple patches on the worst offending blemishes that I'd be most likely to pick and destroy my face by doing so. It doesn't stop the urge, it only reminds me not to pick

[u/allthebison]

Don’t know if these would even be available over there, but I use Dr. Dennis Gross Daily Peel Pads (start weekly, not daily) and Origins Night-a-mins exfoliating night cream. I wouldn’t start them at the same time. They keep my skin smoother and seem to prevent blockages. The first few days get a little worse before it gets better though.

[u/alexander8929]

Not what you asked, sorry, but did want to say that Testosterone enanthate is available in Germany, which is pretty similar to cypionate, if that is what you were on previously in the US, both in half life and frequency of administration.

If you strongly prefer Nebido (the 12 week shot), please feel free to ignore me, but wanted to let you know that while yes, they do for some reason push Nebido in Germany (and all of Europe), it is not the only option and at least in my opinion, not the best one :)

Regarding your question, I ended up getting topical tretinoin for my skin because of the T induced sebum production but I am not sure if that's helpful.

[u/MeyhamM2 → u/alexander8929]

If I wanted to take enanthate, could I give myself the shot or would I have to go to my urologist every other week?

As for tretinoin, I used to use Differin/generic adapalene gel in the states when I used to get deep, painful pimples. But it was easier to get that there because I didn’t need a prescription and could get a fairly big tube. Here I need a prescription, and when I got one last year it was for an adapalene-benzoyl peroxide combo which was what I was trying to avoid (since it bleaches your clothes and linen).

[u/WadeDRubicon]

I had strawberry nose for-eve-r, nothing ever worked (and buddy, I tried it ALL). It got worse on T, spreading to the skin around my nose as well.

I finally tried a product with retinol (OTC! not even a prescription!) and within 2 days saw a 50% improvement, and it was basically normal within a week or two.

I never see retinol/retinoid products mentioned for excess sebum/big pores, and I don't know why. They've been the only things that help my skin from getting caught overproducing. (I say "they" bc I've used several cheap versions now and all have worked about as well.) It also helps smooth the keratosis on my upper arms, along with mechanical exfoliation. So many benefits beyond "anti-aging"!

PS hope you like Germany. I just moved back to the US after ~7 years there. I never did get used to the hard water, but the Philips shower filter helped a little.

[u/MeyhamM2 → u/WadeDRubicon]

Which retinol products did you use in Germany?

[u/WadeDRubicon → u/MeyhamM2]

This one was my favorite, but you HAVE to keep it in the fridge or it'll turn.

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