LOW T (ANDROPAUSE) SKINCARE: 5 Steps for Men's Skin & Hair

The Hormonal Shift Men Don't Talk About

Men’s skin and hair health is driven by biology, and the dominant driver is testosterone. As men age, typically starting around their late 30s to early 50s, testosterone levels experience a gradual decline. This process is medically known as andropause (or age-related Low T), and its effects are more than just internal—they are visible in your daily grooming routine.

You may be experiencing what we hear often: "I thought my skin was tough, but now it’s constantly dry, and I'm seeing fine lines where there were none before. Nothing I use seems to work anymore." This shift is the Andropause Effect or low T in action.

For urth skin solutions, our mission is to address the specific, evolving needs of men's skin. This guide breaks down the biological facts behind the Low T changes and provides 5 Proactive Steps—a simple, targeted approach—to help you maintain resilient, healthy skin and hair, countering the signs of andropause.

What is the Andropause Effect on Skin and Hair?

Andropause, a term describing the decline in androgens (male hormones) like testosterone, directly impacts the pilosebaceous unit (hair follicle and sebaceous gland) $\text{[1]}$.

Testosterone is the foundation of male skin and hair health:

1. Skin Thickness & Collagen: Testosterone is linked to a higher collagen density, making men's skin approximately 20-25% thicker than women’s $\text{[2]}$. This structural advantage slows the initial appearance of lines.

2. Sebum (Oil) Production: Higher testosterone means more active sebaceous glands, leading to historically oilier skin $\text{[3]}$.

How Low Testosterone (male menopause) Affects the Skin

• Dryness and irritation: Testosterone is important for producing sebum, an oil that lubricates the skin and maintains its barrier function. Low levels lead to less sebum, which can cause dryness, itchiness, and a rougher texture.
• Loss of elasticity: The hormone plays a role in maintaining the skin's structure and collagen production. When levels drop, skin can lose elasticity, becoming more wrinkled, thin, and crepey.
• Worsened chronic conditions: Low testosterone may exacerbate existing skin issues like psoriasis.
• Slower wound healing: Because testosterone is vital for skin's structural integrity, cuts and scrapes may heal more slowly.
• Acne and other reactions: While low testosterone can lead to dryness, ironically, one of the side effects of topical testosterone therapy can be acne. Other reactions at the application site of creams or patches can include burning, redness, or rash.
• Aging appearance: Long-term low testosterone can impact bone structure in the face, potentially contributing to a less youthful appearance, hollows under the eyes, and dark under-eye circles

5 Proactive Steps for Men's Skincare and Hair Health 

To strategically counteract the Andropause Effect and keep your skin and hair looking their best, we recommend these five essential adjustments to your regimen.

Step 1: Upgrade to Deep, Non-Stripping Cleansing

The Change: Your skin no longer produces the same level of oil. Using aggressive, foaming cleansers designed for a youthful, oily T-zone will now strip your barrier and cause unnecessary irritation and dryness.

The Proactive Step: Shift your focus from oil control to gentle deep-cleaning and replenishment.

• Action: Use a cleanser infused with botanicals like Ginseng and White Tea to invigorate and purify without leaving skin feeling tight or stripped. This preserves the essential oils your skin is now struggling to produce.

• urth Solution: Our Daily Invigorating Face Wash uses Glycolic Acid and botanicals to deep-clean pores while maintaining the skin’s hydration balance—a crucial step for men's anti-aging skincare.

Step 2: Reinforce the Moisture Barrier Daily

The Change: Thinner, drier skin is more vulnerable to environmental damage. Maintaining moisture is the single most important defense against the Andropause Effect’s impact on skin elasticity and firmness.

The Proactive Step: Introduce a dual-action moisturizer rich in antioxidants and barrier-repairing compounds.

• Action: Apply a lightweight, non-greasy Antioxidant Face Complex twice daily. Look for ingredients that lock in moisture (Hyaluronic Acid) and fight free radicals (Vitamins C, D, A).

• urth Solution: Our Antioxidant Face Complex delivers robust protection and hydration in a fast-absorbing formula, specifically designed to bypass the male "heavy cream" aversion while providing vital nourishment for men's mature skin.

Step 3: Implement Targeted Scalp & Hair Follicle Care

The Change: The hormonal shift impacts hair follicles, leading to increased shedding and finer hair texture $\text{[4]}$. Treating the scalp is as vital as treating the face.

The Proactive Step: Treat your scalp as an extension of your face by focusing on circulation and nourishment.

• Action: Integrate a high-quality Hair Loss Shampoo that contains fortifying ingredients to block DHT and gentle exfoliants to clear buildup and optimize the scalp environment for growth. Consistency is key for effective men's grooming and hair care.

Step 4: Add a Weekly Resurfacing and Repair Treatment

The Change: Cell turnover slows down significantly after 40. Dead skin cells accumulate faster, making lines more noticeable and contributing to a tired look.

The Proactive Step: Gently accelerate cell turnover and boost skin radiance weekly.

• Action: Use a gentle Face Scrub 2-3 times a week, followed by a deeply moisturizing Hydrating Mask Complex. This combination helps clear the surface for better product absorption and replenishes lost moisture.

• urth Solution: The combination of our Face Scrub with Green Tea & Rice and the Hydrating Mask Complex provides the perfect one-two punch: Exfoliate, then Replenish and Restore. This strategy is highly effective for reducing the dullness associated with Low T skin.

Step 5: Prioritize Protection and After-Shave Recovery

The Change: Drier, thinner skin is far more susceptible to shaving irritation, redness, and inflammation. Post-shave trauma can seriously damage the now-fragile skin barrier.

The Proactive Step: Your after-shave routine must shift from alcohol-based astringents to soothing, botanical-rich recovery.

• Action: Immediately following a shave, apply a calming, alcohol-free elixir that contains key anti-inflammatories to cool, repair, and rebalance the skin's pH.

• urth Solution: Our Post-Shave Elixir is packed with botanicals like Chamomile, Aloe, and Eucalyptus. It acts as a lightweight serum and anti-inflammatory treatment, essential for maintaining integrity and preventing premature aging in the sensitive lower face and neck—a must for effective men's grooming.

Summary of the Andropause Skincare Pivot

The focus of your grooming routine must shift entirely from Oil Control to Hydration, Repair, and Protection:

• • Shift to gentle, non-stripping cleansers (Step 1).

  • Daily use of Antioxidant-rich barrier repair (Step 2).

  • Implement targeted scalp follicle care (Step 3).

  • Weekly resurfacing and restoring treatments (Step 4).

  • Prioritize alcohol-free, anti-inflammatory post-shave recovery (Step 5).

The Andropause Effect requires men to pivot their grooming strategy from oil control to hydration, repair, and protection. The most effective steps involve using botanical-based, non-stripping cleansers, implementing antioxidant-rich moisturizers, focusing on scalp health, and shifting post-shave products to alcohol-free restoratives. urth skin solutions' formulations are designed to meet these specific hormonal needs, helping men maintain their vitality and appearance as they age.

References

1	Aryani, I. A., Cayadi Sidarta Antonius, Suroso Adi Nugroho, & Nopriyati. Role of Androgen on Physiological Function of Pilosebaceous Unit. Bioscientia Medicina: Journal of Biomedicine and Translational Research, vol. 5, no. 6, 2021, pp. 545–551.
2	Mizukoshi K, Akamatsu H. The investigation of the skin characteristics of males focusing on gender differences, skin perception, and skin care habits. Skin Research and Technology, vol. 19, no. 2, 2013, pp. 91–99.
3	Eucerin. About skin | The difference between male and female skin (Eucerin). Eucerin Research.
4	Morales, A., et al. Male andropause: myth, reality, and treatment. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, vol. 85, no. 10, 2000, pp. 3690–3705.