As we transition from the warmth of summer into the cooler, drier months of fall, it’s common for many of us to experience changes in our skin. For transgender individuals undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT), this shift can be particularly pronounced. Hormones play a significant role in how our skin behaves, and seasonal changes can further complicate matters. Whether you’re a transgender woman adjusting to estrogen-based HRT or a transgender man undergoing testosterone therapy, understanding how these factors impact your skin is crucial in crafting a skincare routine that keeps you feeling confident and comfortable all year long.
I’m a transgender woman from the Midwest, currently in my 20th month of hormone replacement therapy. The first year of my transition brought many beautiful changes, but also a few challenges I hadn’t anticipated—especially when it came to my skin. The Midwest, known for its unpredictable weather and dry winters, taught me a valuable lesson: when the seasons change, so must our skincare routines. As the air turned crisp and the humidity dropped, I quickly noticed that my skin became drier, more sensitive, and more prone to irritation than ever before. It’s something many of us on HRT experience, and with some thoughtful adjustments, we can navigate these changes with grace and care.
This article is for those navigating their gender transition alongside the challenges of cooler weather, whether you’re a transgender woman like me or a transgender man, or somewhere else on the gender spectrum. Let’s talk about how hormone treatments affect our skin, how colder weather influences those changes, and some practical tips to help you adjust your skincare routine accordingly.
The Impact of HRT on Your Skin
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) brings significant changes to the skin, especially for transgender individuals. As the body adjusts to new hormone levels, skin texture, sensitivity, and moisture balance often shift, which can be particularly noticeable during seasonal transitions. For transgender women on estrogen-based HRT, these changes can create both exciting benefits and new challenges. Understanding how estrogen impacts the skin and learning how to adjust your skincare routine accordingly is essential for maintaining healthy, comfortable skin, especially as cooler, drier weather approaches.
For Transgender Women on Estrogen-Based HRT: When you start estrogen-based HRT, one of the first things you may notice is that your skin becomes softer and thinner over time. This is due to estrogen’s effect on collagen production and fat distribution, leading to smoother skin and a more even texture. While many transgender women celebrate this change, it also makes the skin more delicate and susceptible to dryness, irritation, and conditions like eczema—especially when cooler weather sets in.
Estrogen also reduces sebum (oil) production, which can be a blessing if you struggled with oily skin before transitioning. However, this reduction in natural oils can also leave your skin feeling tight and dry, particularly in colder months when there’s less moisture in the air.
For Transgender Men on Testosterone-Based HRT: Testosterone has almost the opposite effect. If you’re a transgender man undergoing testosterone-based HRT, you’ve probably noticed your skin becoming thicker, oilier, and potentially more acne-prone. Testosterone increases sebum production, which can sometimes lead to clogged pores and breakouts, especially if your skin isn’t used to these changes.
While oily skin might seem like it should fare better in cold weather, that’s not always the case. Dry, cold air can still sap moisture from your skin, leading to dehydration, flakiness, and irritation. Finding a balance between controlling oil production and maintaining hydration is key.
The Challenges of Cooler Weather
When the temperature drops, so does the moisture content in the air. Cold air holds less humidity, and indoor heating can further strip your skin of its natural moisture. For those of us on HRT, this combination can exacerbate the skin changes we’re already experiencing due to hormones. Here are some common skin concerns you might notice as fall sets in:
- Dryness: The most obvious concern during the colder months, dry skin can lead to flakiness, itchiness, and an overall feeling of tightness. Estrogen-based HRT can make this worse by reducing your skin’s natural oil production, while testosterone-based HRT can make it tricky to balance hydration with managing oiliness.
- Sensitivity: Skin that’s become thinner and more delicate due to estrogen may be more reactive to cold weather and harsh winds. Even testosterone-induced oiliness doesn’t always offer protection against sensitivity, as dry air can still cause irritation and inflammation.
- Breakouts and Clogged Pores: For those on testosterone, dry skin can sometimes trigger an overproduction of oil, leading to clogged pores and acne flare-ups. It can feel like a vicious cycle—your skin is dry, so it produces more oil, but that excess oil can then cause breakouts.
Understanding these challenges can help you prepare for the colder months ahead, and the good news is that with a few adjustments to your skincare routine, you can minimize these seasonal issues and keep your skin healthy and happy.
Adjusting Your Skincare Routine for Fall and Winter
As someone who’s experienced firsthand the shifts that come with colder weather while on HRT, I’ve found that making a few key changes to my skincare routine has made a world of difference. Below are some tips and recommendations for both transgender women and men to adapt to the challenges of cooler weather.
Focus on Hydration
Hydration is the cornerstone of any good skincare routine, but it becomes even more essential as the air turns colder and drier. For those of us on hormone replacement therapy, the way our skin retains moisture can be significantly impacted, making it crucial to adjust our approach. Whether you’re a transgender woman whose skin is becoming drier due to reduced oil production from estrogen, or a transgender man navigating the balance between oily and dry skin caused by testosterone, prioritizing hydration will help your skin stay healthy and comfortable throughout the cooler months.
Trans Women: As estrogen reduces your skin’s oil production, adding extra hydration is crucial. Opt for a richer, cream-based moisturizer in the fall and winter to help lock in moisture. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which attracts and retains water, and ceramides, which help repair your skin’s barrier function.
Trans Men: If you’re dealing with oily skin from testosterone but still experiencing dryness due to the weather, try using a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer that hydrates without clogging your pores. Gels or water-based lotions can work well. Ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid are great for adding moisture without feeling greasy.
Tip: Apply your moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp after cleansing to help lock in extra moisture.
Gentle Cleansing Is Key
As the weather cools down, maintaining clean and healthy skin becomes even more important, but the type of cleanser you use can make all the difference. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can change how your skin reacts to cleansing, so it’s essential to find the right balance. Whether your skin has become more sensitive from estrogen or oilier due to testosterone, using a gentle cleanser that caters to these shifts will help preserve your skin’s natural moisture and prevent irritation. Let’s explore the best approaches to cleansing for both transgender women and men.
Trans Women: Because estrogen can make your skin more delicate, opt for a gentle, hydrating cleanser that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils. Avoid harsh, foaming cleansers that can exacerbate dryness.
Trans Men: If you’re battling increased oil production and breakouts, look for a mild, non-comedogenic cleanser that removes excess oil without over-drying. Cleansers with salicylic acid can help with acne, but be careful not to overuse them in the colder months, as they can be drying.
Tip: Cleansing once or twice a day is usually sufficient. Over-cleansing can strip the skin’s barrier, leading to more irritation, especially in dry weather.
Incorporate Hydrating Serums
For both transgender women and men, adding a hydrating serum to your routine can give your skin an extra moisture boost. Serums with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, or peptides can help keep your skin plump and hydrated during the colder months.
Tip: Apply your serum after cleansing but before moisturizing for maximum effectiveness.
Exfoliate—but Gently
Exfoliation is important to remove dead skin cells and allow your moisturizer to penetrate more effectively, but be mindful of how often you exfoliate in cooler weather. Over-exfoliating can lead to irritation, especially for those on estrogen who may have thinner skin.
Trans Women: Stick to gentle exfoliants like lactic acid or fruit enzymes. These are less likely to cause irritation and can help maintain smooth, hydrated skin without stripping it.
Trans Men: If you’re dealing with clogged pores or acne, a chemical exfoliant with salicylic acid can help, but again, use it sparingly to avoid over-drying your skin.
Tip: Exfoliate no more than once or twice a week during the colder months.
Sun Protection Is Still Essential
It’s easy to forget about sunscreen when the weather turns cloudy and cool, but UV rays can still cause damage even in the fall and winter. Hormone-induced skin changes can also make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
Trans Women: With estrogen making your skin more delicate, sun protection is even more important. Look for a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30, and choose a formula that’s hydrating to combat dryness.
Trans Men: Even if your skin is thicker and oilier from testosterone, you still need protection from UV damage. Try an oil-free sunscreen that won’t clog pores or cause breakouts.
Tip: Apply sunscreen every morning as the last step in your skincare routine, even on overcast days.
Adjust Your Diet and Hydration
What you put into your body can also impact how your skin reacts to seasonal changes. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water is essential, as colder weather often leads to decreased thirst, causing you to drink less without realizing it.
Incorporating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (like salmon, chia seeds, and walnuts) and antioxidants (found in berries, leafy greens, and nuts) can help support skin health from the inside out.
Tip: Don’t forget about humidifiers! Indoor heating can dry out your skin, so using a humidifier in your home can help maintain moisture levels.
The Bottom Line
Adjusting your skincare routine to accommodate both the effects of hormone therapy and the colder seasons may feel overwhelming at times, but it’s an opportunity to engage in self-care. Our skin is a reflection of our body’s internal processes, and taking the time to understand its needs is a powerful way to affirm and care for ourselves during our transitions.
As transgender individuals, we face unique challenges, but we also have the opportunity to create routines that reflect our individuality and needs. Whether you’re dealing with dryness, oiliness, sensitivity, or all of the above, remember that your skincare journey is valid, and making these adjustments is a step toward honoring the changes your body is experiencing. As I learned last year, sometimes all it takes is a few simple shifts to feel more comfortable in your skin—both literally and figuratively
