The Best Locations to Apply Testosterone and Hormone-Based Creams and Gels on the Body

Physician-reviewed hormone education

Where Should Testosterone Creams and Gels Be Applied?

There is no single “best” body site for every topical hormone. The correct location depends on the exact product, concentration and formulation you were prescribed.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Timothy Mackey
Medical Director · Updated September 2026

Why the exact formulation matters

Our testosterone gel guide covers how gels fit into TRT, while the instructions below focus on application sites.

Topical hormone products are designed and tested using specific concentrations, vehicles and application sites. Changing the location can change exposure. Even two testosterone gels with similar names may have different approved sites and different instructions about bathing, covering the area or skin-to-skin contact.

DailyMed labeling for testosterone gel 1% states that certain products are applied to clean, dry, intact skin of the upper arms/shoulders and/or abdomen, while the current 1.62% labeling restricts application to the shoulders and upper arms. The labeling specifically warns that topical testosterone products can differ in dose, strength and application instructions and should not be assumed to be interchangeable.

What about compounded testosterone creams?

Read how compounded and FDA-approved testosterone products differ before comparing application instructions.

Compounded testosterone creams are different from FDA-approved commercial gels. A compounding pharmacy may prepare a cream at a concentration and in a base selected for an individual prescription. Because the product has not been evaluated through the same FDA approval process as a commercial gel, its application instructions should come directly from the prescribing clinician and dispensing pharmacy.

Some compounded testosterone creams are prescribed for non-scrotal skin, while selected formulations may be prescribed for scrotal application. Do not move a cream to the scrotum simply to try to increase absorption. Scrotal skin can produce substantially different exposure, and a formulation containing alcohol or irritating excipients may be inappropriate there. The dose may also need to be different.

If your directions are unclear, contact the prescriber or pharmacy before changing sites. NovaGenix patients can call or text 561-277-8260 with questions about their prescribed protocol.

Are the inner thighs a good place for testosterone cream?

Some prescription products use the thighs: for example, Fortesta testosterone gel 2% is labeled for the front and inner thighs. Some compounded preparations may also use this area. The thighs are not a universal site for all topical testosterone products. If a commercial testosterone gel is labeled only for the shoulders and upper arms, putting it on the inner thighs is outside the product instructions and may change drug exposure.

The same rule applies to the abdomen, chest, inner arms and other commonly discussed sites: use them only when they are appropriate for the exact medication you have been prescribed.

Should testosterone gel be applied to the chest?

Not unless the specific product instructions say so. Several current testosterone gel labels explicitly state not to apply the product to the chest. This is one reason generic online lists of “best absorption sites” can be misleading.

Should testosterone be applied to the scrotum or genitals?

Commercial testosterone gels generally instruct patients not to apply them to the penis or scrotum. A separately prescribed compounded cream may have different directions, but that is a formulation-specific medical decision rather than a general recommendation.

How to reduce accidental testosterone transfer

Secondary exposure is one of the most important safety issues with topical testosterone. Transfer to a partner or child can occur when treated skin contacts another person before appropriate precautions are taken.

• Apply the medication only to clean, dry, intact skin as directed.
• Wash your hands with soap and water immediately after application.
• Allow the medication to dry before dressing.
• Cover the application site with clothing when the product labeling directs you to do so.
• Avoid skin-to-skin contact involving the application area until the applicable washing/contact interval has passed.
• If another person contacts an unwashed application site, follow the product instructions for washing the exposed skin promptly.
• Keep pumps, packets and medication away from children and pets.

Bathing and swimming instructions differ among products. Some testosterone gels require waiting several hours before washing the application site, while an estradiol gel may specify a different interval. Follow the instructions supplied with the exact product.

Should you rub the gel or cream into the skin?

Again, formulation matters. Some products instruct patients to spread the medication over the designated area; some estradiol gels specifically state that vigorous rubbing or massaging is unnecessary. Do not assume that rubbing harder increases effectiveness. Use the technique described in the package instructions or by the dispensing pharmacy.

Does shaving, heat or exercise improve absorption?

Trying to manipulate absorption with heat, intense rubbing, occlusive coverings or other techniques is not recommended unless specifically addressed in the medication instructions. Broken, irritated or diseased skin can also alter absorption and increase irritation. If the intended site has eczema, psoriasis, a wound, recent shaving irritation or another skin problem, ask the prescribing clinician where the medication should be placed instead.

Topical testosterone vs testosterone injections

Topical therapy avoids injections and can provide daily hormone delivery, but it also requires consistent application technique and careful attention to transfer risk. Injectable testosterone avoids skin transfer but has a different pharmacokinetic profile and administration schedule.

Neither route is automatically “better.” Treatment should be selected according to diagnosis, goals, laboratory monitoring, tolerance, cost, convenience and the patient’s ability to use the medication correctly. Read our comparison of testosterone creams versus injections and our comprehensive testosterone replacement therapy guide.

What about hormone creams and gels for women?

Application instructions for estradiol and other hormone products used in women are also formulation-specific. For example, certain estradiol gels are labeled for the upper thigh and instruct patients not to apply the medication to the breasts, face or vaginal area. Other estrogen products use different sites.

Women considering hormone therapy can review our women’s hormone therapy guide, estrogen therapy overview, and testosterone therapy for women.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best place to apply testosterone gel?

The correct site is the one listed for your exact product. Depending on the formulation, that may include the shoulders and upper arms, and for some 1% gels the abdomen. Do not generalize instructions from one testosterone product to another.

What is the best place to apply compounded testosterone cream?

There is no universal site. Follow the prescriber and compounding pharmacy instructions because concentration, vehicle and intended application site can differ substantially.

Can I switch application sites if my testosterone level is low?

Do not change sites simply to increase absorption. A low or unexpected level should prompt review of dosing, adherence, timing of laboratory testing, product instructions and the treatment plan with the prescribing clinician.

How long should I wait before showering?

It depends on the product. Commercial topical hormone products have formulation-specific washing intervals. Follow the medication guide or pharmacy instructions rather than using a single rule for all creams and gels.

Can topical testosterone transfer to my partner or children?

Yes. Secondary exposure is a recognized risk. Handwashing, drying, covering the application site when directed and avoiding contact with treated skin are important precautions.

Medical sources

• DailyMed: Testosterone Gel 1% — administration instructions
• DailyMed: Testosterone Gel 1.62% — instructions for use
• DailyMed: Estradiol Gel 0.1% — administration instructions

This article is educational and is not individualized medical advice. Always follow the directions for the exact medication and formulation dispensed to you.