Learn · Testosterone
Testosterone cream for men: gels vs compounded creams
Short answer
The FDA-approved testosterone products you rub on the skin are gels, such as AndroGel, Testim, Fortesta and Vogelxo. Testosterone "cream" sold by online programs is usually a compounded preparation, made by a pharmacy to a prescription. Compounded creams are not FDA-approved and are not the same as the approved gels. Every topical testosterone carries the same main risk: children and women can absorb it by touching the skin where it was applied.
Gel or cream
| Detail | FDA-approved testosterone gels | Compounded testosterone cream |
|---|---|---|
| Examples | AndroGel, Testim, Fortesta, Vogelxo, generics | Made by a compounding pharmacy |
| FDA-approved | Yes | No |
| Dose per pump or packet | Set by the label | Set by the pharmacy and prescriber |
| Prescription | Required (Schedule III) | Required (Schedule III) |
The secondary exposure warning
The AndroGel label carries a boxed warning: children who were exposed to testosterone gel on another person's skin have developed signs of virilization. The label says children should avoid contact with unwashed or unclothed application sites, and that patients should follow the instructions for use exactly. The same caution applies to any testosterone you rub on the skin, cream included.
Wash your hands after applying.
Cover the area with clothing once it is dry.
Wash the area before close skin contact with others.
Questions to ask about a compounded cream
Which pharmacy makes it, and is it licensed in my state?
How many mg of testosterone does each click, pump or gram deliver?
Where on the body should it be applied, and how is the level checked?
What it costs online
This guide's reference page for compounded testosterone cream records no charge of its own, because no program in this guide's records publishes this price yet. What the two programs that name a topical preparation publish is $199 to $231 a month, one as a flat all-inclusive fee and the other as a $132 medication rate plus a $99 membership, and both records were read on October 26, 2026. See compounded testosterone cream and Injectable vs topical TRT cost. Then see AndroGel and Testim.
Surfbound Health · Operated by the publisher of this guide
Surfbound Health sells compounded sermorelin after a licensed provider review: injectable at $169 a month (low dose) or $249 a month (high dose) on a one-month plan, and oral (sublingual) from $149 a month, with no membership fee. Prepaid 3-month and 6-month bundles are also listed. Lab work is typically required. Compounded sermorelin is not FDA-approved. Surfbound Health does not sell testosterone therapy, is not a provider in this edition and takes no part in its ranking. Source: surfbound.co/sermorelin, read November 6, 2026.
Surfbound's sermorelin pricesOpen Water RX LLC publishes this guide, GLP1BuyerGuide.com and HRTBuyerGuide.com, and operates Surfbound Health, a consumer telehealth brand.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an FDA-approved testosterone cream?
No FDA-approved testosterone product for men is sold as a cream. The approved products applied to the skin are gels. Testosterone creams are compounded and not FDA-approved.
Is testosterone cream the same as AndroGel?
No. AndroGel is an FDA-approved gel with a set dose. A compounded cream is made by a pharmacy and is not FDA-approved.
Can testosterone cream affect my partner or children?
Yes. Testosterone on the skin can transfer by touch. The AndroGel label warns that children exposed this way have developed virilization.
Do you need a prescription for testosterone cream?
Yes. Testosterone is a Schedule III controlled substance, so creams and gels need a prescription.
Sources
Controlled substance
Testosterone is a Schedule III controlled substance in the United States. Prescribing rules, in-person examination requirements and refill limits vary by state and provider, and federal telehealth rules for controlled substances apply alongside state law. Nothing here claims a program can prescribe to you; this publication compares published prices and billing terms only.
This page summarizes published prescribing information and medical references on the dates shown. It is not medical advice and does not recommend a treatment.