The 16 Best Moisturisers for Men, From Spot-Prone to Dry or Oily
You know you need a moisturiser, but how do you work out which one is best for you? First of all, you need to understand your skin – whether you're dry, oily or combination, as well as any key concerns like uneven complexion or blemishes. Then, you can shop the virtual shelves in search of one that's targeted for your needs.
Best Men's Moisturisers
Short for time? Here are some of our favourite moisturisers right now at a glance, or scroll on for the full reviews.
Prefer all all-in-one? Check out the best men's moisturiser's with SPF for protecting against sun damage
Finding the best formula can involve a lengthy game of trial and error. Some can feel a little greasy while others might feel too thin. Some will be absorbed in an instant while others take time to work their magic – the latter's usually best used as a night cream. All in all, there's so many variations that it's almost impossible to choose without a little help.
It depends on your personal preference, too. If you're someone who works out every morning, we'd recommend a lightweight formula which will allow your pores to sweat freely. Or, if you're looking to combat signs of ageing you should go for one that's packed with nourishing, strengthening and hydrating ingredients – and we'd suggest a retinol, too.
A word of advice – your skin needs to acclimatise to a new cream, so don't expect immediate results. Stick with whichever you choose for at least a week and then you'll start to see the benefits.
Why Men Should Moisturise
Male skin is 10-20% thicker than female skin and contains more collagen and elastin. However, although the signs of ageing may appear more slowly than on women, male skin tends to be rougher and more oily.
A good moisturiser will prevent skin from getting dull and dry and keep it looking healthy. Your razor can also cause irritation, so it's especially important to condition your skin after shaving. That's why many moisturisers for men contain soothing ingredients, such as aloe vera, to reduce itching and redness.
How To Choose A Moisturiser
The first step to finding your best moisturiser match is to ascertain your skin type. Here are a few ways to tell which type you have. If you still don't know, it may be worth seeking advise from a skin care expert.
Normal skin: Choose water-based moisturisers that offer hydration without leaving you feeling too heavy.
Dry skin: Try thicker, oil-based creams with nourishing emollients, such as shea butter.
Oily skin: Opt for matte-finish moisturisers that contain ingredients designed to tackle excess sebum (the oil our skin naturally produces).
Sensitive skin: Seek out calming creams containing chamomile or aloe.
Mature skin: Look for anti-ageing ingredients, such as retinol.
How We Test Moisturisers
We've tried each of these market-leading moisturisers for at least four weeks, assessing how easy they were to apply, how hydrating they were, and their overall effect on skin. In the Men’s Health Lab, we also used our Multi Skin Test Center device to measure how well some of the moisturisers featured below hydrated skin, both immediately after application and six hours later. All products have been tried and tested by us.
16 Best Moisturisers For Every Skin Type
Aesop Mandarin Facial Hydrating Cream
You can count on Aesop for effective formulas backed by natural ingredients – and they all smell great. We found this cream, in particular, managed to prevent oily T-zones while still upping hydration levels. Better yet, the lightweight texture has an oil-free finish, so it's a great one for your gym bag.
MALIN + GOETZ Vitamin E Face Moisturizer
Nothing makes it into the Malin + Goetz roster unless it's suitable for the most sensitive of skin types — this cult moisturiser included. Vitamin E protects easily irritated skin, while fatty acids derived from chamomile calm and soothe. It's ideal for post-shaving, and the XL bottle will last you months.
CeraVe Moisturising Cream
Suitable for both the face and body, we found this cream was a saviour for sensitive skin. The texture is pretty thick, so it’s probably better suited to dry skin, rather than oily, but it did ace our tests when it came to hydration.
Murad Restorative Hydro-Hyaluronic Cream
Though Murad sits at the more expensive end of the spectrum, the science-backed formulas really work. Take this restorative cream, for example. It's packed with actives which are proven to give lacklustre skin a boost, from hyaluronic acid to shea butter to sunflower oil and coconut extract. It's silky smooth, luxuriously heavy and will leave you feeling hydrated for 24 hours.
La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+ Moisturiser
Find pesky pimples pop up every time you visit the gym? This gel could help. It will unclog your pores without compromising on hydration as well as helping with tightness, irritation, redness and hyperpigmentation.
Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Moisture Treatment
A real crowd pleaser, you'd be hard pushed finding a guy who's tried Kiehl's Facial Fuel range and didn't like it. The moisturiser is the crown jewel, owing to its vitamin rich and non-oily credentials. And the caffeine and vitamin c is the perfect wake up call in the morning.
Bulldog Sensitive Moisturiser
You don't have to spend a fortune for a good daily moisturiser. Though it wasn’t the most hydrating number on our list, we found this formula successfully smooths skin without leaving residue.
Daily Face Protect SPF 50
No skincare routine is complete without some form of sun protection. This daily face moisturiser from The Grey packs SPF 50 for shielding your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, while doubling as a daily hydrating cream thanks to the inclusion of hyaluronic acid, which helps prevent moisture loss throughout the day.
In terms of texture, it's light, non-greasy, and doesn't irritate the skin.
[coat]s Triple Moisture Water Cream 75ml
There's a lot to love about [coat]s Triple Moisture Water Cream. It supports the skin's natural barrier. It's super lightweight but still gives a strong punch of hydration. Thanks to the blend of vitamin E, squalene, hyaluronic acid and collagen it's at once soothing, softening, plumping and firming. And, since it's good for all skin types, it's one nearly every guy can use.
111Skin Cryo Revitalising Moisturiser 50ml
If you're suffering from too many late nights, 111Skin's Cryo Revitalising Moisturiser is a great one-and-done solution for skin that's looking tired. It deals with dullness and puffiness as well as firmness and elasticity. You'll look fresher than ever.
Horace Mattifying Face Moisturiser
Parisian grooming expert Horace is a go-to for effective formulas which are kind to your bank account, too – this moisturiser, included. It's lightweight, shine-regulating, refreshing and nourishing. A great all-rounder.
L'Oréal Men Expert Hydra Energetic Moisturiser
Vitamin C revives dull skin and protect against environmental aggressors. The good news? It's what powers L'Oréal's affordable moisturiser. The soft texture soaks in almost instantly and quickly delivers a healthy glow.
Elemis Superfood Day Cream
Made with omega-rich ingredients such as broccoli and ginger, this cream acts like a breakfast smoothie for your skin, leaving you looking good on the outside, too. It absorbs super-quickly and helps to remove any post workout-redness for those who exercise regularly – and it delivers a strong moisture hit, too.
The prebiotics in this formulation also work to balance your microbiome by feeding the skin's good bacteria — just like ingested prebiotics do for our gut. So, if you're prone to bacteria-borne breakouts, this one could be for you.
Skin Food Moisturiser
Made from a unique blend of essential oils and plant actives, we found the scent of this moisturiser was like nothing we'd tried before – in the best possible way. It may not be to everyone's taste, but we enjoyed the refreshing combination of basil, frankincense and juniper. It's also non-greasy, quickly absorbed and left skin feeling hydrated and soft.
Harry's Men's Face Lotion SPF15
Suffering from dryness? We found this formula, packed with shea butter and refreshing peppermint, helps to soothe and clear up dehydrated skin. The lightweight texture is easily. absorbed too, quickly leaving skin feeling softer and bouncier.
Daily Face Moisturizer
Waking up early is nobody's idea of fun, which is why an energising daily moisturiser like this one from Lumin is an essential addition to your wash bag. It helps to deliver long-lasting hydration and fight environmental stressors thanks to Lumin's unique blend of botanical ingredients.
Can Men Use Women's Moisturisers?
In short, the answer is yes. Most of the top skincare brands formulate products which target specific skin concerns regardless of your gender. However, since men tend to have thicker skin and produce more oil, men's-specific moisturisers usually have a lightweight consistency and sebum-regulating ingredients.
You Might Also Like
