YOU’VE UPGRADED FOM a soap-and-water situation to a great facial cleanser that’ll make your skin feel fresh, but to really get your mug in tip top shape, you need to use the best moisturizers for men. These skin-saving formulas can keep your face hydrated throughout the day to combat everything from dryness and flakiness to shine and oil production. And it’s never too late to start a great skincare routine.
BEST MOISTURIZER WITH SPFEltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 Face Sunscreen$43 AT AMAZONREAD MORE
BEST AFFORDABLE MOISTURIZERNeutrogena Hydro Boost Face Moisturizer$14 AT AMAZONREAD MORE
BEST MOISTURIZER FOR SENSITIVE SKINLa Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer$24 AT AMAZONREAD MORE
BEST MOISTURIZER FOR OILY SKINVersed Dew Point$20 AT VERSEDSKIN.COMREAD MORE
BEST MOISTURIZER FOR DRY SKINGhost Democracy Clean Lightweight Daily Face Moisturizer$28 AT GHOSTDEMOCRACY.COMREAD MORE
SHOW MORE
- BEST MOISTURIZER WITH SPFEltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 Face Sunscreen$43 AT AMAZONREAD MORE
- BEST AFFORDABLE MOISTURIZERNeutrogena Hydro Boost Face Moisturizer$14 AT AMAZONREAD MORE
- BEST MOISTURIZER FOR SENSITIVE SKINLa Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer$24 AT AMAZONREAD MORE
- BEST MOISTURIZER FOR OILY SKINVersed Dew Point$20 AT VERSEDSKIN.COMREAD MORE
- BEST MOISTURIZER FOR DRY SKINGhost Democracy Clean Lightweight Daily Face Moisturizer$28 AT GHOSTDEMOCRACY.COMREAD MORE
SHOW MORE
The best moisturizers for men should contain ingredients to help strengthen and protect the skin, not just keep it hydrated. Ohio-based dermatologist Sarah Stierman, M.D. recommends multi-tasking moisturizers that contain “niacinamide which is an anti-inflammatory B vitamin that can help stave off blemishes in oiler skin, hyaluronic acid which draws water and holds moisture against the skin, and ceramides which are lipids that help with barrier repair and soothing the skin—very important when you’re shaving regularly.” And, of course, broad-spectrum SPF moisturizer to protect against the damaging rays of the sun.
To find the best moisturizers for men, we enlisted a panel of board-certified dermatologists, as well as our Grooming editors and contributors to test and evaluate more than 100 moisturizers for men. We looked for moisturizers that worked for a variety of skin concerns, and across a variety of price points, to find one that works for your unique skin.
BEST MOISTURIZER WITH SPF
EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 Face Sunscreen
$43 AT AMAZON$35 AT WALMART$75 AT DERMSTORE
Moisturizers with SPF provide sunscreen protection as well as hydration, making them a time-saving skincare product for summer. Our sunscreen as well as moisturizer testers have consistently given EltaMD’s face sunscreen top marks for its broad spectrum protection, gentle-yet-ultra-hydrating ingredient, and the fact that it absorbs super easily without leaving much of a white cast.
Massachusetts-based dermatologist Kathleen Joyce, M.D. has been recommending this to her male patients since 2017. “It contains niacinamide which can help with redness and acne and provides a good sunscreen in a very lightweight base,” she says.
Testing Notes: In our experience, most moisturizers with SPF are heavy on the moisturizer part but light on the sun protection in that many don’t offer the dermatologist-recommended SPF 30. This sunscreen flips the script in that it is designed as a sunscreen first, but contains enough moisturizing and skin-benefiting ingredients that it can easily double as a moisturizer. We tested it both ways—on top of another moisturizer and by itself—and found that its moisturizing factors absolutely were enough to warrant skipping another moisturizer, provided you don’t have super dry skin. As a time-saving, double-duty product, this is top of the list.
| Key ingredients | Zinc oxide, niacinamide |
|---|---|
| Suitable for | All skin types |
BEST AFFORDABLE MOISTURIZER
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Face Moisturizer
Now 48% Off
$14 AT AMAZON$20 AT ULTA BEAUTY$20 AT TARGET
North Carolina-based dermatologist Alex Zeitany, M.D. has been using this fragrance-free, lightweight moisturizer since 2015, and recommends it to their patients for its super-hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid. “Hyaluronic acid can hold over 1000 times its weight in water,” which gives this gel a barely-there feeling while still being a potent moisturizer, she says. Our testers have also used Neugtrogena’s Hydro Boost Face Moisturizer during long runs outside in spring and summer, and found that it kept their mugs hydrated without feeling clogged up, the way other drugstore moisturizers tend to do.
Out testers with darker skin tones also noted that Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost gel hydrated their faces better than any other drugstore moisturizer they’ve tried.
Testing Notes: Like many men, we tend to shy away from moisturizers that leave our skin feeling goopy or greasy, which is why this watery gel rose to the top of the list in our testing process. The consistency is smooth and silky and while not completely transparent, is definitely more of a gel consistency than a cream. It glides onto skin easily and has a slight cooling sensation but also sinks into your skin quickly without leaving any sort of shine or residue whatsoever. The formula is packed with hyaluronic acid, one of the most important ingredients in a moisturizer because it is a humectant—meaning it draws moisture from the air—and we found that even with a formula as lightweight as this, our skin still felt healthy and hydrated hours later.
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid |
|---|---|
| Suitable for | All skin types |
BEST MOISTURIZER FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
$24 AT AMAZON$24 AT WALMART$24 AT DERMSTORE
For our testers with sensitive skin, they tried moisturizers with irritating ingredients like added fragrance or exfoliating scrubs. This one from La Roche-Posay received top marks for its soothing, hydrating features.
“The benefits of this oil-free moisturizer are two-fold: it repairs your skin barrier after one hour while also providing all-day hydration without the shine,” says our Grooming Contributor Cristina Montemayor, who has been using this moisturizer since 2020. “The ingredients are wonderfully simple, which makes it great for sensitive skin.”
This is also a go-to moisturizer for Dr. Jeremy Brauer, a dermatologist and founder of Spectrum Skin and Laser in New York City. “This product contains a mix of prebiotic thermal water, ceramides, niacinamide and glycerin,” says Brauer. “It’s gentle enough for almost all skin types and has a thicker consistency, making it great for men’s skin.”
Testing notes: We found that many moisturizers designed for sensitive skin can go a little overboard on this thickness because they’re trying to pack as much moisturization into the formula as possible. Out of all the versions we tested, this is the one we could tolerate wearing both during the day and at night because even though it’s thick, it doesn’t feel heavy on our skin and offers a ton of hydration for how lightweight the formula is. We also found that the formula really does heal as well as hydrate. Within a few days, we noticed some rough patches on our faces smoothing away. Of course, the fragrance-free factor is perfect for sensitive or easily-irritated skin, but also for anyone who just doesn’t like fragrance in their products.
Read more: Best Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin
| Key ingredients | Niacinamide, glycerin, ceramides |
|---|---|
| Suitable for | All skin types |
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
BEST MOISTURIZER FOR OILY SKIN
Versed Dew Point
Testers with oily skin loved Versed’s hybrid moisturizer, which has gel-like consistency that’s as hydrating as some of our favorite anti-aging creams we’ve tried. That makes it ideal for most men, which tend to have thicker, oilier skin than women. Dr. Corey L. Hartman, founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology, has been using this moisturizer for the past three years, and recommends it to his male patients.
“It’s easy to incorporate into my routine and the formula feels nice on the skin,” says Hartman, who’s based in Birmingham, AL. “I have oily and acne-prone skin, so I must really watch what I use and stay away from oils and heavy creams.”
Our testers who used Dew Point for more than three months reported less breakouts, and a overall dewier (pun intended) complexion.
Testing Notes: Rich moisturizers are great if you have dry skin, but oily skin is a different story. For oily skin, we found that lightweight, oil-free gels are the way to go and this gel is the best we found at imparting hydration to our skin without weighing it down or adding grease or shine. It’s packed with hyaluronic acid and aloe leaf juice, both of which are ultra-hydrating, and feels cool and light as you rub it into your skin (it disappears within seconds, as well).
| Key ingredients | Glycerin, squalene |
|---|---|
| Suitable for | Oily skin |
BEST MOISTURIZER FOR DRY SKIN
Ghost Democracy Clean Lightweight Daily Face Moisturizer
Now 22% Off
Finding an ultra-hydrating moisturizer for dry skin that won’t clog your skin during hot summer days is a tough find, but after testing dozens of rich creams and gels, our editors landed on Ghost Democracy’s tried-and-true moisturizer. A team of ceramides, panthenol, and seed extracts absorb and retain moisture. It’s oil free, which means it’s much lighter than most of the other dry-skin targeted moisturizers we’ve tried, making it perfect to use year round.
Dermatologist Zeichner has been using this moisturizer since 2020, and recommends it to his patients to “maintain a healthy skin barrier.” He also says, “It’s not greasy, and has oat seed which also protects and hydrates the skin.”
Testing Notes: Even if you have dry skin, you don’t want to end up looking like a grease ball after applying your moisturizer—or is that just us? In our testing process, we found that this richer moisturizer, which is packed with ingredients like ceramides and pantheon to help rebuild the skin barrier and retain moisture, is still surprisingly lightweight on our skin. It’s also oil-free, so that shine that can pop up a few hours after applying never shows up with this moisturizer.
Read more: Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin
| Key ingredients | Niacinamide, oat seed extract, panthenol |
|---|---|
| Suitable for | Dry skin |
BEST MOISTURIZER FOR COMBINATION SKIN
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
$32 AT SEPHORA$33 AT AMAZON$22 AT WALMART
Our testers had a hard time finding the right moisturizer for combination skin, since combination is complex. Editors tried to find a product that pleases both the dry and oily parts of your face. We enlisted the help of board-certified dermatologist Dr. Aanand Geria, for his expertise.
“Choose a moisturizer that includes glycerin and hyaluronic acid,” he says. “These two ingredients will hydrate your skin while minimizing oil production and shine.”
Dr. Geria recommends Clinique’s gel-based formula, and tried-and-true product that’s oil-free but hydrating, and is super lightweight, making it ideal for humid and hot weather. Plus it’s long lasting. Our editors loved that it delivers eight hours of hydration that kept their mugs happy all day and night.
“This option is a lightweight gel- lotion being perfect for combination skin,” says Dr. Geria, who has been using this moisturizer since 2021, and recommends it to his male patients. “It contains hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which pulls moisturizer out of the air, pushing it into the skin.”
Testing Notes: Since combination skin can be both dry and oily (yes, really), the most important thing in a moisturizer for that skin type is that it strikes the right balance between moisturizing and a lightweight, non-greasy formula. Out of all we tried in our testing process, this gel-cream moisturizer hit that balance perfectly. It contains super hydrators hyaluronic acid and glycerin but the oil-free formula never made us feel or look shiny or greasy. We found that, while it’s ideal for combination skin, it’s also a perfect warm weather moisturizer for pretty much any skin type since it doesn’t weigh heavily on your face, but still gives your skin all the moisture it needs.
Read more: Best Moisturizers for Combination Skin
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, glycerin |
|---|---|
| Suitable for | Combination skin |
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
BEST EVERY DAY MOISTURIZER
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane
$67 AT KIEHL’S$75 AT AMAZON$75 AT NORDSTROM
You can’t go wrong with a classic, which is why we always come back to this standby from Kiehl’s. It’s creamy but not heavy and suitable for all skin types, even oily skin. It hydrates your skin all day, even in cold weather, but still won’t leave your mug feeling gunky.
Deputy Editor Christian Gollayan has been using Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream since 2018, and has been his go-to moisturizer for traveling. “It moisturizes my skin without breaking out, and it’s ultra hydrating without clogging my pores,” he says. “That’s why it’s a great travel moisturizer, since it hydrates without irritating in almost any climate I’ve been in.” No wonder it’s the moisturizer that’s supplied at Equinox gyms.
Testing notes: In terms of generally all-around perfect moisturizers, this one gets top billing because it just does it all. The cream formula strikes the balance between being lightweight but still super moisturizing and while it looks heavier than many others on this list, we found that it doesn’t feel that way when you’re actually wearing it. We also found that it’s ideal for colder weather, since it’s rich enough to protect your skin from the drying cold air, but not occlusive or greasy like some other heavy moisturizers. And while we feel that it’s suitable for all skin types and for pretty much any climate, if you have especially oily skin, you may want to use only a tiny bit (a little goes a long way with this one).
Read more: Best Kiehl’s Products
| Key ingredient | Squalane |
|---|---|
| Suitable for | All skin types |
BEST ANTI-AGING SPF MOISTURIZER
SkinMedica Total Defense + Repair SPF 34 (2.3 oz.)
$68 AT DERMSTORE$58 AT WALMART
This all-in-one moisturizer comes highly recommended by Dr. Stierman because “it has broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection in a lightweight formula that also contains antioxidants to protect against environmental pollutants and infrared radiation,” she says. Stierman has been using SkinMedica’s Total Defense cream since 2021, and always recommends it to her male patients.
Our older testers loved this combo moisturizer, since it’s much lighter than most of the anti-aging creams they’ve tried. Plus its SPF 34 formula adds an extra layer of skin protection, making this ideal for summer. After a year of testing, one editor says his skin looked firmer and has less dark spots. Yes, it’s expensive, but our editors say that its antioxidant-rich, non-irritating formula is worth the sticker shock.
Testing Notes: Like some of the other sunscreen/moisturizer combos on this list, this one has enough sun protection to adequately protect your skin from UV rays, but is also just as moisturizing as other moisturizer-only products. The addition of antioxidants is also very welcome in this formula, since we found it reduces the need to add an additional antioxidant product to your routine (like a Vitamin C serum). It not only helps protect your skin from photo damage that can lead to signs of aging, but some testers really did say they could see a difference in the firmness of their skin after a few weeks of using it.
Read more: Best Anti-Aging Creams
| Key ingredients | Octinoxate, squalane, triglyceride |
|---|---|
| Suitable for | Aging skin |
BEST MOISTURIZER FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN
Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer
$11 AT AMAZON$11 AT WALMART$11 AT TARGETCREDIT: RETAILER
Moisturizing is still important even if you have oily, acne-prone skin. If your skin is too dry, it could actually produce more oil to overcompensate for the lack of moisture. This lightweight moisturizer is specifically designed for acne-prone skin and even contains salicylic acid to help control and prevent breakouts.
Our younger testers who were more prone to break out preferred Cetaphil’s moisturizer to even pricier creams, given its gentle formula that hydrates skin, while still providing acne-fighting ingredients.
Testing Notes: In our testing, we found there are a few things that are important in a moisturizer for acne-prone skin. It should be an oil-free formula that won’t add additional oil to an already oil-prone face; it should be lightweight so the skin can breathe and noncomedogenic so it doesn’t clog pores; it should have proven acne fighting ingredients to help heal and control breakouts. This moisturizer checks all those boxes and then some (it also helps exfoliate and soothe skin). In just a few weeks of using it, we saw clearer skin with less frequent breakouts, especially when using it with other acne fighting products like cleansers and spot treatments.
Read more: Best Pimple Creams
| Key ingredient | Salicylic acid |
|---|---|
| Suitable for | Acne-prone skin |
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
BEST MOISTURIZER FOR LAYERING
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
New York City-based dermatologist Ritu Saini, M.D. recommends a lightweight hyaluronic acid-based moisturizer like this one for guys who want an everyday summer moisturizer. It’s great when worn by itself, but can also be used underneath another moisturizer or sunscreen for extra hydration.
After testing The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid for over one year, our editors found it’s best to use as a serum in winter, under a thicker moisturizer. Come summer time, use it as an everyday moisturizer. One tester found that his skin looked smoother and had less visible wrinkles after using this consistency for six months. Dr. Saini has been using this formula for two years, and recommends to to their patients.
Testing Notes: The beauty of this hyaluronic acid serum is in its simplicity. It can be used by itself in place of a moisturizer, especially if you don’t have very dry skin or just can’t tolerate heavier textures, but it can also be used in addition to other creams if you need extra help keeping your skin hydrated. You can also switch it up based on what your skin needs or what the weather outside calls for. We found that using it in cold weather under another moisturizer is especially ideal for keeping our skin healthy and moisturized in the face of potential drying factors like wind and cold.
Read more: Best Serums for Men
| Key ingredient | Hyaluronic acid |
|---|---|
| Suitable for | All skin types |
MOST EFFICIENT MOISTURIZER
Zo Skin Health Daily Power Defense
$88 AT AMAZONCREDIT: RETAILER
If you’re going to use just one product, make sure it multi-tasks. Irina Oroz, M.D., a dermatologist in Saskatoon, Canada recommends this one because it’s lightweight but still packs a punch with antioxidants and ceramides to help strengthen and restore your skin barrier as well as moisturize.
Testing notes: While this is one of the most expensive formulas on our list, we think it’s worth the price point. Dermatologist Dr. Maya Thosani, MD, also recommends Zo’s moisturizer for people with oily skin, given its thin-yet-silky consistency that will less likely clog your pores. Testers who’ve used this for more than a month report a softer and less-ashy looking mug.
| Key ingredient | Squalene, Tocopheryl acetate |
|---|---|
| Suitable for | All skin types |
BEST AFFORDABLE NIGHT MOISTURIZER
Cerave PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Now 43% Off
$11 AT AMAZON$10 AT WALMART$20 AT DERMSTORECREDIT: RETAILER
Dr. Stierman also recommends this lightweight moisturizer for night wear because it “contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide in an oil-free, non-greasy formula.” Plus, you can’t go wrong with the price.
Testing notes: It’s hard to beat Cerave’s nigh cream in terms of value. You get the same hydrating ingredients you’d fine in formulas twice its price, and it has a lightweight consistency that didn’t break out our testers with sensitive skin. In short, it’s an affordable moisturizer that’s purpose built with fortifying agents to keep your face hydrated.
Read more: Best Night Creams
| Key ingredient | Hyaluronic acid |
|---|---|
| Suitable for | All skin types |
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
MOST VERSATILE MOISTURIZER
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream
Now 17% Off
Go heavy on the ceramides with this moisturizer, which is packed with five different kinds to help strengthen and maintain your skin barrier. It’s suitable for all skin types, but especially good if you have dry or sensitive skin but want a lighter weight option.
Testing notes: This thick formula comes especially in clutch for winters, when we our faces need the most hydration. We like that this didn’t have a strong fragrance, which is great for sensitive skin, and because of its rich texture, a little bit goes a long way. One reviewer noted that one tube lasted him the entire winter.
Read more: Best Face Washes
| Key ingredients | Water, glycerin, shea butter, |
|---|---|
| Suitable for | All skin types |
BEST SPF MOISTURIZER
Geologie Sun Protection Duo
Most face moisturizers for daytime use will have some sort of SPF protection. But for nighttime use, SPF is not needed. To optimize your entire hydration routine, Geologie makes a solid duo set that’s easy to use. Before the sun, apply a nickel size of the SPF and reapply every 2-3 hours. After the sun, wash your face then apply a nickel size of the Essential Moisturizer. And wallah, 24/7 hydration!
Testing notes: We found that this set made for a great gift for men, given how it contains to skincare essentials: sunscreen and a moisturizer. Plus, the Essential Moisturizer’s formula was unscented, and worked for most of our testers with different skin types. While the sunscreen left a bit of a streak, it’s hardly noticeable.
Read more: Geologie Skincare Review
| Key ingredient | Hyaluronic acid |
|---|---|
| Suitable for | All skin types |
GREAT FAST ABSORBING MOISTURIZER
Ursa Major Golden Hour Recovery Cream
$52 AT URSAMAJORVT.COMCREDIT: COURTESY OF RETAILER
This fast absorbing cream delivers hydration to your skin you can almost see a difference immediately. It’s great no matter what kind of skin you have, but especially good if you have sensitive skin or are prone to redness thanks to skin-soothing calendula in the formula.
| Key ingredients | Glycerin, sunflower seed oil |
|---|---|
| Suitable for | All skin types |
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
ALSO GREAT FOR DRY SKIN
BeautyStat Universal Pro-Bio Moisture Boost Cream
$50 AT DERMSTORE$32 AT NORDSTROM$32 AT ULTA BEAUTYCREDIT: COURTESY OF RETAILER
This powerful cream contains both hyaluronic acid and ceramides to deeply hydrate skin and build up the skin barrier to keep it that way. Bonus: there are also ingredients like antioxidant green tea extract and pomegranate sterols to further boost moisture.
| Key ingredients | Ceramides, Dimethicone, Green Tea, Hyaluronic Acid |
|---|---|
| Suitable for | All skin types |
GREAT MOISTURIZER FOR FLAKY SKIN
Avène Revitalizing Nourishing Cream
Now 25% Off
$31 AT AMAZONCREDIT: COURTESY OF RETAILER
Not only are there skin-nourishing lipids and antioxidants in this protective formula, but the hero is Avene’s thermal spring water from France which has been shown to soothe and calm even the most sensitive skin. It’s ideal if you have very dry, flaky skin or red, inflamed skin.
| Key ingredients | Red fruit extract, glycerin |
|---|---|
| Suitable for | All skin types |
BEST MOISTURIZER FOR ECZEMA
Vichy Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
$30 AT AMAZON$14 AT WALMART$30 AT ULTA BEAUTYCREDIT: COURTESY OF RETAILER
This lightweight hyaluronic acid-packed, sensitive skin-friendly serum works double duty. Use it by itself as a moisturizer, especially if you don’t like heavy creams, or in addition to your regular moisturizer for an extra boost of hydration.
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid |
|---|---|
| Suitable for | All skin types |
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
BEST NIGHT CREAM
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream
Now 24% Off
$17 AT AMAZON$54 AT NORDSTROM$16 AT WALMARTCREDIT: COURTESY OF RETAILER
Somehow both rich and lightweight, this cream is a moisture bomb. It contains three different weights of hyaluronic acid, which sink into your skin at different rates, ensuring your skin stays hydrated for hours…and hours…and hours.
Read more: Best Night Creams for Men
| Key ingredient | Hyaluronic acid |
|---|---|
| Suitable for | All skin types |
BEST LUXURY MOISTURIZER
Joanna Vargas Daily Hydrating Cream
$75 AT DERMSTORECREDIT: COURTESY OF RETAILER
Celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas has built a luxe, effective line of skincare products that target any skin concern, and her hydrating cream is no exception. Packed with jojoba oil, zinc oxide, and avocado oil, we found that using it after a month evened our complexions.
| Key ingredients | Aloe Vera, beeswax, coenzyme Q10 |
|---|---|
| Suitable for | All skin types |
Why Trust Us?
For the past five years, Men’s Health has dedicated itself to discovering and recommending the best grooming products for men via hands-on testing and in-depth research.
Men’s Health grooming has been featured on national news outlets like The TODAY Show and Good Morning America, showcasing the latest new grooming products for men and presenting why we love the brands we select.
Aside from constantly updating and adding to our ever-growing grooming section, Men’s Health also dedicates an annual Grooming Awards package where we break down the best new products for men—ranging everywhere from skincare to shaving.
Our Grooming Editor, Garrett Munce, has been testing moisturizers for the past decade, and we’ve enlisted the help of top dermatologists for their recommendations, so we absolutely know what we’re talking about.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
What to Look for in Moisturizers
“In general, men should keep their regimen as simple as possible,” suggests Dr. Jarrod Paul Frank, a Manhattan-based dermatologis. But not one size fits all. Knowing what kind of skin you have is the first step in determining that regimen and your moisturizing needs.
How can you tell your skin type? Sensitive skin reddens easily and stings or burns when you apply most products. For the other types, the condition of your T Zone (across your forehead and a straight line down your chin) will help you identify which category you fit in. At the end of the day, examine the area. A matte surface means dry skin, a greasy or shiny zone translates to oily, and if your face is just slightly slick, you have normal or combination skin.
• Dry—Use a moisturizing cleanser and follow up with a rich moisturizer. As long as acne is not an issue, oil-based lotions are a good choice, especially at night.
• Oily—Avoid any heavy or oil-based formulas. Instead, use an oil-free or mattifying moisturizer in the morning and just a lightweight serum at night.
• Normal/ Combination—The trick to treating this variable skin is creating balance. Aim for a medium-weight product that maintains moisture but doesn’t add oil to already shiny areas.
• Sensitive—Avoid irritating ingredients, such as alcohol, fragrances, dyes, and preservatives (parabens). Moisturize twice daily with mild products specifically designed for sensitive skin.
Read more: Best Lotions for Men
What Ingredients Should I Look for in a Face Moisturizer?
“Moisturizers in general have three types of ingredients: occlusives, humectants, and emollients,” says Joshua Zeichner, Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. “Occlusives form a protective layer over the skin to prevent loss of hydration, while humectants are like sponges that grab onto water and plump the skin, such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid. Emollients, such as natural oils, are ingredients that soften the outer skin layer and smooth rough cells.”
How Often Should Men Use Moisturizers?
Full stop: men should moisturize their skin every day, regardless of skin type.
“Even oily and acne-prone skin needs the added benefits of a moisturizing product to help regulate sebum production,” says Dr. Hartman. “If you have dry or combination skin, you might find that you should use a moisturizer twice per day–once in your AM routine and once at night.”
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
What Types of Moisturizers Are Out There?
One of the reasons lots of guys skip the all-important moisturizing step is because they don’t like how they feel. Men, including us, tend to avoid things that leave their skin feeling greasy, oily or filmy—which can make finding a moisturizer tricky. Luckily, moisturizers come in all types, even gel. “Gel moisturizers have a high water content, which is why they can be spread fairly quickly and leave little to no tacky finish,” says New York City-based dermatologist Estee Williams, M.D. Typically, what kind of moisturizer you choose depends on your skin type (gels are great for oilier skin, while thicker creams are perfect for dry skin), but the most important thing when choosing a moisturizer is finding one you like using every day. If it just sits in your medicine cabinet, it’s not going to do your face any good.
What’s a Good Moisturizer for Summer?
Wearing a moisturizer that’s too thick or oily in the summer can leave you feeling slimy—like it’s melting down your face. Not to mention it will end up wiping off immediately with your summer sweat. For the hotter months, opt for a lighter moisturizer that will penetrate your skin quickly and keep it hydrated without the greasy after effect.
There are also summer-ready moisturizers that double as sun screen, like Skin Medica’s Total Defense + Repair SPF 34. It’s a non-greasy cream that’s lightweight and protects you from both UVA and UVB rays.
Don’t want to spring for a new product? Hack your favorite everyday moisturizer to make it work for the heat. Dilute the product with a few drops of water in your hands before applying. This will thin out the formula and allow your skin to absorb it faster.
If you want to go the extra step, substitute the water with Keihl’s Facial Fuel Energizing Tonic. The toner contains caffeine to stimulate blood flow, as well as and vitamins C and E to kick start collagen production so you’ll look fresh, no matter how unbearable the heat is.
How to Find a Daily Face Moisturizer
One of the reasons lots of guys skip the all-important moisturizing step is because they don’t like how they feel. Men, including us, tend to avoid things that leave their skin feeling greasy, oily or filmy —which can make finding a moisturizer tricky. Luckily, moisturizers come in all types, even gel. “Gel moisturizers have a high water content, which is why they can be spread fairly quickly and leave little to no tacky finish,” says New York City-based dermatologist Estee Williams, M.D.
Typically, what kind of moisturizer you choose depends on your skin type (gels are great for oilier skin, while thicker creams are perfect for dry skin), but the most important thing when choosing a moisturizer is finding one you like using every day. If it just sits in your medicine cabinet, it’s not going to do your face any good.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
How We Selected
For the past two years, we consulted with Men’s Health’s Grooming editors and writers on the top face moisturizers for men. Experts including our Grooming Editor, Garrett Munce, and our Deputy Editor of Commerce, Christian Gollayan, tried dozens of face moisturizers and evaluated their ingredients, feel, consistency, and effectiveness. We also considered top-reviewed face moisturizers that had at least 100 five-star customer ratings on e-commerce websites that we trust.
How to Incorporate a Moisturizer Into Your Skincare Routine
A moisturizer should always be the last or second-to-last step in our routine. They’re designed to not only impart hydration into your skin but also lock in the moisture that it already has, as well as the ingredients in any other products you’ve used. An easy way to remember it is this: no matter how many products you’re using, you want to layer them from thinnest to thickest textures. After cleansing, apply any serums or other thinner products before sealing them all in with your moisturizer. In the morning, you’ll want to top the moisturizer with sunscreen, but at night you can just end with your moisturizer.
Meet the Experts
- Sarah Stierman, M.D, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Perrysburg, OH
- Alex Zeitany, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist based in Chapel Hill, NC
- Jeremy Brauer, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Spectrum Skin and Laser in Purchase, NY
- Kathleen Joyce, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist based in Wellesley, MA
- Corey L. Hartman, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, AL
- Aanand Geria, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist in Rutherford, NJ
- Ritu Saini, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Irina Oroz, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist based in Saskatoon, Canada
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Shop More of Our Favorite Skincare Products for Men
Moisturizers for Oily Skin | Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin | Moisturizer With SPF | Moisturizers for Combination Skin | Moisturizer for Dry Skin | Body Lotions | Night Creams | Foot Creams | Eye Creams
