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Best Face Moisturizer for Men: 11 Options for Game-Changing Hydration
Find the perfect face moisturizer for men and unlock your skin’s potential.
How do we vet brands and products? Learn more.
From cleansers and serums to moisturizers and eye creams, there are thousands of skincare products on the market marketed to women.
But taking care of your complexion is just as important for men, who may also be prone to extremely irritated, oily, or dry skin.
Knowing which products to choose to start your skincare journey can be daunting, so we’ve compiled a list of the best moisturizers for all skin types, needs, and goals.
Top 3 Face Moisturizers for Men
- Improves skin’s natural collagen production
- Visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles
- Restores skin firmness, elasticity, and texture
- Designed for use after a morning shower and shave
- Boosts skin hydration
- Reduces signs of premature aging, such as fine lines
- Targets dull and dry skin
- Nourishes and conditions skin
- Ultra-hydrating
11 Best Moisturizers for Men
With so many options on the market, it might be difficult to find a product that works for you. You can narrow down the options by researching customer reviews and doing your own testing, but we’ve done all the work for you.
Below is an extended list of the best face moisturizers for men.
#1 XYZ Smart Collagen Cream: Best overall
- Improves skin’s natural collagen production
- Visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles
- Restores skin firmness, elasticity, and texture
XYZ Smart Collagen Cream is a face moisturizer designed to help you look 7.5 years younger, according to the brand. It does this by restoring the balance between your body’s production and breakdown of collagen, which helps to lift, firm, and smooth skin texture.
As well as being a key anti-aging ingredient for reducing wrinkles and fine lines, collagen is a protein naturally produced by the body, which helps to uphold the skin’s structure. Our collagen stores naturally decline as we age, and so products such as XYZ Smart Collagen Cream are crucial in transforming the appearance of mature skin.
With consistent use of this uniquely 100% vegan, non-greasy, all-natural cream, you can expect to see improved skin results in just 12 weeks.
#2 Hims Everyday Moisturizer: Best for hydration
- Designed for use after a morning shower and shave
- Hyaluronic acid boosts skin hydration
- Reduces signs of premature aging, such as fine lines
If you’re looking for a hydrating yet non-greasy face moisturizer to use as part of your morning skincare routine, then Hims Everyday Moisturizer may be the one for you.
The cream packs in a range of hydrating ingredients to tackle dryness, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and protect your skin from the elements. This includes hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and panthenol, which all help the skin cells retain water.
What’s great about Hims is that they offer a free consultation, where skincare experts will recommend the best products for your skin type and needs.
#3 Blu Atlas Anti-Aging Moisturizer: Best natural product
- Targets dull and dry skin
- Nourishes and conditions skin
- Ultra-hydrating
Blu Atlas prioritizes ethical and sustainable practices while delivering high-quality skincare products for both men and women, and their Anti-Aging Moisturizer is no exception.
The product is formulated with clean, vegan ingredients designed to nourish dry, oily, or combination skin without making it uncomfortable.
For instance, seaweed extract is an antioxidant and exfoliator that balances oil production and brightens skin. Mango seed butter contains vitamins C and E to protect the skin from UV rays, pollution, and blue light from screens.
#4 Ghost Democracy Moisturizer: Best for lightweight moisturization
- Balances skin oils to reduce inflammation
- Provides lightweight hydration
- Strengthens skin’s moisture barrier
Ghost Democracy Moisturizer is an oil-free, lightweight face cream that provides a non-greasy yet intense level of hydration for refreshed and balanced skin.
This is a unique product as it contains high concentrations of probiotics, a type of “good” bacteria that balances the skin’s microbiome. Probiotics, therefore, help to strengthen your skin’s natural moisture barrier, which reduces inflammation, prevents irritation, and stops the skin from becoming too dry or oily.
It’s also made with panthenol, or vitamin B5, to preserve moisture and softness, and oat seed extract, a plant antioxidant that soothes, calms, and strengthens the skin.
#5 Versed Dew Point Gel-Cream: Best for quick absorption
- Lightweight moisturizing jelly texture
- Hyaluronic acid draws in and retains moisture
- Protects against free radical damage
- Soothes skin inflammation
With the tagline “Hydration in, rich cream out,” sustainable brand Versed’s Dew Point Gel-Cream provides light moisture with its fast-absorbing, jelly-like texture.
The face moisturizer is made with sodium hyaluronate, an ingredient that’s extracted from hyaluronic acid to draw moisture into the skin and ensure it stays hydrated all day. Another key ingredient is hydrating aloe leaf juice, as well as antioxidative green tea that fights inflammation and free radicals.
#6 Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Energizing Moisturizer: Best for skin irritation
- Revives tired, dull skin
- Provides antioxidant protection
- Hydrates and softens the skin
- Aftershave solution to prevent skin irritation
Formulated with caffeine and vitamin C, Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Energizing Moisturizer helps to soften and hydrate skin with a range of antioxidants. For instance, unique ingredients such as chestnut extract effectively neutralize free radicals and have been shown to be more powerful than vitamin E.
Kiehl’s has designed their facial moisturizer to be on the lighter side, almost turning into a serum when applied or used as an aftershave. This means that it absorbs quickly and won’t leave a layer of grease on your skin.
#7 Anthony Oil Free Facial Lotion: Best for oily or acne-prone skin
- Minimizes the signs of aging
- Balances out oily skin
- Gives skin a velvety matte finish
Clinically proven to provide 24 hours of hydration, Anthony Oil Free Facial Lotion is an ideal choice if you’re searching for a moisturizer that removes excess oil from acne-prone skin.
The lotion is loaded with hydrating ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, vitamin B5, and glycerin to draw moisture to the surface and reduce your chances of developing wrinkles around the lips, under the eyes, or on the rest of your face.
This leaves the skin with a silky smooth, matte finish without that dull, dry look that some other oil-free products provide.
#8 Tula Sensitive Skin Moisturizer: Best for sensitive skin
- Calms and soothes irritation
- Hydrates and softens
- Reduces the look of red and blotchy skin
Tula Sensitive Skin Moisturizer is an ultra-gentle face cream that is designed to soothe irritated skin. It does this with the help of probiotics, along with oatmeal, aloe, cucumber, and ginger, to refresh the skin.
Containing no harmful ingredients that cause inflammation, the moisturizer is instead packed with squalane, a lipid known for its antioxidative and hydrating effects. Collagen is another key ingredient for increasing skin strength and elasticity.
#9 Marlowe Facial Moisturizer: Best for soothing flaky skin
- Protects the skin barrier
- Relieves dry, flaky, and itchy skin
- Provides hydration to prevent tightness
For those experiencing dry, flaky, or tight skin, the Marlowe Facial Moisturizer is formulated to provide the extra shot of hydration that you may need. Specifically, Marlowe has packed this product full of skin-soothing ingredients such as willow bark extract and green tea.
Passionflower extract is another key ingredient known for its anti-aging properties. Packed with omega-6 acids, this provides hydration while controlling oil production to provide a perfectly balanced complexion.
#10 The Nue Co. Barrier Culture Moisturizer: Best for protecting the skin
- Prebiotics and probiotics replenish the skin microbiome
- Protects the skin barrier
- Locks in moisture
- Smooths skin texture
The Nue Co. Barrier Culture Moisturizer is designed to improve long-term skin health without overloading the complexion with lots of active ingredients. The cream’s prebiotic and probiotic content helps to replenish the skin microbiome, which ensures that your skin doesn’t produce excess oil yet isn’t too dry.
Peptides strengthen and firm the skin, while ingredients such as squalane and ceramides help to moisturize and rebuild the skin barrier. This makes it less susceptible to damage from external aggressors, including pollution, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
#11 War Paint for Men Tinted Moisturizer: Best for coverage
- Hybrid of a moisturizer and light coverage foundation
- Evens out the skin tone
- Hydrates the complexion
If you’re looking to even out your complexion while adding a boost of moisture to your skin, the War Paint for Men Tinted Moisturizer is a light coverage, matte, and effective option that you may consider.
War Paint’s main goal is to help men feel comfortable in their own skin by providing them with a range of products and tools to create a subtly more even skin tone.
But don’t panic – the coverage is undetectable, so you won’t end the day with that dry, cakey look that reveals you’re wearing makeup. The only downside of this product is that, unlike our other recommendations, this one is created with synthetic ingredients rather than natural plant extracts.
Comparison Table
Natural ingredients from organic, sustainably-grown plants
Clinically proven
Dermatologist approved100% vegan
Non-greasy and lightweight formula
Made with dermatologist-recommended ingredients
Vegan and paraben-free
Brand has a medical advisory board
Made from 98.5% natural ingredients
Vegan and cruelty-free
Non-greasy and fast-absorbing
Fragrance-free
Contains no sulfates, silicones, or essential oils
Absorbs instantly into the skin
Doesn’t clog the pores
Vegan and cruelty-free
Made with 50% recycled plastic
Paraben and sulfate-free
Good for sensitive skin
The packaging is recyclable
Oil-free formula doesn’t clog pores
Absorbs quickly into the skin
Clinically proven
Plant-based and cruelty-free
Fragrance-free
Hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin
Suitable for all skin types
Paraben-free
Not tested on animals
Non-greasy formula
Suitable for all skin types
Doesn’t overload the skin with too many ingredients
Cruelty, fragrance, and paraben-free
Clinically studied ingredients
Comes in a range of shades
Vegan and cruelty-free
Recyclable packaging
May take a while to see the results
Not fragrance-free
Doesn’t contain SPF
Can only be purchased online
Some quality complaints from the customers
Gel consistency may be too lightweight for extremely dry skin
May not be moisturizing enough for drier skin types
Isn’t alcohol-free
Fragrance may irritate some
May be too thin for overly dry skin
Doesn’t provide sun protection
Contains parabens
Difficult to find the product in the stores
Some cheaper alternatives may be more effective
May be unsuitable for sensitive skin
Gel-cream texture won’t appeal to all
Ingredients aren’t natural
How We Picked the Products
To choose the best skincare products for men, we looked at a wide range of popular, trending, and slightly less well-known brands on the market. We then narrowed down the list to the top 11 products based on these 4 factors:
Quality
Companies that are aiming to produce high-quality skincare products should use ingredients that are backed by clinical research. The best ingredients are those that come from natural sources and provide a good level of hydration to the skin.
Price
Effective skincare products are often expensive as it takes time, effort, and money to source high-quality ingredients. However, a good moisturizer should also be a good value for money.
Brand reputation
We only selected face moisturizers from brands that have a good reputation in the skincare industry. It was also important for us to check reviews to see how well each company looks after its customers.
Effectiveness
For a product to be effective, it should be able to do what it says on the outside packaging. We looked at whether these moisturizers could effectively hydrate the skin.
FAQs
Yes, men should moisturize every day to keep their skin feeling and looking healthy, particularly after shaving.
It’s important to use moisturizer before you go to bed to replenish your skin’s water loss overnight.
You should apply sunscreen as the last step in your skincare routine so that it can create a protective barrier against UV rays. Some moisturizers do already have SPF in them, so check the packaging before using.
A Word From a Dermatologist
It’s just as important for men to use moisturizer as it is for women. Having a good daily skincare routine helps to protect against sun damage, relieve particularly dry or oily skin, and prevent wrinkles such as crow’s feet that come from premature skin aging.
Along with focusing on skincare, try to eat a range of anti-aging foods that will provide you with all of the nutrients you need for radiant skin. There are some other things that you can do to boost the health of your skin, including wearing SPF, drinking plenty of water, staying active, and quitting smoking.
To help you with any further skin issues, talk to your dermatologist. They can make specific product recommendations based on your unique needs and goals and put an effective treatment plan into place.
Conclusion
No matter your age, gender, or skin type, applying moisturizer should be an essential part of your skincare routine if you’re hoping for a healthy and radiant complexion.
Our recommendation for the best moisturizer overall is the XYZ Smart Collagen Cream, which is dermatologist approved and clinically proven to balance the production of collagen while also improving your skin’s texture.