When your face is basically flaking off, it’s time to incorporate a moisturizer into your daily routine. These are some of my personal favorites I’ve researched, tested, and used. It’s time to get hydrated skin once and for all!
There comes a time when you actually want to start taking care of your skin. It doesn’t matter if you never thought about it in the past. Now’s the time. If you’re new to this and not really sure where to start, don’t sweat it. I’ve come up with some really great options at all different price points and for all different types of skin – from dry, oily, combination – you name it.
WHAT DO MOISTURIZERS EVEN DO?According to medical experts, moisturizers can help create a barrier between your skin and the current climate you’re in. If you’re in a cold climate the miserably dry air can even dry out your skin even further. We’ve all been there. But even if it’s not cold out you can still suffer from dry or rough skin and the proper moisturizer can help to rehydrate your skin and increase its capacity to hold and maintain water, hence keeping in moisture.
DO THEY EVEN WORK?While there are plenty of people who feel like moisturizing doesn’t really work, I consulted with the brilliant geniuses at Harvard University (yes, that, Harvard) and the short answer is that – yes – by trapping in water, moisturizers can really help with dry skin. In fact, not only do they work, but it almost (almost) doesn’t really matter which brand you choose. That’s right, I said it.
Of course there are certain brands that I swear by and feel like work the best on my terribly dry skin (especially in the winter). A common misconception is that men need moisturizers to simply help with dry skin. Sure that makes sense and can totally work, but there are a bunch of additional reasons why adding a men’s moisturizer to your skincare regime is really a must.
First off, the right face cream can help to hydrate your face, help to reduce the look of some of those pesky fine lines and wrinkles, reduce those gross flakes that sometimes appear in your beard, and can help to firm and tighten your skin. Even more importantly, when an SPF is incorporated they can help to protect your face from the damaging rays of the sun which (a) is just super important itself and (b) will make you look less old and weathered as the years go on. Totally preventative stuff we’re talking about here.
Whether you have dry skin, oily skin, or just plain old normal skin check out some of the best moisturizers for men (so far) in 2024.
EDITOR’S PICK
1. Hanacure Nano Emulsion
HANACURE
Hanacure is one of my favorites that I use daily (twice per day) and my skin literally drinks it in. Nano Emulsion is super lightweight and a little goes a long way. Plus, it’s safe for sensitive skin (I’ve never broken out from it ever). One of the biggest benefits is how it really does help improve your skin’s tone, texture, and all around dryness level.
RUNNER UP
2. Pevonia Power Repaid Collagen Cream
PEVONIA
I was first introduced to Pevonia’s Collagen Cream after I had my first microdermabrasion facial. They said my skin was probably the most dry they’ve seen all year. Go me! They recommended to slather it on two times per day (first thing in the morning and then right before bed). Not only did it help prevent major flaking from the microdermabrasion treatment, but I really do feel like it helped with some of those fine lines near my eyes and along my forehead.
Their Marine Collagen Cream has collagen in it (duh!), along with hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E. It’s definitely on the pricer side, but I do stand by this one. Do it if you can.
BEST FOR SPF INCLUSION
3. “Double Duty” Men’s Face Moisturizer with SPF 20
JACK BLACK
Why not stay moisturized and protected from the damaging rays of the sun (and your trusty sunglasses isn’t the only thing you need) all at the same time? This lightweight Jack Black face moisturizer for men has SPF 20 and also contains helpful antioxidants and vitamins.
I loved that it felt like I didn’t have anything on my face at all. It didn’t feel greasy, oily, or just heavy at all. Simply use a small amount (around the size of a nickel) on your face after you’ve washed it (or shaved) and you’re good to go for the day.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to apply a small amount to you neck as well. The SPF 20 will help protect your neck and keeping it fully moisturized will help reduce the look of fine lines and those terrible dry-skin beard flakes. You know the ones.
BEST DRUGSTORE PICK
4. Cetaphil Night Cream
CETAPHIL
I know this is going to be a stretch, but if you have a hard time remembering to moisturize first thing in the morning, the least you can do is to go with a night cream, like this hydrating cream from Cetaphil, that will do all the work for you while you sleep. This one is perfect for dry to very dry skin.
While most think it’s really for those winter months, I actually use this one in the summer after a day at being at the beach or pool (with way too much sun exposure). I slather it on at night and let it do its job. It also helps prevent that sunburn/tan peel and flaking that can tend to happen.
BEST FOR ALL SKIN TYPES
5. Anthony All Purpose Face Moisturizer
ANTHONY
This is a great men’s moisturizer for just about any skin type. Don’t worry about it if you have oily skin, dry skin, or just plain old sensitive skin. It’s super lightweight and absorbs into your skin pretty quickly. Plus, it won’t leave your skin feeling greasy or heavy, which makes this one easy to get used to especially if you’re new to using facial moisturizers.
You can use this one up to 2 times a day but, like with any moisturizer, to get the best out of it you need to commit to using it at least once per day.
BEST FOR SHRINKING PORE SIZE
6. Perricone MD Face Finishing Moisturizer
PERRICONE MD
This face moisturizer really is a great 6-in-1 product. It leaves your face fully hydrated (good-bye wintery dry skin!), but does so much more than just that.
It contains Alpha Lipic acid, helps reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, shrinks down pore size, reduces puffiness (especially near the eyes), and helps to even up your skin tone. My skin was left feeling a bit tighter and firmer, but that might just be because I actually started incorporating a skincare regime into my daily life. While this one isn’t specifically made just for men, it’s still great for our skin too!
BEST FOR RED FACES
7. Paula’s Choice “CALM” Redness Relief
PAULA’S CHOICE
Perfect for normal to dry skin, I loved it because it actually did help to reduce redness on my face. It seems like every time the seasons change my face starts to get a little red especially around my cheeks and on certain areas of our beard.
The cream itself is pretty lightweight and silky smooth. Paula’s Choice uses amazing plant oils and antioxidants left my skin feeling hydrated and pretty smooth. The real win for me was getting that blotchy redness reduced. I also loved that this is recommended to be used after you wash your face at night, so it can really sink in overnight and you’ll wake up feeling less red than the day before.
BEST LUXURY PICK
8. DefenAge 10 Luxe Body Cream
DEFENAGE
I know I am full on going to get some hate-mail for recommending something that’s so expensive. But just hear me out. If you ever had some extra cash to spend or really want to invest in yourself, I highly recommend going with DefenAge.
I was first recommended to try them out after I got a plasma pen treatment on my skin to get rid of those forehead wrinkles (and crows-feet). I was shocked (shocked, shocked) by the price – but I was equally shocked with how well this one works.
While they do have face serums (equally amazing) this one is their hand and body cream. To be honest, I don’t use this on my hands, but I do use this on my body – especially my neck, chest, legs, and feet. It helps to tighten skin, improves your overall skin texture, hydrates, moisturizes, and even gives you a little bit of a glow.
Again, while many think you should use it only in the winter months, this is a great summer option to brighten up your skin especially when you have a bit of a tan. Game changer.
