Many men use face creams and moisturizers solely because these products help prevent dry skin—and that notion is spot on. However, there are many other beneficial things that moisturizers do for the skin.
Moisturizing is part of the baseline skincare regimen, along with cleansing. Of all the products men could possibly put on their face—from serums to masks to peels—many of these are secondary. They’re terrific to use, but they are above that baseline minimum.
Here’s why those two steps are imperative: Cleansing is essential since it helps wash away all the sweat, grime, and excess oil accumulated throughout the day or overnight. It should be used twice a day, morning and night, and any time there are excessive amounts of grime, like after a midday workout.
That second step, moisturizing, rehydrates the skin after cleansing, delivering vitamins, proteins, and other healthy ingredients to the cells. Moisturizer not only hydrates the skin and keeps it firm and youthful, but it also forms a protective layer over top, to help defend against environmental toxins (like smoke and air pollution). These things age the skin, as do the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays; this is why many daytime face creams also include SPF.
Some moisturizers are designed solely for nighttime use too, after an evening cleansing routine. Typically, these products are more nutrient-dense than the lighter daytime hydrators, and they work with the body’s regenerative overnight cycle to give a firmer, brighter, clearer, and better-rested complexion come morning.
Without all of that in mind, here are seven of the best face creams and moisturizers for men.
Lab Series Day Rescue Defense Lotion SPF 35
This lightweight, heavy-hitting lotion is the perfect product for everyday defense against sun, toxins, and aging. It absorbs quickly and won’t aggravate oil production, keeping skin matte and protected. Best of all, it’s packed with ultra-hydrating squalane as well as plant extracts (such as birch, barley, and rose of Jericho) to preserve high moisture levels and keep skin supple.
Erno Laszlo Phelityl Night Cream
While most nighttime moisturizers are heavy (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing), many people prefer a lightweight one, like Erno Laszlo’s. This night cream absorbs into skin and is packed with complexion-balancing birch and clove oils, to help clear and calm. It’s a shortcut to having firmer, brighter skin in the morning, and it works equally well on all skin types.
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
EltaMD uses physical SPF—that is, mineral protection in the form of zinc oxide—to bounce harmful UV rays. While most non-chemical SPF products leave a white cast on the skin, EltaMD is an industry favorite because it applies smooth and clear. And consider all its other benefits: Hyaluronic acid boosts and preserves moisture levels in the skin, while lactic acid smooths texture and keeps pores clear. This product also mattifies the skin, making it great for people with oily complexion. It is a gentle formula, too, ideal for anyone with sensitive skin.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream For Men
If there’s a top shelf in skincare, Dr. Barbara Sturm is sitting firmly on it. She scrutinizes over each formula to create the most resurrecting, transformative products available. This lightweight moisturizer for men uses macadamia oil, shea butter, squalane, extracts of ginseng and purslane, and more; together they keep skin soft, supple, firm, and radiant. It’s also a terrific overnight option, if you prefer to wake up with the magnified skin-soothing benefits of a good night’s rest.
Aesop Camellia Nut Facial Hydrating Cream
A dry skin savior, this nut- and plant-derived hydrating cream from Aesop is a must for winter. (Or for people whose complexion is dry, sensitive, or patchy year round.) It soothes irritation and smooths texture with chamomile and camellia nut oils, while macadamia nut oil—cold pressed by the sharp scientists at Aesop—gives skin a huge jolt of moisture and softness. Use it daytime, nighttime, or anytime skin gets patchy, dry, or distressed.
Bevel Moisturizing Face Gel
The shave experts at Bevel have also crafted a terrific assortment of skincare products—for guys who do and don’t shave. This skin-balancing and complexion-clearing gel not only disinfects and soothes the skin (especially after a shave), but it also balances oil production while improving the skin’s brightness, and while preserving its moisture levels.
Clinique for Men Oil Control Mattifying Moisturizer
Men with oily skin often dread wearing moisturizer, since the weight of it can lead to sweating and more shine. That’s why they should look for a mattifying hydrator, like this one from Clinique for Men. Not only is it lightweight to avoid the suffocation and clogging of pores, but it also soaks up excess oil and keeps the skin gloss-free. (No more looking like a bike reflector in every photo.)
