Anti-ageing creams can have a multitude of benefits, from smoothing wrinkles and reducing fine lines, to improving dehydration or adding plumpness back to lax skin that naturally sags as we age.
Now that’s not to say that ageing is a problem to fix. It’s a privilege and, in recent years, has become a contentious term. However, it’s ok to want to put your best face forward, and products in your skincare routine can have transformative results.
Thankfully, there’s no shortage of choice when it comes to finding the best men’s anti-ageing cream for your regimen, from high-street budget options to luxurious lotions with premium packaging and buzzy performance claims to boot.
But what’s most important is what actually works, for your skin, your lifestyle and your budget. That’s why we’ve gone straight to the expert dermatologists who have shared their detailed recommendations on what ingredients to look for in men’s anti-ageing creams, how to pick the right cream to suit a beard and the products that can make a difference.
Read more: How to choose a men’s moisturiser for your skin type, according to dermatologists
Meet the experts
Dr Anjali Mahto is a consultant dermatologist and the founder of Harley Street clinic, Self London. She works closely with the British Skin Foundation and the British Association of Dermatologists as their media spokesperson, and is the author of a best-selling book, The Skincare Bible.
Dr Derrick Philips is a consultant dermatologist, specialising in acne, pigmentation, scarring, rosacea, rashes, skin cancer and cosmetic dermatology. He treats patients across two private Central London clinics: Skin55 on Harley Street and OneWelbeck Skin Health & Allergy on Welbeck Street.
CeraVe PM facial moisturising lotion
Fragrance-free: Yes
Size: 52ml
According to Dr Mahto, CeraVe’s PM facial moisturising lotion is a reliable budget option and one of the best value products in this guide. “It contains niacinamide and essential ceramides to repair the skin barrier and calm daily shaving irritation without feeling heavy or greasy,” she says.
Designed for normal-to-dry skin, it’s a failsafe option if you don’t want to spend a fortune but still enjoy an effective moisturiser.
Buy now £17, Boots.com
Kiehl's age defender moisturiser
Fragrance-free: No
Size: 50ml
Hydration is a key component when treating signs of ageing, says Dr Phillips. “Humectants such as hyaluronic acid draw water into the outer layers of the skin, improving surface hydration and softening the appearance of fine lines. Well-hydrated skin simply looks healthier,” he explains.
If you have normal-to-dry skin. Dr Phillips recommends Kiehl's age defender moisturiser. “It is a richer cream designed to improve the appearance of firmness and skin texture. It is better suited to normal to dry skin, or men who prefer a more substantial moisturiser, particularly in colder months,” he explains.
Its formula features cypress extract, caffeine, linseed extract and capryloyl salicylic acid to gently exfoliate and smooth skin, reduce wrinkles and improve elasticity.
Buy now £51, Amazon.co.uk
La Roche-Posay effaclar H moisturiser
Fragrance-free: Yes
Size: 40ml
If you’re acne-prone or experience a lot of congestion, Dr Mahto recommends the La Roche-Posay effaclar H moisturiser. She explains: “It has been specifically formulated to provide deep hydration and restore the microbiome without triggering breakouts, making it ideal for skin sensitised by acne treatments.”
The formula is made with a cocktail of skin-soothing ingredients, such as vitamin B5, squalane, and glycerin, which hydrate, support the skin barrier, and reduce blemishes.
Buy now £21.5, Amazon.co.uk
Clinique for men anti age moisturiser
Fragrance-free: Yes
Size: 100ml
Clinique’s for men anti age moisturiser is Dr Phillips’s top recommendation for dry or more sensitive skin types, and particularly those who shave.
“While shaving provides mild exfoliation, it can disrupt the skin barrier and trigger irritation, ingrown hairs and post inflammatory pigmentation in darker skin tones. Shaving foams and gels, particularly fragranced or alcohol-based formulas, can compound this.”
He specifically likes this fragrance-free moisturiser, which is described as a “sensible choice for men who shave regularly or are prone to irritation.”
Buy now £43, Amazon.co.uk
The Inkey List ceramide repairing and plumping moisturiser
Fragrance-free: Yes
Size: 50ml
For dry skin types or more mature skin, Dr Mahto describes The Inkey List’s ceramide repairing and plumping moisturiser as “fantastic”. She adds, “It uses ceramides to visibly plump fine lines and reinforce the skin barrier against moisture loss.”
It has a rich, velvety texture and features gransil blur, a subtle blurring agent for fine lines, and shea butter, a natural emollient found in many dry skin-focused products for its hydrating and soothing benefits.
Buy now £19, Boots.com
Y Code mattifying moisturiser
Fragrance-free: Yes
Size: 50ml
If you want to improve texture and minimise shine, while tackling the signs of ageing, Dr Phillips recommends Y Code’s mattifying moisturiser. “It provides good hydration while drying down to a matte finish, helping to reduce shine. The inclusion of hydrating agents and peptides supports the skin barrier and overall skin texture without feeling heavy or greasy,” he says.
According to the consultant dermatologist, peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as signalling molecules within the skin and can help reinforce firmness and elasticity over time - while also suiting skin that cannot tolerate stronger actives.
Buy now £44, Ycode.co
Paula's Choice barrier repair advanced moisturiser
Fragrance-free: Yes
Size: 50ml
For men who want something simple and low maintenance, Dr Phillips advises opting for the Paula's Choice barrier repair advanced moisturiser. “It’s a lightweight daily hydrator that supports the barrier and suits those who dislike richer creams,” he says.
It contains two key humectants: urea and glycerin, which support your skin’s barrier and bind moisture to keep it hydrated and balanced.
Buy now £41, Cultbeauty.co.uk
iS Clinical reparative moisture emulsion
Fragrance-free: Yes
Size: 50g
Given the premium price tag, the iS Clinical reparative moisture emulsion is not a product for everyone, but Dr Mahto recommends it if you are willing to invest in an ultra-luxury option, describing it as a “fantastic formulation.”
“It uses advanced botanical extremozymes and peptides to provide intense, anti-ageing hydration that absorbs instantly, making it a brilliant investment for all skin types. I recommend this one often in the clinic,” she says.
Buy now £105, Spacenk.com
Your questions on anti-ageing in men’s skincare answered
Do men have different skincare needs than women?
In short, yes. Dr Mahto explains that men’s skin is structurally different, typically thicker, and oilier due to high testosterone, as well as more prone to sensitivity from daily shaving.
However, the biological process of ageing and the ingredients required to treat it do not change, she advises. “Men absolutely can, and often should, use the exact same clinically proven products as women, simply adjusting the texture, such as choosing a lightweight gel over a heavy cream, to suit their naturally oilier skin profile.”
What ingredients should you look for in men’s anti-ageing creams?
When choosing an anti-ageing cream for a man, the focus should be on formulation, notes Dr Phillips. “Regular shaving creates repeated friction and can impair barrier function. Ingredients such as ceramides and niacinamide help reinforce the barrier, reduce irritation and improve overall resilience,” he says.
Dr Mahto adds, “The gold-standard ingredients remain universally the same regardless of gender: retinoids to stimulate collagen and speed up cell turnover, vitamin C to protect against free radical damage, and broad-spectrum sunscreen to prevent UV-induced degradation.”
Dr Philips is also an advocate for adequate sun protection when it comes to treating ageing: “It protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation, which is the primary driver of premature ageing. UV exposure accelerates collagen breakdown and contributes to fine lines, wrinkles, uneven pigmentation and loss of firmness over time.” For that reason, he says, a daily broad-spectrum SPF30+ is non-negotiable in his book.
Read more: Best men’s moisturisers with SPF for everyday skin protection
