Anti-ageing creams offer a multitude of benefits, from smoothing wrinkles and reducing fine lines to improving dehydration and adding plumpness to lax skin that naturally sags with age. While ageing is a privilege and not a problem to fix, it is perfectly acceptable to want to present your best face forward, and the right skincare products can deliver transformative results. Fortunately, there is no shortage of choices when it comes to selecting the best men's anti-ageing cream for your routine, ranging from affordable high-street options to luxurious lotions with premium packaging and impressive performance claims. What truly matters is finding what works for your skin, lifestyle, and budget. That is why we have consulted expert dermatologists who have shared detailed recommendations on key ingredients to look for, how to choose a cream suitable for a beard, and products that genuinely make a difference.
Meet the Experts
Dr Anjali Mahto is a consultant dermatologist and founder of the Harley Street clinic Self London. She works closely with the British Skin Foundation and the British Association of Dermatologists as a media spokesperson and is the author of the 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 at two private Central London clinics: Skin55 on Harley Street and OneWelbeck Skin Health & Allergy on Welbeck Street.
Top Dermatologist-Recommended Anti-Ageing Creams for Men
1. CeraVe PM Facial Moisturising Lotion
Fragrance-free: Yes | Size: 52ml | Price: £17
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. Designed for normal-to-dry skin, it is a failsafe choice for those who want an effective moisturiser without spending a fortune.
2. Kiehl's Age Defender Moisturiser
Fragrance-free: No | Size: 50ml | Price: £51
Hydration is key 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. For normal-to-dry skin, Dr Phillips recommends Kiehl's age defender moisturiser, a richer cream designed to improve firmness and skin texture. It is better suited to normal or dry skin, or men who prefer a more substantial moisturiser, particularly in colder months. Its formula features cypress extract, caffeine, linseed extract, and capryloyl salicylic acid to gently exfoliate and smooth skin, reduce wrinkles, and improve elasticity.
3. La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Moisturiser
Fragrance-free: Yes | Size: 40ml | Price: £22
If you are acne-prone or experience congestion, Dr Mahto recommends La Roche-Posay effaclar H moisturiser. 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 contains a cocktail of skin-soothing ingredients, such as vitamin B5, squalane, and glycerin, which hydrate, support the skin barrier, and reduce blemishes.
4. Clinique for Men Anti Age Moisturiser
Fragrance-free: Yes | Size: 100ml | Price: £43
Clinique's for men anti age moisturiser is Dr Phillips's top recommendation for dry or more sensitive skin types, 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, especially fragranced or alcohol-based formulas, can compound this. He specifically likes this fragrance-free moisturiser, described as a sensible choice for men who shave regularly or are prone to irritation.
5. The Inkey List Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturiser
Fragrance-free: Yes | Size: 50ml | Price: £19
For dry or more mature skin, Dr Mahto describes The Inkey List's ceramide repairing and plumping moisturiser as fantastic. 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.
6. Y Code Mattifying Moisturiser
Fragrance-free: Yes | Size: 50ml | Price: £44
If you want to improve texture and minimise shine while tackling 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. According to Dr Phillips, 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.
7. Paula's Choice Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturiser
Fragrance-free: Yes | Size: 50ml | Price: £41
For men who want something simple and low maintenance, Dr Phillips advises opting for Paula's Choice barrier repair advanced moisturiser. It is a lightweight daily hydrator that supports the barrier and suits those who dislike richer creams. It contains two key humectants: urea and glycerin, which support your skin's barrier and bind moisture to keep it hydrated and balanced.
8. iS Clinical Reparative Moisture Emulsion
Fragrance-free: Yes | Size: 50g | Price: £105
Given the premium price tag, iS Clinical reparative moisture emulsion is not 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. She recommends this one often in the clinic.
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, and more prone to sensitivity from daily shaving. However, the biological process of ageing and the ingredients required to treat it do not change. 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. Dr Mahto adds that 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 Phillips is also an advocate for adequate sun protection when 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, a daily broad-spectrum SPF30+ is non-negotiable in his book.
