When it comes to skincare, the best men's moisturisers are the cornerstone of any effective routine. They hydrate, protect the delicate skin barrier, smooth and soften, and can reduce the appearance of fine lines. While trending products are constantly being launched, a good moisturiser remains one of the best investments for your routine, but that doesn't mean you need to spend a fortune. However, there is an overwhelming amount of choice, from gels, lotions, creams, SPFs and balms, all with their own respective benefits for your daily skincare routine. If you're unsure where to start with men's moisturisers, we've consulted the experts to unpack exactly what you need, the ingredients to look for and what will suit your skin type best. Scroll on to see what they had to say.
Meet the experts
Dr Sukhi Dhariwal is a consultant dermatologist at West London Clinic No. 23 Skin. She specialises in skin cancer diagnosis, acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis and pigmentation disorders, alongside dermatological surgery and sun damage. She is a national ambassador for the British Skin Foundation and an experienced medical educator, teaching undergraduate and postgraduate clinicians across the UK.
Dr Alia Ahmed is a consultant dermatologist who specialises in eczema, psoriasis and psychodermatology, exploring the psychological effects of chronic skin disease and the link between the skin and stress. She sees patients within the Barts Health NHS Trust and is part of the psychodermatology team based at The Royal London Hospital.
Our Top Picks
1. Altruist face fluid SPF50
Dr Dhariwal describes Altruist's face fluid SPF50 as "an excellent all-in-one morning product combining moisturisation and high SPF protection, and ideal for the man who wants one simple, efficient product in the morning." She adds, "It contains Vitamin E and niacinamide to support the skin barrier, is hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, paraben-free, and is water-resistant." She recommends wearing it alone or applying it over a separate moisturiser for extra hydration. It's also reasonably priced for a multi-purpose product that will protect skin year-round.
2. Cetaphil daily hydrating moisturiser
Cetaphil's budget-friendly moisturiser is a favourite of Dr Ahmed, particularly for men with stubble or very short beards that can be prone to spots, or who have combination skin (oiliness and dryness at the same time). "It has hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture, and has a lightweight, easily absorbable texture," she says. Her top tip for the application? "Massage the moisturiser in well (making sure it reaches the skin), and make sure you wash the area effectively daily with a gentle exfoliating cleanser". Doing this will ensure your moisturiser reaches and penetrates the skin without leaving a residue.
3. La Roche-Posay effaclar duo+m anti-breakout corrective gel moisturiser
La Roche-Posay's effaclar duo+m is recommended by Dr Dhariwal for acne-prone skin, which still requires hydration. "The formula contains niacinamide and salicylic acid, along with the newer phylobioma active, targeting breakouts, congestion, blackheads and post-acne marks - it's also hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic," she explains. It's common for acne-prone skin to be oily, but this doesn't mean you need to skip the moisturising step; your complexion can still be dehydrated.
4. No7 derm solutions 100-hour hydration cream
If you struggle with dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin, Dr Dhariwal advises opting for the No7 derm solutions 100-hour hydration cream. It can even help when using topical retinoids, as your skin may need additional barrier support. "It can be particularly helpful at night alongside a retinoid to minimise irritation and enhance hydration. It contains the adaptopro complex, including ceramides, niacinamide and adaptogens, to support and strengthen the skin barrier," she notes.
5. Eucerin sun oil control dry touch facial sun cream SPF50+
According to Dr Dhariwal, this Eucerin sunscreen works well for the man who "does not routinely use moisturiser and wants a single product that acts as both face cream and SPF." Along with providing high protection from UVA and UVB rays, it has a dry, matte finish without the greasy feel, and Dr Dhariwal says you can use it alone or layered over a lightweight moisturiser if you need an extra hit of hydration.
6. Cetaphil gentle exfoliating SA lotion
Dr Ahmed describes Cetaphil's gentle exfoliating SA lotion as "great for coarse or longer beards in people with spot-prone or oily skin". It's a simple way to add chemical exfoliators into your routine without much fuss, with a formula rich in AHAs (mandelic acid) and BHAs (salicylic acid) that gently slough off dead skin cells to smooth texture, reduce blemishes and protect your skin barrier. It's also the largest product on our list, but is very reasonably priced, making it the best value for money too.
7. CeraVe AM facial moisturising lotion SPF50
Another top pick from Dr Dhariwal is Cerave's AM facial moisturising lotion with SPF50. "It's a good option for normal to dry skin types, and contains hyaluronic acid and three essential ceramides to support the skin barrier. It's fast-absorbing, non-greasy, non-comedogenic and does not leave a white residue," she says. Alongside the ceramide-rich formula, it also contains niacinamide and vitamin E, which can help balance the complexion for a more even skin tone.
How does men's skin behave differently from women's?
Functionally, men's and women's skin is far more similar than people assume, says Dr Dhariwal, but she notes that important biological patterns influence how men should approach skincare. "Overall, men tend to have skin that is around 25 per cent thicker than women's, with greater collagen density and slower collagen loss over time. That means lines may appear slightly later, but when they do develop, they often appear deeper and more etched," she explains. Additionally, Dr Dhariwal reveals that men typically have larger pores and more active sebaceous glands, which can lead to higher sebum production and oilier skin. But it's shaving that makes the biggest difference: "Chronic shaving removes the outermost layer of the skin, disrupting the natural barrier. Over time, this can increase susceptibility to irritation, redness and dryness, even in men who otherwise have oily skin. So while biologically robust, male skin is frequently barrier-compromised."
What type of men's moisturiser should you choose?
"Different textures tend to suit different skin needs," says Dr Ahmed. "Generally, I recommend lotion or gel formulations for skin that needs hydration without any heaviness or potential to worsen oiliness (e.g. combination skin, oily or spot-prone skin)," she adds. "Creams are helpful to use for dry areas that need some extra care and for barrier support (e.g. dry, dehydrated, sensitive and mature skin)."
Does having a beard affect what sort of moisturiser you would recommend using?
According to Dr Ahmed, having a beard plays a significant role in the type of moisturiser she would recommend. The consultant dermatologist advises that having a beard may affect the skin, with dryness or flaking, as the product can sit on the hair rather than penetrate the skin, or trap sweat and bacteria. This can increase the likelihood of spots and irritation. Sensitivity can also occur from friction from hair-trimming devices. "Moisturisers for this area need to be able to reach and penetrate the skin without a residue. For this reason, I tend to recommend gel textures for very short beards (think more stubble than beard), lotion for medium-length beards, and creams for longer or coarse beards," she says. Her advice is to massage your moisturiser in well, wash the area effectively daily with a gentle exfoliating cleanser, and, after application, consider using a beard oil to condition the longer hairs. For Dr Dhariwal, ultimately, her most important message when shopping for a men's moisturiser is that there is no single "best" product: "The right choice depends on skin type, lifestyle, shaving habits, and whether there are concerns such as acne, sensitivity or dryness."
