2 min readI've been testing and writing about the best face moisturizers for more than 15 years, and the class of 2026 is the most cutting-edge yet.
Like smartphones and self-driving cars, today’s face creams perform way more than their basic job function. At their core, facial moisturizers act “as a sealant, locking in water that’s already in skin,” says Ted Lain, MD, chief medical officer at Sanova Dermatology in Austin. Next-generation products for men not only help with hydration but also tackle a bunch of other skin challenges (like oiliness and wrinkles). Plus, they smell—and feel—way better than they used to.
Below, my top tips for shopping for the ideal face cream, plus four incredible new products, each calibrated to offer a specific skin fix.
What to look for in a moisturizer in 2026.
The latest formulas contain some pretty wild ingredients. Here’s what they do.
Emollients
Along with humectants and occlusives, emollients are one of the essential components of a great moisturizer, says Dr. Lain. They help to smooth the skin’s surface, repairing any cracks that may let water slip out, he explains. That means the moisture already in your skin stays there.
Peptides
They’re chains of amino acids that help cells to communicatemore effectively, says Corey Hartman, MD, a Men’s Health dermatology advisor. This is still a relatively new and emerging area of research, but there’s promising science around topical peptides and skin—and even scar repair.
Adenosine
This compound plays a major role in cellular energy production. You may have heard of it in drug form as a treatment for irregular heart rhythm, and some preliminary research suggests that adenosine may help to smooth wrinkles too.
Neuroactive Ingredients
Your brain sends signals to your muscles and your eyes, and it also interacts with your skin. Neurocosmetics say they use sensory stimuli to enhance emotional well-being. The science is still emerging, but could be cool, right?
The Best New Face Moisturizers
Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Facial Meltdown Recovery Cream
Spherical emollients glide on effortlessly to relieve everyday dryness, but they also treat skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis.
Caldera + Lab The Hydro Layer Anti-Aging Lightweight Moisturizer
Packed with exosomes and peptide growth factors, a dollop of this weightless cream targets wrinkles, visible pores, and dullness.
Sisley Paris Sisleÿum Anti-Aging Mattifying Gel-Créme
It pumps out like a light cream, but transforms to a gel as you rub it into your skin. Plus, it contains adenosine, B vitamins, and antioxidants for skin health.
Neuraé Sérénité The Balm
Proprietary neuroactive ingredients help limit negative brain signals that cause the look of stressed skin. The lavender-sage scent is chill too.
What’s next in skin health. A therapist, for your skin, otherwise known as a psychodermatologist. “Our approach explores not only the skin condition but also the patient’s stress levels, emotional state, body image, and personal relationships,” says Mohammad Jafferany, MD, a professor of psychodermatology at Central Michigan University College of Medicine. Research has shown a connection between various mental states—such as depression, anxiety, and feeling stressed—and impaired skin function. Psychodermatologists, using screening tools for anxiety and depression, can decode the links and treat the skin. Find one by clicking here.
Meet The Experts
- Ted Lain, MD, is the chief medical officer at Sanova Dermatology in Austin.
- Corey Hartman, MD, is a Men’s Health dermatology advisor.
- Mohammad Jafferany, MD, is a professor of psychodermatology at Central Michigan University College of Medicine.
More of Our Favorite Skincare Products
Best Face Moisturizers | Best SPF Moisturizers | Best Moisturizers for Oily Skin | Best Moisturizers for Combination Skin | Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin | Best Face Serums | Best Anti-Aging Products | Best LED Face Masks | Best Sunscreens for Oily Skin
This story appears in the Winter 2026 issue of Men's Health.
Brian Underwood is beauty director at Women’s Health, where he oversees content strategy for the brand across all platforms, including digital, print, and social. Underwood previously served as beauty and wellness director at Oprah Daily and O, The Oprah Magazine. During his tenure leading beauty content for the Oprah brand at Hearst, stories Underwood commissioned were awarded the Skin Cancer Foundation Media Award and a Fragrance Award for Editorial Excellence (his second). He was the launch Beauty Director of Dr. Oz THE GOOD LIFE, and has held additional editorial positions at Fitness, Organic Style, Good Housekeeping, Life & Style Weekly, and Woman’s Day and has written for Self, Shape, Seventeen, Redbook, Cosmopolitan, and many more. Underwood previously served on the Skin Cancer Foundation’s gala committee and as partnerships director of the Trans Beauty Clinic, a New York-based charitable organization that provided beauty services and workshops to the city’s trans community.
