The 12 Best Men's Moisturiser for Every Skin Type, Tried and Tested

You know you need a moisturiser, but how do you work out which one is best for you? First of all, you need to understand your skin – whether you're dry, oily or combination, as well as any key concerns like uneven complexion or blemishes. Then, you can shop the virtual shelves in search of one that's targeted for your needs.

Best Men's Moisturisers

Finding the best formula can involve a lengthy game of trial and error. Some can feel a little greasy while others might feel too thin. Some will be absorbed in an instant while others take time to work their magic – the latter's usually best used as a night cream. All in all, there's so many variations that it's almost impossible to choose without a little help.

It depends on your personal preference, too. If you're someone who works out every morning, we'd recommend a lightweight formula which will allow your pores to sweat freely. Or, if you're looking to combat signs of ageing you should go for one that's packed with nourishing, strengthening and hydrating ingredients – and we'd suggest a retinol, too.

A word of advice – your skin needs to acclimatise to a new cream, so don't expect immediate results. Stick with whichever you choose for at least a week and then you'll start to see the benefits.

Why Men Should Moisturise

Male skin is 10-20% thicker than female skin and contains more collagen and elastin. However, although the signs of ageing may appear more slowly than on women, male skin tends to be rougher and more oily.

A good moisturiser will prevent skin from getting dull and dry and keep it looking healthy. Your razor can also cause irritation, so it's especially important to condition your skin after shaving. That's why many moisturisers for men contain soothing ingredients, such as aloe vera, to reduce itching and redness.

How To Choose A Moisturiser

Skin Type

The first step to finding your best moisturiser match is to ascertain your skin type. Here are a few ways to tell which type you have. If you still don't know, it may be worth seeking advise from a skin care expert.

• Normal skin: Choose water-based moisturisers that offer hydration.
• Dry skin: Try thicker, oil-based creams with nourishing emollients, such as shea butter.
• Oily skin: Opt for matte-finish moisturisers that contain ingredients designed to tackle excess sebum (the oil our skin naturally produces).
• Sensitive skin: Seek out calming creams containing ingredients like chamomile or aloe.
• Mature skin: Look for anti-ageing ingredients, such as retinol.

Ingredients

When it comes to moisturisers, it’s easy to be drawn in by branding, texture or how something feels on first application. Instead, you should look at the ingredients and how they function within the skin, says Dr Tom Kamal, aesthetic doctor and founder of The Dr Tom Clinic.

'Most well-formulated moisturisers are built around a combination of humectants, emollients and barrier-supporting ingredients, often with added actives layered in to target specific concerns such as breakouts, sensitivity or early signs of ageing,' he says. 'Understanding what each ingredient is doing allows you to choose a product that genuinely supports your skin, rather than simply sitting on the surface or giving a temporary effect.'

How We Test Moisturisers

We've tried each of these market-leading moisturisers for at least four weeks, assessing how easy they were to apply, how hydrating they were, and their overall effect on skin. In the Men’s Health Lab, we also used our Multi Skin Test Center device to measure how well some of the moisturisers featured below hydrated skin, both immediately after application and six hours later. All products have been tried and tested by us.

The 12 Best Moisturisers For Every Skin Type