Whether you already know it or not, face moisturizer is an essential part of a skincare routine. While men often overlook a moisturizer, especially if you don’t typically suffer from dry skin, a face lotion is a crucial step even at a young age.
Men should start moisturizing in their 20s to prevent signs of aging. And men in their mid-30s to 50s can use face creams to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Moisturizers offer a variety of energizing and nourishing effects that promote healthy and youthful skin.
If you’re not already using a face moisturizer, it’s time to start.
An ideal skincare routine requires moisturizers to be used twice a day: in the morning after you shave or wash your face and again at night. They will protect your skin against pollutants and stressors that you absorb throughout the day.
These are some of the best-rated face moisturizers of 2024 in various categories, from the most effective overall to the best value to specific creams designed for certain skin types.
Sefoli Face Cream for Men
Best Ingredients for Moisturizer and Anti-Aging Benefits
While men worry about aging, too, bigger pores and more sebaceous glands require a more potent formula than women’s face creams offer. Sefoli Face Lotion for men is packed with more reparative and fortifying vitamins and nutrients, helping to reverse the oxidative effects of auto exhaust, chemical exposure, and harsh climates.
This exclusive blend features Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Retinol which moisturizes and plumps to fill in wrinkles and give your face a firmer and more youthful look.
- Multitasking men’s facial moisturizer – This synergistic blend of vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids works to boost collagen production and prompt cell renewal to correct hyperpigmentation. It also reinforces the lipid layer known as your skin barrier, disrupting inflammation and strengthening it so it can fend off environmental pollutants and the oxidative damage they inflict at the dermis level. With skin moisturized, even-toned, and more supple, you will regain those debonair good looks that turned heads years ago.
- Wholesome ingredients you can trust – Sefoli Men’s Face Cream has passed vigorous microbiological and heavy-metals testing by Underwriters Laboratories, ensuring that it is safe and gentle for use on all skin types. For best results, apply a dime-size amount to clean skin twice a daily. Follow with sunscreen in the morning. While Sefoli Men’s Face Moisturizer contains no synthetic fragrance; sandalwood gives it a pleasant woodsy scent that makes it perfect for use in place of an aftershave.
Profile by Rob Lowe LIFT Anti-Gravity Moisturizer
Most Effective for Anti-Aging
Rob Lowe’s skin somehow defies aging, and he developed this product line to share what he learned about skincare throughout his career. As one of the higher-end options on this list, Profile by Rob Lowe’s LIFT demonstrates visible effects within 15 minutes.
When it comes to quality skincare, insiders insist that you get what you pay for, and this product is no exception. Reviewers confirm a visible reduction in fine lines, improved elasticity, and a firming result.
At $55, it is actually on the lower end of the price range of luxurious anti-aging treatments, typically in the $80 range.
Carefully cultivated ingredients include yerba mate leaf extract, shea butter, and a specific blend of lipids designed to correct age spots and lighten the skin; Paraben and allergen-free.
With a combination of natural oils, this moisturizer goes on smooth and leaves no oily residue behind. It also comes in a travel-friendly size of 1.6 oz with a convenient pump action bottle so you can moisturize on the go.
Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Energizing Moisture Treatment for Men
Best Mid Priced Mid Value Product
This revitalizing face moisturizer takes the top spot for many reasons. Say goodbye to tired and lifeless skin with this face cream infused with caffeine to give your skin a youthful lift.
It also feeds you antioxidants via vitamin C and E. Promotes healthy skin and fight off damage from free radicals with soy and chestnut extract.
Overall, Kiehl’s Facial Fuel is a natural and effective moisturizer is a reasonable price.
Brickell Men’s Products Daily Essential Face Moisturizer
Best for Organic Natural Ingredients
This versatile moisturizing formula is suitable for all skin types, featuring all-natural and organic ingredients.
Green tea and jojoba oil nourish the skin to keep you looking healthy all day. Protect your face from free radical damage and prevent dryness with this simple moisturizer.
Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer
Best Low-Cost Option
This commonly known moisturizer is a simple formula designed to be gentle on sensitive skin. Though not explicitly formulated for men, it will cover the basics for men’s or women’s skin.
A fragrance-free moisturizer that is widely available and suitable for any skin type. If you’re looking for a straightforward and affordable face cream, you can find Cetaphil at drug stores in the $13-18 range.
Baxter of California Oil-Free Face Moisturizer for Men
Best Mattifying Moisturizer
A plant-based moisturizer free of oils, making it highly suitable for oily skin types. If you have oily skin, you may think that using a moisturizer is unnecessary.
However, oily skin can still dry out and is certainly not immune to damage or the effects of aging. A face cream still provides nutrients important protection from day to day wear on your skin.
An oil-free moisturizer like this one is quick-absorbing and features a mattifying effect to avoid excessive shine or residue after application.
Tatcha The Water Gel Moisturizer
Best Moisturizer to “Treat Yo Self”
This luxurious moisturizer is a fancy treat for your skin. If you can’t afford to use it as your daily face lotion, it makes for an exciting occasional splurge.
Stay hydrated and even your skin tone with a delicate balance of rice, algae, and green tea. Infused with Japanese wild rose and, that’s right, 23-karat gold dust, this moisturizer smooths and tightens your skin for a youthful glow.
Rugged & Dapper Skin Fuel for Men
Best for Acne-Prone or Oily Skin
As the name implies, this moisturizer is designed to energize your skin and protect against damage. Although it is suitable for any skin type, it is geared towards oily or acne-prone skin.
Quick absorption leaves your face feeling clean and not greasy. Active ingredients include botanical hyaluronic acid, peptides, jojoba, and aloe vera for a soothing, calming effect.
Neutrogena Men Triple Protect Face Lotion
Best Face Lotion with Sunscreen
This moisturizer works as a reliable daily face lotion for normal to dry skin types. It is designed to soothe irritation after shaving at a great price point.
It features SPF 20 to protect from sun damage, making it great during travel or day-to-day activities. This lotion is not recommended for men with sensitive skin as it features synthetic fragrance, alcohol, and parabens.
Task Essential O2 Active Moisturizer
Best for Normal Skin Type
Task Essential is crafted in Switzerland, featuring natural ingredients. It is designed for normal skin types, having active ingredients such as papaya, algae extracts, and apricot oil.
Although it features oils, it leaves a matte finish on your face. It is not suitable for sensitive skin as it includes parabens and fragrance.
Elemis Daily Moisture Boost
Best Hydrating Moisturizer
This Elemis daily lotion is designed as an aftershave to hydrate dry skin. Green tamanu oil and other natural ingredients keep your face nourished and healthy.
It features a fragrance element, which may be irritating to extra sensitive skin types. However, it is otherwise a versatile formula at a reasonable price for the quality.
At around $30-40, this is one of the more affordable products, formulated with simple ingredients with basic moisturizing results.