The 20 Best Face Moisturizers for Men in 2023, Tested by Dermatologists and Grooming Experts

North Carolina-based dermatologist Alex Zeitany, M.D. has been using this fragrance-free, lightweight moisturizer since 2015, and recommends it to their patients for its super-hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid. “Hyaluronic acid can hold over 1000 times its weight in water,” which gives this gel a barely-there feeling while still being a potent moisturizer, she says. Our testers have also used Neugtrogena’s Hydro Boost Face Moisturizer during long runs outside in spring and summer, and found that it kept their mugs hydrated without feeling clogged up, the way other drugstore moisturizers tend to do.

Out testers with darker skin tones also noted that Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost gel hydrated their faces better than any other drugstore moisturizer they’ve tried.

For our testers with sensitive skin, they tried moisturizers with irritating ingredients like added fragrance or exfoliating scrubs. This one from La Roche-Posay received top marks for its soothing, hydrating features.

“The benefits of this oil-free moisturizer are two-fold: it repairs your skin barrier after one hour while also providing all-day hydration without the shine,” says our Grooming Contributor Cristina Montemayor, who has been using this moisturizer since 2020. “The ingredients are wonderfully simple, which makes it great for sensitive skin.”

This is also a go-to moisturizer for Dr. Jeremy Brauer, a dermatologist and founder of Spectrum Skin and Laser. “This product contains a mix of prebiotic thermal water, ceramides, niacinamide and glycerin,” says Brauer, who’s baed in New York City. “It’s gentle enough for almost all skin types and has a thicker consistency, making it great for men’s skin.”

Read more: Best Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin

Moisturizers with SPF provide sunscreen protection as well as hydration, making them a time-saving skincare product for summer. Our sunscreen as well as moisturizer testers have consistently given EltaMD’s face sunscreen top marks for its broad spectrum protection, gentle-yet-ultra-hydrating ingredient, and the fact that it absorbs super easily without leaving much of a white cast.

Massachusetts-based dermatologist Kathleen Joyce, M.D. has been recommending this to her male patients since 2017. “It contains niacinamide which can help with redness and acne and provides a good sunscreen in a very lightweight base,” she says.

Read more: Best Moisturizers With SPF

Testers with oily skin loved Versed’s hybrid moisturizer, which has gel-like consistency that’s as hydrating as some of our favorite anti-aging creams we’ve tried. That makes it ideal for most men, which tend to have thicker, oilier skin than women. Dr. Corey L. Hartman, founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology, has been using this moisturizer for the past three years, and recommends it to his male patients.

“It’s easy to incorporate into my routine and the formula feels nice on the skin,” says Hartman, who’s based in Birmingham, AL. “I have oily and acne-prone skin, so I must really watch what I use and stay away from oils and heavy creams.”

Our testers who used Dew Point for more than three months reported less breakouts, and a overall dewier (pun intended) complexion.

Finding an ultra-hydrating moisturizer for dry skin that won’t clog your skin during hot summer days is a tough find, but after testing dozens of rich creams and gels, our editors landed on Ghost Democracy’s tried-and-true moisturizer. A team of ceramides, panthenol, and seed extracts absorb and retain moisture. It’s oil free, which means it’s much lighter than most of the other dry-skin targeted moisturizers we’ve tried, making it perfect to use year round.

Dermatologist Zeichner has been using this moisturizer since 2020, and recommends it to his patients to “maintain a healthy skin barrier.” He also says, “It’s not greasy, and has oat seed which also protects and hydrates the skin.”

Read more: Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin

Our testers had a hard time finding the right moisturizer for combination skin, since combination is complex. Editors tried to find a product that pleases both the dry and oily parts of your face. We enlisted the help of board-certified dermatologist Dr. Aanand Geria, for his expertise.

“Choose a moisturizer that includes glycerin and hyaluronic acid,” he says. “These two ingredients will hydrate your skin while minimizing oil production and shine.”

Dr. Geria recommends Clinique’s gel-based formula, and tried-and-true product that’s oil-free but hydrating, and is super lightweight, making it ideal for humid and hot weather. Plus it’s long lasting. Our editors loved that it delivers eight hours of hydration that kept their mugs happy all day and night.

“This option is a lightweight gel- lotion being perfect for combination skin,” says Dr. Geria, who has been using this moisturizer since 2021, and recommends it to his male patients. “It contains hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which pulls moisturizer out of the air, pushing it into the skin.”

Read more: Best Moisturizers for Combination Skin

You can’t go wrong with a classic, which is why we always come back to this standby from Kiehl’s. It’s creamy but not heavy and suitable for all skin types, even oily skin. It hydrates your skin all day, even in cold weather, but still won’t leave your mug feeling gunky.

Deputy Editor Christian Gollayan has been using Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream since 2018, and has been his go-to moisturizer for traveling. “It moisturizes my skin without breaking out, and it’s ultra hydrating without clogging my pores,” he says. “That’s why it’s a great travel moisturizer, since it hydrates without irritating in almost any climate I’ve been in.” No wonder it’s the moisturizer that’s supplied at Equinox gyms.

This all-in-one moisturizer comes highly recommended by Dr. Stierman because “it has broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection in a lightweight formula that also contains antioxidants to protect against environmental pollutants and infrared radiation,” she says. Stierman has been using SkinMedica’s Total Defense cream since 2021, and always recommends it to her male patients.

Our older testers loved this combo moisturizer, since it’s much lighter than most of the anti-aging creams they’ve tried. Plus its SPF 34 formula adds an extra layer of skin protection, making this ideal for summer. After a year of testing, one editor says his skin looked firmer and has less dark spots. Yes, it’s expensive, but our editors say that its antioxidant-rich, non-irritating formula is worth the sticker shock.

Read more: Best Anti-Aging Creams

Moisturizing is still important even if you have oily, acne-prone skin. If your skin is too dry, it could actually produce more oil to overcompensate for the lack of moisture. This lightweight moisturizer is specifically designed for acne-prone skin and even contains salicylic acid to help control and prevent breakouts.

Our younger testers who were more prone to break out preferred Cetaphil’s moisturizer to even pricier creams, given its gentle formula that hydrates skin, while still providing acne-fighting ingredients.

Read more: Best Pimple Creams

New York City-based dermatologist Ritu Saini, M.D. recommends a lightweight hyaluronic acid-based moisturizer like this one for guys who want an everyday summer moisturizer. It’s great when worn by itself, but can also be used underneath another moisturizer or sunscreen for extra hydration.

After testing The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid for over one year, our editors found it’s best to use as a serum in winter, under a thicker moisturizer. Come summer time, use it as an everyday moisturizer. One tester found that his skin looked smoother and had less visible wrinkles after using this consistency for six months. Dr. Saini has been using this formula for two years, and recommends to to their patients.

Read more: Best Serums for Men

Go heavy on the ceramides with this moisturizer, which is packed with five different kinds to help strengthen and maintain your skin barrier. It’s suitable for all skin types, but especially good if you have dry or sensitive skin but want a lighter weight option.

Read more: Best Face Washes

Most face moisturizers for daytime use will have some sort of SPF protection. But for nighttime use, SPF is not needed. To optimize your entire hydration routine, Geologie makes a solid duo set that’s easy to use. Before the sun, apply a nickel size of the SPF and reapply every 2-3 hours. After the sun, wash your face then apply a nickel size of the Essential Moisturizer. And wallah, 24/7 hydration!

Read more: Geologie Skincare Review

Somehow both rich and lightweight, this cream is a moisture bomb. It contains three different weights of hyaluronic acid, which sink into your skin at different rates, ensuring your skin stays hydrated for hours…and hours…and hours.

Read more: Best Night Creams for Men