Best Face Moisturizers For Men – We Review The Top 3 Products
If you have upgraded from the classic soap and water facial cleansing system to a great facial cleanser, you will need a great moisturizer to go along with that.
Moisturizers are essential to the perfect skincare routine, as they prevent your skin from drying out throughout the day, and they help to combat any problems such as flakiness and dryness as well as balancing out oil and shine production.
The best face moisturizers for men will aim to do three tasks: keep the skin hydrated, protecting the skin layers, and strengthen it. Fortunately, companies know that many men do not like the feel of moisturizers on their skin, which is why many of these moisturizers come in a variety of forms, even gels. In this review, we will look at three of the best options on the market, as well as the unique features you should look for in a moisturizer.
Top 3 Face Moisturizers for Men – Comparison Table
Product | Best For | Where To Buy |
Brickell Men’s Daily Essential Face Moisturizer | Combination skin | |
MARLOWE. No. 123 Men’s Facial Moisturizer | Dry and chapped skin | |
Neutrogena Age Fighter Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Moisturizer | Daytime application |
Reviews of the Best Face Moisturizers for Men
1Brickell Men’s Unscented Daily Face Moisturizer (Best for combination skin)
Brickell Men’s skincare products generally aim to fill the gaps in the skincare industry by providing personal care products that are free of allergens and questionable ingredients such as phthalates and parabens.
For men who struggle with dry and flaky skin, as well as oily and combination skin, Brickell Men’s is familiar with the struggle. This unscented face moisturizer dries quickly and is light in its formula, so you will not feel as though your skin is clogged from oils and grease or other ingredients you do not understand. The smooth feel it leaves on your skin will last for many hours at a time, so you will not use much in one day – therefore, the upfront cost of purchasing a bottle is worth the investment.
The formula is exclusively comprised of natural ingredients that are powerful and fast-absorbing, and its packaging includes a TSA-compliant traveling size bottle.
The best face moisturizers for combination skin should aim to be effective yet lightweight. The ingredient list includes jojoba oil and aloe Vera, so it will sooth the skin and keep it healthy at the same time. The inclusion of hyaluronic acid as well will help you fight off the signs of aging, especially around the eyes and mouth.
2MARLOWE. No. 123 Men’s Facial Moisturizer (Best for dry and chapped skin)
Similar to Brickell Men’s products, the MARLOWE No. 123 face moisturizer is thin enough to absorb quickly into your skin without leaving it feeling clogged. The only difference is its ‘outdoors-like’ scent, so it may appeal to your tastes if the idea of ‘manly’ hygiene trends is not exciting to you.
Among its best attributes is that it is excellent for men struggling with chapped and dry skin. This is a particularly common problem in the colder months of the year, as the skin loses its moisture quickly and refuses to absorb any moisture. The formula MARLOWE uses is very persistent yet gentle, so it will gradually work its way into patchy skin and protect it for the rest of the day.
Another feature that makes this moisturizer unique is its affordability and authenticity. The product is realistic for many men, as your main priority may be looking for a cheap option that still works.
3Neutrogena Age Fighter Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer – Best for daytime protection
While drinking water is beneficial for the skin, it is not enough to keep skin hydrated at all times – this is where having a high-quality moisturizer steps in. The Neutrogena Age Fighter retinol moisturizer aims to maintain high moisture levels in your skin, while reducing the appearance of wrinkles and prevent sun damage. This will work excellently if you know your skin feels irritated after being exposed to the sun for a long time.
Thanks to its 3-in-1 formula, it hydrates, moisturizes, and protects the skin from the sun. its hydration ingredients include plenty of multi-vitamins and moisturizing ingredients that are light on your skin, so it will absorb quickly and smoothen your skin to make it healthy and supple. The second benefit is moisturizing, which comes as a benefit from hydration, as well as the addition of sun protection ingredients to give you SPF15 protection.
While its inclusion of sun protection allows you to apply it during the day, it will smell like sunblock creams which will be unappealing for some people.
Criteria to Use When Buying the Best Face Moisturizers for Men
Face moisturizers for men will ensure your face remains firm and energized for longer, while protecting it from toxins that the skin faces daily. While each person’s skin has different needs, men tend to share common qualities in skin structure, and these make certain moisturizers better picks compared to others.
The best time to apply the moisturizer is right after using a men’s face wash, as you will want to clear the face from impurities such as sweat and oil before applying your moisturizer. This will also prevent the face pores from trapping oils and bacteria.
What makes men’s face moisturizers different?
Texture
The typical facial complexion of a man is on the oily side due to more concentrated and larger oil glands, compared to a woman’s facial skin. Additionally, the presence of higher testosterone levels influences men’s skin to produce more oil.
This makes many men’s moisturizers lighter in texture, as many men prefer a lightweight texture to their products, especially during the day. For instance, instead of rich butters, they would prefer watery creams.
Inclusion of ingredients that support the skin barrier
Depending on skin type, the specific ingredients in the best face moisturizers for men will vary. However, despite the unique needs of your skin type, the general recommendation is looking for ingredients that contribute to strengthening and supporting the skin barrier, including aloe, colloidal oats, glycerin, and ceramides.
Many facial moisturizers also double up as great aftershaves that sooth your skin, such as aloe that cools and hydrates your skin barrier.
Active ingredients
Numerous moisturizers for men’s skin will do double duty as well, as they combine the power of rich hydrators with exfoliating, brightening, or oil-balancing ingredients. The specific treatments you go for will depend on your skin type, but many active ingredients will work effectively, such as hydroxyl acids, retinol, and vitamin C.
Additionally, many men will prefer moisturizers that include soothing ingredients, as they have more terminal hairs (hair strands that are thick and strong, as opposed to peach-fuzz hairs), so they may also want ingredients that handle concerns like facial ingrown hairs.
SPF Protection
Unlike what you may assume, facial hair does not do anything to protect you from UVA and UVB rays. Unfortunately, many men have problems distinguishing proper sunscreen and moisturizers, or assume that moisturizers can automatically handle sun protection tasks – for this reason, many of their moisturizer products include SPF ingredients.
What to Consider When Purchasing a Face Moisturizer for Men
Your skin type
Your skin must be the first element to consider before making any decision on the products you will use, so the best results will involve choosing a face cream perfect for your skin type.
There are several skin types, and yours will mainly fall into one of them. They are:
- Oily skin – Your main issue is dealing with clogged pores, so you may experience acne frequently. Therefore, the best moisturizers will be non-comedogenic, as they will not clog your pores further. Additionally, they will reduce the shine on your skin. Avoid moisturizers that contain high-comedogenic ingredients such as marula oil, palm kernel oil, and coconut oil.
- Dry skin – If your skin is prone to flaking, you have an ashy look when you do not moisturize your skin, or you struggle with dryness, ensure to pick a moisturizer that contains humectants and moisture-rich oils. The best face moisturizers for men’s dry skin will reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and mild irritation that dry skin is prone to.
- Combination/normal skin – Normal skin does not struggle with many issues, so you can pick any standard moisturizer that works for you is not formulated for a specific skin type.
- Sensitive skin – For men with sensitive skin, the priority is choosing a delicate moisturizer that is free of fragrances and allergens such as parabens and sulfates. These moisturizers also contain fewer ingredients, which will reduce the chances of irritation occurring.
Whether you want a face cream, serum, lotion, moisturizer, or gel
Although these are marketed as different products, they are essentially the same thing, just in different forms. Therefore, it will not matter the specific form you choose, as the labelling nuances are at the discretion of the manufacturer. Some labels like serum, for instance, may convey a higher-value, more exclusive product, making them pricey compared to face creams.
Whether you want SPF protection
Purchasing a face moisturizer that contains Sun protection is a better option than avoiding sunscreen entirely. However, it is worth noting that SPF in facial moisturizing products is diluted, and most men tend to apply facial skincare products much thinner compared to their sunscreen.
Because of this, it is always best to apply sunscreen alongside your facial moisturizer if you are planning to stay outdoors for extended periods.
Weather
Humidity and climatic conditions have a greater impact on your skin than you realize, and just because you bought a face moisturizing product during the summer, it does not mean it will work well for you during the winter.
During the colder months of the year, the weather also happens to be quite dry, so you will need to protect your skin from chapping and drying out through using a moisture-rich product. However, using the same product in the hotter months of the year such as the summer months will only leave your skin feeling uncomfortably oily.
FAQs
Is it worth it applying face moisturizer at night?
Yes, it is worth it if you want to slow down the aging process on your face. For sun protection goals, apply the moisturizer in the morning. In both cases, you will need to cleanse your face first before application.
What ingredients should I look for in the best face moisturizers for men?
The best options should contain natural oils like coconut and almond oils, as well as natural plant extracts, anti-aging ingredients, Vitamins E, B, and C, and antioxidants.
Does my age matter when choosing a face moisturizer?
No, it does not – age is simply a number. With that said, you may want to consider getting an anti-aging face cream as you grow older, as they contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid that hold a maximum of 1,000 times its weight in water. This makes them very effective at erasing wrinkles and fine lines.
Conclusion
Generally, it is a guarantee that you will find a plethora of face moisturizers for men’s skin to choose from, so your choice will depend on other factors such as your skin type and skincare goals. Regardless of the goal you have in mind and the moisturizer you choose, it is essential to get healthy facial hair and skin.
