Even the best men’s face moisturisers can’t turn back the clock, however, they can help slow down – or even pause – the effects of time on your skin. A good face moisturiser not only works to hydrate your skin but also provides protection from the elements. Additionally, the best of the bunch offer extra benefits in the form of antioxidants and targeted ingredients like bakuchiol and niacinamide that support overall skin health.
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As with most skincare products, there’s no one size fits all when it comes to the best face moisturisers for men, though a good rule is to have a lightweight moisturiser (with with built-in SPF or paired with a separate SPF) for daytime use and a heavier, more occlusive moisturiser to lock in moisture at night. If you have pretty easy skin and are just looking for a cream that feels nice to apply, the Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Hydrating Cream is a rich, nourishing option. Or, to tackle dark spots and discolouration, a moisturiser with vitamin C like the Sunday Riley CEO Protect + Repair Moisturiser can work wonders. Meanwhile, the French pharmacy options like Bioderma and La Roche Posay offer up straightforward, no-nonsense moisturisers that deliver on what they say on the bottle.
Whether you’re looking to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines or simply keep your mug hydrated, these are the best face moisturisers for men.
1. Medik8 Advanced Day Ultimate Protect
Quite possibly one of our favourite daytime moisturisers, the Medik8 Advanced Day Ultimate Protect does as the name suggests, providing ultimate protection from pretty much every potential skin stressor you can think of. The cosmeceutical formula protects against blue light, infrared light, glycation a process that contributes to saggy skin and premature ageing), and pollution, as well as provides SPF protection against UV exposure. Unlike some formulas that contain SPF, this moisturiser for men is non-greasy and sinks into the skin without leaving a white cast behind.
Best for: all skin types
Brand: Medik8
SPF: Yes
Price: $127 AUD
2. Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto Replenishing Hydrator
When it comes to clinique, bypass the dedicated men’s line and opt for this lightweight oil-free gel cream. Non-greasy and non-sticky, it provides lasting hydration and lightly plumps the skin, reducing the look of any wrinkles and fine lines caused by dehydration. And, the gel cream has a nice cooling sensation on application, making it a great summer moisturiser.
Best for: all skin types
Brand: Clinique
SPF: No
Price: $68 AUD
3. La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo + Acne Moisturiser
This fuss-free French pharmacy find is one of the best face moisturisers for men with oily or acne-prone skin. With a smooth, silky texture, it features salicylic acid and lipyhydroxy acid (LHA) to lightly exfoliate the skin, unclog pores, and eliminate excess sebum. Plus, it contains niacinamide which soothes the skin and reduces any redness.
Best for: oily, combination, acne-prone skin
Brand: La Roche Posay
SPF: No
Price: $26.99 AUD
4. Sunday Riley CEO Protect + Repair Moisturiser
Deeply hydrating yet lightweight and rapidly absorbed, the Sunday Riley CEO Protect + Repair Moisturiser boasts 5% vitamin C to brighten the skin, reduce dark spots, and provide antioxidant protection against free radicals (think pollution and sun exposure). The addition of natural AHAs from caviar lime pearls further helps by gently exfoliating and allowing the vitamin C to penetrate the skin better.
Best for: all skin types, dark spots, discolouration
Brand: Sunday Riley
SPF: No
Price: $93 AUD
5. Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Hydrating Cream
A rich, buttery moisturiser for dry to normal skin types, the Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Hydrating Cream nourishes skin and locks in moisture. Quickly absorbed into the skin, this emollient moisturiser gets to work softening and smoothening the complexion. Like all Aesop products, it comes with the brand’s signature herbaceous fragrance which makes applying this an enjoyable experience (though best avoided by those sensitive to fragrance).
Best for: dry, normal skin
Brand: Aesop
SPF: No
Price: $80 AUD
6. Emma Lewisham Supernatural 72-Hour Crème
Now, your masculinity isn’t so fragile that you’d be deterred by pink and purple packaging, right? We didn’t think so. And it’s a good thing too; the Emma Lewisham Supernatural 72-Hour Crème is loaded with hardworking science-backed active botanicals and peptides that support skin hydration and collagen production while reducing fine lines. A luxuriously rich night cream, a little goes a long way with this one, making the tub last a good few months.
Best for: dry, ageing, normal skin
Brand: Emma Lewisham
SPF: No
Price: $135 AUD
7. Bioderma Sensibio Rich Soothing Cream
Whether your skin is naturally dry and sensitive or you’ve just overdone it on the exfoliation, the Bioderma Sensibio Rich Soothing Cream is the ideal option for skin in need of some hydration and comfort. It quickly soothes the skin, relieves irritation, and alleviates that dry, tight feeling, leaving skin feeling soft and smooth. Plus, it makes for a good face moisturiser during the winter months, protecting against bitter weather and harsh winds.
Best for: sensitive, dry skin
Brand: Bioderma
SPF: No
Price: $19 AUD
8. CeraVe Moisturising Cream
Dermatologists just love this one. A massive economy-sized tub at an affordable price, the CeraVe Moisturising Cream is ideal for most skin types, particularly dry, sensitive skin. With three types of ceramides, it hydrates the skin while strengthening the skin barrier, preventing moisture loss. Its slightly thick texture makes it suitable as a daytime option for particularly dry, sensitive skin or as a night cream for normal skin types.
Best for: normal, dry, sensitive skin
Brand: CeraVe
SPF: No
Price: $22.99 AUD
9. HoliFrog Grand Amino Cushion Cream
Pretty much an all-in-one for your skin, the HoliFrog Grand Amino Cushion Cream is laden with peptides, ceramides, plant oils, and animo acids, as well as niacinamide to soothe irritation and reduce the appearance of pores. Plus, it contains a shelf-stable form of vitamin C to brighten dull skin. Its lightweight texture and skin-supporting properties make it suitable for oily and drier skin types alike.
Best for: all skin types, dull skin, dark spots
Brand: HoliFrog
SPF: No
Price: $89 AUD
Words by John Deckard
