How do you apply face moisturizer for men?

Typically, you will apply a dime-sized amount to freshly cleansed, dry skin. Apply it in upward, outward motions starting at the middle of the forehead (moving outwards), down the nose, then above the lips across the cheeks, then from the chin, outward. Be gentle, and be sure to apply underneath facial hair too (though thicker beards may require beard or face oils to get beneath the scruff).

How often should men moisturize their faces?

Apply moisturizer at least twice daily—once in the morning and once before bed—but always after cleansing the skin. Any other products, like serums and toners, should be applied before moisturizers, as it is the final step (besides SPF) in any skincare regimen .

Do face moisturizers for men expire?

Check the label of your moisturizer for its shelf life . You will see a little container logo with the amount of time (in months) that it can be used after the first opening. Toss the product if you exceed this time—its ingredients are likely far less proactive and effective if you continue using the product past this date. However, if used twice daily, the moisturizer should run out after 30 to 60 days—so this expiration date will likely never be reached.

The 13 Best Face Moisturizers for Men of 2023

There’s a widely accepted belief that the best moisturizers for men always target oily skin since men tend to produce more sebum in their skin compared to women. And while that theory may hold water, the best men’s moisturizer is never a fully universal pick. That’s because some men have oily skin, some have dry skin, some are acne-prone, and others are sensitive. Some guys prefer an SPF-packed moisturizer, while others get their sun defense from standalone sunscreens. On top of that, the moisturizer you wear to bed is likely different from the moisturizer you wear during the day.

Regardless, make sure you find a hydrator that addresses your specific skin needs. “The key to finding the perfect moisturizer is to base your choice off of your skin type,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross, the name and expert behind Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare. “For my patients with oily or acneic complexions, I recommend oil-free moisturizers with a lighter, water-based texture. Avoid moisturizers with oils as this can clog pores and lead to breakouts,” he says. “If your skin is dry, look for a moisturizer that incorporates ingredients like ceramides to strengthen your moisture barrier and prevent transepidermal water loss.”

Byrdie Researched & Approved

Our best overall pick in face moisturizers for men is the Ursa Major Fortifying Face Balm. It's packed with clean, good-for-you ingredients, like aloe, willow bark extract and vitamin A. We also love the more affordable Bulldog Original Moisturiser, which has a soothing formula that's perfect for sensitive skin.

We conducted hours of research to find the best face moisturizers for men on the market, evaluating them based on their active ingredients and how well they hydrated the skin. With expert recommendations from dermatologists and our editors and after considering dozens of formulas, we landed on these top-rated picks.

Below, our picks for the best moisturizers for men.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Ursa Major Fortifying Face Balm at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Budget:

Bulldog Original Moisturiser at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Drugstore:

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream at Amazon

Jump to Review

Editor’s Pick:

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane

Jump to Review

Best Splurge:

Dr. Barbara Sturm Anti-Aging Face Cream at Nordstrom

Jump to Review

Best With SPF:

Supergoop! Superscreen at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Face Sunscreen:

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Lightweight Wrinkle Defense Sunscreen SPF 30 at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Overnight Moisturizer:

ELEMIS Oxygenating Night Cream at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Acne-Prone Skin:

Ceylon Facial Moisturizer at Ceylonskincare.com

Jump to Review

Best for Oily Skin:

Baxter of California Oil Free Moisturizer at Amazon

Jump to Review

In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Byrdie

4.7

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon View On Dermstore View On Credo Beauty

What We Like

Works on all skin types
Lightweight
Skin feels refreshed

What We Don't Like

May not hydrate very dry skin

With a roster of clean, natural, non-comedogenic ingredients—and a fragrance-free formula at that—Ursa Major sits firmly at the top of this roster. It’s got a universally good blend of soothing aloe, oil-balancing birch sap and witch hazel, carrot seed oil, prickly pear extract, as well as fatty acid- and antioxidant-rich kendi seed oil. It’s a cornucopia of well blended into one bottle and works on all skin types, including the most volatile, sensitive, oily, dry, or acne-prone.

We also love that the formula is 100% vegan, and formulated without parabens, sulfates. or fragrance. Reviewers noted that it felt lightweight on the skin, and it moisturized their complexion without irritation.

Price at time of publish: $34

View On Amazon View On Target View On Walmart

What We Like

Contains antioxidants
Won't irritate sensitive skin
Balancing formula

What We Don't Like

Not ideal for acne-prone skin

Bulldog’s low-cost moisturizer has a nourishing recipe that includes soothing aloe, toning, and stimulating green tea extract, as well as vitamin-E- and antioxidant-rich camelina oil. It’s a great post-shave soother and lacks any synthetic fragrances (meaning it’s much gentler on vulnerable or sensitive skin). Yeah, it might have a bullish name, but Bulldog is rather soft at its core—and calming to the touch.

Price at time of publish: $9

4.7

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Target

What We Like

Lightweight gel texture
Hydrates
Layers well with other products

What We Don't Like

Not cruelty-free

I cannot count the number of times I have needed a good hydrator in a hurry—and I always reach for Neutrogena in a pinch. It’s a low-cost, low-investment, high-reward hydrator loaded with hyaluronic acid for instant and lasting skin hydration. It revives the driest of skin in the driest of seasons but also wears light atop oily and combination skin. It’s part gel, part cream, oil-free, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic—can it be anymore universally appealing? I think not.

Price at time of publish: $20

4.7

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane

Amazon

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Nordstrom

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream Erased My Dry Patches

What We Like

Thick, hydrating consistency
Non-irritating formula
Lightweight

What We Don't Like

Not Byrdie Clean

A savior for dry skin (but equally good on all skin types), this squalane- and glycerin-powered hydrator supercharges the skin’s moisture barrier and keeps it hydrated, even in the most parched climates. (Kiehl’s promises a full 24-hours of hydration if you need it. We recommend a twice-daily application of all moisturizers, either way.) It’s a terrific unisex pick, too, for the same-sex couples (and any couples, for that matter) who share their regimen.

Price at time of publish: $34

What Our Editors Say

"My husband stole this from me years ago and hasn't stopped buying it ever since. He loves the gender-neutral packaging, and the shine-free relief it gives him post-shave." —Leah Wyar, SVP/GM

Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Face Cream

View On Nordstrom View On Sephora View On Revolve

What We Like

Moisturizing formula
Plumps skin
Helps visually fill in fine lines

What We Don't Like

Reviewers note that it has a strong smell

Is there any name in skincare that is more associated with indulgence—not to mention, results? Every Dr. Barbara Sturm product is an anti-aging miracle worker, so you can imagine what this one does, given they named “Super Anti-Aging Face Cream” in a field of superheroes. Take a deep breath and consider just some of the active ingredients in this outstanding cream: Shea butter, glycerin, purslane extract, olive oil, avocado oil, vitamin E, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, plankton extract, panthenol, squalane, sunflower seed oil, lecithin, phytolipids, and more… The trick, then, is deciding if you use the cream at day, night, or both. It’ll magnify its magic if paired with sleep, but it’s also so sinfully luxurious that wearing it by day feels simply divine.

Price at time of publish: $360

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Sephora

What We Like

SPF 40
Formulated to protect against blue light
Leaves a slight glow

What We Don't Like

Not ideal for very oily skin

This broad-spectrum SPF moisturizer doesn’t just protect skin outdoors. It also uses SPF and cerium to shield the skin from the blue light cast from our constant screen usage. The hydrator also uses blue-green algae to shield skin from skin-aging toxins, so all things considered, it’s also an obvious pick for anyone prioritizing anti-aging products.

Price at time of publish: $42

4.7

Dr. Dennis Gross All-Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 Sunscreen

Sephora

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Sephora

What We Like

SPF 30
Won't leave a white cast
Contains antioxidants

What We Don't Like

Can leave skin a little shiny

While it’s not technically a moisturizer, this facial sunscreen from Dr. Dennis Gross (our expert source!) deserves the same time in the sun. You can pair it over top any non-SPF moisturizer for the necessary daily shield against UVA and UVB rays—not to mention, this one utilizes a totally mineral, non-chemical shield (a powerfully protective zinc oxide 16%). It absorbs without a chalky cast and sits invisibly atop the skin while pumping lingonberry and sea buckthorn into the cells for a toxin-thwarting, complexion boost. It is nourishing enough that it may as well be an SPF moisturizer, but technically it’s just a face-friendly sunscreen.

Price at time of publish: $42

ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream

View On Amazon View On Elemis.com

What We Like

Contains antioxidants
Smooths fine lines and wrinkles
A little goes a long way

What We Don't Like

Reviewers note it has a strong smell

ELEMIS’ assortment is juiced up with algae, and its overnight cream is a cornerstone product in that lineup. It utilizes brown and red algae to minimize the impact and damage of UVA/UVB rays, as well as to boost firmness and retain moisture in the skin. Use it to wake up with more alert, plump, taut skin come morning, and to fortify the dermis against the next day’s elements. Use it every night to prevent the onset of fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, roughness, and more.

Price at time of publish: $156

View On Ceylonskincare.com

What We Like

Exfoliates
Hydrates without aggravating acne-prone skin
Makes skin look radiant

What We Don't Like

Not Byrdie Clean

Here’s a hydrator that works well for all skin types but deserves attention from acne-prone types in particular. Ceylon’s formula utilizes glycolic and lactic acids to dissolve dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores, while also promoting a brighter (less dull) complexion. It’s loaded with texture-smoothing and oil-mitigating niacinamide, as well as ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid. The non-comedogenic formula promises to keep pores clear, in addition to promoting a less shiny, less breaky-outy complexion overall.

Price at time of publish: $30

Baxter of California Oil-Free Moisturizer

View On Amazon View On Dermstore

What We Like

Soothes sensitive skin
Hydrates
Good value

What We Don't Like

Not Byrdie Clean

If you have oily skin, then your priority when picking a moisturizer is to find one without oil. Baxter’s oil-free formula is our pick, plus it soothes skin with aloe vera and chamomile, making it a terrific post-shave soothing agent, too. It employs green tea extract to stimulate circulation in the skin and neutralize dangerous free radicals. Plus, it’s a fragrance-free formula, making it ideal for all skin types—not just the oily guys.

Price at time of publish: $27

4.6

Ulta Beauty

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Nordstrom

What We Like

Nourishing formula
Contains antioxidants
Works for dry and oily skin

What We Don't Like

Not Byrdie Clean

Dry skin is no match for the cocoa- and shea butter base in Buttah Skin’s outstanding moisturizer. It combines the two nourishing butters with moisture-boosting hyaluronic acid and nourishing sunflower seed oil. The antioxidant-rich formula wears light on the skin while delivering deep-down nourishment for daily hydration or seasonal resuscitation—whichever form of dryness you’re countering.

Price at time of publish: $19

4.6

Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion with Hyaluronic Acid

Amazon

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Ulta

What We Like

Simple formula
Absorbs quickly
Lightweight

What We Don't Like

Might not be rich enough for very dry skin types

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a dermatologist who doesn’t recommend Cetaphil among the universally best brands for any skincare regimen—and especially for sensitive skin. Its low-cost, fragrance-free formula runs rings around its expensive competition and won’t irritate. It also includes hyaluronic acid for extreme moisture absorption and retention, making it a terrific option for all skin types. Best of all, it’s lightweight, so it wears well under makeup or at the height of summer; it won’t drip away down your face or clog pores.

Price at time of publish: $14

View On Net-a-Porter

What We Like

Plumps skin
Gives skin a glow
Calms redness

What We Don't Like

Contains fragrance

Adipeau wants you to practice “skin fitness” with its face cream, by building a once- or twice-daily regimen centered around its nutritious, skin-plumping product. This stuff makes your skin glow just moments after application, and it promotes a youthful complexion by plugging black ginger extract and safflower seed oil into the skin. The former increases collagen production and boosts firmness, while the latter mitigates clogged pores and treats inflammation. It’s like feeding your skin a nutritious meal on the daily and keeping it looking younger for years to come.

Price at time of publish: $75

Final Verdict

Our top pick is the Ursa Major Fortifying Face Balm for its lightweight, natural, and non-comedogenic formula. We also love the Bulldog Original Moisturiser because it's budget-friendly and is full of ingredients that can hydrate and soothe irritated skin.

Meet the Expert

Dennis Gross, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York. He has been practicing for over 25 years and is a co-founder of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare.

What to Look for in a Face Moisturizer for Men

Be Prescriptive

One more time for the people in the back: You need a moisturizer that matches your skin type. That which works for oily skin is not going to be as effective on dry skin and vice versa. What works on dry skin might make acne-prone guys break out, and what works on most skin types might inflame sensitive skin. If you aren’t sure of your skin type, consult your dermatologist and then shop accordingly.

Get SPF, Somehow

“I always recommend an all-physical SPF of at least 30 SPF as your final step every morning,” Gross says. You can get this from your moisturizer itself, or a nourishing sunscreen (formulated for the face) applied after the moisturizer. “The sun causes 90% of premature aging. Wearing an SPF protects the investment you are making with the rest of your routine,” Gross says.

Separate Day and Night

You might need to have two moisturizers—one for the morning, one for bedtime. “Sometimes daytime moisturizers will combine SPF, which isn’t necessary at night,” Gross says. “Likewise, some nighttime moisturizers may combine retinol, which, pending the formula, shouldn’t be used during the day. You should follow the usage instructions listed on the packaging. If a product is specifically instructed to be used only at nighttime, it likely has ingredients that will make skin sensitive to the sun. While the skin experiences water loss at night, an oil-free formula should still be enough to hydrate the skin. That said, if you lean on the dryer side, I would encourage a thicker formula particularly for nighttime use.”

FAQ

How do you apply face moisturizer for men?

Typically, you will apply a dime-sized amount to freshly cleansed, dry skin. Apply it in upward, outward motions starting at the middle of the forehead (moving outwards), down the nose, then above the lips across the cheeks, then from the chin, outward. Be gentle, and be sure to apply underneath facial hair too (though thicker beards may require beard or face oils to get beneath the scruff).
How often should men moisturize their faces?

Apply moisturizer at least twice daily—once in the morning and once before bed—but always after cleansing the skin. Any other products, like serums and toners, should be applied before moisturizers, as it is the final step (besides SPF) in any skincare regimen.
Do face moisturizers for men expire?

Check the label of your moisturizer for its shelf life. You will see a little container logo with the amount of time (in months) that it can be used after the first opening. Toss the product if you exceed this time—its ingredients are likely far less proactive and effective if you continue using the product past this date. However, if used twice daily, the moisturizer should run out after 30 to 60 days—so this expiration date will likely never be reached.

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Adam Hurly has been covering grooming for almost a decade. He began working for Birchbox in 2013, then became a freelance writer/editor in 2016. Since then, he has written for GQ, Men’s Journal, Men’s Health, Esquire, Gear Patrol, Bloomberg, Men’s Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, and Forbes.

We Researched the Best Face Washes for Men—Here Are Our Top Picks

Updated by Shannon Stubbs

Article Sources

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

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Hixson SM, Parrish CC. Substitution of fish oil with camelina oil and inclusion of camelina meal in diets fed to Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and their effects on growth, tissue lipid classes, and fatty acids. J Anim Sci. 2014;92(3):1055-1067. doi:10.2527/jas.2013-7146
Sudha PN, Rose MH. Beneficial effects of hyaluronic acid. Adv Food Nutr Res. 2014;72:137-176. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-800269-8.00009-9
Huang ZR, Lin YK, Fang JY. Biological and pharmacological activities of squalene and related compounds: potential uses in cosmetic dermatology. Molecules. 2009;14(1):540-554. doi:10.3390/molecules14010540
Kim JH, Lee JE, Kim KH, Kang NJ. Beneficial Effects of Marine Algae-Derived Carbohydrates for Skin Health. Mar Drugs. 2018;16(11):459. doi:10.3390/md16110459
Pangestuti R, Siahaan EA, Kim SK. Photoprotective Substances Derived from Marine Algae. Mar Drugs. 2018;16(11):399. doi:10.3390/md16110399
Tang SC, Yang JH. Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin. Molecules. 2018;23(4):863. doi:10.3390/molecules23040863
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Koch W, Zagórska J, Marzec Z, Kukula-Koch W. Applications of Tea (Camellia sinensis) and its Active Constituents in Cosmetics. Molecules. 2019;24(23):4277. doi:10.3390/molecules24234277
Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1):70. doi:10.3390/ijms19010070

Best Overall

Ursa Major Fortifying Face Balm

Best Budget

Bulldog Original Moisturiser

Best Drugstore

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream with Hyaluronic Acid for Extra-Dry Skin

Editor’s Pick

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane

Best Splurge

Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Face Cream

Best With SPF

Supergoop! Superscreen Daily Moisturizer SPF 40

Best Face Sunscreen

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare All-Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30

Best Overnight Moisturizer

ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Ceylon Facial Moisturizer

Best for Oily Skin

Baxter of California Oil Free Moisturizer

Best for Dry Skin

Buttah Skin CocoShea Revitalizing Cream

Best for Sensitive Skin

Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion with Hyaluronic Acid

Best Anti-Aging

Adipeau Active Face Cream

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