Saving face: The best moisturisers for men
Put down the E45: it’s time to treat your skin to something a little more tailored
All products are chosen independently by our editors. Luxury London may earn commission on items purchased.
You spend hours searching for the perfect pair of chinos, your beard is meticulously trimmed down to the millimetre and you’ve got an aftershave collection to rival the Harrods Beauty Hall – so why is your bathroom cabinet still devoid of some proper skincare? Once derided as the preserve of the ‘metrosexual’, men’s skincare has come on leaps and bounds over the past few years, with independent brands and big names alike now offering formulations created specifically for the unique needs of the male complexion. Not sure where to start? Keep things simple by picking up one of the best moisturisers for men.
Tempted just to nab whatever your significant other is using? Stop right there. “Men’s skin is often thicker, oilier, and more prone to irritation [than women’s] due to regular shaving.” explains Patrick Kidd, founder of men’s grooming brand Patricks. “This means it requires skincare that can hydrate without oiliness, deeply cleanse, soothe irritation and provide a barrier for skin without clogging pores.”
If you’re perpetually plagued by five o’clock shadow, Kidd recommends looking for a face cream formulated with soothing actives, such as omegas 3, 6, and 9, green tea extract or arabica coffee extract, which can help relieve the redness and inflammation caused by modern multi-bladed razors. “Shaving also strips the skin of natural oils, which leads to dryness,” adds Kidd. “Deeply moisturising actives, such as squalene, hyaluronic acid, and aquaxyl, help achieve deep hydration, not only allowing your skin to recover but also protecting it for next time.”
More of a hirsute gent? The key to caring for both skin and hair, says Kidd, is to start with a quality face wash that will cleanse without drying the skin beneath your beard. So, put down the Imperial Leather and find yourself something a little less traditional (we like Elemis’ Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash). Step two: apply a moisturiser that matches your skin type. Prone to blemishes and shine? Your skin likely tends towards oiliness. Suffer from fine lines and flakiness? Dryness is your biggest issue.
“For guys with oilier skin, you want to look for something more mattifying that doesn’t add to your skin’s oils. Patricks SL1 Superleggera Moisturiser is perfect for this and comes in a cream gel rather than a serum,” says Kidd. “For those with more balanced to dry skin, you’re going to be on the lookout for something more hydrating, which adds moisture to your skin and creates a barrier, preventing it from drying out. Patricks AM1 Anti-Aging Moisturiser is more up your alley and will keep your skin younger, firmer and healthier looking.”
Best all-round moisturiser for men: Le Labo body cream
For an all-in-one, multi-tasking moisturiser, Le labo’s body cream really does do it all. A rich, thick, buttery formula blending avocado shea butter, coconut oils, basil and a citrusy verbena, it will indulge your skin from top to toe to deliver real results. From hydrating and rescuing dry patches to softening, smoothing and boosting elasticity, it’s the perfect post-shower companion to lather all over. Skin will be left nourished, rejuvinated and smelling utterly divine.
Best moisturiser for facial hair: Shiseido Men Energising Moisturiser Extra Light Fluid
Luxuriously thick creams are all well and good for gents not tending to a bushy beard but, whether you sport a trendy moustache or full Father Christmas-style facial hair, we’re willing to bet you don’t want it weighed down by an overzealous moisturiser. Step forward the light-as-a-feather formula of Shiseido Men’s Energising Moisturiser. Easily absorbed and featuring the antioxidant properties of Japanese Tsubaki extract, it’s suitable for all skin types and promises to hydrate and brighten skin for up to 32 hours.
Best post-shave moisturiser: Aesop Moroccan Neroli post-shave lotion
This gentle, soothing lotion from Australian vegan-friendly skincare brand Aesop will look as good on your bathroom shelf as it feels on your skin. Naturally scented with neroli blossom and sandalwood, it does away with the synthetic ingredients that can further aggravate irritated post-shave skin, leaving skin refreshed, comfortable and gently fragranced.
Best anti-ageing moisturiser for men: Patricks AM1 Anti-Aging Moisturiser
Smile lines and crow’s feet starting to creep in? Time to invest in some powerful anti-aging actives then. Formulated with hydrating hyaluronic acid, collagen-boosting creatine and brightening squalane, as well as nourishing vitamins C and E and omegas 3, 6 and 9, this powerhouse of a product is your one-stop shop for a refreshed, youthful complexion.
Best hydrating moisturiser for men: Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ The Intensive hydrating Complex
Taken from Perricone MD’s top-of-the-line Cold Plasma Plus+ range, this ultra-right, highly-potent moisturiser is packed with active ingredients that promise to quench the skin while combating signs of aging and stress. Don’t let its lightweight, balm-like texture fool you, this multi-tasking product features a bevy of antioxidants, vitamin C and Perricone MD’s in-house hydrating complex to take on everything from dullness and pigmentation to dryness and loss of elasticity. A word to the wise: this one’s unisex – so keep it away from prying eyes.
Best moisturiser for oily skin: Sisley Mattifying Moisturising Skin Care
There are a lot of things that can cause breakouts well into adulthood: a poor diet, your genetic make up, and stress, to name just a few. But, while lifestyle changes are the key to long-lasting improvement, a good moisturiser specifically designed for the needs of oily skin is never going to hurt. Sisley’s mattifying formula features bamboo powder and java tea extract to keep shine at bay, marshmallow extract for hydration, and purifying and astringent actives including benzoin, burdock extract and Lady’s Mantle leaf extract for clearer, fresher looking skin long-term.
Best SPF moisturiser: Kiehl’s Ultra-Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel
Let us be the first to break it to you: SPF shouldn’t be saved just for your two weeks in the sun. Even in the depths of winter, UVA and UVB rays can still work their aging damage on your skin so, trust us, a quick daily application of SPF will pay dividends in the future. This super lightweight aqua gel from OG men’s skincare brand Kiehl’s promises broad spectrum SPF50 protection, along with hydrating antioxidants and anti-pollutant vitamin E, and is sheer enough to be layered with other serums and moisturisers for a super-charged skincare routine.
