The 10 Best Moisturizers for Men in 2026, According to Grooming Experts

As someone with sensitive skin, La Roche-Posay’s moisturizer is a personal favorite thanks to its calming hydration and formula free from fragrance or harsh additives. Dermatologist Dr. Jeremy Brauer, M.D., also swears by it. He notes its blend of prebiotic thermal water, ceramides, niacinamide, and glycerin makes it gentle enough for nearly every skin type, while the richer texture works especially well for men’s skin.

Testing Notes: I have found that moisturizers designed for sensitive skin can often go overboard on thickness because they’re trying to pack as much moisture into the formula as possible. But as one of the best skincare brands for men with sensitive skin, La Roche-Posay knows better. Out of all the sensitive skin moisturizers I’ve tried, this is the best one for wearing during the day and at night because even though it’s thick, it doesn’t feel heavy on my skin and offers a ton of hydration for how lightweight the formula is.

It also heals as well as it hydrates. Within a few days, I noticed red or rough patches on my face smoothing out. Of course, the fragrance-free factor is perfect for sensitive or easily irritated skin, but also for anyone who just doesn’t like fragrance in their products.

Read More: Best Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin

SPF Moisturizers provide sunscreen protection as well as hydration, making them a time-saving skincare product year-round. Marlowe No. 128 offers the best of both worlds: the feel and hydration of a quality facial moisturizer, along with the sun protection of the best sunscreens out there. Despite its high level of SPF, it’s non-comedogenic and doesn’t clog pores. Plus, it comes in a container that’s at least 50 percent recycled. I declared it the best SPF moisturizer for a reason.

Testing Notes: I love Marlowe's lightweight, non-greasy formula and how quickly it absorbed into our skin. Its blend of nourishing and deeply hydrating ingredients like aloe, green tea, and shea butter leaves skin feeling smooth, refreshed, and balanced. Better yet, it’s only $20, and the tube lasts over a month with daily use.

Read More: Marlowe No. 128 Face Lotion Review

This standby from Kiehl’s is a classic for a reason. 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. Style and Reviews Director Christian Gollayan has been using Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream for nearly a decade, and it 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."

Testing Notes: In terms of generally all-around perfect everyday moisturizers, this one gets top billing because it just does it all. The cream formula strikes the balance between being lightweight but still super moisturizing, and while it looks heavier than many others on this list, I’ve found that it doesn’t feel that way when you’re wearing it.

It’s also ideal for colder weather because it’s rich enough to protect your skin from the drying cold air, but not occlusive or greasy like some other heavy moisturizers. And while it is suitable for all skin types and for pretty much any climate, if you have especially oily skin, you may want to use only a tiny bit (a little goes a long way with this one).

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This lightweight, non-greasy facial moisturizer is suitable for all skin types, but is specifically designed with oily or acne-prone skin in mind. Its formula includes vitamin E, aloe vera, and glycerin, which help soothe and protect the skin while maintaining moisture balance and crucially hydrates without clogging pores. With a quick-absorbing application, matte finish, and oil-free formula, it's an ideal everyday option for those with naturally oily skin.

Testing Notes: I can confirm that the Baxter of California Oil Free Moisturizer absorbs absurdly fast, and doesn't leave any lingering residue or oil, even on sensitive skin. The chamomile and camellia extract (essentially green tea) also helped reduce redness and any inflammation on my face. Not to mention, it's truly fragrance-free, making it perfect for combining with colognes or other fragranced products without the scents clashing.

Read More: Best Moisturizers for Oily Skin

Typically, the main benefit and difference of a night cream compared to a daily moisturizer is that night creams are specifically formulated to work with the skin's natural overnight repair process to provide richer hydration, whereas standard moisturizers are generally lighter and designed for daytime use to maintain the skin’s moisture balance.

Harry's Night Lotion, however, offers up the benefits of both in strides. Thanks to ingredients like glycerin and jojoba, Harry's provides deep hydration overnight and replenishes moisture, while its niacinamide also works to improve the skin's texture and soothe irritation.

Testing Notes: Sure, the Harry's Night Lotion bottles are pretty tiny (1.7 oz), but since you only really need one or two dabs to cover your entire face, the bottles last much longer than their size would suggest. Plus, at under $10 a bottle, you'd be hard-pressed to find a cheaper, more effective option. The only caveat is that it does include some fragrance, it's subtle, but could still prove to be an issue for those extra sensitive.

Read More: Best Night Creams for Men

If you’ve ever dealt with facial redness, you’re probably familiar with Tower 28. But the brand has become synonymous with treating inflamed and sensitive skin that’s prone to redness, and this cream is a prime example of why. Backed by hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and lysine, it’s designed specifically for easily irritated skin.

The hyaluronic acid draws in and retains moisture, ceramides repair and strengthen the skin barrier, and lysine supports healing and reduces irritation. It’s also completely fragrance-free and non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog your pores), so it’s safe for the most sensitive skin. You get all that for under $25.

Testing Notes: As a lifelong pasty Irishman, I’ve tested many moisturizers designed for redness. There have been others that effectively battle the issue and calm my skin, but none at this price point. And very few have been this easy to use. While the container is on the smaller size (only 1.86 oz), this stuff is pretty thick. Not in the feels cakey on your face or leaves it greasy sense, but that you only need to use a little to cover everything. I’ll get months out of this tiny tube.

A good barrier-supporting cream helps strengthen the skin’s natural protective barrier, locking in moisture and defending against environmental stressors to keep skin healthy, hydrated, and resilient. This K-beauty option is the best you’ll find, at less than the cost of a salad in NYC.

The formula is backed by ceramide NP, which helps strengthen and repair the moisture barrier, while vitamin B5 (aka panthenol) hydrates and soothes dry or irritated skin. It’s topped off with succinic acid, which promotes a healthier skin environment. All that in a $14 package.

Testing Notes: Think of barrier support as essentially your skin’s offensive line, helping to block and protect against outside forces attempting to penetrate your skin. In that sense, this option from Rael proves to be the early 90s Dallas Cowboys—offering Hall of Fame protection. Its Great Wall is boosted by a creamy, quick-absorbing application that leaves my skin feeling smooth and healthy with a clearer complexion.

You don't need a moisturizer to be 100 percent natural or organic to be effective—some of the most proven skincare ingredients, including ceramides (barrier repair), niacinamide (brightening and redness reduction), glycerin (hydration), and hyaluronic acid (moisture retention), are often lab-made and highly effective at supporting healthy, hydrated skin. But if your skin tends to appreciate more natural formulas, or you want something a bit more environmentally friendly, Jackfir is the ideal choice.

It’s boosted by natural skin-loving ingredients like squalane, aloe, mushroom, niacinamide, and vitamin C, creating a lightweight moisturizer that delivers lasting hydration and a healthy skin barrier. It’s even EWG Verified—meaning it’s proven to be transparent with its ingredients—and made with at least 70 percent organic ingredients.

Testing Notes: This cream absorbs quickly with no greasy feel and even helps soothe post-shave irritation, not a huge surprise as the brand is responsible for my best overall shave cream. Beyond the soothing feel, it features a relaxing, earthy scent that doesn’t irritate my skin (which can be sensitive to fragrances) and helps support its organic-focused formula.

As someone who cares about the planet, I also appreciate that a portion of all Jackfir sales goes toward planting trees. It’s a bit pricier, sure, but this stuff lasts because you only need to use a little at a time to cover your entire face. Using twice-daily i’ll get close to three months out of one tube. When my beard is longer, I can stretch it even further.

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When the weather gets warmer, thicker moisturizers are going to feel extra-heavy on your skin. This will not only be uncomfortable, but it can also clog your pores and leave your skin feeling greasy. That’s what makes a gel moisturizer like this one so valuable during the summer. Add in aloe vera and green tea—two of the best ingredients at helping skin recover from sun exposure—and you’ve got yourself the perfect solution to long, sunny days.

Testing Notes: As mentioned above, I can get awfully red. This is especially true after extended sun exposure, no matter how diligent I am with sunscreen. Last summer I started using the Versed Dew Point Gel Moisturizer, and it’s been my secret weapon during the warmer months ever since. It feels silky and cooling on my face, absorbing in seconds, while minimizing any inflammation that the daily UVs have created. Plus, it’s under $15, which makes this gel a serious bargain.

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