I’ve tried a lot of men’s moisturisers over the years, and a handful genuinely stand out. The best ones don’t just tick a “skincare” box—they feel great to use, sit cleanly on the skin, and actually make a difference day after day.

Our skin is pretty remarkable when you think about it. It stretches, bounces back, and quietly deals with sun, wind, late nights, and everything in between. But time does catch up with all of us, and that’s when a well-made moisturiser earns its keep—helping your skin stay comfortable, elastic, and clear.

The formulas I rate most add hydration without greasiness, soften fine lines, and leave a healthy finish rather than a shiny one. They create a light protective layer that locks in moisture and helps fend off the tell-tale signs of ageing, so your face feels calm, smooth and refreshed from morning to night.

If you’re ready to upgrade your routine, I’ve rounded up options that combine performance with a touch of everyday luxury—no fuss, just results.

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The Best Moisturiser For Men as rated by The Gentleman Magazine in 2025

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream

Best for Ultimate Hydration

From the first swipe it feels like a cool gel-cream that melts on contact—no drag, no stickiness. Fast-acting hydrators like hyaluronic acid and glycerin flood the skin with water, while ceramides and squalane lock it in so comfort lasts for hours, not minutes. The finish is spot on: skin looks fuller and smoother with a soft, healthy sheen—not shiny, never greasy. There’s a quick flash of a barbershop-fresh scent that fades almost instantly, so it won’t compete with your aftershave.

It plays nicely with the rest of your routine, too. It slides under SPF in the morning without pilling and sits cleanly over serums at night. Post-shave, it takes the heat out of redness and tightness, leaving your face calm, touchably soft, and evenly hydrated—dry cheeks feel cushioned, the T-zone stays balanced.

L’Oreal Paris Men Expert Vita Lift 5 Moisturiser

Best for Anti-ageing

This L’Oréal moisturiser uses Pro-Retinol (a gentler retinoid) to refresh skin texture and soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles. The cream itself feels light and spreads easily, sinking in without residue so your face feels comfortable rather than coated. With consistent use, skin looks a touch firmer and smoother—expect a fresh, more even surface after a couple of weeks, with fuller anti-ageing benefits building over 6–8 weeks.

Hydration lasts through the day, so dry patches stay calm while oilier zones don’t turn shiny. It layers cleanly under SPF in the morning and over serums at night, and the finish is soft—not greasy—so it works whether you’re bare-faced or wearing sunscreen.

How to use: start at night with a pea-sized amount, 2–3 times a week, then step up to nightly as your skin adapts. Avoid the immediate eye area unless it’s the dedicated eye version. If you’re newer to retinoids, keep other strong actives (like AHAs/BHAs) to alternate nights at first. Because retinoids can increase sun sensitivity, wear a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ every day—especially on bright days—and reapply if you’re outside. If you experience redness or flaking, reduce frequency until skin settles.

Ren Clarimatte T-Zone Control Cleansing Gel

Best sustainable Moisturiser

This lightweight gel-cream is made for oily and combination skin—the kind that shines by lunchtime or breaks out across the T-zone. It glides on like water, sinks in fast, and leaves a clean, breathable finish so pores don’t feel smothered. Humectants draw in hydration where you need it, while balancing agents help keep excess oil in check. The result is skin that feels comfortably hydrated yet satin-matte, with congestion-prone areas looking calmer and more even over time.

It layers neatly under SPF and makeup without pilling, and it won’t push already-active skin into overdrive. Expect fewer midday touch-ups, less “tight then greasy” rebound, and a smoother surface that plays nicely with primers.

How to use: apply a pea-sized amount after cleansing and any serums, morning and/or night. If you’re breakout-prone, focus on the T-zone and use a little less on drier cheeks. Pair with a non-comedogenic SPF 30+ in the daytime. If you’re also using acids or retinoids, alternate nights at first to avoid over-stripping.

Bonus points: it comes from a brand that puts sustainability front and centre, with mindful packaging choices and responsible sourcing—so you can keep your routine low-waste while keeping shine under control.

Bulldog Skincare Original Men's Moisturiser

Best for Oily skin

Bulldog’s Original Moisturiser is the easy win your routine’s been missing: a clean, non-greasy cream that sinks in fast and keeps skin comfortable all day. The texture is light—not runny—so it spreads smoothly and absorbs in seconds without leaving a film. Skin feels soft and hydrated, not shiny, which makes it a great everyday pick for normal to combination types (and dry cheeks won’t be left tight).

The formula leans on simple, skin-friendly heroes—think soothing aloe vera for hydration, plus plant oils and extracts like camelina and green tea to support the barrier and fend off that dull, fatigued look. The finish is soft and natural, so it layers neatly under SPF in the morning and won’t pill over serums at night. There’s a subtle, fresh scent on application that fades quickly.

How to use: after cleansing, smooth a pea-sized amount over face and neck, morning and/or evening. In the daytime, follow with a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ (Bulldog plays nicely under sunscreen). If you’ve got an oilier T-zone, use a touch less there; if you’re on the drier side, add a hydrating serum first or apply a slightly larger amount at night.

Good to know: it’s vegan and cruelty-free, comes in a generous 100ml size, and offers reliable, no-fuss hydration at a wallet-friendly price—ideal for everyday use or as a dependable backup you can throw in a gym or travel bag.

Bioderma Hydrabio Gel Cream

Best for sensitive skin

Bioderma’s Hydrabio Gel-Crème is a lightweight, sensitive-skin-friendly hydrator that feels like cool water going on—no stickiness, no heavy film. It sinks in fast and leaves a soft, non-greasy finish, so it’s ideal for dehydrated combination skin that wants moisture without extra shine.

Inside, vitamin E helps fend off everyday oxidative stress, while a gentle dose of salicylic acid smooths texture and keeps pores looking clearer over time. You still get proper hydration from humectants, so cheeks feel comfortable and the T-zone stays balanced. It layers cleanly under SPF and makeup and won’t pill over serums.

Good to know: it’s formulated to be hypoallergenic, but it is lightly fragranced. If you’re very reactive to scent, patch-test first or use it as a daytime-only moisturiser. The pump packaging is hygienic and travel-friendly, giving you just the right amount with zero finger-dipping.

How to use: after cleansing, apply a pea-sized amount to face and neck morning and/or night. If you’re using strong actives (retinoids or AHAs/BHAs), alternate evenings at first to keep skin calm. Always follow with a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ in the daytime. For very dry areas, layer a hydrating serum underneath or add a richer cream at night.

What to look for in a men’s moisturiser:

start with skin type—light, oil-free gels for oily or acne-prone skin; richer creams with ceramides and squalane for dry skin; fragrance-free, alcohol-free formulas for sensitive faces. Prioritise proven hydrators like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, and look for niacinamide to calm redness and support the skin barrier (handy post-shave). For daytime, SPF 30+ saves an extra step; for night, skip SPF and focus on repair.

Non-comedogenic is a must if you’re prone to breakouts. Texture matters—fast-absorbing, non-greasy finishes layer better under SPF or aftershave. Finally, consider practicality: pumps or tubes to keep it clean, and sizes you’ll actually finish before the PAO (period after opening) runs out.