11 best moisturisers for men to hydrate and soothe the skin, tried and tested

Horace is the Parisian grooming brand taking over the affordable market. From haircare to body care to skincare, each product is specifically designed for men. This moisturiser is a light gel-cream consistency, meaning coarser skin can easily soak up the nourishing ingredients – provitamin B5 and shea butter, included. The best part? It removes any excess residue, so you’re left feeling matte without compromising on hydration.

A brand we’re sure you know by now, CeraVe is lauded for its no-frills approach to skincare. Non-comedogenic, fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, this moisturiser is great for those who experience irritation when using more complex products. It’s a tried-and-tested blend of ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which is proven to quench thirsty skin. Better yet, you get a massive 236ml, making it great value for money.

If you’re in the market for hydration and rejuvenation (who isn’t?), Q+A’s moisturiser is the one for you. Powered by wonder ingredient hyaluronic acid, as well as rice-bran extract and polyglutamic acid, the trio of moisturising ingredients will strengthen your skin from morning until night – and it’s even gentle enough for those who struggle with sensitivity.

A brand we’re sure needs no introduction, Aesop’s luxurious skincare is widely known for its effective formulas – and this primrose facial hydrating cream is a case in point. One for those with parched complexions, this product’s blend of fatty acids is designed to provide deep hydration with a soft and dewy finish. It’s especially good for those who like the fresh-faced look.

For fuss-free clinical formulas that deliver, The Ordinary is your best bet. With a no-frills approach, the brand concentrates on the success of the product itself – and it shows. This moisturiser, for example, is a potent blend of ingredients naturally found in the skin, including amino acids, ceramides, glycerine, saccharides, and hyaluronic acid, all of which are known for their nourishing effect. After just a few uses of this moisturiser, your skin will look and feel healthier.

If you’re yet to try Tatcha’s skincare, you’re in for a treat. Every formulation feels luxuriously smooth and perfectly gentle – the premium packaging looks great, too. This cream is one of the brand’s best, as it is both lightweight and creamy, yet it’s still perfect for oily skin. A balance of pore-refining botanicals, moisturising superfoods and antioxidants, it’s both calming and balancing. You’ll be left with unblocked pores and a shine-free radiance. It’s a win-win.

Don’t be fooled by the lightweight consistency of Beauty Pie’s super healthy skin. Though it absorbs extremely easily, it also packs a powerful hit of actives that are particularly good for skin that’s feeling a little worse for wear. This formula will fight inflammation, thanks to physavie (a plant-based extract), as well as tackle fine lines and skin damage, with plant stem cells and shea butter. All for just £15 when you sign up for a 60-day free trial with Beauty Pie (or £28 for non-members).

Take a second to imagine how lively you feel after your morning cup of coffee. Enriched with caffeine and vitamin C, this formula will see your skin feeling just as fresh and revitalised. It’s the wake-up call you never knew you needed, so we suggest you add Kiehl’s facial fuel to your toiletry bag, stat. If you need an even bigger boost after a heavy night, simply pop this product in the fridge, for extra depuffing and awakening potential.

If you’re not sure what your skin needs, this brand could help. For a £24.99 per month subscription, you could receive a personalised box of Dermatica skincare products monthly (after a simple online consultation). Or, if you don’t want to subscribe, you can simply buy the products individually – they all come dermatologist-approved. This moisturiser, in particular, contains anti-inflammatory niacinamide, to deliver an even tone, as well as peptides for smoothed fine lines.

If you want your moisturiser to tick the SPF box, too, Hello Sunday’s range of protective ointments should be on your radar. With a combination of antioxidant-rich algae and bisabolol with vitamin C for brightening, as well as the hero ingredient hyaluronic acid, this will care for your skin while also helping to protect it from the sun’s harmful rays. Unlike some others on the market, this lightweight formula won’t leave behind any milky residue or result in pilling.

This product is essentially a one-stop shop for all your skincare needs. It smooths, nourishes, firms, brightens, reduces redness, and, thanks to the inclusion of the brand’s patented NAC Y2 complex, even promotes healthy cell function and collagen production, too. The only downside? It comes with a premium price tag to match.