Like many men, I spent decades not giving a thought to moisturizing my skin. But now, at age 51, said skin, especially on my face, is feeling dry and just seems to be losing its life at the same time my hair goes gray. Woe, poor me!
Anyway, I think I’ll start the habit of moisturizing. But I don’t know which products are good, and I assume the “6 best moisturizers for men” articles are just advertising.
So, men (or women encouraging their men to moisturize), which brands do you like? What is the right combination of simple, affordable, and effective?
By the way, I’m assuming, because the internet tells me so, that there really is a difference between men’s and women’s moisturizers. If that’s not true, so much the better. I don’t need a product to be called “Bull Dog” to get me to use it, unless it happens to be the best one.
After a years-ago CR review, I have been using Loreal Active Daily Moisturizer…well, daily. I’m subject to dry skin around my nose; has worked quite well for me for 20 years. Not cheap, but a bottle lasts me most of a year.
I keep a bottle of Lubriderm Advanced Therapy lotion in my desk drawer at work for when my face gets all dry. 16 oz. bottle, I don’t know what I paid, it was around $10. It does what I need it to, seems to work well and lasts. A little dab applied to the problem area in the morning or whenever I notice is plenty for the rest of the day.
I and my husband both like Aveeno moisturizer. The “Daily Moisturizing Lotion” variety is unscented, and gets a lot of its goodness from oatmeal. It doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, and is widely available.
I use Purpose Dual Treatment Moisturizer with SPF 15 for my face and head. My wife started getting it for me a few years ago, from Target. I like the no fragrance and un-oily nature of it, and the SPF factor is a bonus.
I recommend Neutrogena. No scent, good price point. Neutrogena Hydra Boost feels really good when applied.
Olay and Aveena are also good products but I think more expensive for essentially the same stuff.
I will also put in a plug for coconut oil (refined). We all use it by melting it in our hands and massaging it into our skin right after washing, whether it’s washing a face or after a shower. Then pat dry. Or air dry. It may seem a little greasy at first but as far as we know it has never left an oily stain on anything. You might smell very slightly like a macaroon with some brands, but that wears off fast.
I absolutely hate anything that makes my face feel greasy or oily after applying so after trying a bunch of them my go to is The Maca Root moisturizer sold at the Body Shop. Seems to be fragrance free and also has some sun protection in there also, SPF15.
If I want something with a mild scent to it I’ll go with Kiehl’s Facial Fuel that smells great. They make it in a SPF version also.
Retired cabinetmaker here. Got way too many solvents on my hands over way too many years, Fingers split and crack like mad in the winter. The only thing that works reliably is Neutragena.
I suggest you read the ingredients and avoid mineral oil, petrolatum, and the like. I once used them for years and while they gave relief for a few hours, eventually they made my skin worse.