You’ve upgraded from a soap-and-water situation to a great facial cleanser that’ll make your skin feel fresh, but to really get your mug in tip top shape, you need to use a moisturizer every day. Moisturizers are important for keeping your skin hydrated throughout the day to combat everything from dryness and flakiness to shine and oil production. And it’s never too late to start using one

“Moisturizers in general have three types of ingredients: occlusives, humectants, and emollients,” says Joshua Zeichner, Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. “Occlusives form a protective layer over the skin to prevent loss of hydration, while humectants are like sponges that grab onto water and plump the skin, such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid. Emollients, such as natural oils, are ingredients that soften the outer skin layer and smooth rough cells.”

The best moisturizers for men also contain additional ingredients to help strengthen and protect the skin, not just keep it hydrated. Ohio-based dermatologist Sarah Stierman, M.D. recommends multi-tasking moisturizers that contain “niacinamide which is an anti-inflammatory B vitamin that can help stave off blemishes in oiler skin, hyaluronic acid which draws water and holds moisture against the skin, and ceramides which are lipids that help with barrier repair and soothing the skin – very important when you’re shaving regularly.” And, of course, broad-spectrum SPF to protect against the damaging rays of the sun.

All this sounds great, right? But one of the reasons lots of guys skip the all-important moisturizing step is because they don’t like how they feel. Men, including us, tend to avoid things that leave their skin feeling greasy, oily or filmy – which can make finding a moisturizer tricky. Luckily, moisturizers come in all types, even gel. “Gel moisturizers have a high water content, which is why they can be spread fairly quickly and leave little to no tacky finish,” says New York City-based dermatologist Estee Williams, M.D. Typically, what kind of moisturizer you choose depends on your skin type (gels are great for oilier skin, while thicker creams are perfect for dry skin), but the most important thing when choosing a moisturizer is finding one you like using every day. If it just sits in your medicine cabinet, it’s not going to do your face any good.

Luckily, there are thousands of moisturizers out there so finding one that’s perfect for your unique skin is possible. To make it easier, start with this list of the best face moisturizers for men.

Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Face Gel Moisturizer

amazon.com $15.00 BUY IT HERE

North Carolina-based dermatologist Alex Zeitany, M.D. recommends fragrance-free, lightweight moisturizers that are packed with hyaluronic acid, like this one. “Hyaluronic acid can hold over 1000 times its weight in water,” which gives this gel a barely-there feeling while still being a potent moisturizer, she says. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream

kiehls.com $24.00 BUY IT HERE

You can’t go wrong with a classic, which is why we always come back to this standby from Kiehl’s. 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.

Sheer 2.0 Tinted Sunscreen SPF 40

amazon.com $51.00 BUY IT HERE

We love this moisturizer/sunscreen hybrid. Not only does it protect your skin from the sun, but it also “has plankton extract to help repair sun damage and citric acid to promote skin cell renewal to reduce the appearance of age spots, wrinkles and an uneven skin tone,” says Elizabeth Houshmand, M.D., a dermatologist in Dallas, TX.

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Source: menshealth