It’s a no brainer – as we all need to drink water, so does our skin. Hydration is our friend, and as our skin is tackling many and various factors – from external elements such as harsh weather and plenty of air-conditioning, to more internal ones like stress, fatigue and diet.

“The composition of a man’s skin is quite different to a woman’s skin,” Sarah Hudson, aesthetic practitioner and clinical educator, tells news.com.au.

“Men’s skin is about 25 per cent thicker, their collagen is denser, which is why they don’t show signs of ageing as quickly as a woman.”

Men are also likely to suffer from pigmentation or brown spots “mainly due to a man not applying sunscreen on a daily basis”, Sarah said.

“Sunspots can cause the skin to appear 10 years older than it actually is,” she said.

“Due to the hormone testosterone, the oil or sebum production of a man’s skin is thicker and stickier than a woman, causing large pores and an oily shine.”

Using a moisturiser should be as much part of your routine as brushing your teeth(you are doing that, right? Right?). And it doesn’t need to blow your grooming budget. From luxe lotions to budget best-friends, here’s a wrap up of ten of the best.

How we choose products

Our team of experienced writers spend hours researching products to include in articles. We find out what factors make a good product by talking to experts,reviewing test results and analysing  customer reviews. 

OUR TOP PICKS

In this article

• How do I know what moisturiser is best for my skin type?
• Do I need a specific "men's" moisturiser?

BEST MOISTURISER FOR MEN GUIDE

CeraVe Moisturising Lotion 236ml, $16.99, Priceline

What You Need To Know

Beloved globally for its simple, no fuss approach, this moisturiser is the ideal cheap and cheerful buy.

Lightweight and oil-free, it hydrates the skin while also protecting and strengthening the skin’s natural barrier. It is made from three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid so you can be sure your skin will stay happy and hydrated throughout the day.

You can use this pick both morning and nights too. A true workhorse.

It is also loved on TikTok. The #ceravemoisturiser has over 31.5 million views.

Plus, on Google it has over 28,000 reviews and is currently sitting at a 4.7 star rating.

“It doesn’t break me out, isn’t heavy, and gets the job done. Plus, it absorbs into the skin quickly,” wrote one five-star review.

Others rave about how “simple” and “easy to use” this moisturiser is.

“Perfectly simple. This lotion is no fuss and keeps my skin feeling plump and hydrated,” wrote another five-star review.

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Clinique For Men Anti Age Moisturizer 100ml, $83, at Myer

What you need to know

Clinique knows skincare, and has done so for a long time. Its complete range of men’s grooming products is worth checking out, but if you’re going to do just one, make it this little beauty which hydrates and tackles the appearance of fine lines. Bonus: it’s fragrance-free which means it won’t go into battle with your favourite cologne.

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The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA 100 ml, $22.30, at Adore Beauty 

What you need to know

The Ordinary delivers great skin solutions with an equally fantastic price point, and this all-rounder is a good one to add to your kit. It combines a suite of hydrating acids – think amino, hyaluronic and fatty acids – that help double up on your skin’s own moisture-securing elements to make sure you’ll never dry out.

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Natio For Men SPF50+ Face Moisturiser 100g, $15.36, Amazon Australia

What You Need To Know

Formulated with aloe vera and formidable UVA/UVB broad spectrum sunscreen, this cruelty-free, Australian-made lotion is just the thing for daylong moisture and protection. Beloved for its non-greasy, quick-dry texture shoppers say it is “good for everyday use”.

“Great product, not greasy and barely know you’ve applied it. Handy everyday moisturiser,” one five star review reads.

Always read the label and follow directions for use. Prolonged high-risk sun exposure should be avoided. Frequent reapplication or use in accordance with directions is required for effective sun protection

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Hunter Lab Daily Face Fuel 100ml, $54, at Oz Hair and Beauty

What you need to know

This elegant offering is really like a grocery shopping basket full of ingredients. There’s macadamia seed oil, which brings plenty of useful fatty acids to the table, as well as passionfruit seed oil that has its own gifts to share – namely vitamins C and E, as well as plenty of antioxidants. One of its big secret weapons is wakame extract. A type of seaweed, wakame is a kind of wonder-product that skin loves, as it helps keep collagen and elastin to flourish, and they help your face look great.

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Charles + Lee Moisturiser SPF, $30, THE ICONIC

What You Need To Know

This facial moisturiser with SPF15 is formulated to deeply hydrate skin.

Packed with powerful natural ingredients, including shea butter, olive oil, camomile and aloe vera to soften and smooth; and vitamin E, collagen and elastin to boost skin’s elasticity, it’s everything you could ask from a daily moisturiser – not to mention, with Moroccan Oil, and just the hint of vanilla, lemon and mint, it smells utterly divine.

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asap Hydrating Defence SPF50+ 75ml, $44.80 (down from $64), Look Fantastic

What You Need To Know

Made from a non whitening or shine formulation, their Moisturising Daily Defence SPF50+ offers broad spectrum protection while hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Throw in niacinamide or vitamin B3, ideal for preventing pigmentation and promoting elasticity, and this little tube does wonders for the unique characteristics of male skin.

Sitting just shy of a five-star rating with over 100 reviews, a five-star review found on Google said it all: “This is without doubt the best moisturiser and sunscreen I’ve ever used. It feels so dewy on the skin and has a very slight tint and glow when applied. It certainly doesn’t leave your skin feeling greasy at all!”

Always read the label and follow directions for use. Prolonged high-risk sun exposure should be avoided. Frequent reapplication or use in accordance with directions is required for effective sun protection

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Aesop Mandarin Facial Hydrating Cream 60ml, $59, at Myer

What you need to know 

This Australian powerhouse of a skincare company has a solution for everything, and this moisturiser, with a veritable fruit salad of oils – lemon and tangerine join the titular mandarin – does all it can to brighten and keep your skin hydrated. As one commenter noted, “It’s going on my long-term shopping list”. It’s a lightweight option so is a good one to consider if your skin is on the oilier side. A perennial fave.

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Lab Series Instant Fix Color Correcting 50ml Moisturiser, $70, at Myer 

What you need to know 

Lab Series has been in the skincare game since the 1980s. As well as the usual vitamins and other hydration-loving ingredients, this product is also a colour corrector that will reduce any redness on your dial, and tackle any dullness to make you look like you’ve had plenty of sleep and are basically living the wellness lifestyle, and really, isn’t that the sort of trick we try to pull off every day?

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Weleda Men's Moisturising Cream 30ml, $22.95, at Amazon Australia

What you need to know

This well-loved moisturiser packs a big punch. Sesame seed oil is one of the additives, and it contains the ever-helpful fatty acids as well as vitamin E that’s a great protector for your skin. There’s also marshmallow root extract which is known for its antibacterial properties. As one commenter happily said in a review: “I bought this for my dad who hates moisturising, and he uses this everyday!”

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Bulldog Skincare for Men Age Defence Moisturiser with Marine Algae 100ml, $11.99, at Amazon 

What you need to know 

Bulldog is the quiet achiever that you may see every day but not necessarily give much attention. You should. The UK company may not shout it but an emphasis on creating cruelty-free, vegan-certified skincare is part of the company’s agenda. And while this product is aimed at mature skin, there’s plenty in it that all skin types will benefit from, including marine algae which can work similarly to hyaluronic acid in that it works to lock in hydration, and is thought to be a boon for oily skin.

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Baxter of California 120ml, $60, at Myer

What you need to know

Baxter of California is, like, totally cool. In all seriousness, the brand has a great suite of guys’ products. Their moisturiser is one of the brand’s stalwart bestsellers, built around glycerine (another moisture-locker) and vitamin E, and absorbs quickly. Another big plus is that it's fragrance free, which seals the deal for many guys. As one succinct commenter said online: “I'm not left smelling like a coconut after applying it”. Well, that’s that, then.

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Tonymoly The Chok Chok Green Tea Watery 60ml Cream, $36 (down from $45), at Myer

What you need to know

Looking for something a little more unique to use as your signature moisturiser? This South Korean company has gone gangbusters since launching in 2006. Coming from the country that loves its skincare, it’s a great one to sample for something different. The name says it all – it features a huge amount of green tea extract, which is full of nutrients and antioxidants. Online reviewers praise how quickly it absorbs and how non-greasy it is to apply.

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Sage & Zinc Facial Hydrating Cream SPF15, $57, Aesop

What You Need To Know

No doubt you’ve at least walked past one of these innovatively-designed storefronts, the luxurious botanical scents catching your nose. This Australia-born, now global skincare brand is beloved for their botanical and mineral-infused products redefining luxury skincare. And this particular facial cream? No exception.

Suited to most skin types, particularly dry skin, this formulation includes mineral-based zinc oxide, which forms a barrier to reflect sunlight (without clogging pores!); and calming botanicals, including sage leaf, to hydrate thirsty skin.

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How do I know what moisturiser is best for my skin type?

This is the million dollar question, and it may take sampling one or two moisturisers to find one that’s a good match for your skin.

If your skin is particularly dry, those which feature ingredients chosen to lock in hydration, and to encourage your skin to do so also, are the best. Think additions such as hyaluronic  acid, and naturally derived oils.

And despite what you may think, oily skin still needs moisture even though it appears like it has more than it needs! For this sort of complexion, look for lighter moisturisers, and those with ingredients that won’t clog your pores. It may be better to avoid those that include oils, and also look for any that are water based. Many of the brands here offer serums as well as moisturisers, another lighter option worth considering.

Do I need a specific "men's" moisturiser?

Not at all – the key takeaway when it comes to discussing moisturisers is that it’s all about the ingredients. Elements such as natural oils, hyaluronic acid, seaweed, etc are basically unisex! So use your skin type as a base (see above) and go from there.

Of course, there are also factors such as fragrance – so that may play a role in which one you choose. But at the end of the day, as long as you’ve found a moisturiser which makes your skin feel a million bucks, that’s the main thing! Go forth, gents – you’ve got this.

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To save even more on beauty products, check out news.com.au Coupons for the best discounts and deals at stores like Adore Beauty, Sephora, Myer, The Ordinary, The Iconic and more.

Sarah Hudson

Sarah Hudson is an aesthetic practitioner and clinical educator with more than 25 years experience. You can book an initial skin analysis here, and uncover more of her work on her Instagram and Facebook profiles

Cameron Bayley is a lifestyle journalist who has worked across fashion, grooming and style during his 15-plus years in publishing, creating content for brands such as Myer and Westfield. He’s been published in the Sydney Morning Herald, Men’s Style and Manuscript, among others, and keeps a discerning eye across everything sartorial and skincare related.