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These Are the Best Face Moisturizers for Every Guy 

Whether you're searching for your new perfect night mask or have never even used a face moisturizer before, it's time for an upgrade. 

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In our search for the best face moisturizer, it was tough to settle on a single pick because everyone's skin is different. A single moisturizer might not even cover a single person's needs. In fact, we think everyone should use at least two separate moisturizer: one with SPF to protect from the sun during the day, and a heavier cream to use at night. But don't stop there! What if it’s the height of winter and your lightweight moisturizer isn’t shielding you from windburn? What if it's sweltering out and you need something designed to keep your face from getting shiny? No matter what, we've got you. 

We rounded up 10 of our favorites to serve your particular protecting, hydrating, and nourishing needs—with a few bonus picks beyond that, too. We even were so bold as to pick a single best moisturizer, but remember: What’s best for you might be different from the next guy.

How We Tested

With hundreds of great options out there, we had to look at which products would work for the broadest group of people, ranging from skin’s oily levels and sensitivities, as well as seasonality, time of day, and budget. Remember how we suggested you get more than one moisturizer? Well, the guys testing skin care for GQ have got about 30 at any given time. And the ones below are the products that we actually used up all the way, beyond a few standard test drives—something denser in winter and at night, something lightweight and oil-free for workouts or summer (and something with SPF in summer, always).

What We Looked For

We judge each moisturizer through its proper filter: If it’s a dry-skin moisturizer, then someone with oily skin shouldn’t have the final say. If a product feels out of place on a given day, we often give it another chance under different variables. Ultimately, does it wear comfortably, and does skin feel better after application—and moreover, does it improve or stay nourished with continued use? Smart and active ingredients are important, but results win out in the end. 

The Best Moisturizers, At a Glance

  • The Best Moisturizer Overall: Lab Series SPF 35 face lotion, $60
  • The Best Inexpensive Moisturizer: CeraVe SPF 30 moisturizer, $12
  • The Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin: Geologie gel moisturizer, $40
  • The Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin: Anthony oil-free moisturizer, $32
  • The Best SPF Moisturizer: Cardon SPF 30 moisturizer, $22
  • The Best Overnight Moisturizer: Kiehl's omega-rich night cream, $60
  • The Best Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin: Dr. Dennis Gross AHA/BHA daily moisturizer, $72
  • The Best Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin: Neutrogena oil-free moisturizer for sensitive skin, $12
  • The Best Moisturizer for Winter: Lumin moisturizing balm, $23
  • The Best Moisturizing Face Mask: Aesop overnight moisturizing mask, $130

The Best Moisturizer Overall

  • Key Ingredients: Squalane, Algae extract, Wheat germ extract, Chemical SPF
  • Suitable For: All skin types

If there was a one-size-fits-all moisturizer, Lab Series’ SPF-packed product might be it. It’s gentle even on sensitive skin, delivers a matte finish, and calls on numerous botanical extracts to nourish and hydrate even the driest of skin types. It’s chock full of skin-aging antioxidants, and above all that, has SPF 35 to prevent daily damage to skin from UV rays.

The Best Inexpensive Moisturizer

  • Key Ingredients: Ceramides, Hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide, Chemical and Mineral/Zinc SPF
  • Suitable For: All skin types

With a zinc oxide shield and an ultra-hydrating kick from hyaluronic acid, CeraVe's SPF 30 moisturizer is the head of its class (and leads our picks for the best CeraVe products). On top of keeping your skin healthy and hydrated, this formula is also proven to not clog pores or cause breakouts. 

The Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin

  • Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, Squalane, Hyaluronic acid
  • Suitable For: All skin types

This gel moisturizer is like an IV drip for your skin, especially for anyone in dire need of a recharge. It’s got hyaluronic acid and squalane to keep things plump, niacinamide to keep things stronger and smoother, as well as allantoin to calm and nourish irritation.

The Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin

  • Key Ingredients: Sodium PCA, Aloe, Chamomile
  • Suitable For: Normal, combination, and oily skin

My oily-skinned friends, breathe a sigh of relief: This aloe- and chamomile-packed hydrator calms the skin without a bit of added shine. It wears light since it’s oil-free, and is especially good on skin that got a little too much sun.

The Best SPF Moisturizer

  • Key Ingredients: Cactus extract, Chia seed extract, Turmeric, Chemical SPF
  • Suitable For: All skin types

Cardon’s lightweight SPF 30 cream might come in a compact bottle, but a little goes such a long way. It's terrific for people of all skin types, and its not-so-secret ingredient is cactus extract, which soothes and nourishes skin on contact.

The Best Overnight Moisturizer

  • Key Ingredients: Omegas 3 and 6, Shea butter, Squalane
  • Suitable For: All skin types, overnight use

Of all of Kiehl’s best products, this cushioning cream might be our favorite. It feels so soft on contact, and may as well be topical melatonin for how calming it is to apply. It calls on Omegas 3 and 6 to have your skin looking refreshed, alert, and hydrated in the a.m.. 

The Best Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin

  • Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid, Squalane
  • Suitable For: Acne-prone skin, normal and combination skin

By summoning the exfoliating abilities of lactic acid, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid, this daily moisturizer keeps skin smooth, prevents dead cells from getting trapped, and keeps oil from building up inside the pores. It’s a gentler formula than many products that use these active ingredients, but the daily microdose does a lot to prevent pimply problems. 

Check out our other picks for the best Dr. Dennis Gross products.

The Best Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin

  • Key Ingredients: Glycerin, Soybean sterols
  • Suitable For: All skin types, but especially sensitive
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A can't-fail drugstore staple, this oil-free blend is as safe a bet as anyone could want or need. It's non-comedogenic, making it a fit for acne-prone guys, and a fragrance-free formula is also particularly kind to any folks prone to redness and irritation.

The Best Moisturizer for Winter

  • Key Ingredients: Meadowfoam seed oil, Apple extract, Ginger extract
  • Suitable For: Seasonal or temporary dehydration, as well as dry skin

Lumin's dense, nourishing balm is made with a blend of apple and ginger extracts to shield skin from age-accelerating toxins, as well as meadowfoam sea oil to balance the skin's own natural oil levels. It's a terrific option for colder temperatures or for year-round overnight recovery, as well as for people with dry or damaged skin.

The Best Moisturizing Face Mask

  • Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, Vitamin C, Squalane, Vitamin E
  • Suitable For: Dry and normal skin, or temporary/seasonal dehydration

This overnight miracle worker is one of Aesop’s best products. It restores hydration levels and healthy skin tone to dry, damaged, dull, and fatigued skin. It's packed with nourishing vitamins and wears like silk pajamas as you snooze. It’s a bit denser than a normal night moisturizer, and you might feel a little film on your skin in the a.m., but that’s normal with masks. Use it once weekly or as needed for a double dose of nourishment.

There's no single best face moisturizer, but we rounded up 10 of our favorites to serve your particular protecting, hydrating, and nourishing needs. 

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