For men, moisturising the skin can seem like an unnecessary task exclusive to women. But you need to moisturise your skin just as much as women do—if not more so! Moisturising your skin helps prevent wrinkles and other signs of ageing that appear due to over-dryness and environmental factors, such as pollution and cigarette smoke. If you aren’t already including skin care in your daily routine, it’s time to start paying attention! 

Consider your lifestyle

What are your needs and what do you value? Do you like to be able to put on something quickly in the morning or is a full routine better? Your skin type (including an assessment of any irritation) will also play a role in how you choose products. Avoid using products with alcohol, which can dry out your skin. Use ingredients, such as ceramides, glycerin and hyaluronic acid to help keep moisture locked into your skin. Think about where you live: Dry climates mean that moisturising becomes even more important as does building a skincare routine around combating those conditions and keeping your skin protected against UV damage.

Understand your skin type

Most men have one of three skin types—oily, normal, or dry. If you’re not sure what kind of skin you have, pay attention to your skin throughout the day. Is it normally oily in areas such as your nose and forehead? Dry around your eyes? Normal everywhere else? Once you know where your skin tends to be on the oily side or dry side of things, moisturising becomes a lot easier.

Know your options

There are a lot of moisturisers on the market, but not all of them are right for men. The skin on your face and body is different, so you want to choose a moisturiser that’s designed specifically with your needs in mind. For example, if you have dry skin or need a product that can be used as an aftershave balm, look for a moisturiser designed to hydrate or repair damaged skin. On top of being tailored to men’s skin issues and concerns, most products made with sensitive ingredients will also be free from fragrances and dyes—key ingredients that can irritate sensitive skin. So keep an eye out for those hypoallergenic terms when shopping around.

Use a proper skincare routine

The right skincare routine can prevent dry skin and nourish your face. For men, it’s best to focus on exfoliating, cleansing, toning and moisturising. Exfoliating will remove dead skin cells that can clog pores; cleansers are formulated to penetrate your pores and dissolve dirt, oil and other impurities; toners help balance pH levels on your face; moisturisers lock in moisture so you don’t dry out your skin by washing it off with water. Remember that how you take care of your body is just as important as how you take care of it. It's true of all areas of life: You get out what you put in. So if you want nice skin, start paying attention to what goes on top!

Look out for other issues

I know what you’re thinking: Moisturiser? Where is that on my list of things to do?! I have priorities like family, friends, pets, and a job! Even if you don’t see dry skin as an issue or even part of your life, it is still something we all deal with. Keep in mind that men and women are not just different; we have different needs when it comes to skincare. In order to combat dry skin, it is important to find a moisturiser designed specifically for men. These products typically contain ingredients such as collagen, ceramides, and retinol which can help rejuvenate your skin and reduce ageing effects such as fine lines and wrinkles.

In conclusion

You might not be worried about wrinkles and fine lines, but you should be. Healthy skin comes down to a simple balance of oil and water. Proper hydration keeps skin smooth, elastic, and firm; too much moisture (or not enough) can lead to dryness, itchiness, inflammation and redness. If you’re trying to figure out which moisturiser is best for your skin type—and schedule—look no further than our guide to help find your perfect match.