If there’s one skincare product most guys use these days, it’s a moisturizer. Over the past couple of decades, it has gone from feeling like a bit of an outlier in men’s grooming to the baseline of a solid skincare routine, and we’re all for it. While sunscreen is non-negotiable, a great moisturizer is one of the best investments you can make for your skin’s health and hydration. I’ve spent years testing and recommending everything from dependable drugstore staples and heritage favorites to indie standouts and luxury creams. And one takeaway has remained consistent: not all moisturizers are created equal.
There are excellent moisturizers at every price point, but more often than not, spending a little more gets you additional benefits, whether that’s advanced ingredients, more sophisticated delivery systems, refined textures, or multiple skincare benefits wrapped into a single formula. While some luxury moisturizers climb well past the $100 mark, the picks below represent a handful of premium formulas I believe justify the investment. Alongside two of my personal favorites, three of the grooming industry’s most trusted experts graciously shared the premium moisturizers they also believe are worth the skincare splurge.
Adam Hurly, Grooming Journalist and Blue Print by Adam Hurly Founder
“Really, I can’t say enough good things about the entire Jackfir lineup, but the Classic Daily Facial Moisturizer is where I’d start. It was a game changer when I lived in a city with extremely dry air, and it remains one of my favorite winter creams, night creams, and defenses against indoor heat or relentless air conditioning. It seals in moisture without feeling heavy or oppressive, and I reliably wake up looking healthier, more rested and with a certain ‘aura’ whenever I wear it.
“A little lotion goes a long way, and it has a subtle, clean, woodsy scent. I also admire Jackfir’s commitment to certified-clean, largely organic, vegan formulas. Those aren’t necessarily priorities for me as a consumer, but I appreciate that they actually walk the walk instead of just talking about it. And don’t sleep on Jackfir’s shave cream either — that and the moisturizer are almost always in my grooming arsenal.”
Key ingredients: Squalane hydrates and helps soften fine lines; Niacinamide helps calm skin and minimize the look of pores; Spilanthes Acmella Extract helps firm skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles; Microalgae Extract helps strengthen the skin barrier and defend against environmental stress.
Ian Michael Crumm, Celebrity Esthetician and Boys in Beauty Founder
“Dieux’s Instant Angel is one of my favorite moisturizers of all time (ever since I first heard fellow esthetician Charlotte Palermino rave about it). It’s a moisturizer I look forward to applying, and if you’re going to invest in a higher-end cream, this is one I’d feel good recommending. It walks that rare line between rich and lightweight, giving you the plush, comforting, almost dewy hydration you’d expect from a barrier cream while absorbing surprisingly well instead of just sitting on top of the skin.
“Even though it feels rich, it layers beautifully under SPF (which, if you know me, is non-negotiable), and I especially reach for it when my skin is dry or irritated. The fact that it’s fragrance-free is another big plus, especially for sensitive skin, and the blend of ceramides and peptides means you’re getting both immediate hydration and long-term support for a healthier skin barrier. Win, Win.”
Key ingredients: Ceramides, squalane, and phytosterols replenish the skin barrier and lock in moisture; Peptides help firm skin and soften the look of fine lines; Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide immediate and long-lasting hydration.
Bob Gearing, AKA Beauty Bob, “Regular Guy” Grooming Contributor
“Octo was the first thing I threw in my Dopp kit before a two-month trip to Seattle this summer, and it held up through every gray, rainy day. I kind of love that the brand built its reputation around getting one moisturizer right, because it shows. It feels like a serum and moisturizer wrapped into one: it sinks in fast, and doesn’t leave you feeling greasy or sweaty, which is a huge win for me personally.
“It also introduced me to prickly pear cactus extract, which helps keep skin hydrated sans the heaviness. I’ve since spotted it in products everywhere, but nothing else has replicated what this one does: leaves my skin looking this healthy while feeling so light. My wife, a longtime beauty editor who’s basically tried everything, regularly steals my Octo. (And honestly, that’s probably the only endorsement that matters.) At $135, it’s definitely a splurge, but it’s the one moisturizer I’ve never considered replacing. Plus, the bottle looks pretty damn good sitting on my bathroom counter.”
Key ingredients: Sanoma Leaf Oil hydrates and helps support the skin barrier; Marine Algae Extract provides antioxidant protection; Lactobacillus Ferment helps support a healthy skin microbiome; Prickly Pear Cactus Extract delivers lightweight hydration and soothes skin.
Michael Stefanov, Journalist and InsideHook Contributor
Sometimes a brand is so tried and true that you almost take it for granted. In the luxury grooming world, Dutch stalwart The Grey is one of those. Now, I know many guys aren’t shelling out this much for a moisturizer, but hear me out. Yes, it’s pricey, but you’re getting a true multitasker that hydrates, mattifies, rejuvenates (retinol!), nourishes, and even brightens the under-eye area. I have perennial under-eye bags (thanks, genetics), so I appreciate a moisturizer that also softens the look of crow’s feet and dark circles.
The lightweight, fragrance-free formula absorbs quickly and packs in emollients, peptides, antioxidants, retinol, and even kale. Phew. Immediately after applying, my skin feels incredibly soft with a velvety, mattifying finish. The next morning, my skin looks noticeably healthier, and fine lines seem softened. Two or three pumps, max, from the dispenser are all you need a few days a week when your skin could use a little elevated TLC.
Key ingredients: Retinol helps boost cell turnover and smooth fine lines; Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 supports firmer, smoother-looking skin; Blue Sea Kale & Vitamin C help protect against environmental stress while supporting collagen; CoQ10 provides antioxidant defense
While The Grey is an established favorite, Y Code is a much newer brand that doesn’t feel like it simply jumped on the men’s grooming boom. It took its time getting things right. This is one stellar moisturizer I highly recommend, especially for travel, as I recently put it through its paces on a trip to Germany. Here’s what won me over. First, it’s incredibly lightweight. The lotion-like texture feels soothing to apply, yet never heavy or greasy. I used it morning and night, and it absorbed quickly while calming my skin after long, hot days.
Second, it sort of adapts to your skin thanks to the brand’s algae complex. It manages to leave oily skin more matte without shortchanging drier skin on hydration. I never thought I’d call a moisturizer “surprisingly intuitive,” but here we are. Third, the ingredient list feels thoughtfully curated, from hyaluronic acid to collagen-supporting peptides, showing they’ve packed a lot into what seems like a deceptively simple lotion. Lastly, the sleek metal tube, cool color palette, and overall vibe make it a moisturizer you actually look forward to applying.
Key ingredients: Microalgae helps balance oil and defend against environmental stress; Rice starch controls shine for a matte finish; Hyaluronic acid delivers lasting hydration; Collagen-supporting peptides helps firm and smooth skin.
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