The Best Lotions for Men

A snapshot of the top moisturizers for fewer wrinkles, firmer skin, and silkier facial hair

Trying to find a healthful and nourishing moisturizer for your face, hands, and body is like standing in pastry shop. Some look delicious, but maybe not so healthy. Some look healthy, but what the heck is that filling made out of? And why are they all so sticky? 

With so many choices designed to appeal to your senses, it’s tough to find the best lotions for men. Wouldn’t it be nice if you had a little help?

That’s where we come in. You don’t need to have a closet dedicated to face, hand, foot, and body creams, plus an array of beard oils, aftershaves, and cologne.

If you know what to look for, you can find alimentative moisturizers that give new life to the most exposed parts of your body in one fell swoop. Let’s get to learning about the best lotions for men – if you’re just looking for recommendations, skip to the bottom of this page!

First Things First: What to Look for in a Moisturizer

So, we know that you want a moisturizer that nourishes and hydrates your skin. After all, your skin is your body’s first line of defense. You want to make sure it has all the right nutrients to keep it looking healthy and youthful, without any of the harmful chemicals that destroy its natural protection.

We also understand that men face a unique set of challenges, especially when it comes to finding a moisturizer that won’t irritate and clog your hair follicles. Here’s a quick overview of what to look for in the best lotion for men, and what to avoid.

Step 1: Ingredients to Avoid

The best lotions for men don’t use artificial scents (how do they know what “anarchy” or “deep space” smells like, anyway?). They don’t use brightly colored dyes or alcohol to add a “weightless” feeling. In other words, they don’t have:

• Parabens
• Phthalates (used to create synthetic fragrance – and to melt PVC pipe)
• Alcohols (such as isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, methanol, ethyl alcohol, SD alcohol, etc.)
• Coal-tar or petroleum based dyes
• Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) (a known carcinogen)
• Retinyl palmitate (caused tumors – a lot of tumors – in mice after exposure to sunlight)
• Comedogenic (or pore-clogging) oils

Why do we bother to bring up ingredients that aren’t found in the best lotions for men? Because they are frighteningly common in many lotion brands.

Step 2: Ingredients to Enjoy in the Best Lotions for Men

In order to achieve healthy, handsome skin, you’ll want to look for brands that:

• Are vegan or cruelty-free
• Use organic essential oils for fragrance, or no fragrance at all
• Use non-comedogenic oils that provide skin and hair with nutrients, such as jojoba oil and argan oil
• Use naturally lightweight, non-comedogenic bases, like shea butter
• Are packed with vitamins and antioxidants to help repair skin damaged by shaving
• Have built-in SPF to ward off UV damage

You’ll find all kinds of soothing, moisturizing goodness in the cruelty-free brands below.

Our Picks for the Best Face Lotions for Men

Rocky Mountain Soap Co. Men’s Face Cream

Cruelty-Free, Vegan, Free of Parabens, Phthalates, Glycols, Sulfates, Triclosan, and more
Rocky Mountain Soap Co. understands men’s need to have lightweight, non-comedogenic oils that protect their skin and facial fair. That’s why they’ve utilized the uniquely antioxidant rich oils of pomegranate, soothing black oat, and babassu oil to enrich your skin’s health.

This vegan product made our list of best lotions for men because it’s amazing for men who shave, too. Shaving can damage and dry out skin that may already be irritated by your ever-persistent stubble. Antioxidant-rich oils help repair this damage as oats soothe razor burn.

Captain Blackenship’s Sailor Blue Deep Face Moisturizer

Leaping Bunny Certified Cruelty-Free, Certified B-Corp
This impressive earth-loving brand manages to jam-pack this face moisturizer full of antioxidants, vitamin C, and vitamin E, from entirely natural sources. Naturally lightweight jojoba oil mimics your skin’s natural sebum (or oil), letting your pores know there’s no reason to work overtime.

If you like to smell as fresh as your skin feels, you’ll love the meadow-fresh scent of Sailor. This lotion is sweetened with the natural aroma of musky bergamot, soothing chamomile, and vetiver essential oil.

Brickell Men’s Daily Defense Face Moisturizer

Cruelty-Free, High Volume of Organic Ingredients
A top performing daily moisturizer, this Daily Defense Face Moisturizer uses zinc-based SPF 15 to ensure protection from UV damage lasts all day. If you suffer from excessively oily skin, this is among the best lotion for men who are hesitant to slap more oils their faces.

In this fragrance-free formulation, Brickell moisturizes skin using calming aloe vera. Ultra-light green tea extract and vitamin E nourish your skin, fighting free radicals that cause fine lines and wrinkles.

Our Picks for the Best Body Moisturizers for Men

Sam’s Natural After Shower Dry Oil

Certified Vegan, Certified Cruelty-Free, Eco-Friendly, Sustainable Packaging, Paraben-Free, Phthalate-Free, Propylene-Glycol-Free
Sam’s Natural has an amazing line of products for men with sensitive skin, or who are simply health- and eco-conscious. This After Shower Dry Oil may provide intensive skin repair for men with excessively dry skin. Moreover, it’s scented with spicy bay leaf essential oil for an exhilarating fresh-out-of-the-show aroma.

After Shower Dry Oil isn’t your traditional greasy moisturizer. It’s chock full of luxurious oils that are quickly absorbed by the skin (hence the term dry oil). It uses the power of sunflower oil, peach kernel oil, a variety of nut oils (nut allergies, beware), meadowfoam seed oil, and itch-relieving aloe vera to hydrate the skin without the slimy feeling of most lotions.

Bulldog Skincare for Men Original Moisturizer

Cruelty-Free, Sustainable Packaging
Bulldog makes a great all-purpose moisturizer for everyday use on normal skin. For fresh, hydrated skin, this product the perfect morning and evening moisturizer. It made the list of best lotions for men due to its all around comfort and effectiveness.

Green tea extract and aloe vera help keep the skin looking wrinkle-free and firm. Reviews tout a “baby butt smooth” feeling, which is pleasant for you and your loved one. Its fragrance is mild and made of all natural ingredients. Best of all, this moisturizer doesn’t leave that sticky feeling. It is quickly absorbed, leaving your skin feeling smooth and dry after just a few minutes.