Did you know the men’s personal care market is worth £500m in the UK and is growing at a significant rate of around £5m a year? No, neither did we.
Men are now taking greater care of their skin. But the ever-growing number of brands and products on the market can be overwhelming, let alone deciphering the world of chemical formulations all of which have crazy long names. It can be mind-boggling, to say the least. How do you know what to look out for in order to support skin health?
In addition to using a moisturiser on a daily basis, we should all be applying a broad-spectrum UVA/ UVB sunscreen no matter the weather outside and all year round in order to protect against external aggressors and harmful rays that could cause premature ageing and harm our health. That being said, layering up products can make skin feel claggy, shiny, and irritated - but that doesn’t need to be the case.
The good news is that finding a moisturiser with a built-in SPF not only streamlines your skincare routine, but can also actively save you money. Explore products that have a cocktail of other nourishing formulations to support more youthful-looking skin.
We have reached out beyond the world of conventional skincare for men and deep-dived into the innovation in skincare technology to find you the best formulations so that you don’t have to. Bye bye white balling stuck in your stubble or looking like a glazed doughnut and say hello to protected skin with a lovely healthy glow.
Here are our top picks for the best hydrating moisturisers with SPF for men’s skin.
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Medik8 Daily Radiance Vitamin C SPF 30
This British brand produces high-quality products in small batches and is most notably famed for its Vitamin C formulations. This luxurious but light moisturiser not only has an SPF of 30 but contains a combination of nourishing ingredients that hydrate too. The supercharged namesake ingredient has brightening properties and an abundance of antioxidants to ward off free radicals and other pollutive nasties.
High levels of Hyaluronic Acid and Glycerine increase skin moisture, while Vitamin E and a super stable derivative of Vitamin C will brighten and produce a healthy glow.
The texture is silk-like with a mild citronella fragrance that is invigorating and reminiscent of Mediterranean holidays.
Buy now £59.00, Medik8
Horace Mattifying Face Moisturizer SPF30
Horace is the affordable grooming brand every guy needs on their radar. From the cleanser to the haircare range, all of the French label’s products are targeted at helping men’s concerns – this SPF included. Considering the easily absorbed lightweight formula, it’s hard to believe this offers such great protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Better yet, it has a matte finish so you won’t be shiny either.
Buy now £19.00, Horace
Q+A Squalane SPF50 Hydrating Facial Sunscreen 50ml
Though Q+A’s formula feels super lightweight and non-greasy, it actually has impressive hydrating credentials as well as offering broad-spectrum coverage from the sun’s harmful rays. With plant-based squalane, sugar complex and green tea extract, it’s brimming with skin-loving ingredients that will leave you feeling healthy and protected.
Buy now £15.00, Sephora
Byoma Moisturising Gel-Cream SPF 30
Although the first thing you notice about Byoma is its brightly coloured packaging, it’s the effective formulas which impress us time and time again. This SPF, for example, is enriched with hyaluronic acid and beta-glucan which will protect the moisture barrier and deliver a plump finish.
Buy now £14.99, Byoma
Alpha-H Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF 50
This Australian brand uses a potent level of ingredients to create a super lightweight formulation. It contains Pro-Vitamin B5 to retain moisture and Vitamin E to protect against environmental damage. The texture is non-greasy and has a mattifying base for those who may wish to use a concealer on top when breakouts occur.
Slightly pricey at £79, but when you consider its powerhouse of ingredients and the high SPF50, it’s worth considering.
Buy now £35.00, Cult Beauty
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream SPF 30
Kiehl’s is an institution and has a loyal following for a very good reason, its skincare blends active ingredients with botanicals. A true art meets science brand.
The best-selling hydrator now comes as a broad-spectrum SPF version. This rich and dense cream claims 24-hour hydration. It is formulated with Squalane Oil and Antarcticine (a glupo protein) to withstand extreme cold as well as fountain plants to help maintain natural moisture reserves.
It is instantly nourishing, smooths out rough skin and offers exceptional value for money. Best of all, it works with all skin types.
Buy now £55.00, Kiehl’s
La Roche Posay Effacular SPF 30
If you have acne-prone or sensitive skin, this is the one for you. La Roche Posay’s Effacular SPF 30 actively hydrates skin whilst having dual action properties to reduce the appearance of inflamed skin.
The product contains a blemish corrector that actively works to calm and soothe troubled skin. This mattifying cream, whilst having a SPF30, controls shine at the same time. This is a treatment, moisturiser and skin protector all in one.
Buy now £21.90, Boots
Clinique for men SPF21 100ml
At a more budget-friendly price, this cream is super lightweight in texture with zero fragrance. It’s also oil-free and is suitable for all skin types. The product absorbs quickly into the skin and has long-lasting levels of hydration.
The formulation does contain a huge list of ingredients, shame that one of them could not be a slightly higher SPF of 21.
Overall, a good no-fuss product.
Buy now £32.00, Boots
Aesop Proactive Facial Lotion SPF25
This lightweight and rapidly absorbed SPF25 hydrator will appeal if you do not like the feel of a heavy moisturiser. This formulation comes with the quality and wonder we have all come to know and love from Aesop, the aesthetically pleasing celebrity-favourite label.
Your skin will feel hydrated, protected and matte in appearance. It bursting with botanicals of green tea, Panthenol and Vitamin E and has a wonderful herbaceous aroma that feels like an aromatherapy or spa-like experience.
Buy now £45.00, lookfantastic
La Prairie Cellular UV Protection Veil 50 ml SPF50
A duty-free favourite for those who love luxury therapy skincare. This cream is an all-in-one treatment that simultaneously acts as a moisturiser whilst shielding the skin from harmful UV rays.
The cream is formulated to not only protect skin from the sun’s rays but also environmental damage, prolonging the hydrating effects of the moisturiser. It does have a fragrance that may appear quite strong to some. The product is rich and cashmere-like in texture, but does not leave an oily residue. It works to provide a softening and brightening effect.
This cream has an allegiance of followers and is probably best suited for dehydrated/dry skin.
Buy now £190.00, Selfridges
Verdict
For a product that hydrates and protects your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, Medik8 Daily Radiance cream SPF30 is the all-around winner.
It has an impressive list of ingredients that actively boost skin radiance, delivering powerful antioxidant protection for a glowing complexion.
