The Best Face Moisturizer

[Lusitano]

I think you'll find that petroleum by-products are in a lot of the products that you use, only they're labelled under another name like petrolatum or mineral oil. And I don't worry about it, because there are a lot more important things to worry about. Anyway, just how many studies have been done on the carcinogenic properties of shea butter? None, I'll bet.

I share your opinion of the cosmetic industry, but the problem is that the health food/cosmetic industry is no better. They make wild claims for the benefits of their products (with no proof whatsoever) while also claiming that they have no side effects. That's impossible.

Don't forget that petroleum jelly is produced by men in a lab or factory, using petroleum. And she butter is produced from the shea tree fruit in a way like you produce olive oil, it's very ancient and basic. Are you concerned about using olive oil? I'm not. I'd bet that unrefined shea butter is much safer than a product created to make alot of money.
Shea butter has been used by african tribes for centuries even before Western civilization discovered it.

[Cuttingboard]

I use aloe vera gel at night and in the morning after I shave, followed by Menscience advanced lotion.

[Lusitano]

I use aloe vera gel at night and in the morning after I shave, followed by Menscience advanced lotion.

I also use aloe vera gel every night before bed and it's great

[ChrisS86]

At night:
Just wash with warm water and dry or use a toner of some sort (Thayer's...alcohol free version)...While you sleep your skin is actually hard at work regenerating itself, balancing oil production and expelling impurities. Regular application of creams/moisturizers interferes with these essential tasks, and over time skin becomes less able to care for itself. Use of nighttime moisturizers signals the sebaceous glands to cut down on moisture production, resulting in even drier skin. Over time, skin becomes dependent on moisturizing products just to appear "normal."

For daytime, I highly recommend Dr. Hauschka's Quince or "Light Rose" Creme. They are excellent.

The downside is that Dr. Hauschka's products are $$...Try eBay. Whole Foods etc will sell these for ~$35 or more for a 1oz tube

Trumper's moisturizer is also great.

I think you're onto something. My skin has looked..eh...lately, and I've stopped moisturizing at night just to see if there'd be an improvement. So far, there has been some visible improvement.

That being said, I wonder if it's necessary to moisturize after a shave. My logic is similar to what you posted above (any derms that are on B&B or any others with more knowledge, please correct me). I'm assuming that our skin is constantly repairing itself and trying to maintain constant pH, not just overnight. When we shave, we manually remove some skin with the blade, and the soap creates a lather that emulsifies some facial oils, which are lost when we rinse. Hypothetically, wouldn't it be better to forgo balms and moisturizers and let our skin reproduce the oils that are lost during the shaving process? I'm sure this is going to boil down to YMMV, like almost everything else, but it's just something to think about.

[ru06]

I must add that L'occitane sells amazing shea butter based facial creams. They really work wonderfully and the quality is top shelf.

[The 50 Freak]

I use Ponds Classic cream at night and sometimes during the day if I have real dry skin.

[cdnshaver]

Thanks for all your comments. I have decided to go with MenScience products (even though their expensive).

I got about a months worth of free samples so i will see how it goes. But I can tell you, after using the facewash and moisturizer for just 2 days, my oil production is down on my forehead and nose and my checks and neck aren't flaky and dry.

To comment on the petroleum jelly/Vaseline....go to any dermatologist, and they will tell you the best, most cost effective method for dry skin is petroleum Jelly mixed with 25% aqua (water). But, they don't recommend this for the face. I use this mixture for my hands, knee's and elbows, and it works great. But its too heavy to put on the face.

[Jobol]

Hydrolast balm is amazing stuff also - don't use peppermint near the eyes though.

I would stay away from Hydrolast conditioner for oily skin. This thing is really greasy.

[Pescara]

I use jojoba oil or unrefined coconut oil in the winter.

[Lusitano]

I use jojoba oil or unrefined coconut oil in the winter.

Be careful, coconut oil is comodogenic.

[sfactor23]

Men's Refinery a little pricey, but its good stuff -
also good is Nancy Boy

[fsatsil]

a few drops of jojoba oil is great, moisturizes well, doesnt clog pores, inexpensive, unscented, you can add other essential oils to it for scent and skin care benfits and it absorbs very well and wont leave skin greasy unless over applied

[bluemantra]

I have very oily skin, however, my face still dries out especially after a warm shower. I've been using Nancy Boy's facial moisturizer and it works great for my skin. Doesn't leave a greasy feeling or cause breakouts. It is a really nice product. I have tried some samples of L'Occitanes youth Cade cream with good results, but not as good as Nancy Boy and it's a fraction of the cost. Hope that helped. Oh and my wife now uses the NB and she has very dry skin.

[dirtdog]

Be careful, coconut oil is comodogenic.

good point


If making one’s own skin care products, the best choices of noncomedogenic oils include almond, olive, evening primrose, peanut, safflower, and sunflower oils.

Oils like corn, cottonseed and hydrogenated vegetable oil will occlude the pores somewhat.

Oils made from coconut, cocoa butter, and wheat germ are considered very occlusive.

[bluemantra]

For those who may not know what comodogenic means, it is a fancy word for pimples. A Closed comedone is a "white head" and an open comedone is a "black head". Therefor something that is comodogenic will contribute to acne breakouts or formations of either open or closed comedones.

[Norm501]

I am using Sharps Barber and Shop Daily Prep Tuning Lotion. Very light ... non-greasy ... and not very expensive. Give it a try.

[MikeyV]

Zirh Protect

[Blaser0217]

Sounds like you've already made up your mind, but in case you need a backup, I use Neutrogena for Men Triple Protect Face Lotion. I have oily skin, too, and this stuff goes on light, absorbs quickly and is not sticky or greasy. It's not boutique, but it's inexpensive and pretty widely available, at least around me.

[verdict]

Nivea Creme.

This, or Cetaphil Lotion/Cream. Sometimes the basic stuff just works.

[Cuttingboard]

Thanks for all your comments. I have decided to go with MenScience products (even though their expensive).

I got about a months worth of free samples so i will see how it goes. But I can tell you, after using the facewash and moisturizer for just 2 days, my oil production is down on my forehead and nose and my checks and neck aren't flaky and dry.

I have oily skin also and have been using MenScience for about 6 months now and I really like the quality of their products. I use the advanced face lotion, deodorant, face scrub and face sunscreen.

Following a shave, I use Thayer's Witch Hazel, then aloe gel and then the advanced facial lotion.