1. Start with the Skin in the Mirror

Even if your skin is oilier than Pat Riley's hair, you need moisturizer. “Yes, men tend to be a little more oily and sweaty than women,” says dermatologist Terrence Keaney, M.D. “But it's a myth that men don't need to moisturize.” Get a bead on what you do have: Is your skin oily, Sahara-dry, or somewhere in between? If in doubt, ask your dermatologist. (Get one of those first.)

2. Read More Than Just the Price Tag

“You can break moisturizer down by ingredient,” says Dr. Keaney. Ointments and creams use oil and water; the more oil, the thicker they are. Use them for drier skin. Many alcohol-infused moisturizers (words to look for: gel, mattifying) are lighter options. Alcohol sounds like a bad idea, but if you're greasy or sweaty, it'll help dry you out—the opposite of booze's regular purpose.

3. Moisturize Like You Brush Your Teeth

Twice a day, at least. First, right after you shave. “Shaving is fairly traumatic,” says Dr. Keaney. “That blade strips away some oil and the dead skin that protects the skin.” Use something on the lighter side. But when you re-up before bed, try a heavier cream that will last you all night.

4. Then Apply, Apply, Apply Again

Just showered after a midday workout? Moisturize. Been strolling around in the cold or in Death Valley temps? Do it again. Shaved midday? You know the drill. You can't really overdo it on the moisturizer front. (Well, you can: If you're breaking out, ease up to once a day, or less.)

5. Don't Believe the SPF Lies

Sunblock is to dermatologists what floss is to dentists. But lotions bragging about built-in SPF 15 aren't the answer. “They give a false sense of security,” says Dr. Keaney. You need a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or better to keep skin-cooking UV rays at bay, which means a separate sunblock specifically formulated for your grill.

Ever stolen any grooming products from a girlfriend?

Once. A friend left her coconut oil at my house after a Bible-study session. (My mom reads this column.) One day I put a little in my hair. The thought: She has incredible hair—and I’d like incredible hair. And then I did. My hair was soft and moisturized but not greasy, and smelled great. Not nearly as sweet as you’d think. Study friend, I owe you a replacement jar. Mom, if you’re reading, bless you.

Your Mug’s Four New Best FriendsThe Sun Screener

Clinique for Men UV Defense isn't a moisturizer but a lightweight SPF 50 designed to layer over your lotion without clogging your pores.

$29.50 | 1 oz. | clinique.com

The Everyday Go-To

Buckler's Daily Face Repair mixes up a whole laundry list of natural skin-damage-fighting ingredients like aloe and calendula.

$42 | 4 oz. | themotley.com

The Gym Bud

Recipe for Men Anti-Shine Moisturizer is both lightweight and mattifying—moisture-ese for “won't make your face look oil-slick shiny.”

$37 | 2.5 oz. | recipeformenusa.com

The Overnight Guest

For the dry-skinned, Lab Series' Age Rescue+ Water-Charged Gel Cream is all-day-worthy. For the rest of us, it's a pre-sleep layer.

$50 | 1.7 oz. | labseries.com

Sam Schube is the GQ Sports director. He began working at GQ in 2014 as an editorial assistant, and in the years since has assigned and edited features and profiles, written stories about subjects ranging from Johnny Knoxville to professional golf's existential crisis, and worked on all manner of magazine... Read moreGQ Sports DirectorXInstagramRelated Stories for GQSkincareGrooming