The 15 Best Foundations for Mature Skin

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Aging might be a wonderful beauty—with each year being a small-yet-meaningful badge of honor—but it does require us to take an audit on our cosmetics. As we get older, we trade in our obsession with hormonal acne and teenage-style breakouts for a thoughtful plan to combat discoloration, fine lines, and wrinkles.

"The skin thins as we age, and cell turnover slows," explains Dr. Ashley Magovern, board certified dermatologist and medical advisor for Dermstore. "When cell turnover slows down, we tend to accumulate dead skin cells on top. These dead skin cells impart a dull and rough look to the skin. We lose the ability to hold on to moisture, and collagen and elastin decreases, which makes the skin more prone to fine lines, wrinkles, and laxity." The right tightening creams and facial devices can help ward off and even reverse some of these signs of aging, but if you're looking to wear makeup, it all starts with a foundation built with mature skin in mind.

While you don't need much for mature skin—celebrity makeup artist Elaina Badro says tinted moisturizer is great regular use—you will need to double down on moisturizing, nourishing ingredients. "Hydrating formulas are great for mature skin that tends to be dry," she explains. "Ingredients such as niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and Vitamin C are great for mature skin."

That said, there are so many finishes, formulas, and shades to choose from, so where to begin? To help, we hand-picked the foundations for mature skin that shoppers and beauty experts love. Regardless of which formula you pick, one thing's for sure: Growing up has never looked so good.

Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation

Beloved by every makeup artist, beauty editor, and celebrity, this iconic foundation leaves the most skin-like, glowing, natural finish, never settling into fine lines. The medium coverage is buildable without feeling heavy or cakey.

Customer Review:

"Lightweight and buildable coverage. Goes on so silky. Best foundation and worth every cent!" —Lids0621

Airbrush Flawless Longwear Foundation

As the name Airbrush Flawless implies, this foundation is full coverage and leaves a matte finish—but it's never drying. In fact, it's actually a serum-foundation hybrid, with ingredients that help hydrate the skin and reduce wrinkles. If you're looking for a waterproof, sweatproof, life-proof option that looks as great on camera as it does in real life, this is it.

Customer Review:

"This is seriously the best foundation I have put on my face. I’m 33 and have some fine lines and it doesn’t accentuate them. It literally goes on like silk. I see what all the fuss is about! Amazing product!" —Jmontague4

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Instant Perfector 4-In-1 Glow Makeup

Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation

Specifically designed for mature skin, this lightweight foundation hydrates and evens skin (thanks to glycerin and niacinamide) while also protecting it from future damage with SPF 50 sunscreen.

Customer Review:

"This is the most beautiful foundation in the world. It makes my skin look glowing but natural, airbrushed and gorgeous." —Madelyn

Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation

If you prefer something a little more mattifying, try Estée Lauder's iconic Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation. Available in more than 55 shades, the buildable medium-coverage formula is genius for covering sun and age spots while leaving skin looking naturally flawless.

Customer Review:

"Double wear is always going to be my holy grail foundation. The color match, the staying power, everything is perfect with this foundation. I hope they never change it." —Cee90

SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation

Maybe you don't like to wear a full face of foundation every day—and that's totally fine, as long as you're still wearing sunscreen. This new tinted sunscreen from Tower 28 Beauty is the best of both worlds: It's incredibly hydrating and dewy, with a buildable light-to-medium coverage and mineral SPF 30 protection that's safe for sensitive skin.

Customer Review:

"I am fully in love with this product, it melds into my routine any time of the year (I have dry skin) and has become a reliable go-to complexion staple." —The SubtleSiren

Forever Skin Glow Foundation SPF 35

If radiance is what you're after, Dior's Forever Skin Glow Foundation with SPF 35 is your pick. The base is made with 80 percent skincare ingredients, so your skin will stay hydrated and glowy for up to 24 hours. A little goes a long way with the medium coverage.

Customer Review:

"It is absolutely perfect!! It has a perfect skin-like finish and I always look so glowy when I wear it. It doesn't look like I'm wearing any foundation and I've gotten compliments on how glowy my skin is!" —NameinLights

Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation

We've never used a full-coverage foundation that looked as natural, glowy, or fresh as this one from NARS. It's lightweight but still packs a punch with coverage, so it will cover spots and even texture while also blurring lines.

Customer Review:

"I love this foundation. Less is more with this. I got so many compliments about the finishing of my makeup as it looks like second skin." —Jeetranu

Vision Cream Cover Adjustable Foundation & Concealer

A little goes a long way with this powerful foundation and concealer. The versatility is key here: Tap it on areas you want to conceal if you don't feel like wearing foundation, or apply it all over (in thin layers) for a photo-ready finish.

Customer Review:

"I absolutely love this foundation!!! The coverage is beautiful on my skin and buildable. The best part is that a little goes a long way so this product will last you much longer than any other brand." —Marcela1204

Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 25

This foundation is what you get when you cross a vitamin C, hyaluronic, and salicylic acid serum with a medium-to-full-coverage foundation. Skin looks smooth, radiant, and even while you're wearing it (and, after a few weeks, even after you wash it off).

Customer Review:

"Goes on and blends in nicely. It's one of the lightest foundations I've ever used." —Annette

What happens to your skin as you age?

Depleting levels of collagen and elastin, as well as some key nutrients, contribute to sagging skin, dull texture, and dry patches. "Good times, laughter, and exposure to weather are just a part of this journey but there are many ways to make the best of your skin at every age so you can look and feel your very best!" makeup artist and founder of Bakeup Beauty, Jo Baker, says. The wrong foundation can highlight some of these changes, while the right foundation for mature skin can actually plump, hydrate, and renew skin.

Is a dewy or matte foundation better for mature skin?

While some people might like the look and feel of a matte foundation, the pros recommend dewy formulas. "Matte foundations tend to accentuate fine lines and wrinkles," says Dr. Magovern. It's almost like the foundation works its way into the microscopic brick and mortar structure of the skin, settles in, and highlights it. Matte foundations may also lead to more dryness. The same goes for heavier foundations, they settle in too much and can make aging skin look even older."

Dewy foundations are often sheerer, which can boost the appearance of moisture and lend a bounciness and radiance to the skin's surface.

What ingredients should you look for in foundation for mature skin?

When it comes to foundations for mature skin, hydration is key. "Look for humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which draw moisture into the skin," says Dr. Magovern. " I love the idea of formulations that contain aloe vera, jojoba oil, argan oil, and squalane, which have other benefits for the skin as well. Shea butter is ultra-hydrating and smooth and would be a good choice for someone with dry skin."

Can foundation make wrinkles look less noticeable?

While the right foundation can give you a radiant complexion, Badro says the right skin prep is crucial. To help, add a primer between your moisturizer and foundation steps. "Primers can have a serum-like texture or gel texture," she says. "They help to make your makeup application much smoother as well as help fill pores, lines, and blur imperfections."

Meet the Experts

Jo Baker is a makeup artist and founder of Bake Up Beauty.

Dr. Ashley Magovern is a board certified dermatologist and medical advisor for Dermstore.

Elaina Badro is a beauty entrepreneur and celebrity makeup artist.

Why trust Harper's BAZAAR?

For more than 150 years, Harper’s BAZAAR has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.

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