The Best Foundations For Mature Skin, According To Makeup Artists

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If you've begun to notice that your foundation just isn't looking right—maybe it's settling into fine lines and wrinkles or not covering sun spots like you'd hope—swapping it out for a product specifically formulated for mature skin can make a huge difference. According to professional makeup artists we spoke with, the type of foundation and the ingredients inside of it are increasingly important as you get older.

To get the flawless finish you're after, the experts we spoke with say for mature skin, lightweight foundations reign supreme—even CC creams or tinted moisturizers are great for aging skin. The other must-have? Hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid—particularly if your skin skews dry.

Best foundations for mature skin

What to consider

Type

"Less is more' when it comes to foundation, as we age," says professional makeup artist Elaina Badro. In fact, she says that Tinted moisturizers are great for daily wear, as are CC creams. But if you're looking for a little more coverage, professional makeup artist Aimee Carr suggests cream or cream-to-powder formulas, since they don't settle into fine lines and wrinkles as readily as heavier liquids.

Key ingredients

Experts we spoke with say texture and dryness are the most common skin concerns for mature skin. Because of this, it's very important to look for products that contain ingredients such as niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and Vitamin C. Dermatologists we've previously spoken with say niacinamide can decrease inflammation and redness, hyaluronic acid hydrates the skin, and vitamin C brightens your complexion and can reduce the appearance of dark spots.

How we selected

Women’s Health editors and contributors constantly test the bestselling and top-rated cosmetics and skincare products, including foundation for mature skin. In our most recent tests—a process that spanned two weeks—we consulted four makeup artists with experience using these products on celebrities like Brooke Shields. We also tapped our team of anonymous testers and in-house editors for their favorite foundations for mature skin.

Our picks are tried-and-true formulas that cover blemishes, redness, and signs of aging like sun spots, but are hydrating enough not to settle into fine lines and wrinkles. Read on to shop our list of the best foundations for aging skin.

Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation

Our editors are constantly evaluating new beauty products and talking to experts about their favorites. And every time foundation enters the conversation, Armani Beauty's Luminous Silk foundation gets name-dropped. The pros love it for all skin types, thanks to its lightweight and natural finish.

The award-winning product is so beloved that it's what most older celebrities with mature skin wear, says Badro. "It provides a dewy finish so your face won’t look dry," she says. "Furthermore, it’s buildable, so you can have the coverage you want without your skin appearing cakey." This particular foundation is also very inclusive, as the oil-free pick comes in a whopping 40 shades, upping the chances you'll find the perfect match for your skin tone. Though some testers found that it may be too dewy for some people with oily skin.

Read more: Best Primers For Mature Skin

Infallible 24 Hour Fresh Wear Foundation

You may hear a lot of buzz about some of the more luxe options out there, but professional makeup artist Mia "Mimi" Johnson tells WH this drugstore pick is a worthy pick at a more budget-friendly price. It goes on smoothly and isn't at all cakey, she says. It's also exceptionally long-lasting, thanks to sweat-proof properties, she adds.

Like our top pick, this foundation also comes in a wide range of 40 shades to suit more skin tones. As a nice bonus, the formula boasts SPF 25 to keep your skin protected every day.

Editors who have tried this foundation say it lends a nice dewy glow and offers medium coverage. "It adequately covered a small pimple by my chin and some dark circles under my eyes, but still looked subtle enough for everyday wear," one tester told us.

Sensual Skin Enhancer Complexion Perfector

This creamy foundation is one of the more versatile options on our list. A favorite of professional makeup artist Nyssa Green (she recently used it on Brooke Shields!), this pick can be used as a concealer, color corrector, foundation, contour, or highlighter, depending on how you apply it.

"It's a favorite of mine, because once it's blended and worked into the skin, it sets easily and won't settle into fine lines and wrinkles," says Green. Users say a little bit goes a long way, and you can even blend it with your moisturizer to get even more mileage out of the product. Though we do wish it had more shade options available.

Total Cover Cream Foundation

The Total Cover Cream Foundation by Cover FX is another formula used by many celebrity makeup artists, says Green. It's the brand's most full-coverage foundation, but because it's nice and creamy, it spreads like a dream and doesn't settle or look cakey throughout the day.

That's because it's highly buildable and packed with hydrators like squalane. However, it doesn't contain heavier moisturizers like mineral oil, so it's suitable for all skin types—including oilier skin. Users say they get the coverage they need to cover blemishes, redness, and even dark under-eye circles but with a soft and natural finish.

Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder

Our editors are big fans of Danessa Myricks Beauty products. In fact, the brand's eyeliner won a 2024 Beauty Award. Green says their cream foundation is worth a look, too. "It works on all skin types and comes in a fabulous shade range," she says.

Coverage is on the lighter side, but you can customize and build as needed, says Green. It's a great pick for those with oily skin, since it has a matte finish that works to absorbs sweat and balance oil throughout the day. Still, the foundation's ingredient list counts hyaluronic acid and squalane for your moisturizing needs.

Triple Fix Serum Foundation

"This vegan formulation is easy to apply and great for all skin types, especially for those with fine lines," says Carr. Why? Because it's full of nourishing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and avocado oil, she says. It also boasts ashwagandha, an herb that soothes skin and fights visible signs of aging, as well as vitamin C, a powerful skin brightener.

"It is also buildable, and gives you a barely there look," says Carr. Our editors love it, and have recommended it for years now. Namely because it's makeup that doubles as skincare—nourishes skin and covers up anything you might want to blur all at once. It doesn't get much better than that.

Protec(tint) Daily SPF Tint SPF 50 Sunscreen Skin Tint

This formula is new from Supergoop!, but quickly gaining popularity as an everyday option, says Badro. "It feels really lightweight and has a soft sheen," she says, noting the formula—more like a tinted moisturizer than a foundation—also contains hyaluronic acid, which you already know is great for mature skin.

The coverage is light, but the fresh-faced dew is ideal for daily wear. Remember: Makeup artists overwhelmingly told us less is more when it comes to mature skin. As is sun proper sun protection, and this product boasts more than most. With SPF 50, it far surpasses what the American Academy of Dermatology suggests. Our editors also like that it's fragrance-free, making it a great pick for those with sensitive skin too.

Skin Foundation Stick

Bobbi Br0wn's stick foundation is another award-winning pick that our editors have previously recommended. Really, what's not to love? For starters, it comes in the widest shade range of any other on our list—43 shades. Users love how easy it is to apply, too. Just glide the creamy stick over your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin, then blend with fingertips or a beauty sponge.

It offers a natural finish, says Badro, who counts this stick foundation as one of her go-tos. It's made with hydrating ingredients like olive extract and shea butter to moisturize dry skin. It's also resistant to water, sweat, and humidity for longer wear times.

Meet the Experts

• Aimee Carr is a professional makeup artist and founder of Voodoo Makeup.

• Elaina Badro is a professional makeup artist and founder of Elaina Badro.

• Nyssa Green is a professional makeup artist in Atlanta.

• Mia "Mimi" Johnson is a professional makeup artist in Atlanta.

What foundation do older celebrities wear?

"Armani Beauty's Luminous Silk Foundation is what most older celebrities with mature skin wear," says Badro. It's dewy, buildable, and provides ample coverage without looking cakey. Kevyn Aucoin's Sensual Skin Enhancer Complexion Perfector is another top pick among celebrities with aging skin, says Green, who recently used it on Brooke Shields.

What foundation will not settle into wrinkles?

"I recommend a cream base or cream to powder base, because it will not settle into the fine lines," says Carr. "These types of foundation contain hydrating ingredients so they will not dry out the skin and will help with overall texture," she explains. Makeup artists, including Badro, also recommend CC creams or tinted moisturizers for those with fine lines and wrinkles. "They can have ingredients to calm the skin, protect your skin from sun damage, and can even treat blemishes, fine lines, and age spots," she says.

Shop more of our favorite products for mature skin

Primers for Mature Skin | Best Moisturizers for Mature Skin | Foundations for Mature Skin | Concealers for Mature Skin | Drugstore Foundations for Mature Skin

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