The Best Foundations for Women Over 50
As we age, skin becomes sallow, dry, and etched with lines. While it’s tempting to slather on the thickest, most opaque foundation you can find, it’s only going to cling to dry spots, settle into creases, and appear mask-like and unnatural. Instead, you want to choose a lightweight, hydrating liquid formula with a luminous (not too shiny, but not matte) finish that glides over—and even blurs—imperfections, explains makeup artist Jordy Poon. Poon suggests foundations with buildable coverage, meaning you can start off sheer and work your way up to your desired opacity.
Fortunately, there are formulas out there that will cover imperfections and make skin appear smoother and more youthful. Here are 10 foundations that fit the bill.
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Best for Softening Fine Lines: L’Oréal Visible Lift Luminous Serum Tint
A foundation and blur cream in one? You have our attention. This medium-coverage base also contains light-diffusing silicones to soften the look of fine lines with minimal blending.
Buy It: L’Oréal Visible Lift Luminous Serum Tint, $14.99, Ulta
Best for Brightening: Estée Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup
This medium-coverage foundation is infused with the technology found in the brand's anti-aging serum. The result: a highly blendable, skin-brightening formula that glides over lines and wrinkles.
Buy It: Estée Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup, $52, Saks Fifth Avenue
Best for a Natural Finish: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
There's a reason this foundation is a cult favorite: Its finish gives skin an airbrushed quality while looking natural. Reviewers also praise it for its lightweight feel and breathable coverage.
Buy It: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, $64, Neiman Marcus
Best Shade Selection: Lancôme Renergie Lift Makeup SPF 20
"This is really skincare with color," says Poon, of the medium-coverage foundation infused with skin-smoothing botanical ingredients. It's available in 20 shades to complement every complexion.
Buy It: Lancôme Renergie Lift Makeup, $48, Ulta
Best for Full Coverage: Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer
If you need more coverage, consider a foundation and concealer in one. Polymer technology in the full-coverage, moisturizing formula gives the makeup a flexible, breathable feel to ensure your skin won't look too made up or cakey.
Buy It: Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation and Concealer, $29.50, Ulta
Best for a Dewy Finish: Maybelline Fit Me! Dewy + Smooth Foundation
Fresh-looking skin in a bottle: This hydrating formula smooths over dry areas and leaves dull skin with a soft, luminous finish. The drugstore price point is also a win.
Buy It: Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation, $7.99, Ulta
Best for Firming: Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lift and Firm Makeup Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 15
This creamy foundation contains ceramides, which are lipid molecules often found in anti-aging treatments that plump the skin and help it retain its moisture.
Buy It: Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lift and Firm Makeup Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF, $78, Ulta
Best for Sallow Skin: Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation SPF 40
To combat sallow skin, Poon suggests choosing shades with golden undertones. "Bobbi Brown cosmetics are a go-to for this," he says. The brand's latest serum foundation has a silky texture and super-fine pigments that skim over, not sit in, fine lines and wrinkles.
Buy It: Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation SPF 40, $69, Neiman Marcus
Best for a Non-Greasy Finish: Clarins Skin Illusion Serum Foundation
Aging skin can benefit from a double dose of hydration and illumination. Light-reflecting particles in this formula give dulling skin a glowy, but not greasy, finish.
Buy It: Clarins Skin Illusion Serum Foundation, $44, Nordstrom
Best for Moisturizing: Revlon Age Defying Firming + Lifting Makeup
Proper moisture can go a long way in making skin appear more youthful. This foundation is infused with hyaluronic acid, a powerful humectant that draws water from the atmosphere into the skin for a plumping and smoothing effect.
Buy It: Revlon Age Defying Firming + Lifting Makeup, $9.29, Walgreens