Just as the skin has a very different set of requirements when it comes to care during, for example, your 20s and your 50s, so too does your make-up.
It follows then that occasionally reassessing and updating both of them to ensure you’re getting optimal benefits for your age will help keep your complexion looking healthy and fresh.
In terms of shopping for foundation when it comes to mature complexions, this means taking a skincare approach to suit your needs. The skin gets drier and duller the older we get, so the kind of nourishment and glow-boosting benefits we look for in serums and moisturisers should be the same perks we want from our foundation too.
“As we get older, our skin loses elasticity and skin tone can become uneven,” explains renowned make-up artist Ruby Hammer MBE. “For mature skin, the main thing you need from foundation is hydration which then brings with it radiance. Younger skin can use a variety of textures to create effects from matte to heavy coverage or contouring. But if you do this to mature skin, foundation will look caked on and age the face rather than helping it look flawless.”
It’s this light but effective balance that’s key to keeping the complexion looking youthful. Although it may feel counterintuitive to have a feathery touch when you want to minimise red patches, pigmentation, pores and wrinkles, a heavy-handed approach will have the opposite effect.
“Foundation should be lightweight but buildable to provide you with coverage where you need it without sinking into fine lines or wrinkles,” adds Hammer. “People think foundation should be applied all over the face, so they apply a thick layer that sits on it like a mask and highlights the areas they were trying to hide.
“Take a step back and look at your face to figure out which areas need covering, such as under the eyes, around the nose, or maybe on the chin if there is some discoloration. Apply foundation on any areas you want to cover, or apply a very thin layer all over, then just add a little bit more on the areas that need it.”
As many smart new foundation formulas take a hybrid care-meets-colour approach and are packed with fantastic powerhouse skincare ingredients that do everything from plump to smooth to protect, finding one that will infuse mature complexions with the luminosity and nourishment you need is easier than ever.
Shop the best below
Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Glow Foundation
Created as a skincare-first formula, this foundation feels more like a refined serum in texture and glides over the face as you apply it. That’s thanks to a ‘water complex’ infused with active skincare ingredients that pack a hydrating punch and also have a gentle refining effect, the texture of the skin looks better over time.
The glowing effect is instant, creating a pretty radiance while a soft blurring effect helps hide patches of redness and pores plus finer wrinkles. The formula is buildable but just one sheer layer is enough to make skin look fresh, dewy and perfected for the whole day.
Buy now £40.00, John Lewis
NARS Light Reflecting Foundation
For a natural look but in a light, comfortable-to-wear foundation with medium coverage, this ultra-flattering NARS version comes in 36 shades. The creamy texture is rich and dries quickly to a powdery finish, but rather than appearing matte, a light-reflecting complex gives skin luminosity to counteract any dullness.
Helping to prevent skin looking washed out too, a special powder in the formula adjusts your complexion to the intensity of light you’re in, be it sunlight or inside. Serious skincare credentials come from those that strengthen the natural barrier while others protect against ageing environmental aggressors.
Buy now £37.50, Boots
Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Hydrating Foundation
There are plenty of skin-loving ingredients in this formula that are perfect for perking up mature complexions, from plumping coconut extract and hyaluronic acid to an illuminating, anti-fatigue rose complex.
The foundation’s thick consistency means a little goes a long way and you’ll want to focus on targeted areas rather that a full face. However although it feels slightly sticky at first on application, this foundation blends out super-easily and gives an instant luminosity. It also covers redness and pores with ease but doesn’t look cakey.
The coverage has impressive all-day staying power that stops shine from breaking through while keeping skin feeling supple and the clever squeezy tube is brilliant for pumping out just the right amount of the richer texture.
Buy now £36.00, Charlotte Tilbury
Studio 10 Age Repair Perfect Canvas SPF30 Foundation
From a range specifically created for mature skins, this creamy treatment foundation nods enough towards full coverage to blur fine lines and minimise pores but won’t look or feel heavy on the face. The two-pan foundation combination offers a clever way to colour match exactly to your complexion’s tone on different areas of the face (or during different times of the year) so it also doubles as concealer.
The colour has a self-adjusting capability that reflects light to make sure the complexion always looks bright. The serum-infused formula is packed with a fantastic array of lifting and firming ingredients as well as protective antioxidants and a good SPF30 sunscreen too.
Buy now £30.00, Amazon
Max Factor Miracle Pure Skin Improving Foundation
Boasting a whopping 89 per cent skincare ingredients, this lightweight blend creates a sheer veil of colour that still offers enough coverage to make mature skin feel confident about minimising any flaws. With a satin texture that won’t crease or sit in lines or wrinkles, it’s formulated to be non-comedogenic and is a great choice for sensitive complexions too.
The skincare benefits are equally impressive, with a collagen-boosting complex to help with firmness, brightening vitamin C, plumping hyaluronic acid and nourishing squalane all included in the mix. You can build up the coverage for specific areas or during the day knowing that skin will stay hydrated so feeling comfortable and supple.
Buy now £13.99, Superdrug
RMS Beauty “Re” Evolve Natural Finish Foundation
One or two pumps of this rich, creamy formula will be enough for long-lasting coverage without making the skin feel dry or look unnatural. The foundation dries down quickly to a refined, powdery finish that melds seamlessly when you buff it into the complexion, but softly camouflages any red or dark patches as well as blurring pores and lines.
To keep the skin feeling nourished and hydrated, soothing aloe and hydrating squalane have been added, while the brand’s signature blend of adaptogenic herbs help to firm, soften and smooth mature complexions. The twist-up tube bottle and refill option make this feel like an even more prestige purchase.
£37 for refills.
Buy now £46.00, FeelUnique
SENSAI Flawless Satin Moisture Foundation
Tapping into the company’s philosophy around Japanese traditions and the tactile nature of silk, Sensai’s latest foundation feels rich and silky as you apply it, but blends down to a skin-flattering and lightweight finish. Thick and creamy, the moisture-rich formula uses light-enhancing powders so that fine lines and wrinkles look softly blurry and dark patches such as pigmentation look lighter too.
Combined with added moisturising ingredients, the complexion looks more dewy and feels plumper which, alongside plenty of coverage to even out skin tone, are properties with impressive staying power.
Buy now £44.00, Harrods
Anastasia Beverly Hills Luminous Foundation
For a water-resistant (read sweat- and humidity-proof), longwear formula that feels fresh and featherlight on the skin, not to mention boasting a commendable 50-strong shade range, this foundation ticks all the boxes. Its fluid consistency is incredibly easy to blend with fingers or a brush and the texture glides over the face leaving skin feeling soft and looking smooth.
Although it offers medium coverage, the colour will hide and soften the appearance of imperfections without any trace of heaviness or caking, instead creating a soft, luminous glow while nourishing ingredients including rosehip, blackcurrant and jojoba oils work their plumping, anti-ageing powers.
Buy now £43.00, Boots
Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation
As an iconic make-up line famous for its complexion-illuminating products, this foundation from Hourglass is as ambient and glow-boosting as it gets. The deliciously fluid formula looks and feels light when you apply it and blends out beautifully.
But this foundation still has enough oomph to camouflage pores and play down fine lines without sitting in them thanks to blurring spheres held within the colour. For the best effect, apply a little to the centre of the face and buff outwards so it almost disappears. A brush is suggested but fingers work as well if you’re going for a fine layer. The coverage can be built up and the lit-from-within finish lasts up to 16 hours.
Buy now £46.00, Cult Beauty
IL MAKIAGE Woke Up Like This Foundation
For those who prefer a matte finish that can be built up from medium to full, this luscious cream is ideal as it won’t sit heavily on the skin or leave a mask-like density. A little blends out easily into a veil that hides pores and shadows but still allows the skin’s natural texture to show through.
Hyaluronic acid and vitamin E have been added to help hydrate and plump up lines for a smoother surface, while corrective powders work to camouflage redness and blemishes as light–diffusing spheres create an even, illuminated finish. There are 50 shades to colour match your complexion to too.
Buy now £36.00, IL MAKIAGE
Verdict
As a foundation formulated with all of Givenchy’s exceptional skincare knowledge, the Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Glow Foundation gives a more mature complexion all it needs when it comes to care, then fuses it seamlessly with colour.
The difference in plumping hydration and radiant glow can be seen instantly and the texture really feels like a second skin. Although the coverage is more translucent than some other foundations, the formula still manages to perfect the complexion and hide imperfections. Plus it keeps the skin feeling hydrated all day. All that from a delicate veil of colour can’t be beaten.
FAQs
What is the absolute best foundation for aging skin? ›
- Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup. ...
- Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation Makeup. ...
- Koh Gen Do Moisture Foundation. ...
- Exa High Fidelity Foundation. ...
- NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation. ...
- Make Up for Ever Water Blend Foundation. ...
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint. ...
- Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer.
Best medium coverage foundation for mature skin
Whenever makeup artist Alex Glynn is working with a client with mature skin, she reaches for Charlotte Tilbury's Light Wonder. “This foundation is so lightweight, meaning there's less chance of it settling in to fine lines,” says Glynn.
“Choose a water-based formula that has hydrating ingredients," like moisturizing glycerin or hyaluronic acid, Whelan advises. "Foundations that have sheer coverage and a dewy luminous finish work best with women who are concerned about lines and wrinkles." ✔️ Dewy foundations are better than matte.
What foundation will not settle in wrinkles? ›L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation
It has been formulated specifically not to settle into lines, its lightweight blend of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and aloe hydrates as it helps skin look more even.
- Best Overall: Dermablend Flawless Creator Liquid Foundation Drops.
- Best Budget: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint Foundation.
- Best Powder: BareMinerals Original Loose Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15.
- Best Cream: Cover FX Total Cover Cream Foundation.
While coverage level is a matter of personal preference, those with mature skin will want to blur texture and blend discoloration with a formula that doesn't settle into fine lines or dry patches—meaning it's best to avoid matte makeup, as it's more prone to creasing.
What makeup should an older woman use? ›Opt for Liquid Foundations
"I recommend a creamy foundation formula for mature skin and to avoid powders," says Follert. This is because powder foundations tend to settle into fine lines and wrinkles, making them more apparent.
In fact, try and stick to creams, gels and liquids for all makeup products, including blush and eyeshadow. Repeat after me: One of the best makeup tips for older women is that anything which adds hydration, dewiness and luminescence to your skin is good.
How do you keep your makeup from looking cakey on older skin? ›Applying beauty products to dry skin or using too much product causes cakey makeup. However, hydrating your skin with nourishing skincare products, blending your makeup, removing excess product, and using a setting spray can help prevent your makeup from appearing cakey.
Is powder or liquid foundation better for mature skin? ›Mature skin or dry skin types should reach for a liquid foundation, as powder foundation can settle into fine lines and wrinkles.
Is a sponge or brush better for mature skin? ›
Use a sponge for best results.
What kind of foundation makes you look younger? ›Powder foundations are great, but not for those with aging skin, since they usually settle into wrinkles. Really thick, full-coverage foundations can do the same. “A liquid foundation that's on the thinner side is usually preferable,” says celebrity makeup artist Beck Wainner.
Why do my wrinkles look worse with foundation? ›If you've ever thought your makeup makes you look more wrinkled, it might be by virtue of dehydrated skin. Makeup has a way of leaching the moisture from the skin, accentuating pores, and highlighting fine lines and wrinkles. So if your skin looks worse with foundation, this could be a major culprit.
Which No7 foundation is best for over 50? ›Our best foundation for mature skin is No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Serum Foundation SPF 15. It instantly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, leaving skin looking firmer and more even. Apply onto the face and neck after No7 Lift & Luminate serum and face cream.
What do makeup artists use to fill wrinkles? ›"Applying primer as a makeup base is the key to softening wrinkles," says Jaclyn Peresetsky, a makeup artist and co-owner of Skin Perfect Clinic in Ohio. Choose one with a silicone base, which fills in uneven skin texture and fine lines.
What makeup hides wrinkles best? ›"Lightweight makeup, such as BB creams, tinted moisturizers or airbrush makeup is great for giving coverage without accentuating fine lines and wrinkles," says Kiralee Hubbard, a makeup artist and founder of Aeroblend Airbrush Makeup.
Why does my foundation sit in my wrinkles? ›Prior to any application you should cleanse, moisturize, and prime. "Using an excessively greasy cream that sits on top of your skin might prevent your foundation from properly absorbing and drying down, which can cause it to settle into lines," says New York City-based makeup artist Andrew Sotomayor.
What is the number 1 dermatologist recommended brand? ›The brand: You don't need to spend tons of money for effective products that derms love; Neutrogena is touted as the number one dermatologist-recommend skincare product and you can find it at the drugstore.
Where is the best place to test foundation? ›According to our experts, the sweet spot for foundation testing is the jawbone. Many sources recommend the neck for foundation swatching, but the color discrepancy between the face and the neck proves too drastic for a natural match.
What foundation does Jennifer Aniston wear? ›Nars Sheer Glow Foundation provides luminous, sheer coverage. Don't overstyle. Jennifer Aniston loves to wear her hair down, even on the red carpet.
Does darker foundation make you look older? ›
Wearing makeup that is too dark or too light to fit your skin's natural color can age you instantly. To learn more about how the importance of picking the right foundation shade, we spoke to professional makeup artist Mary Winkenwerder.
Is it better to go lighter or darker for foundation? ›The experts have spoken, and the answer is, foundation should be one or two shades lighter than your skin tone. This is because when you use bronzer or contour then the foundation should be able to blend and give the perfect look to your face.
Should you wear less makeup as you get older? ›Being gentle with your skin will cut back on prematurely aging your skin, but less makeup will have your skin looking younger. You'll have less bacteria on your face. Bacteria is all around us but you don't want it on your face. Every single time a makeup brush touches your face, you're adding bacteria to your skin.
How can I look beautiful at 65? ›- Exercise Is the Ultimate Facelift.
- Limit Alcohol.
- Limit Sun Exposure.
- Don't Smoke.
- Stress Is Bad For Your Skin.
- 7 Anti-Aging Tricks that Every Woman Over 60 Should Know. ...
- Wear a Genuine Smile. ...
- Spend Time with Young People. ...
- Burn Fat the Old Fashion Way – By Walking! ...
- Embrace Your Passions. ...
- Stop Helping the Clock by Smoking and Spending Time in the Sun. ...
- Give Your Skin What it Really Needs – Water and Nutritious Food.
Foundation. Mature skin is more prone to dehydration, loss of elasticity, pigmentation and dark spots. To restore glow and keep skin looking plump, swap out full-coverage foundations for a base with skincare benefits. Amalie recommends liquid formulas that give sheer to medium coverage with a soft-lit glow.
How can I look attractive at 70? ›- Fancy up your flats. Just because a shoe is flat, doesn't mean it can't be dressy. ...
- Try new collar shapes. Blazers and structured jackets will never go out of style. ...
- Make an understatement. ...
- Carry the newest trends. ...
- Embrace the eclectic.
Eyeliner For Skin Over 60
A pencil eyeliner is good for aging eyes because it softens the lash line and makes your fringe look fuller. Just avoid applying it to the bottom of your eyes. It too often collects in your under eye creases, making you look older.
Other reasons for cakey foundation include dry skin, not layering your makeup in the correct order, and not using the right skin care products. Skipping out on exfoliation is another factor that can cause cakiness. Always make sure you prep your skin by exfoliating and moisturizing to help makeup go on smoothly.
Why does my foundation look patchy even with primer? ›If your makeup looks patchy, even with primer, it might be because the foundation and primer aren't matched properly. If you are using a silicone based primer, use a silicone based foundation. For water based primers, use water based foundations.
Does primer help with cakey makeup? ›
Applying a layer of product underneath your foundation may sound counterintuitive to creating a cake-free finish, but a lightweight primer can help smooth skin. (Plus, it only takes a little bit of primer to go a long way.)
What goes on first foundation or concealer? ›Applying foundation first creates an even base to reduce overall redness, discoloration and minor blemishes. If you apply your concealer first, you may end up wiping some off when you apply foundation or using a lot more product than necessary, which can create a heavy, cakey look.
Why is cream makeup better for mature skin? ›Cream makeup is more pigmented than powder
Cream makeup is the perfect medium to deliver more pigment to your skin, while still allowing for your skin's natural radiance to glow through. This is essential for women with mature skin who may deal with redness or age spots that a powder alone could not cover.
Clinique Blended Face Powder and Brush has been loved by mature women for more than 30 years for many reasons. It's lightweight and smoothly blends into your skin, making it feel seamlessly soft.
What are 4 treatments that benefit mature skin? ›Treatment Options for Aging Skin
Chemical peels, dermabrasion, microneedling,ultrasound energy devices, or laser resurfacing may be an option for moderate to severe facial sun damage.
“Foundation should only be applied where needed. It should be used to even out the skin tone and applied directly to the areas of concern (redness, pigmentation, shadows and blemishes), then blended out across the good skin. It should also be thoroughly buffed in so that the texture of the skin can be seen.”
Should you use primer on mature skin? ›Primers are designed to make your skin look smoother, minimise pores and keep your makeup in place for hours. But women over 50 need a primer because it will give your face an instant lift. The key is to make sure it is the same base as your foundation — oil or water — so they don't repel each other.
Which makeup brand is best for older skin? ›- Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup. ...
- Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation Makeup. ...
- Koh Gen Do Moisture Foundation. ...
- Exa High Fidelity Foundation. ...
- NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation. ...
- Make Up for Ever Water Blend Foundation. ...
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint. ...
- Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer.
Skin brightening treatments, like Microdermabrasion, Light Peels, Micro Laser Peels, or the Clear & Brilliant Laser treatment all help patients to look 10 years younger or more, with just a few treatments. These treatments can be used in order to combat the signs of aging in the face, such as: Wrinkles.
How do I find the right foundation for my mature skin? ›If you're out and about, and the sun is shining, you need SPF—no matter your age or skin type. ✔️Choose a lightweight, dewy formula. The more lightweight a foundation is, the less likely it will settle into fine lines and wrinkles, and will help the skin appear more plump and moisturized, according to Greenberg.
Is there any foundation that hides wrinkles? ›
When it comes to the best foundation to hide wrinkles, you want something sheer and hydrating, say, like BOUNCE Liquid Whip Foundation. Our weightless, buildable, full-coverage foundation gives you a natural matte finish that wears for up to 24 hours without clinging to fine lines or wrinkles.
How do you apply foundation without showing wrinkles? ›Exfoliate at least once a week to eliminate dry skin cells so that the makeup can sit well on top of the skin. Apply a lightweight moisturizer and let it set before applying foundation. Use a smoothing primer to help to blur fine lines and wrinkles. Don't forget that less is more when it comes to applying foundation.
Which No7 is best for over 60? ›No7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Day Cream is the best moisturizer for aging skin over 60.
Which No7 range is best for older skin? ›No7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi-Action Serum
Clinically proven to deliver 5 anti-aging results for a younger-looking face & neck in just 2 weeks, this serum is perfect help mature skin look firmer, brighter, and lifted.
- Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation: Best for coverage. ...
- Pai The Impossible Glow Hyaluronic Acid & Sea Kelp Bronzing Drops: Best for glowing skin. ...
- Trinny London BFF De-Stress Tinted Serum: Best for moisturising.
Both our experts agree that heavy, matte makeup is the thief of youthful-looking skin. "The best products for keeping the face young are creams and liquids," Pezzetta tells us.
What makes a female face look younger? ›The team learned that women look younger when their eyebrows, eyes, and lips stand out. To test their theory that facial contrast affects how people perceive age, the researchers manipulated photos of women from 4 ethnic groups.
What is the best skin care for 70 year old woman? ›Wash with a gentle, fragrance-free, moisturizing bar soap, cleanser, or body wash. Doing so will help soothe rather than dry your skin. Moisturizing ingredients that can help reduce dryness include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and lanolin. Use warm (not hot) water.
Is liquid or powder foundation better for mature skin? ›Mature skin or dry skin types should reach for a liquid foundation, as powder foundation can settle into fine lines and wrinkles.
What hair length makes you look younger? ›Forget what you thought about long hair past the age of 40—thick hair actually looks more youthful and polished when it falls shoulder-length or longer. Shorter hair has a tendency to expand at the ends, leaving you with an unflattering triangle effect.
How do I look 10 years younger with makeup? ›
- Step 1: Lift your eyes. Eldridge insists smoky eyeshadow not only hides a multitude of sins, but gives the eyes more impact. ...
- Step 2: Conceal uneven skin. ...
- Step 3: Sculpt away jowls. ...
- Step 4: Plump up your lips.
With age, that fat loses volume, clumps up, and shifts downward, so features that were formerly round may sink, and skin that was smooth and tight gets loose and sags. Meanwhile other parts of the face gain fat, particularly the lower half, so we tend to get baggy around the chin and jowly in the neck.
Is there a makeup that fills in wrinkles? ›StriVectin's skin care infused LINEblurFECTOR Instant Wrinkle Blurring Primer instantly fills and blurs the look of deep wrinkles while prolonging makeup wear.