Frequently asked questions
What’s the best way to prep mature skin for foundation?
The best foundation application starts with well-hydrated skin. As skin matures, it naturally tends to lose moisture, which can make foundation appear dry, patchy, or uneven. Start with a hydrating serum or moisturizer and give it time to absorb before applying makeup.
Don’t skip primer, either. “A good primer helps smooth the look of the skin and gives your foundation something to grip onto, which can help your makeup apply more evenly and last longer,” Geller explains. She especially recommends hydrating formulas, which are among the best primers for mature skin to help keep the complexion looking fresh and comfortable rather than dry or heavy.
What’s the best foundation type for mature skin?
A dewy foundation can help mature skin look fresh and hydrated without emphasizing texture. “Matte foundation makes skin look too dry and emphasizes texture by settling into creases,” says Robin Black, a makeup artist and founder of Beauty Is Boring. “Instead, I prefer to use a glowy, natural-finish foundation.” It makes for a more low-maintenance look—think no-makeup makeup versus one that requires touch-ups. Other good options are foundation sticks, which, depending on the formula, can be creamy and easy to blend.
Celebrity makeup artist Moultrie agrees that a lightweight foundation is best. “Anything reflective will deflect wrinkles and add a glow.”
But what exactly puts you in the camp of someone who should look for a product meant for “aging skin”? Most people spot signs of aging skin like loss of elasticity and a less supple or duller appearance in their 30s, says makeup expert Kay. “Our skin—the body’s largest organ—can become thinner, less plump, and saggy because the body’s ability to repair cells slows down as we grow older,” she says. So, switching up your makeup routine to compliment your age can really help you get that flawless, dewy finish.
What ingredients to look for in a foundation for mature skin?
Look for a formula that’s not too thick or too dry, as those tend to find their way into fine lines—your one-way ticket to looking even older than you are, says celebrity makeup artist Bedrani. Shade range and knowing how to match your foundation to your skin tone are crucial, too, since this ensures the color blends well.
Peep the packaging or ingredient list for things like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide, which offer hydrating and soothing properties. Also keep an eye out for buzzwords like hydrating, moisturizing, reflective, radiant, or dewy. The dermatologists we spoke with also say you should look for foundations with antioxidant ingredients to help promote collagen synthesis and protect from oxidative damage.
What to know about the different types of foundation finishes
There are three basic foundation-finish types that refer to the way the end result looks on your skin.
Natural: As the name suggests, this finish most closely resembles that of your natural skin. It’s sort of a happy medium between dewy and matte.
Matte: A matte finish is shine-free and may offer more coverage, since these formulas tend to be buildable. In general, matte finishes are ideal for those with oily or combination skin.
Dewy: Sometimes referred to as radiant, a dewy finish lends a healthy glow. A dewy formula is generally the move for mature skin. “[It] gives a more plump, reflective glow, which I find flattering,” says Grogan. These formulas usually have hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and are great for dry skin. They may, however, cause excess oil production in those with oily or combination skin, especially in the acne-prone.
Spickard adds that you’ll want to find a “Goldilocks formula” that doesn’t lean too far on either end of the spectrum. “You don’t want something that is too dewy because that is going to look greasy and highlight wrinkles, but you don’t want something matte, either. As skin ages, it often looks dull and flat, and a matte foundation will just emphasize that,” he explains. “I like a natural-finish foundation with a bit of luminosity, but nothing that’s overly dewy.”
Is powder or liquid foundation better?
Liquid foundations tend to be better than powder foundations for aging skin. “I tell my clients to look for thin-consistency foundations like serums or liquids, since they tend to have higher concentrations of hydrating ingredients in them,” says Jenny Patinkin, a professional makeup artist and founder of a beauty brand by the same name. “They’re also more likely to offer lightweight coverage that won’t sink into and accentuate fine lines or enlarged pores,” she says. Look for keywords like glowy, dewy, radiant, or illuminating, meaning the foundation is going to have light-reflective properties that give the optical illusion of smoother, brighter, more even-toned skin, she suggests.
But liquid foundations aren’t the only option. Makeup artist Laura Geller says baked powder formulas can also work beautifully on mature skin. Unlike traditional pressed powders, her signature formulas begin as creams before being baked into silky powders. “You get the ease and weightlessness of a powder, but with a smooth, creamy feel that doesn’t look heavy or cakey on the skin,” she says.
How to prevent foundation from settling into wrinkles
When it comes to preventing foundation from settling into fine lines and wrinkles, a lighter hand can make all the difference. Applying too much product can emphasize texture, particularly around the eyes and mouth, so start with a thin layer and build coverage only where you need it. Geller also recommends baked foundation formulas for mature skin, which offer the lightweight feel of a powder with a smooth, creamy finish. “You can apply a light layer for natural-looking coverage and build it only where you need a little more,” she says, pointing to her Baked Balance-n-Brighten Color Correcting Foundation as an example.
How to hide wrinkles with makeup
Though we’d never suggest anyone needs to hide their wrinkles, makeup artists did give us some pointers for softening lines:
Hydrate: “Having your skin properly hydrated and prepped for makeup is key here,” says celebrity makeup artist Julianna “Jewels” Grogan. Before applying any base product, Grogan says you’ll want to apply a serum or moisturizer first, and then allow it to fully absorb. “This way it has time to nourish the skin and then create a barrier of sorts,” she says. Then go in with a hydrating primer—one containing ingredients like vitamin E or hyaluronic acid—to “prep your canvas.” This ensures your foundation glides on smoothly and stays put for longer.
Choose the right foundation: Remember, liquids (including serums) and creams tend to be better for those with aging skin, as these are typically more hydrating and less likely to settle into fine lines and wrinkles.
Apply with fingers or a foundation brush: “I suggest applying with fingers or a brush, then blotting [with a damp makeup sponge] to lift away any excess product,” says Patinkin. This extra step helps eliminate any little streaks plus improves wear time.
Don’t use too much product: When applying your foundation, Grogan notes to take a targeted, “less is more” approach. “Only cover the areas which you really need coverage, and then blend what’s already on your face using your hands, a brush, or sponge,” she explains. Spickard adds that using a formula with coverage that sits somewhere between light and medium “so you don’t overload the skin with product, causing it to sit in the wrinkles.”“The worst thing you can do is slather on makeup,” says Kay. “By trying to camouflage your skin, you will do the opposite and draw attention to your imperfections even more.”
Be selective with setting powder: If you’re using a setting product, opt for a setting mist instead of layering on setting powder. Powders can dull your glow, says Patinkin, and applying too much can emphasize fine lines and wrinkles. If you prefer setting powder, use a light hand, concentrating on areas where you want to control shine or keep makeup in place.
First, we looked at product labels to see what kinds of skin-boosting ingredients were in each formula. Then, our testers with mature skin wore the product, applying each formula in various ways—fingers, makeup brushes, and sponges—to test its prowess over long 12-hour days, noting any caking, creasing, fading, and overall signs of wear. Testers noted if the coverage helped blur or smooth fine lines, conceal dark spots or hyperpigmentation, and boost overall radiance. Finally, we lathered up with our go-to cleansers to see how thoroughly and efficiently each foundation washed off. The ones that made the list were loved by makeup professionals, dermatologists, and women over 40.
