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What is a makeup look without its base? The best foundations for mature skin set the tone and create the canvas for all the products to come—whether its an illuminating highlighter or a sun-kissed blush. And for those looking to whisk away the signs of aging, a foundation that’s formulated for mature skin can be the makeup-counter equivalent of the fountain of youth. (With a bit of glam on top.)
The best foundations for women over 50 typically contain a skin-smoothing balance of skincare-grade ingredients, and their texture would make Goldilocks proud. Not too dewy, nor too matte—not too sheer, nor too mask-like—the formulas ahead have been hand-selected by celebrity makeup artists. Whether serums, sticks, powders, or balms call your skin type’s name, there’s a perfect makeup base for your mature complexion in the mix below. Ahead, a look at what celebrity makeup artists recommend for every occasion, skin type, and concern.
Vogue’s Favorite Foundations for Wrinkles Aging Skin
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In This Article
- How to Apply Foundation for Mature Skin
- How to Set Foundation on Aging Skin
- How to Choose the Best Foundation for Aging Skin
- Picking the Right Shade of Foundation
- Does mature skin need a specific type of foundation?
- What foundation type is best for mature skin?
- How to Prevent Foundation from Settling Into Wrinkles
- Meet the Makeup Artists
Best Overall: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
- Why We Love It: When we tapped makeup pros Carolina Dalí-Trites, Tobi Henney, and Janice Kinjo, each of them recommended Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation. Inspired by charmeuse silk, this oil-free foundation is infused with finely milled color pigments to impart medium coverage and a radiant, airbrushed finish that resembles a lit-from-within glow. While Kinjo notes it’s her go-to “that won’t settle into fine lines,” Dalí-Trites believes it “looks and feels like a second skin.” Henney shares that she reaches for this formula while working with Diane von Furstenberg for an event or photoshoot: “I use this a lot in my work, as it creates the most flawless base for all skin types,” she says.
- Shades: 40
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, Armani’s Micro-Fil Technology
- Finish: Skinlike, blurred, and glowing
- Coverage: Medium
- Best For: All skin types
- Size: 1 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Provides lightweight, luminous coverage | Some users say it oxidizes or settles into fine lines |
Best Tinted Serum: L Oréal Paris True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum Foundation
- Why We Love It: Infused with hyaluronic acid, an anti-aging powerhouse that hydrates and plumps, “This is a standout for mature skin,” says pro makeup artist Lauren Shea. “When applied properly, it gives a beautiful, hydrated glow without setting into fine lines—and it offers sheer-to-medium coverage without masking the skin.” She adds that the product’s lightweight texture makes it feel more like skincare than a traditional foundation—a boon for those who like a second-skin feel. Brett Freedman, makeup artist to the likes of Lisa Kudrow and Catherine Zeta-Jones, also praises the formula. “This has such a great texture; it literally becomes one with your skin,” he says. “And the finish is demi-matte perfection.”
- Shades: 14
- Key Ingredients: 1% hyaluronic acid
- Finish: Radiant
- Coverage: Sheer to medium
- Best For: All skin types, including dry and sensitive
- Size: 1 fl oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Hydrating, plumping, dermatologist-tested | The dropper applicator can be a bit tricky to use |
| Can also be difficult to find the perfect color match |
Best Radiant-Finish: Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation Hydration and Longwear
- Why We Love It: Celebrity makeup artist Meredith Baraf, who counts Brooke Shields, Erin Andrews, and Frankie Foye as clients, shares a laundry list of foundations that “melt into the skin and don’t tend to creep into fine lines and wrinkles or accentuate pores.” One of them is this weightless Chanel pick. Formulated with 40% water and light-reflecting pigments, the foundation has a silky, barely there feel and instantly hydrates skin for up to 12 hours.
- Shades: 35
- Key Ingredients: 40% water, light-reflecting pigments, glycerin, meadowfoam seed oil, jasmine stem extract
- Finish: Glowy, hydrated
- Coverage: Light-to-medium
- Best For: Dry, dehydrated skin or daily wear
- Size: 1 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Feels weightless on the skin, hydrates | Not ideal for some oily skin types |
Best Powder Foundation: BareMinerals Loose Powder Foundation
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- Why We Love It: According to D’Amelio Ventre, ”BareMinerals Loose Powder Foundation performs well on mature skin—when it’s applied over skin that’s been adequately moisturized.” She notes that the mineral formula softens the appearance of imperfections and provides buildable coverage without accentuating dryness or texture. “It’s ideal for a natural, lightweight look,” she says. Meanwhile, Pollara says that the formula is a go-to for clients with mature skin who prefer a powder foundation, but still want a radiant finish. “It s buildable, breathable, and doesn’t cake or emphasize texture,” she reiterates. “Plus, the clean ingredients make it great for sensitive or reactive skin types.”
- Shades: 30
- Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide 19.6 %
- Finish: Natural
- Coverage: Buildable, sheer-to-full
- Best For: Normal skin
- Size: 0.28 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Cruelty-free, breathable | Can be difficult to shade-match online |
Best Matte: Prada Reveal Skin Optimizing Refillable Soft Matte Foundation
- Why We Love It: When we said matte makeup was back and better, we meant it—just take Prada’s foundation as proof. The elixir pairs ingredients like vitamin E, niacinamide, lactobacillus extract complex, and even SPF 17 to protect against UV rays and improve skin tone, texture, and moisture levels. Plus the soft matte finish delivers a soft-focus, filterlike blur that’s impossible not to love. A little product goes a long way here; I’d recommend starting with a little bit of product—blending from the nose bridge outward. When I tapped three models to test out some of our favorite foundations for mature skin, each of them told me the Prada foundation was their favorite. They were surprised the formula was unlike any matte finish they had tried before. Instead of feeling cakey and settling into fine lines, it felt nourishing, comfortable, and lightweight while on set.
- Shades: 33
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, niacinamide, lactobacillus extract complex, SPF 17, glycerin
- Finish: Matte
- Coverage: Matte
- Best For: All skin types
- Size: 1 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Contains skincare-grade ingredients and SPF | Can settle into fine lines or pores, particularly on dry skin; some users find the scent overly perfumey |
Best Lightweight Oil Foundation: Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops
- Why We Love It: Gucci Westman previously described the complexion solution from her eponymous beauty line as “a lightweight oil that—when you apply it to your face—becomes more like a cushiony serum.” The formula is powered by supercharged skin-care actives: ginseng extract, sunflower and almond oils, pomegranate extract, tsubaki oil, ginger root complex, and a skin-shielding complex. These come together to not only condition the skin but to even tone and smooth texture. What’s more, the weightless light-to-medium tint blends with ease to reveal a dewy, radiant finish perfect for year-round wear.
- Shades: 20
- Key Ingredients: Ginseng extract, sunflower and almond oils, pomegranate extract, tsubaki oil, ginger root complex, a skin-shielding complex
- Finish: Dewy
- Coverage: Light-to-medium
- Best For: Dry-to-combination skin or daily wear
- Size: 1 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Infused with skincare-grade ingredients, gives the skin a radiant glow | The finish is too shiny for some |
Best Stick Foundation: Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick
- Why We Love It: “This is a true buildable formula,” Freedman says. “For the sheerest application, use it immediately after moisturizing; it will set with a dewy finish.” The lauded complexion stick was formulated in partnership with aesthetician Biba de Sousa, and it shows. Its skin-loving ingredients—featuring a blend of fatty acids and sea daffodil extract—contribute to a comfortable, flexible skin feel. “This formula moves with the skin,” Freedman says. It also moves, period. Especially useful for storing in your makeup bag, the portable product allows for easy touch-ups on the go.” Celebrity makeup artist Kirin Bhatty seconds the endorsement. “I’m obsessed with Merit the Minimalist for mature skin,” she says. “It doesn’t settle into fine lines, and it works as both concealer and foundation in one. Because it’s a stick formula, there’s no mess, but you can also decide your coverage level or just spot-treat. I reach for this product all the time!”
- Shades: 20
- Key Ingredients: Sea daffodil extract, fatty acids
- Finish: Skinlike
- Coverage: Light-to-medium
- Best For: All skin types or daily wear
- Size: 0.23 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Easy to use, multipurpose, nourishes the skin | Some users find the product dry and prone to caking; others have issues with the tube falling out of the packaging |
Best Cream: Jones Road What The Foundation
- Why We Love It: Mixed into a cream-like consistency, this blends jojoba oil and sodium hyaluronate (a small form of hyaluronic acid) to achieve a fresh, glowing complexion. The draw to Jones Road’s foundation is that it’s more like a tinted balm than the complexion products you’re likely used to. That being said, this can be applied like a moisturizer—scooped out of its jar and blended with fingers. (A brush or sponge certainly works too.) An excellent pick for summer, expect buildable, light-to-medium coverage. Remember: A little goes a long way! “Due to its rich, balm-like consistency, Jones Road’s What the Foundation provides intensive hydration for mature skin prone to dryness,” D’Amelio Ventre says. “When used sparingly, it imparts a dewy, plumped finish that softens the look of wrinkles and imparts a healthy glow.” Pollara adds: “This balm-like foundation feels luxurious on mature skin, offering deep hydration and a soft, dewy finish. It’s perfect for clients who prefer minimal makeup with a skin-first approach. Just be sure to prep properly for optimal blendability!”
- Shades: 12
- Key Ingredients: Sodium hyaluronate, jojoba seed oil, glycerin, castor seed oil, ginger root oil
- Finish: Skinlike
- Coverage: Light-to-medium
- Best For: All skin types or daily wear
- Size: 1.14 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Intensely moisturizing, buildable | Can be tricky to apply and blend |
Best Smoothing: Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Foundation
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- Why We Love It: Looking to achieve runway-ready glam that won’t settle into fine lines? Look no further than Pat McGrath Labs’s foundation. The formula is everything you’d want in a foundation for mature skin—it’s lightweight, hydrating, and has a natural satin finish. It does so with a masterful blend of polymers (for long wear), pigments treated with amino acids (for its creamy texture and buildable coverage), plus diamond core powder (to boost radiance and blur lines or pores). “This formula gives a lovely, elegant, skin-like finish,” says Shea. “It helps blur imperfections without dulling the skin s natural radiance.” She adds that the formula works particularly well on textured or drier skin types and that it layers beautifully.
- Shades: 36
- Key Ingredients: Smoothing polymers, amino acid–treated pigments, diamond core powder,
- Finish: Skinlike, satiny
- Coverage: Medium
- Best For: All skin types
- Size: 1.18 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Hydrating, lightweight, satiny finish | May oxidize on some skin types |
Best Budge-Proof: Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Liquid Makeup Foundation
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- Why We Love It: “While this is a full-coverage formula, this works beautifully on mature skin,” says pro makeup artist Brielle Pollara, who likes to apply it with a damp sponge for a lighter touch. "Its long-wear and oil-free formula means it won’t budge or slide into creases throughout the day, which is perfect for long events or photography.” D’Amelio Ventre also endorses the product for mature skin, noting that it offers “reliable, long-lasting coverage—when applied with care.” Like Pollara, D’Amelio Ventre emphasizes that a damp sponge is the best tool for applying the foundation to mature skin. “This will sheer out the product and help prevent it from clinging to lines or drying out the skin,” she says. “It will also deliver a smooth, matte finish that endures throughout the day.”
- Shades: 55
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin E
- Finish: Matte
- Coverage: Medium-to-full, buildable
- Best For: Normal skin
- Size: 1 fl oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Waterproof, long-wear, oil-free | Can feel weighty on mature skin if applied with a brush or heavy hand |
Best With SPF: Clinique Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Foundation
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- Why We Love It: “This delivers buildable and reliable coverage with a natural finish that doesn t feel too heavy on the skin,” Shea says of this Clinique formula. “I love to suggest this for mature clients because it helps them even out their skin tone while maintaining luminosity.” The SPF 15 formula has also caught the attention of pro makeup artist Lauren D’Amelio Ventre. “For mature skin with uneven tone or dullness, this is highly effective,” she says. “Its vitamin C brightens the complexion over time, while the satin finish enhances skin’s natural texture without emphasizing imperfections.” She adds that the added SPF offers essential sun protection for aging skin.
- Shades: 50
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C
- Finish: Natural
- Coverage: Medium
- Best For: Combination skin
- Size: 1 fl oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Layerable, long-wearing, contains SPF | The finish is too dewy for some |
Best Satin Finish: Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation SPF 30
- Why We Love It: Get your skin camera-ready with Shiseido’s foundation, designed to adjust to your skin’s needs. Featuring a blend of SPF 30, mandarin-peel extract, light-adjusting technology, luminous pearls, and microcrystals, this foundation refines skin texture, reduces the look of hyperpigmentation, and smooths fine lines. The finish is medium-to-full coverage, along with water-, transfer-, and crease-resistant wear. “I love this foundation for when I’m getting my clients ready for a red carpet or important event,” says Henney. “I use this on my client Vera Wang, and we love how it looks on the skin and in photographs.”
Shades: 30 - Key Ingredients: Light-adjusting technology (smooths skin), radiant microcrystals (also makes skin appear smoother), luminous pearls (corrects hyperpigmentation)
- Finish: Blurred, soft-focus
- Coverage: Medium-to-full coverage
- Best For: Glam (think red carpets or events!), all skin types, UV protection
- Size:
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Hydrating, buildable, contains SPF | Shade-matching is difficult for some |
How to Apply Foundation for Mature Skin
So you’ve discovered your favorite foundation, above, but you’re still a bit unsure how to apply it. If we’ve learned anything in recent years, it’s that technique makes all the difference.
“A key to looking youthful as we age is avoiding heavy or cakey makeup; less is definitely more here,” says Baraf. “You can use thin layers of product to build in places if need be. Most important is layering your gorgeous skin care underneath your foundation to ensure your foundation melts into your skin and looks fresh.”
To make your foundation look like a second skin, the right moisturizer, primer, and perhaps a glow-boosting serum can be helpful even before applying the foundation. Next, Dalí-Trites says to “mist your foundation brush or sponge with a hydrating face mist; this will help add an extra layer of hydration, allowing the foundation to best glide onto the skin and blend seamlessly.”
Best Primer for Aging Skin: Saie Glowy Super Gel
- Why We Love It: Described as a lightweight luminizer, Saie’s Glowy Super Gel is the ultimate under-makeup product for mature skin. Applying this gel feels like a drink of water to dry, thirsty skin, and that’s only half the draw to the formula. Working as a sort of allover highlighter, this imparts a glowing, radiant bronze perfect for a dewy makeup look.
- Shades: 2
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, papaya seed oil, rosa canina fruit oil, squalane oil
Best Face Mist: Avène Thermal Spring Water
- Why We Love It: As Dalí-Trites describes, a hydrating face mist allows foundation to blend into a skinlike finish. Avène’s Thermal Spring Water is one of the best. Powered by mineral properties (which help improve skin texture and soften aging skin) and biological properties (from post-biotic microflora to soothe stressed skin), this has all the qualities of an effective face mist.
- Key Ingredients: Avène Thermal Spring Water
Best Makeup Brush: Clé de Peau High Coverage Foundation Brush
- Why We Love It: You d be surprised how much a good makeup brush can level up your makeup game, especially when it’s as good as Clé de Peau’s tool known to blend foundation without a trace. Here, fine synthetic bristles are packed densely into an angled head to smoothly and seamlessly blend cream and liquid foundations. For the best finish, blend outward from the center of the face to the hairline.
Best Sponge: Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge
- Why We Love It: The choice is honestly yours in the makeup brush versus sponge debate. Those interested in the latter should really look no further than the classic Beautyblender. Once wet, this latex-free foam sponge expands and deftly smooths foundation onto skin for a streak-free finish. Plus it’s designed to absorb water—not product—so you theoretically can use less product.
Best Concealer for Mature Skin: Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat All-Over Brightening Concealer Pen
- Why We Love It: We’d argue that the concealer for mature skin is just as important as the foundation, particularly if under-eye bags or dark circles are of concern. One of the most acclaimed concealers around for awakening tired eyes (just ask Sofia Richie and Jennifer Lopez), Touche Éclat is formulated to brighten, conceal, and highlight in one fell swoop.
- Shades: 14
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, ruscus extract, Moroccan calendula extract
How to Set Foundation So It Doesn’t Settle in Wrinkles
Rising temperatures, important events, and minimizing shine are some of the reasons to learn how to properly set foundation for mature skin. After foundation, you can apply concealer to the undereye area (or wherever else) before dusting on a light veil of powder—especially to the T-zone and around the mouth. Caution against using too much, though. “If you need to take away some shine, use translucent powder sparingly,” says Kinjo. “Overpowdering makes your skin look dry.” And there you have it—a flawless makeup base.
Best Setting Powder: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder
- Why We Love It: Because a hydrated, glowing complexion is key before applying makeup for women over 50, you’ll want to employ a featherweight veil of setting powder to avoid cakiness. Luckily, this Charlotte Tilbury formula is as imperceptible as they come. Designed to quell excess shine, this finely milled powder instantly blurs the look of pores and fine lines when applied to the skin. A simple dusting with a brush is all you need to mattify surface oils and lock your look in place for hours.
- Shades: 4
- Key Ingredients: Rose wax, almond oil, light-reflecting pearlescent pigments
How to Choose the Best Foundation for Aging Skin
As with other skin-care products, experts recommend picking a foundation with multifunctional, skin-loving properties. “I look for a foundation that targets the concerns of mature skin, such as loss of radiance, uneven skin tone, and moisture balance,” says Dalí-Trites. The right level of hydration ensures that the formula melts into skin without caking or creasing.
- Ingredients: “I find that super-hydrating foundation formulas are the best for mature skin,” Henney says. Think moisture-boosting ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, botanical oils and extracts.
- Finish: “My preferred foundation for mature skin is a formula that adds radiance and moisture to the skin,” says Dalí-Trites. Generally speaking, this will be something with a dewy or skinlike finish, though innovations in matte and full-coverage foundations mean new, full-coverage formulas boast illuminating ingredients, too.
- Coverage: Sheer, light, medium, and full are all coverage options available to those seeking foundations for mature skin. For every day, we’d recommend a sheer-to-light option—reserving medium-to-full–coverage formulas for big events and glam.
Picking the Right Shade of Foundation
To find your correct foundation shade, best practice is to match to the jawline and neck for consistency. Those of us who have varying shades around our face can splurge on two foundation shades, or rely on concealer for color-correcting.
Does mature skin need a specific type of foundation?
“In my opinion, mature skin requires specific types of foundation,” says celebrity makeup artist Marquis Ward, whose clients include Abbott Elementary’s Sheryl Lee Ralph. For mature clients, he opts for lightweight, hydrating, and buildable liquid or cream foundations. “These formulas are more forgiving on fine lines and wrinkles compared to heavy, matte foundations, which can emphasize texture and dryness,” he says. He also recommends looking for products with skincare benefits, like hyaluronic acid for hydration or light-reflecting particles to add a youthful glow.
How to Choose the Best Foundation for Aging Skin
As a rule of thumb, celebrity makeup artist Miho Suzuki recommends waiting 10 to 20 minutes after applying skincare to apply a foundation. “Allow time for the skin to absorb your serum or moisturizer,” she says. “This will create a nice, even base so the foundation goes on smoothly.” For any age group, Suzuki recommends applying a scant amount of foundation to avoid caking—she typically uses three pea-sized drops, which she applies in steps to cover the whole face. “For each step, I apply with a big flat brush and work it in with a damp sponge,” she says. “This process will help remove any excess and create a thin layer of foundation.” After the foundation has been applied, Suzuki recommends applying concealer to any areas that need extra coverage—though a light touch is always best. “For mature skin, I would avoid heavy concealer under the eyes where the skin is very thin or on any wrinkles,” she says.
What foundation type is best for mature skin?
“Liquid foundations are the most versatile and effective for mature skin—especially those with a satin or dewy finish,” Ward says. “They provide hydration and blend well without settling into fine lines.” He adds that serum-based foundations are another excellent choice for mature skin since they tend to combine skincare and makeup benefits. “Avoid overly matte foundations, as they can make the skin look dull and emphasize texture,” he reiterates.
How to Prevent Foundation from Settling Into Wrinkles
“These steps have saved my life and have prevented foundation from settling into my clients’ fine lines and wrinkles,” Ward says:
- Hydrate: “Start with a rich, hydrating moisturizer and let it absorb fully before applying makeup. This helps plump the skin and minimize the appearance of fine lines.”
- Prime: “Use a primer that specifically targets wrinkles, such as a smoothing or blurring primer, to create a smoother base for the foundation.”
- Choose Lightweight Formulas: “Avoid thick, heavy foundations,” Ward cautions. “Lightweight, buildable formulas are less likely to settle into creases.”
- Use Minimal Product: Ward recommends applying foundation sparingly around area areas with wrinkles. “Instead of layering, use a damp sponge to sheer out the product in problem areas,” he instructs.
- Set Strategically: “Use setting powder sparingly, and only where absolutely needed,” Ward says. For areas prone to creasing, he recommends pressing powder lightly into the skin with a damp sponge.
- Reassess Throughout the Day: Ward suggests carrying a clean sponge or blotting paper to gently smooth out any product that might settle into wrinkles throughout the day.
Meet the Makeup Artists We Consulted
- Meredith Baraf is a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with Brooke Shields, Adriana Lima, and Linda Evangelista.
- Kirin Bhatty is a celebrity makeup artist whose clients include Lorde and Jenny Slate.
- Carolina Dalí-Trites is a celebrity makeup artist and men’s groomer whose clients include Kate Hudson, Hunter Schafer, and Natalia Dyer.
- Lauren D’Amelio Ventre is a pro makeup artist and creator of The Art of Enhancement and The Elite MUA Blueprint.
- Brett Freedman is a celebrity makeup artist whose clients include Catherine Zeta-Jones, Taylor Swift, Jodie Foster, and Lisa Kudrow.
- Tobi Henney is a celebrity makeup artist who works with Barbara Palvin, Megan Fox, and Poppy Delevingne.
- Janice Kinjo is a celebrity makeup artist and men’s groomer who specializes in melanin-rich skin. Her clients include Viola Davis, Mindy Kaling, and Donald Glover.
- Brielle Pollara is a pro makeup artist who specializes in celebrity, bridal, and editorial work.
- Lauren Shea is a pro makeup artist specializing in bridal, editorial, and runway looks.
- Miho Suzuki is a celebrity makeup artist based in Los Angeles.
- Marquis Ward is a celebrity makeup artist based in Los Angeles.