Our beauty team's top foundations for mature skin
Foundation can make or break a beauty look, so it's vital to find the right one for mature skin. However, that might be easier said than done, considering just how many there are to choose from these days.
As we get older, there are multiple changes that occur in our skin, so it's important to choose a foundation that responds to a loss in collagen and elastin levels. Most of the time, mature complexions also experience reduced sebum production which can lead to dry patches and encourage fine lines to appear.
The best foundations for mature skin are boosted with skin-kind ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, which locks moisture into the skin to prevent cakey lines from developing. Light-reflecting spheres will impart a soft-focus glow, while a dewy formulation will glide over rough-textured skin, diffusing the appearance of wrinkles.
It may be tempting to pick the bottle that says 'high coverage', but steer clear as these formulas can make your complexion look rather flat, and settle into fine lines making them appear more pronounced. Instead, choose a light coverage formula as these tend to be hydrating and will leave a more flattering finish.
DISCOVER MORE TOP BEAUTY BUYS
The best foundations for mature skin...
We've selected 21 foundations for mature skin that look radiant, natural and work beautifully with mature skin types.
Hollywood Flawless Filter
Get that Hollywood look with Charlotte Tilbury's Flawless Filter which promises to give you a confidence-boosting glow as well as smoothing out any fine lines or blemishes, thanks to the finely milled powders within the bottle.
Available in 12 shades, this product can also be worn alone for a more natural look, underneath your foundation as glow-boosting primer and even on top of your cheekbones for added highlight.
True Match Liquid Foundation
There are many high-street foundations that can rival the designer buys these days, and L'Oreal's True Match is (still) one of the best.
It's creamier than most, so won't highlight dry patches or wrinkles making it ideal for mature skin types. It blends in seamlessly with a brush to offer a healthy glow. A light layer will offer translucent coverage – for a fuller look, add a second.
BFF Cream SPF 30
This is more of a tinted moisturiser than a foundation, but if you're simply looking to perk up skin with one easy product, it might be just the thing. The white cream contains coloured pigments that melt on application, transforming into your perfect tint, while SPF 30 delivers trustworthy protection.
Wear it alone as a one-and-done base, or layer with the brand's Just A Touch Foundation and Concealer pot for extra coverage.
Light Reflecting Foundation
NARS, in our opinion, sell some of the best foundations out there (also check out the NARS Sheer Glow). But, the Light Reflecting Foundation is inching its way up to first position. The medium coverage formula is easily blendable, radiant in its finish and gives a natural skin-like effect to cancel out hyperpigmentation and redness. Following suit to many new foundations with a skincare focus. This one is boosted with ingredients to help strengthen your skin barrier which makes it especially good for mature skin.
Restore & Renew Serum Foundation SPF 30
Serum foundations are especially good for mature skin, thanks to their hydrating properties.
Enter: the No7 Restore & Renew Serum foundation. It has a lightweight texture that blends out for a luminous veil of coverage, and the radiant finish blurs any discolouration. If fine lines are a concern, you'll be happy to know the liquid formula works with the movements of your skin so it doesn't crease or turn cakey over time.
Jones Road What The FoundationTinted Moisture Balm
Formulated by acclaimed makeup artist Bobbi Brown, Jones Road's What The Foundation is a tinted, ultra-moisturising balm that comes in 16 skin-loving shades.
The creamy texture soothes dry patches and softens fine lines as its formulated with sodium hyaluronate – a humectant that's smaller than hyaluronic acid, which restores suppleness and improves the appearance of skin.
The light-medium foundation can be used as a bb cream or built up for fuller coverage. Simply use your fingers or a brush and apply directly on the skin; for dewier results, start with a moisturising primer.
Luminous Silk Foundation
Giorgio Armani's Luminous Silk foundation has been the brand's best-selling product since debuting in 2000, consistently winning numerous beauty awards and receiving 5-star recommendations from editors and beauty enthusiasts to this day.
Why is it so incredible? The silky, hydrating formula effortlessly sinks into the skin, delivering a beautiful glow without settling into fine lines or clinging to dry patches. It's lightweight but buildable and is best applied with a clean makeup brush for a radiant, satin finish.
DIOR Forever Skin Glow Foundation
Certainly an investment buy but one you and your skin will love.
Not only a great foundation for covering redness, imperfections and uneven skin tones, it also has added skin benefits which overtime promise to contribute to your overall complexion. Hydrating and smoothing, it promises to give your skin a much-needed boost.
Revitalessence Glow Foundation
A buildable, medium-coverage foundation that adds a veil of youthful radiance without any trace of shine or shimmer, Shiseido's Revitalessence is a must-try.
The serum-like consistency is ideal for drier skin types as it's formulated with fermented kefir and niacinamide to support good bacteria in improving the look of bare skin, and plumping fine lines in the process.
Rimmel Lasting Finish 35Hr Foundation
A foundation beneficial for your skin as well as your glam look is one we love, especially at this price point.
With added SPF and hyaluronic acid, two super ingredients for maturing skin, this foundation promises to nourish while giving you the coverage you desire. It comes with a 35hr promise too, meaning no extra touch ups are required through the day - another bonus for keeping skin loving young and fresh.
Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation SPF20
The Clinique serum foundation is a favourite for a natural and radiant finish. The formula is ideal if your skin type tips towards the oily side of the spectrum, and leaves a satin-matte finish that still appears glowy (keeping all excess oils at bay).
Plus, it checks the box in the skincare category too: vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid work together to help hydrate and promote a brighter complexion. It won't work better than a curated skincare routine, but it can't hurt to have some added skin-loving ingredients.
Second Skin Foundation
The hint is in the name: this foundation stands out to us for delivering the most believable skin-like finish. If you aren't keen on the feeling of dense formulas, this is an easy-to-blend liquid which takes no more than your fingertips to work the product into the areas that need a little coverage. It's packed with hyaluronic acid to aid hydration throughout the day, and the high-factor sun protection is an added bonus.
Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup 30ml
If you're prone to feeling sweaty, then Double Wear could be the foundation for you. It has both a sweat and waterproof matte finish that makes it ideal for summertime.
It's a little more full coverage than some of the other buys in our edit, but for special occasions it's a worthwhile investment. The best bit? Despite its buildable finish, it doesn't look cakey or sit in creases.
Studio Fix Fluid
There's a reason MAC's Studio Fix Fluid is loved by so many but some of its many benefits include a soft matte finish, oil control, and an 87% skincare based formula. It's easy to blend and protects the skin's natural moisture barrier making it a great everyday option if you're always on the go.
Teint Miracle Bare Skin Foundation SPF 15
Lancôme's Teint Miracle foundation has been designed with hydration in mind. Formulated with a high concentration of water, it helps to create a smooth and unified appearance that draws on the natural radiance of the complexion.
It offers lighter coverage but it's still long-lasting – a great option if you're looking for a product that won't budge.
Age Perfector BB Cream
BB creams (short for blemish balm) offer a lighter coverage than a foundation, but still work to smooth out your skin tone, cancel out blemishes and give a healthy glow to your complexion. The L’Oreal Paris Age Perfector BB Cream is specially designed for the needs of mature skin: a luminous pigment conceals any unevenness, while SPF 50 provides a brilliant level of protection for sun-sensitive skin. Plus, the serum-like texture makes it so easy to blend, without it settling in any fine lines or wrinkles.
Intensive Serum Foundation SPF40 30ml
A make-up and skincare hybrid, this hydrating foundation contains SPF40. It gives skin a luminous smooth finish without looking too heavy making it ideal for everyday wear. Blend with a brush or sponge for a professional-looking finish, or for a natural look use warm fingertips.
Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation 32ml
With its soft matte finish and medium to full coverage, the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r foundation is a great option for days in the office or evenings out.
It has an oil-free formula, and contains technology that's resistant to sweat and humidity, making it a wise choice for the coming months. It's long wearing and boasts a light texture so you needn't worry about feeling as if you're slathered in a heavy base.
Professional Makeup Born to Glow Radiant Foundation
Lightweight, glowy and buildable, this radiance-boosting foundation is a total steal. It offers an irridescent effect and a creamy formula, making for a smooth and youthful-looking base. Set with powder to keep it in place.
Halo Glow Liquid Filter
Another make-up and skincare hybrid is this affordable option from e.l.f. It leaves skin with a lightweight glow, whilst offering buildable coverage. If you prefer a more full coverage look simply mix with your usual foundation to offer skin a soft focus, moisturised appearance.
You Might Also Like
