Best Foundation for Mature Skin

Shopping for cosmetic products when you are over 50 is nothing like it was when you were 20.

The fine lines and wrinkles just can’t handle the products that you used to be able to slap on your skin, so what should you consider when it comes to your aging skin?

Foundation seems to be the biggest challenge for anyone over 50, so in our helpful guide below, you can compare the best foundation for mature skin and find out more about how to choose one.

Read on to see which brands our aging experts recommend and see what they thought of the top five products.

What Works Best on Mature Skin?

Powders will only settle in wrinkles, which is why people with aging skin should avoid them as the main foundation. Instead, use powders to help you set your liquid or cream foundations. The latter will help plump and hydrate your skin rather than settling in the lines.

BB Creams, CC Creams, and Tinted Moisturizers also work well for mature skin.

• Liquid and Cream Foundations – When comparing liquid and creams to the other foundation options, it really comes down to your skin type and how much coverage you need.

The formulas vary greatly, and some might contain wrinkle-fighting ingredients or be free of the harsh ingredients that can irritate sensitive skin.

We have listed some of the best foundations for mature skin in our table, so you will need to choose one based on your skin tone and skin type.

• BB or CC Creams – These formulas have different functions, so make sure you select one that will target your problem areas.

BB is short for “blemish balm” or “beauty balm,” and can provide medium to full coverage. Since they usually offer more SPF protection than a tinted moisturizer, we recommend these for day use if you will be outdoors and exposed to the sun.

CC Creams are formulated as “color corrector” creams, so if you have excessive redness or an uneven skin tone, a CC cream might be your ticket to more even skin.

• Tinted Moisturizers – Tinted moisturizers are great for those who prefer the no makeup look or simply don’t need heavy coverage.

As the name implies, these formulas provide your skin with all of the hydrating benefits of a moisturizer and just a kiss of color to help even out your skin tone.

Why does the best foundation for aging skin always seem to bare a high price tag?

You probably noticed that we didn’t include many drugstore brands, and that is simply because drugstore brands don’t contain the more expensive, skin-nourishing ingredients that mature skin needs.

Some users might have luck with the less expensive formulas, but the odds are that you will notice better results by opting for a more expensive, high-quality formula thanks to the ingredients.

Look for Formulas with Skin Nurturing Ingredients

When you glance through the ingredient list, here are a few terms that you want to see.

• Hyaluronic Acid – Moisture is crucial if you want to keep your skin hydrated, plump, and healthy, and since hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, it is a powerful ingredient in any skin care product.

Whether you have dry skin or normal skin, it’s always good to see this ingredient in a foundation formula.

• Ceramides – We all have ceramide molecules in our skin, but as we age, their numbers decrease and leave us with more wrinkles and saggy skin.

To help make up for what nature no longer produces, you can look for products that contain ceramides to help fight the wrinkles and the sag while leaving you with radiant color and even skin on the outside.

The two products that we recommend from our list containing them include Elizabeth Arden’s Ceramide Lift & Firm Makeup and Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream.

Best Foundations for Mature Skin

1. Estee Lauder Double Wear Makeup

Estee Lauder is still considered the best foundation for older skin thanks to the quality ingredients, beautiful coverage, and wide shade range. Many have luck with the product, and we hope you will, too!

This all-day formula will leave you with a matte finish. It is designed to stay in place even in hot or humid climates, and it is oil-free. Does it really stay on all day once you apply?

While many formulas make that claim, this is one that actually does. If you have a lot of discoloration, redness, or sun spots, then you can build from medium to full coverage without feeling like you’re sitting under a veil of product.

With 38 different shades to choose from, it is much easier for consumers to find a color match. If you’re not sure what color will work, head to any Estee Lauder makeup counter and they will help you select the right one.

2. EltaMD SKINCARE UV Daily Broad-Spectrum

While EltaMD might not have much regarding color options, it works surprisingly well on many different skin tones.

It is only available in one tinted color and clear, but since it goes on so sheer, it works to even, hydrate, and protect the skin.

The formula is free of fragrance and parabens, and it is noncomedogenic. We were pleased to see that it contains hyaluronic acid to help moisturize the skin and 9.0% zinc oxide to help protect you from the sun’s harmful rays. It is even recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation, which isn’t something that any other foundation on our list can claim.

If you don’t like to wear heavy makeup or simply need something for use in the summer, consider trying this formula from EltaMD.

3. EVXO Liquid Mineral Foundation Makeup

While all of the other formulas we looked at are great, none of them are as nature-friendly as EVXO’s Natural/Organic Liquid Foundation.

As a vegan-friendly foundation, this is made with natural ingredients and is cruelty-free. It contains hydrating aloe; chamomile to help soothe irritated, sensitive skin; thyme to help keep blemishes at bay (which is better for younger users); and Vitamin E.

The finish is dewy – slightly less matte than Estee Lauder, which is a huge plus when preparing matures skin for an evening look. The initial coverage is medium, so you can use it for a day look, as well.

Overall, we love that this brand is free of all the harsh ingredients, and while their color range is quite limited, the six shades that they do offer range from fair to dark chestnut. It is a wonderful product to try if you have mature skin and are looking for a vegan product.

Further reading: Best Mineral Foundations

4. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20

Laura Mercier’s formula is ideal for mature users with oily skin.

As a tinted moisturizer, you get the benefits of SPF protection and hydration thanks to the sodium hyaluronate, which plumps the skin as hyaluronic acid does.

As a tinted moisturizer, it is lightweight and great for skin that just needs a little extra boost of moisture without a high amount of coverage. The shade range isn’t bad, and with 15 different colors to choose from, your chances of finding a match are better than they are with the EVXO foundation.

If you are looking for a light summer foundation, this is ideal since it will give you a natural dewy finish while protecting you from the sun.

5. IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Full-Coverage Foundation

What stands out about this IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Full-Coverage Foundation, as the name implies, is that it provides excellent coverage. It’s easy to spread around, and although it offers great coverage, it’s also still relatively lightweight. In terms of coverage, this foundation is ideal for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, dark circles, acne and scarring, large pores, resulting in a flawless complexion.

What is also impressive about IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Full-Coverage Foundation is that it stays soft long after you have applied it, meaning that there is no cracking or creasing.

You may like that the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Full-Coverage Foundation features a UV protection level of SPF50, thus providing you with maximum protection from the sun’s harmful rays. In addition, the micronized light-reflecting pigments offer a radiant glow.

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Full-Coverage Foundation is loaded with skin-benefiting ingredients. Various ingredients such as hydrolyzed collagen, peptides, niacin, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and vitamins, provide many benefits for your skin. This foundation can help heal damaged skin, tighten skin for a younger appearance, reduce the appearance of acne, provide moisturization, and more.

The fact that IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Full-Coverage comes in no less than ten shades, both for lighter and darker skin, is a bonus. Finally, this product is not oily, and it is made with ingredients that are ideal for sensitive and acne-prone skin.