10 Anti-Aging Foundations That Actually Make You Look Younger

by Allie Flinn
Allie Flinn has covered beauty for Byrdie since 2014. Her work has also appeared in Well+Good, The Zoe Report, Brides, Greatist, and Popsugar.
Updated 02/26/20

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Thanks to a potent combo of endless news alerts/a busy work schedule/a constant sense of existential dread, this past year has not been kind to my complexion. Case in point: let me point to all of the above as having accelerated the aging process of my skin. I'm starting to notice fine lines where there was previously smooth skin, and the little furrow between my brows doesn't quite go away when my face is in a natural resting state. So, I kicked my anti-aging skincare routine into high gear, and also picked up an assortment of anti-aging foundations. They're seriously like magic wands, immediately making your skin look better, and they also work overtime to combat fine lines, sagging skin, and dullness. It's an all-around win. Infused with powerhouse anti-aging ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and retinol, these foundation picks do more than cover, they help in the long run, too.

Below, are the best anti-aging foundations I've found, tried, and tested.

Best Overall: Lancôme Renergie Lift Anti-Wrinkle Lifting Foundation

Lancôme Renergie Lift Anti-Wrinkle Lifting SPF 20 Foundation

Courtesy of Ulta

This foundation acts like Spanx for your face. It contains a skin-contouring blend of ingredients that instantly makes your face look more lifted, plus vitamin E and caffeine for anti-aging.

Best Budget: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Aging Perfector

The mainstays of this drugstore find are that it's super sheer (perfect for those looking for light coverage), and it contains wrinkle-fighting retinol. The only downside: the lack of a wide color range.

Best Lightweight: Algenist Anti-Aging Serum Foundation

Algenist Reveal Color Correcting Anti-Aging Serum Foundation SPF15

A blend of algae is infused into this wrinkle-fighting foundation. The word "lightweight" gets tossed around a lot when describing foundation, but this one truly is thanks to its serum-like formula that feels silky to apply and leaves skin looking naturally glowy.

Best for Fine Lines: L’Oréal Visible Lift Serum Absolute Foundation

This is a non-cakey, drugstore buy that's infused with a powerful form of vitamin A called retinyl palmitate, which helps fine lines look less apparent over time.

Best for Dark Spots: Laura Geller Filter First Luminous Foundation

Laura Geller Filter First Luminous Foundation

 Courtesy of Nordstrom

This foundation boasts a multitude of skin-saving ingredients, like grapeseed oil and vitamin E, along with instant skin-perfecting micro-pearls. (Read: It works overtime to improve the look of skin while also making it look immediately radiant.)

Best Serum Foundation: Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation Serum

Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation Serum

Courtesy of Perricone MD 

These weightless drops feel like a serum when you apply them and dry down into a slightly matte finish that doesn't settle into lines. DMAE, a compound that helps aging, and neuropeptides work to make skin soft, supple, and firm.

Best Splurge: Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation

Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation SPF 40

 Courtesy of Bloomingdale's

A silky foundation that manages to make skin look airbrushed despite being basically weightless. The mushroom and bamboo infused formula sinks into skin for supple, silky coverage.

Best Medium Coverage: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15

 Courtesy of Sephora

The ingredient list of this full-coverage foundation reads like a high-end serum. A potent blend of mushrooms (to improve texture and firmness), hyaluronic acid (for deep hydration), and vitamin C (to brighten) work in tandem to give skin a youthful glow.

Best for Dull Skin: Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Liquid Foundation

Courtesy of Benefit Cosmetics

This buildable foundation deftly evens out skin tone, creating a bouncy, dewy glow to your overall complexion The formula is infused with vitamins C and E plus SPF 25 to help repair and protect skin. Plus, SPF is important to incorporate into your daily routine, so you might as well get a two-for-one product.

Best CC Cream: IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream With SPF 50+

It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream With SPF 50+

 Courtesy of Ulta

This standout product is known for its distinctive full-coverage effect that manages to feel (and look!) like you're wearing nothing on your face. In addition to being like an Instagram filter IRL, it's also packed with a powerhouse anti-aging blend of collagen, peptides, niacin, and antioxidants that work together to fight wrinkles and brighten skin.

While aging is a natural part of life, if you're looking to brighten up your complexion, we highly recommend one of the anti-aging foundations mentioned above. Make sure you know what you want out of the product, and you'll be good to go.

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