How do you apply foundation for mature skin?

When it comes to mature or aging skin, Patinkin says it's best to use a patting or tapping motion to achieve a flawless application . “The stretching and tugging that can happen when using fingers or a brush can not only accelerate the further breakdown of collagen and elastin, but when the skin stretches during application, it will naturally bounce back in place and carry the makeup with it," she says. "This is what causes creasing and settling."

Is mineral foundation good for mature skin?

Patinkin suggests avoiding foundations with mineral-based formulas if you have mature skin. “They tend to have a heavier level of coverage and a higher powder content, both of which can end up accentuating the age-related changes we want to camouflage, such as enlarged pores or fine lines.”

The 19 Best Foundations for Mature Skin of 2023

IT Cosmetics CC Cream — Byrdie / Tembe Denton-Hurst

Chronological age alone doesn’t define mature skin, a condition that develops from a combination of intrinsic factors like genetics, as well as extrinsic factors like exposure to sun and pollution. A 2021 study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) notes that loss of laxity, sun spots, and hyperpigmentation characterize mature skin, which can be accelerated by environmental factors. When choosing a foundation for mature skin, consider a formula that’s both pigmented for effective coverage and hydrating enough to melt into the skin.

Board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Michele Green, MD notes people with mature skin should look for foundation with active ingredients to counter some of the environmental causes of skin aging. As a bonus, active ingredients give a silky skin feel, making the formula less prone to caking or creasing. “Look for an antioxidant formula to stimulate collagen formulation, help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and lighten discoloration and hyperpigmentation,” she says. While coverage level is a matter of personal preference, those with mature skin will want to blur texture and blend discoloration with a formula that doesn't settle into fine lines or dry patches—meaning it's best to avoid matte makeup, as it's more prone to creasing.

We considered dozens of foundations for mature skin for this roundup, evaluating each formula on its coverage level, active ingredients, and skin feel. We also took into account the range of shades offered and type of finish.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Estée Lauder Futurist Moisturizing Foundation SPF 45 at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Budget:

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation with Clay at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Drugstore:

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Splurge:

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Full-Coverage:

Kevyn Aucoin Beauty Foundation Balm at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Medium-Coverage:

Clinique Even Better Makeup SPF 15 at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Sheer:

Kevyn Aucoin Stripped Nude Skin Tint at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Lightweight:

Juvia's Place I Am Magic Foundation at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best CC+ Cream:

IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream With SPF 50+ at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Stick:

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick at Sephora

Jump to Review

In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look For
FAQ
How We Researched & Tested
Why Trust Byrdie

4.7

EstÃ©e Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturizing Foundation SPF 45

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Sephora

What We Like

Moisturizing formula contains hyaluronic acid
Contains SPF
Buildable coverage

What We Don't Like

Expensive

Some foundations can feel uncomfortably dry on mature skin—especially when you apply them without a serum underneath. But with this double-duty formula from Estée Lauder, this is a non-issue, which is why it earned itself top honors for this list. Part medium-to-full coverage makeup, part anti-aging serum, Futurist Hydra Rescue works overtime for your complexion.

The formula hydrates with hyaluronic acid and the brand's proprietary IonCharged Water Complex while delivering SPF 45 protection from photoaging and sun damage. Available in 28 shades ranging from java to porcelain, this moisturizing pick instantly plumps, addresses redness, and leaves a radiant, natural-looking glow in its wake.

Price at time of publish: $51

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation with Clay

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Target

What We Like

Budget-friendly
Evens skin tone with blurring formula
Wide shade range

What We Don't Like

Not ideal for dry skin

On a budget? Your best bet is Maybelline Fit Me, an exceedingly lightweight liquid foundation formulated to blur texture without clogging pores. We also like that it comes in 40 shades, ranging from espresso to porcelain. And you can't beat the convenience of a drugstore foundation that does the job.

Price at time of publish: $9

4.9

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On CVS

What We Like

Budget-friendly
Moisturizing formula contains hyaluronic acid
Evens skin tone

What We Don't Like

Potentially too sheer

Another star from the drugstore aisle, we recommend Neutrogena Hydro Boost, a tinted liquid makeup that hydrates mature skin while evening out your complexion. There's a lot to love about the instantly plumped, dewy finish, but bear in mind that this foundation might be too sheer for some people's taste.

Price at time of publish: $14

4.8

Sephora

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Sephora

Is Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation Worth the $65?

What We Like

Award-winning Micro-Fil Technology glides on smooth
Buildable coverage
Wide shade range

What We Don't Like

Expensive
Contains fragrance

Luminous Silk is undoubtedly expensive, but if you wear a full face of makeup daily or have a special event coming up, it might be worth the splurge. And if you are going to take the plunge, you might as well perfect your routine according to a celebrity makeup artist. Available in 40 shades, this award-winning foundation is lightweight yet buildable and leaves you with a radiant, youthful, lit-from-within glow.

Price at time of publish: $70

armani beauty luminous silk foundation — Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca

4.2

Kevyn Aucoin Foundation Balm, (Deep) FB 13 shade + brush: Light diffusing. Full coverage, buildable, blends, blurs, corrects, evens out complexion, and...

Amazon

View On Amazon

Kevyn Aucion Beauty "Foundation Balm" Exists and I Tried It⁠—Here Are My Honest Thoughts

What We Like

Moisturizing formula contains hyaluronic acid and blend of botanical oils
Creamy texture doesn't crease

What We Don't Like

Expensive

Kevyn Aucoin Foundation Balm is a nourishing foundation with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, high-powered antioxidants, and a blend of avocado oil, olive fruit oil, and phytosterols. Its creamy texture makes it easy to manipulate without creasing.

Price at time of publish: $52

Clinique Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Ulta

What We Like

Contains SPF
Botanical extracts and glycerin even skin tone
Wide shade range

What We Don't Like

May be drying without serum

Clinique Even Better Makeup comes in 50 shades and has a dermatologist-developed formula to provide medium coverage with visibly diminished age spots, a more even complexion, and SPF 15 protection.

Price at time of publish: $33

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Kevynaucoinbeauty.com

What We Like

Moisturizing formula contains hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and botanical extracts
Antioxidants help to even out skin tone
Lightweight formula

What We Don't Like

Contains fragrance

This is a lightweight sheer foundation with skin-caring ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and botanical extracts to moisture to the skin and protect it from free radicals and blue light.

Price at time of publish: $52

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Ulta

What We Like

Lightweight formula contains glycerin
Long-wear antioxidant formula doesn't cake
Wide shade range

What We Don't Like

Not ideal for dry skin

We're loving Juvia's Place I Am Magic for mature skin. Available in 42 shades, this virtually weightless antioxidant-infused foundation delivers a velvety finish with full coverage and all-day wear.

Price at time of publish: $22

4.8

Sephora

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Sephora

IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ Is Lightweight and Hydrating

What We Like

Peptides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid deliver powerful moisture
Contains SPF 50
Antioxidant and collagen-infused formula promote healthy skin

What We Don't Like

Not ideal for sensitive skin

The best CC Cream for mature skin is, hands down, IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better. As the name suggests, this highly pigmented cream foundation enhances your complexion with a natural-looking finish—extra points for the SPF 50 protection.

Price at time of publish: $44

4.2

Sephora

View On Sephora View On Bobbibrowncosmetics.com View On Saks Fifth Avenue

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick Won Me Over

What We Like

Award-winning formula contains moisturizing vitamin E
Antioxidant and squalene formula softens fine lines

What We Don't Like

Expensive

This award-winning foundation stick by Bobbi Brown is hygienic, easy to apply, and amazing for on-the-go makeup applications. The antioxidant-rich creamy formula softens fine lines, moisturizes the skin, and improves texture.

Price at time of publish: $21

What Our Testers Say

"This product is one everyone should try at least once for its longevity, color, and ease of use." — Khera Alexander, Product Tester

L'OrÃ©al Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Budget-friendly
Long-wear formula contains vitamin E to prevent creasing
Contains SPF

What We Don't Like

May be drying without serum

This wallet-friendly foundation smooths the skin with vitamin E, evens out your complexion, offers SPF 15 protection, and provides a glowy, radiant finish for up to 24 hours.

Price at time of publish: $14

Amazon

View On Marenabeaute.com

What We Like

Buildable coverage
Vitamin E delivers creamy, long-wear formula

What We Don't Like

Expensive

This line is made specifically for melanin-rich complexions, and comes in six shades. The buildable formula has a skin-blurring finish and is infused with vitamin E to improve texture and stay creamy.

Price at time of publish: $35

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Hydrating Longwear Foundation

Sephora

View On Sephora

What We Like

Buildable coverage doesn't crease or cake
Moisturizing formula contains antioxidant blend
Wide shade range

What We Don't Like

Contains fragrance

This hydrating foundation is a more moisturizing version of the brand's Pro Filt'r Soft Matte, which is ideal for those with mature skin. It's notably lightweight, blendable, and buildable, leaving you with a natural-looking finish and noticeably smoother complexion.

Price at time of publish: $36

Ulta

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Target

What We Like

Tone-matching technology
Vitamin E , aloe, and antioxidant blend deliver hydration
Contains SPF

What We Don't Like

Not ideal for oily skin

This brand's Shade ID technology calls on chromatic pigments that adjust to your unique skin tone, so you can count on a great match and a velvety-smooth finish at a budget-friendly price. To understand your skin tone better, start by finding your undertone.

Price at time of publish: $12

Make Up For Ever

View On Sephora View On Kohls.com View On Makeupforever.com

What We Like

Long-wear formula
Hyaluronic acid delivers moisture
Silica powder blurs imperfections

What We Don't Like

Expensive
Contains fragrance

Formulated with mica and silica—an ingredient that has lots to love—this formula offers superior blurring without irritating skin. The natural-looking finish lasts for up to 24 hours, but hyaluronic acid keeps the foundation breathable.

Price at time of publish: $100

Smashbox Studio Skin 24 Hour Oil-free Hydra Foundation

Sephora

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Sephora

What We Like

Long-wear, water resistant formula
Fragrance-free
Hyaluronic acid delivers moisture

What We Don't Like

Not ideal for very dry skin

If you're partial to oil-free formulas, this one contains hyaluronic acid and offers buildable coverage. Its velvety finish lasts all day without settling into fine lines.

Price at time of publish: $43

4.8

BareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation SPF 15

Macys

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Sephora

BareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation SPF 15 Makes it Look Like I'm in Portrait Mode 24/7

What We Like

Buildable blurring coverage
Lightweight
Contains mineral SPF

What We Don't Like

Messy application

The iconic, ultra-lightweight loose powder conceals uneven complexions and blurs pore size when you apply it with a swirling technique. Though applying it can get a little messy, you can count on better-looking, nourished skin, thanks to the mineral content, and won't have to worry about it caking.

Price at time of publish: $35

Dermstore

View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Dermstore

What We Like

Beautiful dewy finish
Nourishes and hydrates
Contains SPF

What We Don't Like

Coverage might be too light for some preferences

This makeup-skincare hybrid from Ilia is a fan favorite—and for good reason. It provides light, dewy coverage that blurs imperfections without settling into fine lines, then goes above and beyond to nourish and hydrate your skin with a blend complexion-loving ingredients. We're talking niacinamide, aloe vera, hyaluroninc acid, and squalane—to name just a few. It even contains SPF 40 to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays.

Price at time of publish: $48

4.7

Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Foundation

Sephora

View On Sephora View On Bergdorfgoodman.com View On Patmcgrath.com

What We Like

Long-wear formula
Buildable coverage
Enhances natural radiance

What We Don't Like

Pricey
Contains PEGs

Pat McGrath's Skin Fetish comes in 36 diverse shades ranging from the deepest brown to the lightest ivory. The buildable formula starts sheer and works its way up to medium-level coverage without settling into your creases. It also contains what the brand calls "Diamond Core Powder," which promises to minimize the appearance of imperfections while enhancing your natural radiance.

Price at time of publish: $68

Final Verdict

Our best overall pick is Estée Lauder’s Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturizing Foundation, a makeup-serum hybrid that simultaneously hydrates, plumps, reduces redness, and prevents photoaging. For a more affordable option, consider Maybelline’s Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation, a lightweight and blurring liquid formula that minimizes the appearance of pores and fine lines.

Meet the Expert

Michele Green, MD is a board-certified dermatologist with a practice in New York City. She's a frequent media contributor and skincare expert.
Jenny Patinkin is a celebrity makeup artist, beauty expert, and entrepreneur known for her eco-friendly and age-aware approach to beauty.

What to Look For in Foundation for Mature Skin

A Thinner Texture

According to makeup artist Jenny Patinkin, a foundation that’s thinner and lighter will help to best camouflage any blemishes without sinking into lines or large pores that you’re trying to detract attention from. For instance, Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint is a lightweight formula that goes on like a serum and blurs your imperfections without caking up or settling into creases.

A Radiant or Satin Finish

Luminous or radiant finishes can sometimes be a bit too glowy for more mature skin, whereas matte ones can tend to look flat and dry, says Patinkin. The middle-ground, a radiant finish, is most flattering on aging skin, she says.

Estée Lauder Futurist Foundation is our favorite formula with a radiant finish, but Armani Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Foundation is an excellent choice too.

A Fragrance-Free Formula

Patinkin also suggests looking for foundations with fragrance-free formulas. “We tend to become more sensitive and reactive as we get older, and fragrance can contain any number of ingredients that might be irritating,” she says. Smashbox Studio Skin Hydra Foundation is a stellar choice if you're looking for something that doesn't contain fragrance.

FAQ

How do you apply foundation for mature skin?

When it comes to mature or aging skin, Patinkin says it's best to use a patting or tapping motion to achieve a flawless application. “The stretching and tugging that can happen when using fingers or a brush can not only accelerate the further breakdown of collagen and elastin, but when the skin stretches during application, it will naturally bounce back in place and carry the makeup with it," she says. "This is what causes creasing and settling."
Is mineral foundation good for mature skin?

Patinkin suggests avoiding foundations with mineral-based formulas if you have mature skin. “They tend to have a heavier level of coverage and a higher powder content, both of which can end up accentuating the age-related changes we want to camouflage, such as enlarged pores or fine lines.”

How We Researched & Tested

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives. We then used these insights from our research and testing to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Theresa Holland is a freelance writer specializing in beauty, self-care, and lifestyle. She considered dozens of dermatologist-recommended formulas for this roundup, evaluating each on active ingredients, coverage levels, and finishes.

11 Natural Foundations for Complexion Perfection

Updated by Jill Di Donato

Article Sources

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

Wong QYA, Chew FT. Defining skin aging and its risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):22075. Published 2021 Nov 11. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-01573-z
Milani M, Sparavigna A. The 24-hour skin hydration and barrier function effects of a hyaluronic 1%, glycerin 5%, and <em>Centella asiatica</em> stem cells extract moisturizing fluid: an intra-subject, randomized, assessor-blinded study. CCID. 2017;10:311-315.
Becker LC, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, et al. Safety assessment of silylates and surface-modified siloxysilicates. Int J Toxicol. 2013;32(3 Suppl):5S-24S. doi:10.1177/1091581813486299

Best Overall

Estée Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturizing Foundation SPF 45

Best Budget

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation with Clay

Best Drugstore

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint

Best Splurge

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

Best Full-Coverage

Kevyn Aucoin Beauty Foundation Balm

Best Medium-Coverage

Clinique Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15

Best Sheer

Kevyn Aucoin Stripped Nude Skin Tint

Best Lightweight

Juvia's Place I Am Magic Foundation

Best CC+ Cream

IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream With SPF 50+

Best Stick

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick

Best Long-Wear

L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation

Best for Dark Skin Tones

Maréna Beauté Le Teint Tarou

Best Smoothing

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Hydrating Longwear Foundation

Best Tone-Matching

BLK/OPL True Color Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation SPF 15

Best Blurring

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation

Best Oil-Free

Smashbox Studio Skin 24 Hour Oil-Free Hydra Foundation

Best Powder

BareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation SPF 15

Best With Skincare Benefits

ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

Best Shade Range

Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Foundation

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