16 Best Foundations for Mature Skin 2025, Per Makeup Artists

Editor’s tip: This foundation tends to separate in the bottle, so make sure you give it a hearty shake each time.

Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, andiroba (crabwood) oil, açai oil, noni fruit oil | Finish: radiant | Shades: 40

Best Drugstore: No. 7 HydraLuminous AquaRelease Skin Perfector

Why it’s worth it: “I used to have a ‘no drugstore brand’ rule for mature skin rule, but so much has changed,” says Pilar DeMann, a Connecticut-based makeup artist. “A client of mine introduced me to this and now I have it in my kit and I use it on everyone. It’s sheer enough so you still see and feel the skin, but it gives enough coverage so that you can be photographed and still look great. It’s dewy and glides on. I just love it!” Closer to a skin tint than a traditional foundation, the product has a sheer, natural finish—and it offers variety! The formulation can be used as a concealer, or as an all-over skin tint; it also acts as a moisturizer.

Editor’s tip: The brand recommends applying the product with your fingers to unlock the patented AquaRelease Moisture Beads, which help hydrate the skin.

Key ingredients: AquaRelease Moisture Beads, ceramides, Pro B5 Vitamins | Finish: sheer | Shades: 6

Frequently Asked Questions

What to consider when looking for a foundation for mature skin

As you age, your complexion gains texture and leans on the drier side. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, previously told Allure that this is because your skin produces less collagen and fewer natural lipids, such as ceramides and fatty acids, which leads to dehydrated skin and a weaker moisture barrier. When it comes to base makeup, “Fine—or not so fine—lines and larger pores can make foundation look mask-like at best and incredibly unflattering at the worst,” explains Los Angeles-based makeup artist Fiona Stiles. That’s why finding a hydrating foundation is paramount for looking fresh. Tulve recommends choosing liquid foundations, as they “act more like a second skin.” Overall, finding a buildable-coverage formula with skin-plumping, fine-line-minimizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalane is key to a flawless, crease-free base.

How to prep mature skin for foundation

Before you touch your makeup brushes, prepping your skin is essential for creating the smoothest finish possible. “Moisture is key, so always make sure you start with a moisturizer that’s hydrating but won’t turn greasy and interrupt your foundation texture,” Barose previously told Allure. Los Angeles-based makeup artist and founder of Westman Atelier, Gucci Westman, also emphasized being vigilant about moisturizing your whole face, especially the area around your eyes.

Primer is always an important step before applying makeup of any kind, but not all of them provide the same smoothing effects you’d like. According to Barose, you’ll want to ditch mattifying formulas and swap them for formulas with blurring finishes. He also gives balm-like formulations (like Danessa Myrick’s Yummy Skin Moisture Repair Balm Serum) kudos for conditioning your skin while locking makeup in place. “You also don’t need to wear it all over the face. Focus on lines or [other areas] of your face [you want to] blur,” he explains.

How to apply foundation on mature skin

Tulve leans into the “less is more” philosophy when applying foundation to mature skin. Denser, full-coverage formulations may end up accentuating fine lines, so use a buildable formula you can layer to your desired finish for a seamless, second-skin-like result. “I apply foundation on the larger areas of the face first, like the cheeks and forehead, then I go in and tweak around the nose and the chin area,” makeup artist Sandy Linter previously told Allure. “Then lastly, I’ll apply concealer, plus maybe a touch of foundation under the eye area.”