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The 12 best foundations for mature skin, approved by Bazaar editors
As we age, finding the perfect base becomes a trickier task. Here, two legendary make-up artists reveal the route to success
With age comes wisdom, and possibly also the need to put a little more thought into the make-up we apply each morning. Some suddenly notice that a well relied-upon mascara begins to migrate onto the eyelids, or perhaps that long-loved glossy lipstick has started to creep into feathery lines. Personally, one Bazaar editor is still lamenting the fact that her signature slash of liquid eyeliner no longer works on increasingly hooded eyes.
But the make-up product that needs most consideration on more mature skin has to be foundation. While you may have been loyal to a full-coverage formula in your younger years, many long-wear products begin to appear powdery and, frankly, unflattering on skin that holds less moisture.
Best foundations for mature skin
What are the best foundations for mature skin?
There are, however, some wonderful foundations for mature skin out there, formulated to cosset and soften as well as they cover. New brand Sarah Creal (currently only available in the US, but due to eventually arrive in the UK) is formulated with midlife consumers not as an afterthought, but the primary focus, while luxury stalwarts Clé de Peau and Shiseido make outstanding liquid formulas that bring complexions instantly to life.
According to the legendary make-up artist and founder of Jones Road, Bobbi Brown, there are specific textures to seek out in a foundation for mature skin. “I’m not a fan of matte or powder foundations on mature skin because they settle into the lines and make you look like you’re wearing a mask, which is not flattering,” she says. She suggests turning to a moisturising or dewy foundation instead – “especially the ones that don’t dry up when you put them on, because some foundations may look dewy but once you've applied them, they can eventually dry out.”
Gucci Westman, another backstage icon, the founder of Westman Atelier and make-up artist to Nicole Kidman, agrees. "I prefer a lighter, creamier texture with a radiant or dewy finish for more mature skin," she says. Westman recommends "seeking out something supremely light and brightening, then using a concealer to add colour over anything you actually want to hide." And the one thing to avoid when shopping for a foundation for mature skin? "Skip heavy silicones at all costs," Westman advises.
How to apply a foundation on mature skin
Skin prep is just as important as the foundation itself. “Depending on the texture of the foundation, you have to adapt and adjust how much moisturiser you use,” says Brown. “ If you’re having a really dry day, I recommend adding a rich cream or even one of my Jones Road Miracle Balms on top to give you an extra glow and moisture boost.”
That’s the trick to making foundation look beautiful on mature skin: it’s all about adding in the glow. To complete your look, steer away from setting powders and sparkly bronzers, turning instead to the new school of light-reflecting liquid formulas: some brilliant options include Westman Atelier’s Liquid Super Loaded, which is a pearly, oil-based luminiser that makes skin look intensely juicy, and Merit's Great Skin Serum, which locks radiance into parched skin.
And if you’re still struggling to stop your foundation settling into fine lines? Brown has this insider advice: “It’s pretty simple: stay away from any foundation that is too dry, or dense and thick and reminiscent of an 'older' [traditional] foundation. I love tinted moisturisers, skin tints, and any moisturising formulas that don’t dry out the skin.” Below, see the foundations the Bazaar team have thoroughly tested and highly recommend.
The best foundations for mature skin
This lightweight formula is infused with high SPF, making it a staple for sun-drenched holidays and the summertime (although bear in mind you need an additional SPF underneath). It delivers a gentle veil of coverage to blur out uneven texture and can easily be dialled up to camouflage pigmentation.
- Coverage: light to medium
- Finish: dewy
- Number of shades: 26
Despite its nourishing, buttery texture, this skin balm melts in seamlessly to deliver a natural wash of coverage. The perfectly balanced formula enlivens the complexion without making it look too shiny, and leaves the skin feeling especially comfortable in dry weather.
- Coverage: medium
- Finish: natural
- Number of shades: 20
If it's a glossy, polished finish you're after, look no further. This creamy foundation makes light work of disguising blemishes, redness and pigmentation without looking heavy on the complexion. It wears like a second skin, and doesn't settle into fine lines even after all-day wear.
- Coverage: medium
- Finish: radiant
- Number of shades: 15
Bobbi Brown’s now-signature complexion product divided opinion when it first launched, but those who sit on the pro side of the fence are fanatical about its quenching, moisture-boosting formula. This oil-based pigmented balm was formulated by the make-up artist to make more mature skin look its best: the base is primarily jojoba seed oil, so it smoothes and softens a dry complexion better than most skincare products. If you haven’t tried it yet, we recommend you do.
- Coverage: light to medium
- Finish: dewy
- Number of shades: 16
For something supremely glowy and hydrating, Shiseido’s Revitalessence is a must-try. The texture is water-weight but almost oily in feel, working to light skin up while it covers. Particularly beneficial on dull, dry complexions, it’s one to call on when you want a gentle veil of colour with a major glow-boost – in fact, it's one Bazaar editor's everyday go-to.
- Coverage: light to medium
- Finish: very dewy
- Number of shades: 30
A foundation stick is undoubtedly one of the most foolproof of formats, allowing you to simply swipe over areas of discolouration, redness or blemishes, and gently pat to blend. If you prefer to only apply your base product to specific spots, Westman Atelier’s Vital Skin is ideal: it’s intensely creamy and doesn’t settle into lines, yet stays put for hours without smudging or disappearing.
If you are happier with low and luminous coverage, consider switching to the brand's squalane-based Vital Skincare Complexion Drops, then adding the newly launched Vital Skin Concealer where you want extra coverage.
- Coverage: medium
- Finish: satin
- Number of shades: 20
Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick
Despite its fresh, skin-like finish, this foundation-concealer hybrid stays put on oily and combination complexions without obliterating all natural radiance. It uses fatty acids to keep the skin feeling comfortable, and blends out easily with both fingertips or a brush.
- Coverage: medium
- Finish: natural
- Number of shades: 30
Thanks to carefully selected skincare ingredients (that justify this product's price tag), this is Chanel's most nourishing liquid foundation yet, and works wonders on skin prone to dehydration lines and dry patches. Not just a brilliant hydrator, it also does a great job of brightening by way of light-reflecting particles.
- Coverage: light to medium
- Finish: bright yet satiny
- Number of shades: 12
Several outstanding foundations are available from Clé de Peau Beauté, but this is the one we'd recommend to anyone wanting high coverage on dry or more mature skin. As rich as a night cream yet packed with pigment, it's one for special events.
- Coverage: full
- Finish: satin-matte
- Number of shades: 29
Trinny Woodall's entire line is designed with both practicality and inclusivity in mind, catering for all skin ages with easy-to-apply, multifunctional products. This one is the serum-textured little sister to the fan-favourite BFF Cream (which is equally worth a try). Light and luminous, it's packed with inflammation-calming actives alongside hydrating hyaluronic acid and a translucent, skin-brightening tint.
- Coverage: light
- Finish: luminous
- Number of shades: 12
Very dry skin will be brought back to life in seconds by Armani's classic Luminous Silk foundation (just one of the reasons it's cited again and again as a celebrity and make-up artist favourite). It feels deceivingly light, yet offers impressively high coverage for those days when you want to look polished and put together.
- Coverage: medium to full
- Finish: bright yet matte
- Number of shades: 40
This unique base is one of Sephora's top-selling products, and for good reason. With a unique oil-like texture, it sits somewhere in-between a skin tint and a nourishing foundation, offering more coverage than most while looking freshly applied all day long.
- Coverage: light to medium
- Finish: dewy
- Number of shades: 34
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