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As your skin changes, your makeup should evolve with it, and that starts with finding the best foundations for mature skin. These formulas deliver even texture, a healthy radiance, and fine-line-blurring coverage without clinging to dryness or settling where you don’t want it. Many of today’s standout bases are infused with skin-care power players such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and even retinol to tackle common concerns—think: fine lines, dark spots, redness, and dehydration.
Our Top Foundations for Mature Skin
- Best Overall: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation, $69
- Best for Dry Skin: Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation, $69
- Best Medium Coverage: Lancôme Rénergie Lift Makeup Foundation SPF 27, $63
- Best Lightweight: Jones Road Beauty What the Foundation, $46
Frequently Asked Questions
- What to consider when looking for a foundation for mature skin
- How to prep mature skin for foundation
- How to apply foundation on mature skin
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
We put in the legwork—consulting makeup artists and leaning on our trusted team of editors—to uncover the foundations that stay smooth, flexible, and crease-free, no matter how expressive you are.
Best Overall: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation
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Armani Beauty
Luminous Silk Foundation
Nordstrom
Sephora
Why it's worth it: Constantly name-dropped by makeup artists and enthusiasts, Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk Foundation has earned its icon status with ample accolades, including an Allure Best of Beauty Award. Countless makeup artists, including Beau Nelson and Amrita Mehta, count Meghan Markle's favorite foundation as a go-to for mature clients due to its soft-focus finish and weightless texture. "This one has been a staple in my kit for over 15 years," New York City-based makeup artist Lisa Aharon attests. "It blurs pores and fine lines while leaving the skin with a fresh finish," she says, adding that the medium coverage is ideal for concealing sun spots and other imperfections such as blemishes.
New York-based makeup artist Lauren D’Amelio Ventre loves that it’s packed with hydration—something aging skin needs more of—and helps make the skin look plumper and smoother. “It leaves a beautiful and flawless finish, and the formula melts into the skin seamlessly,” she says. Even though it’s ultra-hydrating, it’s also lightweight and won’t turn greasy throughout the day, which is why she often reaches for it for long events like weddings.
Allure creative director Amber Venerable before applying the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation
Amber Venerable
Venerable after applying the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation
Amber Venerable
Allure tester before applying the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation
Allure
Allure tester after applying the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation
Allure
Tester feedback from creative director Amber Venerable
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“I like minimal to light foundation coverage and I thought this had great coverage while also being very lightweight on my skin. My skin was radiant and glowing, so it lives up to the term luminous to say the least! Love it!”—Amber Venerable, creative director
More to know
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- Key ingredient: glycerin
- Finish: radiant
- Coverage: medium-to-full
- Shades: 44
Best Full-Coverage: Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin Foundation
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Makeup by Mario
SurrealSkin Foundation
Sephora
Allure tester applying the Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin Foundation
Allure
Why it's worth it: Our 2023 Best of Beauty Award winner for best full-coverage liquid foundation went to Makeup by Mario's SurrealSkin Foundation—but don’t let the “full-coverage” label fool you. This formula is incredibly lightweight, buildable, and never cakey. Karol Rodriguez, a NYC-based makeup artist, said this foundation is one of her go-tos for people with exceptionally dry skin, which mature folks are prone to. Founder Mario Dedivanovic recommends using just one pump, applying it where you need the most coverage, and building from there. That’s easy to do thanks to skin-friendly ingredients like polyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleate (an ester that gives it a silky, glowy—not greasy—finish), plus hydrating staples like glycerin, grapeseed oil, and sunflower oil to help lock in moisture.
Allure tester before applying the Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin Foundation
Allure
Allure tester after applying the Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin Foundation
Allure
Editor tip
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Even though it leaves a slightly dewy finish, our testers with oily skin found it held up beautifully throughout the day without turning shiny. Want something sheer? Mix a pump with your favorite moisturizer and pat it on with your fingers for a more natural, skin-tint effect.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycerin, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil
- Finish: satin
- Shades: 39
Best for Dry Skin: Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation
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Chanel
Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation
Chanel
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: It may be 40% water, but Chanel’s Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation is no tinted moisturizer in disguise. The hydrating glycerin-based formula floods skin with moisture, while a mix of lightweight meadowfoam seed oil and silicones keeps the texture cushioned, comfortable, and smooth. “It leaves the skin hydrated and plump, while the radiant finish helps to create a glowy, seamless, and skin-like blend,” says Mehta. “It feels like a lightweight serum but offers light-to-medium, buildable coverage that keeps skin looking fresh and natural.” Aharon agrees, noting that mature skin often leans dry and dull, making a radiant finish ideal. With mica and other soft, light-reflecting pigments as well as a diffusing texture, it’s guaranteed to leave your complexion glowing.
Tester feedback from Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
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“I’ve always had slightly uneven skin tone, and now that it’s coupled with post-pregnancy melasma, I need more coverage than my usual tinted moisturizer. Les Beiges goes on smooth and creamy, melts in instantly, and evens everything out without looking like I’m wearing makeup. It has that your-skin-but-better vibe, which for me means it’s breathable, lightweight, and with just the right amount of glow.” —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycerin, meadowfoam seed oil, jasmine stem extract, mica
- Finish: radiant
- Coverage: sheer-to-medium
- Shades: 42
Best Medium Coverage: Lancôme Rénergie Lift Makeup Foundation SPF 27
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Lancôme
Rénergie Lift Makeup Foundation SPF 27
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: Lancôme’s Rénergie Lift Makeup Foundation doesn't just happen to work well on mature skin; “this formula feels like it was made with intention for people with fine lines and wrinkles," says Magen Grays, a makeup artist based in Atlanta. Beyond the skin-like finish, the formula is packed with nourishing ingredients like ceramides to support the barrier, soybean oil and sorbitol to replenish moisture, and caffeine to “bring skin back to life,” says Grays. Lightweight silicones further create a “smoothing, blurring effect that doesn’t emphasize uneven skin texture,” she says. “It’s radiant without being heavy, and it moves with your face instead of sitting on top of it.
Editor tip
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The built-in SPF 27 is a welcome bonus, but since it falls just shy of the American Academy of Dermatology's recommended SPF 30 for daily sun protection—and most people don't apply enough foundation to achieve the labeled SPF anyway—it should be considered an extra layer of protection, not a replacement for your dedicated sunscreen.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: caffeine, vitamin E, iris extract
- Finish: natural/radiant
- Coverage: medium
- Shades: 20
Best Lightweight: Jones Road Beauty What the Foundation
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Jones Road
Beauty What the Foundation
Jones Road
Why it's worth it: It makes sense that Bobbi Brown, who helped define the "no-makeup makeup" movement of the '90s—a philosophy that's just as relevant today—would create a foundation that wears more like skin than makeup. Jones Road Beauty's What the Foundation is an ultra-nourishing complexion tint that "blends seamlessly into the skin, leaving you with an even, fresh complexion that looks like your skin on its best day," says Kat Dorn, a makeup artist based in New York City. The lightweight, silky feel comes from jojoba oil, olive oil, and sodium hyaluronate (a form of hyaluronic acid), which keep skin comfortably hydrated throughout the day. If you're looking for full coverage, this isn't it. But if your goal is light to medium coverage that subtly evens your complexion, this formula feels so weightless, you'll forget you're wearing foundation at all.
Editor tip
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Because the formula is rich in nourishing oils, you may notice a little separation over time. If that happens—or if it's applying a bit unevenly—simply give it a quick stir with the back of a makeup brush or a spatula before applying.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: sodium hyaluronate, jojoba oil, olive oil
- Finish: natural/radiant
- Coverage: light to medium
- Shades: 16
Best for Sensitive Skin: Kosas Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF 25
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Kosas
Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF 25
Amazon
Nordstrom
Sephora
Why it's worth it: If you glanced at the ingredient list without seeing the bottle, you'd probably assume it belonged to a moisturizer—not a foundation. When it launched, the Kosas Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation also became something of an unofficial Allure office uniform—there was a stretch where it seemed like every beauty editor was wearing it because of its dewy finish and ultra-creamy texture.
“If you have reactive or sensitive skin, its gentle ingredients enhance your complexion without irritation,” says Grays. The formula is packed with staples like niacinamide, which "works with your skin's natural chemistry to improve overall skin texture by rebuilding a lipid layer, minimizing the appearance of pores, and preventing UV damage and inflammation as an antioxidant," Seattle-based board-certified dermatologist Brandith Irwin, MD, previously said. There’s also everyone’s fave hydrator, hyaluronic acid, to “bind water to collagen, trapping it in the skin, so that skin can appear plumper, dewier, and more hydrated," Beverly Hills-based board-certified dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, previously explained.
Editor tip
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The formula is rounded out with barrier-supporting squalane and plumping peptides, so if your mature skin also struggles with dryness, this one checks all the boxes.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: niacinamide, squalane, hyaluronic acid, peptides
- Finish: natural/radiant
- Coverage: medium
- Shades: 36
Best Drugstore: e.l.f. Cosmetics Soft Glam Satin Foundation
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E.L.F. Cosmetics
Soft Glam Satin Foundation
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Walmart
Why it's worth it: E.l.f. Cosmetics’ Soft Glam Satin Foundation is "like a superfood smoothie for the face," says Los Angeles-based makeup artist Scott Barnes—and at just $9, it costs about the same as one. The lightweight, breathable formula is infused with the brand's 1% Hydrating Hibiscus Complex, along with antioxidant-rich pomegranate and goji berry extracts to help keep skin hydrated and comfortable throughout the day. It delivers buildable medium coverage with a natural satin finish that strikes the sweet spot for both dry and oily skin. Barnes also loves how seamlessly it blends into skin, and he calls out the slim squeeze tube as a travel-friendly bonus that's easy to toss into a gym bag or carry-on.
Editor tip
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If you're wearing this on a hot, humid day or have oily skin, apply a blurring primer just through the T-zone to help keep shine at bay without sacrificing its natural satin finish.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 1% Hydrating Hibiscus Complex, pomegranate, goji fruit
- Finish: satin
- Coverage: medium
- Shades: 36
Best Long-Wearing: Nars Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation
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Nars
Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Why it's worth it: “Long-wearing” and “radiant” might sound like an oxymoron when talking about foundations for mature skin, but Nars’s Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation proves they can coexist. The medium-to-full coverage feels surprisingly lightweight and breathable, yet stays put for up to 16 hours without fading, creasing, or clinging to dry patches. Its longevity comes from a pigment system that prevents color from oxidizing and helps it blend with your natural tone rather than sitting on top. Raspberry, apple, and watermelon extracts give the formula a smoothing, hydrating finish. “When someone wants a more polished result but still wants skin to look alive, this is a go-to,” says Renée Loiz, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles. “It holds up exceptionally well and maintains radiance without breaking down or settling into fine lines.”
Editor tip
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This formula already contains humectants like glycerin, sodium PCA, and sodium lactate to maintain hydration throughout the day, so you might want to apply a lightweight gel moisturizer underneath, especially if you have combination or oily skin.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: raspberry, apple, and watermelon extracts
- Finish: radiant
- Coverage: medium-to-full
- Shades: 36
Best Foundation Stick: Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick
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Westman Atelier
Vital Skin Foundation Stick
Nordstrom
Credo Beauty
Sephora
Why it's worth it: Westman Atelier’s Vital Skin Foundation Stick, a 2022 and 2023 Best of Beauty Award winner, has a second-skin-like finish well-suited for mature skin, plus it's loaded with nourishing ingredients like squalane for moisture and phytosphingosine, a naturally occurring lipid found in the skin, to soothe. This cream formula melts into the skin, whether you apply it straight to your face or use a brush. "For radiance and a second-skin finish that doesn't settle into fine lines, I love this formula for mature skin," Aharon says. Due to calming ingredients like squalane and camellia seed oil, Aharon says this fragrance-free foundation is suitable for sensitive skin, regardless of age.
Editor tip
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We also love packing this travel-friendly stick in a shade or two deeper than your complexion to double as a cream bronzer.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: vegetable-derived squalane, berryflux vita extract, camellia seed oil, coconut oil
- Finish: natural
- Coverage: medium
- Shades: 20
Frequently Asked Questions
What to consider when looking for a foundation for mature skin
As you age, your complexion gains texture and leans toward 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 worst," explains Los Angeles-based makeup artist Fiona Stiles. That's why finding a hydrating foundation is paramount for looking fresh. Tony Tulve, a New York City-based makeup artist, 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 the 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. Gucci Westman, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist, also emphasized being vigilant about moisturizing your whole face, especially the area around your eyes. Crystal Gossman, a New York City-based makeup artist, adds that layering on hydrating serums and essence toners will give the skin that juicy, plump feel and a natural tackiness to help foundation grip without needing a primer.
However, if you know you’ll be out and about all day—or have a special event—primer can be helpful for extra long-wearing benefits. Barose recommends blurring formulas and straying away from mattifying formulas. 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,” he explains. “Focus on lines or [other areas] of your face [you want to] blur.”
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," New York City-based makeup artist Sandy Linter previously told Allure. “Lastly, I'll apply concealer, plus a touch of foundation under the eye area.”
If you apply your makeup with your fingers, you may want to swap your digits for a makeup sponge or foundation brush to ensure even coverage. "[Using your] fingers can look blotchy, uneven, or gloppy, which can make your lines come out more," Barose said. To buff the foundation in, Barose recommends moving the brush in circular motions. “This will help the foundation spread smoothly, even over hard-to-reach areas with lines and wrinkles,” he notes. To ensure a smooth, blotch-free canvas, you can use a damp sponge as a final step to buff and blend.
Meet the experts
- Lisa Aharon, a makeup artist based in New York City
- Lauren D’Amelio Ventre, a makeup artist based in New York City
- Crystal Gossman, a makeup artist based in New York City
- Magen Grays, a makeup artist based in Atlanta
- Brandith Irwin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Seattle
- Sandy Linter, a makeup artist based in New York City
- Renée Loiz, a makeup artist and founder of Color May Vary, based in Los Angeles
- Amrita Mehta, a bicoastal makeup artist
- Beau Nelson, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles
- Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Beverly Hills, California
- Fiona Stiles, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles
- Tony Tulve, a makeup artist based in New York City
- Gucci Westman, a makeup artist and founder of Westman Atelier, based in Los Angeles
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range that includes consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best foundations for mature skin, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, and contributors, with a particular focus on our 40-plus reviewers. We also relied heavily on trusted makeup artists to speak to the efficacy of these products on mature skin. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete review process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine. You may simply be browsing for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from are folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.