What's the best way to apply foundation on mature skin?

Though you may fear foundation will exacerbate fine lines and wrinkles, with the right technique, it can help them disappear. Just like you want to use a foundation with hydrating ingredients, it's best to first moisturize before applying foundation on mature skin, so you skin is more plump and supple. You can also use a primer to create a smooth base. Then it's best to apply the foundation in thin layers to ensure the formula doesn't cake or crease. According to Vincent, applying foundation with clean fingertips allows the warmth from your hands to help distribute product evenly, which ultimately can help to curb creasing. Follow with a final blend.

Is matte or dewy foundation better for mature skin?

In general, foundations with a more dewier, natural finish perform better on mature skin since they tend to be lighter and more hydrating. However, we found some matte formulas during our test, like Fenty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Liquid Foundation and Gucci 24 Hour Foundation , that left our mature skin oil-free yet radiant.

How do I make my foundation last through a wedding?

While all the foundations we tested and put on this list proved to be long-wearing and transfer-resistant, there are some extra steps you can take to help keep your foundation fresh all day. Using a primer and applying the foundation in thin layers can make it last longer. You can also use a setting spray to protect it against tears and sweat.

The 11 Best Foundations for Mature Skin of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Red Dior foundation on a simple flowery background — Brides / Amelia Manley

You may have noticed that the makeup you relied on in your 20s and 30s just doesn’t seem to play well with your skin over time. Sure, it could be because they’ve changed their formula over the years, or maybe you simply haven’t washed your brushes in forever (if so, this is your sign to give them a rinse). If we're being completely honest, though, the most likely culprit is your skin.

Our skin evolves and changes as we age, and mature skin will need new and different things to look fresh and radiant. You could also be battling drier skin, hyperpigmentation, or texture and fine lines, conditions you may never have had years prior. So, for brides, mother-of-the-brides, and guests with mature skin that may have an upcoming wedding on the horizon, now might be the perfect time for a foundational change (see what we did there?).

Choosing the right foundation for a wedding is especially important, since you'll want it to last all day without transferring onto clothes or turning your face into an oil slick. To make your decision easier, we tested 29 different foundations for mature skin, rating each product on how well it blurred imperfections, how easy it was to apply, and whether it sunk into fine lines and pores. We also measured our skin's moisture level to see if the foundation was drying or hydrating, and we did the blotting test to see how much product came off. After all these tests, we compiled our list of the best foundations that left our mature skin looking young, fresh, and flawless.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Dior Face & Body Foundation at Dior.com

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Best Splurge:

Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation at Amazon

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Best Drugstore:

Maybelline New York Perfector 4-In-1 Makeup at Amazon

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Best Hydrating:

Make Up For Ever Revitalizing Foundation at Nordstrom

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Best Matte:

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation at Ecosmetics.com

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Best Satin Finish:

Chanel Ultra Le Teint Flawless Finish Foundation at Nordstrom

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Best for Dark Skin Tones:

BLK/OPL True Color Pore Perfecting Liquid Foundation at Amazon

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Best Light Coverage:

Nars Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation at Amazon

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Best Medium Coverage:

Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Liquid Foundation at Nordstrom

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Best Full Coverage:

Gucci Full Coverage Luminous Matte Finish Foundation at Nordstrom

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Sephora

View On Dior.com View On Selfridges.com View On Sephora

This foundation was one of the best ones tried, ever. With one coat, it completely camouflaged our redness, acne scars, and under eye dark circles, making us look younger. Formulated with hydrating squalane and hyaluronic acid, it blended into our skin like butter without creasing or feeling too heavy. Our pores and fine lines disappeared, yet our skin still looked luminous and natural. Very little of the product or oil transferred to the blotting paper. With more than 40 different shades to pick from, we easily found the ideal match for our skin tone. Whether you are a makeup pro or novice, this foundation will make you look and feel amazing.

Price at the time of publish: $43

Shades: 43 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Luminous | Key Ingredients: Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid

Sephora

View On Amazon View On Neiman Marcus View On Kohgendocosmetics.com

Yes this foundation is an investment, but considering how it gave us that "my skin, but better" look, we think it's well worth it. Featuring plant oils and shea butter, it was the perfect match for our dry, sensitive skin. While a lot of other foundations seep into wrinkles and pores, this one glided over our skin texture and erased those problem areas. The coverage was light and buildable, perfect for the person who doesn't want to feel like they are masking their complexion. The shade worked well with our fair skin tone, though the foundation is a bit limited in its shade range compared to others on this list.

Price at the time of publish: $96

Shades: 10 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | Key Ingredients: Jojoba Oil, Olive Squalane and Shea Butter

Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Perfector 4-In-1 Glow Makeup

Ulta

View On Amazon View On CVS View On Target

If your makeup routine is low-maintenance, you’ll appreciate this affordable multitasking base. “It's a primer, concealer, highlighter, and bb cream all in one,” says makeup artist Joseph Carrillo, who recommends bouncing the product on your face using a damp Beauty Blender to add hydration back into the skin.

Price at time of publish: $14

Shades: 8 | Coverage: Light | Finish: Natural | Key Ingredients: Dimethicone

Make Up For Ever Reboot Active Care Revitalizing Foundation

Sephora

View On Nordstrom View On Makeupforever.com View On Sephora

This foundation blew us away by not only making our skin look flawless while we had it on, but also by leaving it soft and hydrated after we took it off. A combination of ginseng, camellia japonica, mondo grass can take credit for that, as these ingredients plump, hydrate, and firm the skin. The foundation felt light and gave us a filter-like effect with one coat and full coverage with just two coats. Similar to a moisturizer, it left our skin hydrated while not seeping into pores or wrinkles. And best of all, our blotting papers stayed free of product or oil.

Price at the time of publish: $42

Shades: 24 | Coverage: Light | Finish: Radiant | Key Ingredients: Ginseng, Camellia Japonica, Mondo Grass

Sephora

View On Ecosmetics.com View On Fentybeauty.com View On Harveynichols.com

Matte foundation can be tricky for mature skin, as the drier finish often equates to creasing. Yet despite having a soft matte finish, this Fenty foundation did not crease whatsoever. Even our trouble spots, like our forehead, eye area, and chin stayed smooth and supple. The liquid itself is very lightweight and pigmented, so it was easy to build it up to medium to full coverage without feeling heavy. It's great for those with oily skin, since it left our skin comfortably matte and didn't transfer onto blotting paper. We love how this formula comes in more than 50 shades, too.

Price at the time of publish: $40

Shades: 55 | Coverage: Medium to Full | Finish: Matte | Key Ingredients: Pineapple Fruit Extract, Papaya Fruit Extract

CHANEL ULTRA LE TEINT Ultrawear All-Day Comfort Flawless Finish Foundation

Ulta

View On Nordstrom View On Chanel.com View On Ulta

We love a good satin finish foundation—it gives you that matte look with a slight, velvety sheen. Chanel knows how to do it right, especially for mature skin. This full coverage foundation covered our blemishes without feeling heavy or caked on. Plus, there was no patchiness or creasing around dry spots or wrinkles. Formulated with soft-focus powder for a luminous look, this foundation didn't even need a coat of setting powder to last all day.

Price at the time of publish: $65

Shades: 35 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Satin | Key Ingredients: Luminous Perfection Soft-Focus Powder

BLK/OPL True Color Pore Perfecting Liquid Foundation

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Blackopalbeauty.com View On Riteaid.com

With all the photo opps during a wedding, it's important to choose the right shade of foundation. Those with darker skin can look ashy when wearing a formula that's too light, so it's key to look for brands that offer inclusive shade ranges. We love how BLK/OPL makes a foundation with 12 rich, deep shades. Besides the excellent color options, this foundation excelled at effortlessly blending into our skin, thanks to a blend of shea butter and vitamins C and E. One coat hid our hyperpigmentation without settling into our lines or pores. You could tell we were wearing foundation, but in a good way. Our skin looked flawless without that tight, heavy feeling. At only $14, this affordable formula gave higher end foundations a run for their money.

Price at the time of publish: $14

Shades: 12 | Coverage: Light to Medium | Finish: Dewy | Key Ingredients: Shea Butter, Vitamin C and E

NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation

Sephora

View On Amazon View On Neiman Marcus View On Nordstrom

If you want your skin to look natural but with just a touch of coverage, this foundation is for you. The liquid blended into our skin seamlessly, evening out our complexion and hiding any blemishes. None of the product transferred to the blotting paper, which is a huge plus for anyone wearing white or a formal outfit. As light as a feather, this foundation made us forget we even put it on.

Price at the time of publish: $65

Shades: 36 | Coverage: Light to Medium | Finish: Natural | Key Ingredients: Biomimetic Oat, Japanese Lilyturf, Peptides

Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Medium Coverage Liquid Foundation with Hyaluronic Acid

Sephora

View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales View On Charlottetilbury.com

“This foundation is a staple in my kit and it works especially well on mature skin,” says says makeup artist Sarah Walsh. “It moves with the skin very well, and can be built up if more coverage is desired.” Walsh recommends mixing it with a few drops of Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir (which features vitamin C and polyglutamic acid) to up the glow factor.

Price at time of publish: $49

Shades: 30 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Rose Complex

Gucci

View On Nordstrom View On Saks Fifth Avenue View On Sephora

If you're looking for full coverage for the wedding, this formula will give you what you need while leaving your skin weightless, soft, and plush. We were astounded by how well this formula covered our dark circles and blemishes with only one layer. Despite how well it blurred and smoothed imperfections, it still looked natural with no telltale setting into pores or wrinkles. It also dried super quickly, which made our makeup routine faster and easier.

Price at the time of publish: $69

Shades: 39 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Luminous Matte | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Black Rose Oil

Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream SPF 42 PA+++

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Sokoglam.com View On Target

If you’re spending the day outdoors, you’ll need an SPF for a little extra protection (sunburn is not a welcome guest at any wedding). Walsh recommends this K-beauty BB cream that “feels like a tinted moisturizer, but covers like a foundation.” This formula also features some skincare goodies that mature skin loves, like ceramides and soothing chamomile.

Price at time of publish: $24

Shades: 5 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | Key Ingredients: Ceramides, Chamomile

Meet the Expert

Sarah Walsh is a makeup artist based in New Orleans.
Joseph Carrillo is a makeup artist based in New York City.
Dani Kimiko Vincent is a makeup artist and founder of KIMIKO Beauty.

What to Look for in Foundation for Mature Skin

Hydrating Ingredients

Today, there are plenty of foundations for mature skin, no matter what your specific needs might be. But even with the array of options available in the beauty market, there's also one universal truth to always keep in mind. “The most important thing is hydration, hydration, hydration,” says Carrillo. As we age, our skin retains less moisture, and “you need to add that moisture back into the skin for a glow and suppleness.” Makeup artist Dani Kimiko Vincent echos that sentiment, noting that brides and wedding guests should, “Opt for [foundations] with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, glycerin, ceramides, and natural oils and butters.” Our pick for Best Overall, Dior Backstage Foundation, contains both hyaluronic acid and squalane.

Finish & Coverage

When it comes to picking out foundation, it's important to consider what kind of finish and level of coverage you are looking for. If you want a matte foundation that offers full coverage, look for formulas like Gucci 24 Hour Foundation. For those that something a little more sheer and radiant, we recommend Make Up For Ever Reboot Foundation.

Shade

While you should always look for a foundation to match your skin tone, it's especially important for a wedding. No one wants their face and body looking mismatched in photos. Look for products that offer a wide range of shades, like Fenty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Liquid Foundation, and consider testing out a few before the wedding to find the best fit.

FAQ

What's the best way to apply foundation on mature skin?

Though you may fear foundation will exacerbate fine lines and wrinkles, with the right technique, it can help them disappear. Just like you want to use a foundation with hydrating ingredients, it's best to first moisturize before applying foundation on mature skin, so you skin is more plump and supple. You can also use a primer to create a smooth base. Then it's best to apply the foundation in thin layers to ensure the formula doesn't cake or crease. According to Vincent, applying foundation with clean fingertips allows the warmth from your hands to help distribute product evenly, which ultimately can help to curb creasing. Follow with a final blend.
Is matte or dewy foundation better for mature skin?

In general, foundations with a more dewier, natural finish perform better on mature skin since they tend to be lighter and more hydrating. However, we found some matte formulas during our test, like Fenty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Liquid Foundation and Gucci 24 Hour Foundation, that left our mature skin oil-free yet radiant.
How do I make my foundation last through a wedding?

While all the foundations we tested and put on this list proved to be long-wearing and transfer-resistant, there are some extra steps you can take to help keep your foundation fresh all day. Using a primer and applying the foundation in thin layers can make it last longer. You can also use a setting spray to protect it against tears and sweat.

Why Trust Brides

Emily Cieslak is an associate commerce editor for Brides, covering all things beauty and fashion. For this roundup, we interviewed makeup artists and tested 29 different foundations to determine which ones performed best on mature skin.

The 10 Best Foundations That Are Perfect for Brides, Tested and Reviewed