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The right foundation creates the perfect canvas for the rest of your makeup. But how do you make sure you pick the best possible one for your complexion? Experts agree that the secret is to choose a foundation that addresses your specific skin needs or concerns. And you should know that as you age, those needs change. That means the foundation that worked for you in your 20s and 30s won't necessarily be great in your 40s and beyond.
Our Top Picks
What to look for in foundation for mature skin
"Mature skin tends to be drier and have more texture," explains Dani Kimiko Vincent, a celebrity makeup artist and founder of the beauty line Kimiko. "Because of this, you want to look for a foundation that is hydrating and won't settle into fine lines." Beyond moisturizing formulas, there are plenty of foundations on the market that offer other skincare benefits (like the kinds that serums and creams offer) that can be helpful for those whose skin is of an advanced age. To help you find the right foundation for you, we consulted experts and sorted through tons of product reviews. Here are our top picks.
1
Best Overall
shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation
Why We Love It
- Unique technology lifts skin and makes skin look smoother
What to Consider
- If you don't like a lot of coverage for your every day look, you may like this for special occasions
As the skin ages, it becomes less firm, more dull and uneven. This foundation targets all those concerns and more. It features a unique light-adjusting technology that visibly lifts and radiant micro-crystals that correct shadows created by fine lines and wrinkles so that skin appears smoother. Overall, it makes your complexion look healthy and radiant.
Key ingredients: | Sunscreen (titanium dioxide), glycerin, radiant micro-crystals |
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Coverage: | Medium to full |
Number of shades: | 30 |
Why We Love It
- Blurs look of fine lines and pores
- Protects skin
- Glowing finish
What to Consider
- Some reviewers say the cap breaks easily
This foundation makes skin look juicy and plump thanks to hydrating maracuja oil and hyaluronic acid. Antioxidants in the formula also make skin appear firmer over time and protect against environmental aggressors. It has flexible medium coverage and effortlessly blurs the look of fine lines and large pores without feeling heavy on skin.
Key ingredients: | Maracuja oil and hyaluronic acid |
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Coverage: | Medium |
Number of shades: | 25 |
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3
Best Dewy Finish
Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Foundation
Why We Love It
- Offers a luminous glow
- Oil-free
What to Consider
- It's more expensive than other options on this list
No need to worry about your foundation settling into lines or wrinkles if you go for this smoothing option. The lightweight formula has patented Micro-fil technology so it stays plump on your skin and won't settle into grooves or creases. It offers medium coverage that's buildable and has a luminous finish.
Key ingredients: | Glycerin |
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Coverage: | Medium to full |
Number of shades: | 40 |
4
Best Budget
Maybelline Super Stay 24H Skin Tint + Vitamin C
Why We Love It
- Brightens skin overtime
- Lightweight
What to Consider
- It doesn't offer as many shade options as other options on this list
This option from Maybelline is proof that you don't have to spend a ton for a great product. It offers light-to-medium coverage and is weightless, so it never feels cakey or heavy on your face. It's perfect for everyday makeup or those who don't like to wear too much foundation. It's also made with vitamin C to help brighten skin overtime.
Key ingredients: | Vitamin C |
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Coverage: | Light to medium |
Number of shades: | 18 |
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5
Best Long-Lasting
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
Why We Love It
- Sweatproof
- Natural-looking matte finish
- Good shade range
What to Consider
- If you don't like a lot of coverage for your every day look, you may like this for special occasions
Formulated to last all day, this foundation is sweatproof and resistant to humidity. It's also oil-free and leaves your skin with a smooth and natural-looking matte finish if you don't want something too dewy. On days you don't need as much coverage, mix it with a bit of moisturizer for a more sheer option.
Key ingredients: | Silicone |
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Coverage: | Medium to full |
Number of shades: | 57 |
6
Best Hydrating
Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation
Why We Love It
- Moisturizing
- Glowing finish
What to Consider
- Could have more variety of dark shades
Think of this as skincare in foundation form. It contains hyaluronic acid to moisturize and a rose complex to brighten your complexion. Bonus: The lightweight formula blends well and evens out your skin tone with its medium coverage that's buildable.
Key ingredients: | Hyaluronic acid and rose complex |
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Coverage: | Medium |
Number of shades: | 30 |
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7
Best Natural Matte Finish
Trinny London BFF All Day Foundation
Why We Love It
- Breathable texture
- Natural-looking finish
What to Consider
- Yellow packaging makes it hard to see your shade
If you want something hydrating but not insanely glowy, you'll love this option that has a natural matte finish. It looks like your skin but better, especially thanks to pro-ceramide and vitamin B3 in the formula that helps to smooth uneven skin texture.
Key ingredients: | Ceramides and vitamin B3 |
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Coverage: | Medium |
Number of shades: | 18 |
8
Best Full Coverage
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear 24H Full Coverage Foundation
Why We Love It
- Covers up spots and blemishes
- Long-lasting
What to Consider
- It's more expensive than other options on this list
Looking for lots of coverage? This favorite from Lancôme delivers. It not only cover darks spots and blur imperfections but also contains SPF 15, has a matte finish, and lasts all day without needing a touch-up.
Key ingredients: | Hyaluronic acid and morgina seed extracts |
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Coverage: | Full |
Number of shades: | 50 |
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9
Best with SPF
It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+
Why We Love It
- Lightweight
- Contains SPF
- Creamy buildable formula
What to Consider
- It doesn't have as many shades as other options on this list
If your skin is blotchy or uneven, this CC cream can help. It's a full-coverage foundation specifically formulated to even out your skin tone and reduce redness. It also contains SPF 50 to prevent dark spots, sunburn, and photo-aging. Even the deepest tones offer broad-spectrum protection without a white cast.
Key ingredients: | SPF 50 and hyaluronic acid |
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Coverage: | Full |
Number of shades: | 22 |
10
Best Drugstore
L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation with SPF 50
Why We Love It
- Hydrating
- Lightweight
- Contains SPF
What to Consider
- May be better suited for very dry skin as some reviewers say it can get oily throughout the day
This foundation blurs the line of skincare and makeup. It wears like a serum, so it has light coverage but enough to create an even and smooth complexion. Think of it as a great go to for every day wear. Its hydrating formula contains vitamin B3, antioxidants, and SPF 50 to protect skin. You can find it at your local drugstore.
Key ingredients: | SPF 50 and vitamin B3 |
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Coverage: | Light to medium |
Number of shades: | 30 |
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11
Best Sheer Coverage
Jones Road What The Foundation
Why We Love It
- Contains nourishing ingredients
- Sheer coverage good for everyday wear
What to Consider
- The pot-style packaging makes it tricky to know how much to apply
This tinted moisture balm goes on sheer, making it great for everyday wear. It's packed with nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil and sodium hyaluronate to smooth and hydrate skin. The pot packaging calls for a lot of product, so you can trust you'll have this formula for a long time.
Key ingredients: | Jojoba oil |
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Coverage: | Sheer |
Number of shades: | 12 |
Why We Love It
- Shade range has a variety of tones and undertones
- Offers skincare benefits
What to Consider
- It can be hard to find your shade because the coloring of the cap is off
Makeup, skincare, and SPF in one! What more could you ask for? This serum foundation from Ilia also comes in a wide range of shades—making it easy for everyone to find a match. The coverage is light but buildable and the formula is packed with skin-benefiting ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and squalane.
Key ingredients: | Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and squalane. |
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Coverage: | Light |
Number of shades: | 30 |
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Why We Love It
- Silky texture
- Full coverage
- Doesn't settle into fine lines
What to Consider
- Could offer a larger shade range
Even though it's a powder foundation, it doesn't leave skin feeling dry or overly matte. It's one of Vincent's favorites because it also doesn't settle into fine lines or wrinkles. The texture is uniquely silky for a powder, and the formula offers long-lasting full-coverage. It's also great for acne-prone skin types because it's non-comedogenic and oil-free.
Key ingredients: | Non-nano particles |
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Coverage: | Full |
Number of shades: | 9 |
How We Chose the Best Foundations for Mature Skin
Our beauty team is dedicated to finding you the best of the best formulas. We spoke with experts to learn about what to look for in a foundation for mature skin and got their go-to recommendations. We also researched and tested top-rated and brand-new formulas that hit the market to help you find the best products out there.
Bethany Heitman
Bethany Heitman has spent 15 years producing content for women; she is the former editor-in-chief of PeopleStyle and has held senior leadership positions at Cosmopolitan and Seventeen. She currently lives in Brooklyn, New York
Genesis Rivas
Genesis Rivas is the Beauty Editor at Oprah Daily, where she covers hair, makeup, skin, nails, and more. Before joining the Oprah Daily team, she wrote for several publications, including InStyle, Real Simple, and Shape. When she’s not testing, researching, and writing fun and educational beauty content, you can find her dancing and eating her way through New York City. Follow her on Instagram or TikTok