Foundation is inarguable the most powerful tool in your makeup bag: no other everyday product has the power to change your face in such a transformative way. Unfortunately, finding the right foundation for your skin type (and then applying it correctly) can be incredibly tricky and for mature women, this process can be maddening. Thankfully, though, it doesn’t have to be.
Time Is On Your Side!
Time is on your side if you’re reading this today: the makeup industry is constantly and consistently churning out wonderful new anti-aging products. And while it’s understandable to be a little apprehensive about such products (you may be thinking, Anti-aging makeup? Ha! Like ANYTHING could reduce these wrinkles!), you should be nothing less than excited at the prospect of securing your dream age-reversing foundation.
What Makes A Foundation Good For Aging Skin?
So, what exactly constitutes a great foundation for mature skin? For starters, you need to procure a product that gives you tons of moisture, is ideally-oil free (unless you have particularly dry skin), contains anti-wrinkle agents and collagen boosters, and provides you with not-too-heavy coverage.
The latter criterion is probably the most important, but it can also be the hardest thing to get just right. How many times have you applied your foundation in the morning, thought it looked great, and then by late afternoon discovered that your makeup had seeped into your fine lines and wrinkles’actually rendering them more noticeable!
It’s a common ailment, but as it turns out, the secret is simple: according to many professional makeup artists, no matter what kind of foundation you’re using, it’s important to always apply very light coverage to any wrinkles or lines. This will prevent that caked-on’ look that troubles so many women. And, as always, applying regular moisturizer (as well as finding a moisturizing foundation) to troublesome areas is always a great idea.
What Constitutes Mature Skin?
Well, obviously, mature skin can mean that you have gotten up in years. This means that your skin is drier than it used to be since it becomes harder for your skin to retain proper hydration as you advance in years. Mature skin also refers to any women who suffer from fine lines or wrinkles, including crows feet or laugh lines. Woman begin getting wrinkles or fine lines at various ages, so some women may need items to help and hide them before others do. It simply depends on you and your own personal skin, just like everything else in the makeup world.
Now that you know what you’re looking for in a foundation and are sure that one designed for mature skin is for you, let’s explore some of the very best products on the market today.
Number 10
Lancome Absolute BX Makeup
Why should I buy it?
The crème de la crème when it comes to age-defying products, Lancôme’s Absolute will simply wow you with its effectiveness. It’s a wonderful tool for covering, reducing, and preventing the appearance of wrinkles.
How will it help my skin?
For starters, Absolute is a liquid foundation that provides a nice medium coverage – when applied correctly (i.e., no attempting to completely cover your wrinkles!) it won’t begin to seep into your facial lines. In fact, Lancôme guarantees that this product will blur fine lines for up to twelve hours after initial application. In addition, Absolute contains the chemical pro-xylene (remember this word – it’s your new best friend), which acts as a wonderful moisturizing agent for your skin. Absolute also has an SPF of 18, which is another wonderful thing to look for in a mature skin foundation.
Where can I find it?
This lovely product can be found at most department-store counters or can be ordered online. The price tag for Absolute isn’t cheap ($62), but when considering the best foundation for your skin, it’s usually best to not take the cheapest route.
Number 9
Bobbi Brown Luminous Moisturizing Foundation
Why should I buy it?
If your aging skin is particularly dry, look no further than this wonderful product from Bobbi Brown (always a reliable cosmetics line). The Luminous Moisturizing foundation has been a consistent hit with its audience, garnering tons of positive reviews thanks to its ability to fully hydrate your skin (the dewier, the better!), making your face appear more youthful almost instantaneously.
How will it help my skin?
The Luminous Moisturizing Foundation is particularly designed for mature, dry skin, which means it contains a plethora of great moisturizing agents, as well as natural collagen-boosting chemicals to help your skin look younger and fresher. Remember though, this product provides light-to-medium coverage: so, if you’re looking to cover up redness or brown spots in addition to wrinkles, it may be best to look for another foundation. But, if you’re looking to hydrate your dry, maturing skin while providing light coverage, then this is the product for you.
Where can I find it?
Bobbi Brown’s Luminous Moisturizing Foundation comes in twenty different shades and can be found at bobbibrowncosmetics.com ($47).
Number 8
L’Oreal Visible Lift Serum Absolute Foundation
Why should I buy it?
This age-reversing, super affordable foundation is a great find for those with all skin types: dry, oily, normal, or a little in between.
How will it help my skin?
For starters, this product is equipped with an effective anti-aging serum of five ingredients, which will help to even out your skin tone while also visibly reducing fine lines and wrinkles. With the Visible Lift Serum, you can count on enjoying noticeably smoother, more youthful-looking skin (in fact, 79% of users have reported “fewer imperfections” with the use of this product!) thanks to the variety of pigments that are found in this foundation.
It provides a lightweight coverage—not too heavy, but not too light, either—and is notorious for blending very easily onto all skin types. In addition, the Visible Lift Serum offers 24-hour hydration, provides a lovely matte finish, and is available in twelve different shades.
Where can I find it?
Here’s the best part: this lovely little product is available for just $13 at most supermarkets and drug stores. L’Oreal’s Visible Lift Serum is truly a great find for those who want awesome results for their skin, without having to fork over tons of cash.
Number 7
Bare Escentuals Original SPF 15 Foundation
Why should I buy it?
For those with sensitive yet mature skin, it can be pretty hard to find a great foundation that will work on several levels – i.e., won’t cause you to break out, but will still provide anti-aging amenities. Worry not; Bare Escentuals Original SPF 15 is a great bet for you.
How will it help my skin?
First off, there are no synthetic chemicals or fillers to be concerned about (one of the most important things to look for in a foundation for sensitive skin). The sun protection factor is a lovely plus, as is the long-lasting coverage. Best of all, it’s a mineral foundation, which means it will give you a smooth and creamy finish, without sinking into wrinkles or drying out your complexion.
Where can I find it?
Bare Escentuals comes in twenty shades and can be found at drugstores or online at www.bareescentuals.com for a mere $27.
Number 6
Clinique Repairwear Anti-Aging SPF 15
Why should I buy it?
You can always count on Clinique to provide you with the best of the best when it comes to anti-aging beauty products. Like Lancôme, Clinique has a wonderful (albeit pricey) reputation for a reason: real results are a guarantee with the use of their products.
How will it help my skin?
The Repairwear Anti-Aging foundation comes equipped with all the essentials. Most impressively, this product is incredibly effective when it comes to smoothing out facial lines. Mending the look of wrinkles and lines is definitely a Clinique speciality, and it’s consistently what they do best. In addition, this product provides outstanding all-day moisture (remember, this is so important when it comes to reducing unwanted lines and wrinkles), is oil-free and hypoallergenic-free, and has an admirable SPF of 15. Clinique’s Repairwear Anti-Aging foundation simply cannot be beaten – if it’s optimum results you’re craving for your skin, do yourself a favor and splurge on this product.
Where can I find it?
Repairwear can be found online at www.clinque.com to the tune of $119.
Number 5
Elizabeth Arden Intervene
Why should I buy it?
An exquisite and affordable anti-aging product, Elizabeth Arden Intervene is great for oily skin, as well as combination skin. If you’re looking to delay the onset of more wrinkles, as well as provide ample coverage to the wrinkles you already have, then this product is a great buy.
How will it help my skin?
The entire Intervene line is dedicated to boosting collagen and elastin, as well as providing much-needed moisture to your complexion. This particular foundation also includes both vitamins E and C, and contains SPF 15 – both of these factors are crucial when it comes to protecting your skin from potential provokers in the environment.
Intervene also works well as a wonderful skin-smoother, and is useful for covering up any blotchiness, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. Say goodbye to age-related imperfections and hello to a soft, natural-looking complexion with this product!
Where can I find it?
To purchase Elizabeth Arden Intervene, visit SkinStore, where you’ll find this particular foundation for just $36.
Number 4
Chanel Lift Lumiere
Why should I buy it?
The classiness of Chanel products is almost unmatched by most competitors – and their age-defying foundations are no exception to this rule. The Lift Lumiere is a true gem, thanks to its one-of-a-kind anti-aging formula when coupled with the beautifully translucent finish it provides.
How will it help my skin?
This handy little foundation is simply the best for covering up troublesome facial lines – wrinkles will absolutely look diminished in size and appearance. Lift Lumiere also contains firming polymers (your skin will appear more taut and smooth) and emollients that work to deliver that necessary hydration to your complexion – many reviewers state that their face seems a bit lifted, and definitely smoother. If it’s a shine-free, luminous, less wrinkled complexion that you’re after, this foundation is a great choice.
Where can I buy it?
You can buy Lift Lumiere at Chanel.com for $65.
Number 3
Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme
Why should I buy it?
This great new product from Estee Lauder works wonderfully for both normal and dry skin types, due to its awesome, unique hydration formula. Resilience Lift Extreme has won rave reviews for this formula, with reviewers overwhelmingly praising the product’s ability to give their skin a supple, healthy, radiant glow and a nice, even complexion.
How will it help my skin?
This foundation is guaranteed to make your skin feel and look tighter and firmer – according to their website, 89% per cent of users reported that their skin “looked firmer and more lifted”, while 88% of users said their “lines and wrinkles were reduced”. There’s no messing with those numbers – you can count on this product to work for all your anti-aging, hydration needs. In addition, this product is fragrance-free, so you’ll have less chance of breaking out after applying if that’s something to which you’re prone.
Where can I find it?
Estee Lauder’s Resilience Lift Extreme ($37.50) can be found online at www.Esteelauder.com or at most drugstores.
Still searching for that perfect foundation for your mature skin? Don’t fret, read on for our top picks!
Number 2
Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Foundation
Why should I buy it?
If you’re really worried about correctly applying your foundation so that it doesn’t appear caked into any facial lines, then Laura Mercier’s Crème Smooth foundation may just be perfect for you. Because of this product’s specific combination formula, Crème Smooth effortlessly glides onto your skin and smoothly covers wrinkles (the more you use it, the smoother wrinkles will appear).
How will it help my skin?
You won’t have to be worried about too-heavy coverage, either: Crème Smooth is very lightweight and hydrating, thanks to the multi-peptides (a big source of hydration for your face) it contains. Add to that the optical diffusers that help to smooth away any other imperfections, and this product comes out a sure winner.
Where can I find it?
If you visit the Laura Mercier website to purchase this product (and you should) they have a Flawless Face Finder, which will help you determine just the right shade for your face. At $50, the Crème Smooth foundation is a wonderful find.
Number 1
LORAC Breakthrough Performance Foundation
Why should I buy it?
Here’s another great pick for those of you with overly sensitive skin. This foundation does not contain any unwanted fillers or chemical agents (no sulfates, fragrances, petrochemicals, or other nasty stuff!) that tend to irritate your complexion.
How will it help my skin?
The Breakthrough Performance foundation helps your skin to produce more collagen. Collagen, as you know, helps your skin to appear plump, moisturized, healthy, and of course, youthful.
One reviewer stated that she applied the foundation to some age-related spots on her hand, and within two weeks the spots had faded – pretty impressive. LORAC Breakthrough Performance also contains antioxidants, which are wonderful for helping skin to look it’s most radiant. Coverage for this foundation is oil-free and gives you a lovely dewy finish; the product also contains the necessary SPF 14 – a must when searching for the perfect anti-aging foundation, of course.
Where can I find it?
LORAC Breakthrough Performance can be found for $39.
While it can be daunting and downright scary to go on the hunt for the perfect mature skin foundation, it’s absolutely worth it. There’s simply nothing like finding the best match for you – your complexion will look amazing, and you’ll be able to enjoy the fact that you’re actively combating the wear-and-tear that the aging process tends to have. As you’ve seen from this list, there’s an anti-aging foundation out there for every skin type – now get out there and find it!
Thank you for finally breaking down to basics what we need to do to look our best at more mature ages. My face is just now dying pores, creases, everything that my regular foundation cannot hide and seems to exaggerate it. Thank you for giving us a choice of actually “tried” foundations instead of just being a salesperson.