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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. What worked to cover up your teenage acne may not work for your face now, given the fact that you’re producing fewer natural oils. You could also be battling drier skin, hyperpigmentation, or texture and fine lines, conditions you may never have had years prior. So, for 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?).
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 makeup artist Joseph 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.”
Here, we’ve rounded up ten foundations for mature skin that feature the above ingredients to tackle everything you need, whether you’re looking for a little extra coverage or just want a healthy glow. Trust us, with the right products, your skin will look as luminous as you feel.
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If you’re going for soft, blurred, Mona Lisa skin, this satin-finish foundation has just enough buildable coverage to buff out any imperfections without looking caked on. “The best way to apply this foundation is to press it in with a dense brush, then go over it with a sponge to smooth and remove excess,” says makeup artist Sarah Walsh. That way, you won’t have any product settling into fine lines.
Price at time of publish: $69.00
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If you’ve been anywhere near the internet in the last five years, your feed is likely filled with “clean girl” beauty products for dewy, bouncy, and hydrated skin (like you just emerged from the best facial of your life). To get the look, opt for makeup with a radiant finish, like this serum foundation from Saie. The formula also features hydrating squalane and hyaluronic and polyglutamic acids, which help to plump the skin. It also has a pretty inclusive shade range offering.
Price at time of publish: $40.00
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Wedding day skin shouldn’t look like a mask, and that’s especially the case for mature skin. Full coverage makeup tends to settle into fine lines, so opting for something lighter is key. That’s why Carrillo recommends Glossier’s Perfecting Skin Tint for a barely-there natural look that still offers enough coverage for any imperfections.
Price at time of publish: $26.00
Avoid “long-wearing” formulas. “Makeup marketed as ‘long-wearing’ tends to have a very matte, dry finish. While it may have full coverage and a decent wear time, the skin ends up looking deflated, dry, and even flakey at the end of the night,” says Walsh. Instead, she suggests going for something packed with hydrating skincare ingredients to give you a healthy, natural glow.
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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 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: $12.99
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This is an all-time, hall-of-fame foundation for a reason. It has a natural finish, is super buildable, and magically gives a lit-from-within glow. “This aptly-named foundation works for all skin types, including mature skin,” says Vincent. “It’s lightweight, looks like real skin, and doesn’t settle the way heavier foundations tend to.” (That’s likely thanks to its silicone base).
Price at time of publish: $69.00
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.
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“This foundation is a staple in my kit and it works especially well on mature skin,” says 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: $49.00
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This falls best under the category of “full coverage that doesn’t feel like full coverage.” While mature skin types may want to steer clear of heavier formulas, this radiant base has hydrating ingredients (hibiscus and wild pansy extracts) that counteract drying and flaking. The uniform coverage also makes this a great pick if you’re covering up hyperpigmentation.
Price at time of publish: $55.00
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More skincare than makeup, this dewy formula “is amazing for mature skin,” says Carrillo. “It literally looks like a second skin.” The product packs in five skincare benefits: zinc oxide for sun protection, sodium hyaluronate for moisture retention, rosa damascena extract to boost collagen and plumpness, rosa damascena oil for a dose of antioxidants, and vitamin C for its anti-inflammatory and glow-enhancing properties. You’ll look like you drink your eight glasses of water per day and then some.
Price at time of publish: $48.00
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This color-correcting (CC) cream packs enough pigment to cover up any rosacea redness or hyperpigmentation, but is formulated with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to help calm and hydrate the skin. Of course, anyone with sensitive skin should test makeup well before the big day to make sure you won’t have any flare-ups.
Price at time of publish: $47.00
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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: $24.00