Your questions about foundation for mature skin answered
What is the best foundation for mature skin?
For me, Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s beautiful skin foundation came out on top, because it’s a great daily go-to option that hits the sweet spot between medium coverage and natural translucency. The shade range caters for everyone, with each tone pitched intelligently, as you would expect from a super-brand that’s the brainchild of a professional make-up artist.
I can’t fail to acknowledge how the iconic Giorgio Armani luminous silk foundation continues to deliver exquisite elegance, either. Meanwhile, new kid on the block, Shiseido’s revitalessence skin glow foundation is a heavenly hybrid of foundation and skincare. For those on a budget, Rimmel’s lasting perfection proved a wallet-friendly option with higher coverage, though it was more on the matte end of the finish spectrum.
How I tested foundations for mature skin
Before narrowing down my favourites, I spent weeks testing a wide range of foundations that were either formulated for or well-suited to mature skin. I tested across a broad spectrum of foundation types, from serum formulas to those with SPF, and each was worn in different settings to see how they performed beyond first impressions. Some of these foundations didn’t make the cut, given that each one had to tick the following boxes:
- Application: To maintain consistency, I first applied each of these foundations in the morning, always over moisturiser but without primer. They needed to glide over mature skin smoothly and blend with ease.
- Coverage: I always started with a sheer layer and then gradually increased my coverage, ensuring that every foundation fulfilled its promises (be it to mask blemishes or merely veil the skin) and additionally assessing whether the formula could be built up – for bonus points.
- Staying power: I kept the foundations on throughout the day and into the evening to assess performance and longevity. These final 12 are the foundations that met and exceeded expectations.
What type of foundation is better for ageing skin?
Compared with other stages of life, choosing the right foundation for mature skin is far more difficult. That’s because, as our skin ages, a loss of collagen and elasticity can throw up all sorts of issues. Menopause can also bring about everything from dryness and flaky patches to acne and pigmentation, which can mean skin is left needing a lot more TLC than it did in its youth.
For most people with mature skin, dryness can cause it to become dehydrated, so, one of the most important factors when it comes to finding the right foundation is to ensure it has a moisturising element to it. That is why, in the majority of my foundation picks, I chose formulas with the hero product hyaluronic acid, which helps feed skin by adding moisture back into it.
You also have to decide on what type of coverage you want. As skin matures and becomes more prone to wrinkles and ageing spots, it’s more likely a foundation offering maximum coverage will be appealing. That said, this doesn’t mean the formulation needs to be a heavy one, as you want your skin to be able to breathe.
The colour of the product is also important, as more mature skin tends to have a dull appearance to it, so, try to opt for products that have a dewy and luminous finish, to help boost your skin’s glow.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Jan Masters has been a beauty journalist for more than 30 years, so it’s safe to say when it comes to beauty, she knows what she’s looking for. She’s covered everything from fragrances to anti-pollution skincare and has written for a whole host of established publications. As a tried and true beauty expert, she lends her expertise to IndyBest, finding the most effective and best-value foundations for giving mature skin a newfound glow. She’s researched, explored brands both high-end and affordable, and narrowed down hundreds of foundations on the market to find the very best buys for mature skin.
Additionally, the wider team has explored more make-up picks for older complexions, such as the best concealers for mature skin. They’ve also covered complexion heroes extensively, with pieces ranging from the best tinted moisturisers to the best BB creams.
Brighten and hydrate your skin, with our pick of the best eye creams for mature skin
