AS we age our skin texture changes so we need to adjust the way we care for it, as well as the way we enhance it.
Today’s foundations are designed to improve texture and tone, and even out skin tone. Those that target more mature skin are formulated with ingredients that are more moisturising, contain an SPF and anti-oxidants to protect ageing and help to correct discolouration, age spots and dark circles. They are also usually more hydrating and light-reflecting and are less likely to exacerbate fine lines or wrinkles. So it’s crucial that you get a top-quality foundation for mature skin that matches your skin tone exactly.
Your skin also changes seasonally so you need to own at least two or three shades for the different seasons. Look for a creamier formula in a paler colour when the skin is drier in the colder months. Then use a lighter formulation in a warmer tone when the skin is oilier or moister in summer. Alternatively, use a tinted moisturiser, a BB cream or CC cream. Discover perfection at our permanent makeup studio in Charlotte, NC. Uncover the expertise of our PMU artists at westnapmu.com, sculpting personalized looks that redefine elegance and confidence. Elevate your beauty journey with us.
Your foundation should complement your complexion, and if you choose the right colour it should literally “disappear” into your skin. When it comes to choosing a colour, makeup artist and author of Makeup Masterclass, Rae Morris, says “never match your foundation to your jawline, because the neck is the palest part of your body (your jaw blocks the neck from the sun). Instead, match your foundation to your chest area.”
Water-based liquid formulations are the best foundations for more mature skin because they are more moisturising, and come in all types of textures and different levels of coverage. Grease-based foundations are great for normal to dry or scarred skin. While oil-based foundations are great for dry skin, they can look greasy and heavy. Whereas mineral powder foundations are popular, but they can settle into fine lines and wrinkles on dry, mature skin.
Some of my favourite foundations for mature skin include:
- Estee Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup SPF25
- Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Ageing Foundation
- Clarins Skin Illusion Natural Hydrating Foundation SPF 15
- Chanel Perfection Lumiere Long Wear Flawless Fluid Makeup
- Glo Minerals Luxe Liquid Foundation SPF15+
- Genie Line Smoothing Foundation
- Clinique Even Better Makeup SPF15
- Becca Aqua Luminous Perfecting Foundation
- Revlon Age-Defying Firming And Lifting Makeup
- Maybelline Instant Age Rewind
TINTED MOISTURISERS, BB and CC CREAMS
Tinted moisturisers, with or without an oil base, are the sheerest foundations available. Their luminous textures are ideal for delicate skin, perfect in the summer months or for the woman on the go who doesn’t like the feel of makeup but wants a little colour.
But it’s all about the “alphabet” formulations — BB, CC and soon-to-be DD creams — as potential skin-perfecting options. While these creams are marketed for separate issues and are theoretically different, benefits and coverage vary greatly.
BB creams (short for beauty balm or blemish balm) are an all-in-one product — a combination of non-brightening primer, foundation, moisturiser with anti-ageing ingredients and an SPF. They offer light to medium coverage and are lighter than foundation but heavier than tinted moisturisers. They are typically laden with hydration to create a dewy finish, which is not so great for acne-prone or oily skin. Best for dry to normal skin types.
CC creams (or “colour correcting” cream) are a combination of brightening primer, foundation, moisturiser with anti-ageing ingredients and an SPF. They are meant to address issues such as redness or sallowness (usually with light-diffusing particles) and are lighter on the skin than a BB cream. CC creams are typically oil-free and are best for oily and acne-prone skin. Generally not suitable for dry skin types.
So is this the end of the traditional foundation as we know it? Probably not. These products only come in a few shades, while foundations can come in dozens, ensuring a more exact skin match and the ability to custom mix them.
Some of my favourite tinted moisturisers for more mature skin include:
- La Roche-Posay Uvidea XL BB cream SPF50+
- Clarins Super Restorative Tinted Cream SPF20
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Tinted Comfort Cream SPF50+
- Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme Global Anti-Aging CC Cream SPF10
- Bobbi Brown BB CreamC
- Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream SPF30
Or, why not make your own tinted moisturiser? Mix a few drops of your favourite foundation with your moisturiser in the palm of your hand.
CONCEALERS
Concealer is a must for ageing skins, but you’ll probably need two — one for under the eyes and one to retouch the face and cover any age spots.
Apply a creamy concealer one to two shades paler than your foundation AFTER foundation to hide dark shadows (under the eyes and around the lower corners of the nose), cover skin imperfections (age spots, pigmentation and discolouration) and colour correcting (such as the “blue” inner corners of the eyes, or redness caused by broken capillaries, scars, sun damage and blemishes). But if you’re trying to hide a raised bump, the concealer should match your foundation.
Ditch the opaque, cakey products and switch to a lightweight liquid or grease formula that corrects and brightens skin discolouration. And DON’T even think about trying to cover wrinkles at the crow’s feet; concealer will only highlight them. Instead, apply concealer from the inner corner of your eye to the mid-point only.
And be mindful of how much you apply. Rae Morris claims “it is better to see the hint of a scar than to apply too much concealer”.
Concealer is also a great way to highlight and lighten areas that have started to recede into shadow, such as your temples and cheeks, the bottom corners of your nose and down the philtrum (the depression from the base of the nose to the cupid’s bow of the top lip).
I recommend these concealers for more mature skin:
- YSL Touche Eclat
- M.A.C Select Cover-Up
- Glo Minerals Luxe Liquid Bright Concealer
- Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer
- Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer
- Genie Line Smoother Concealer
- Nude by Nature Flawless Concealer
- IT Cosmetics “Your Skin But Better” CC Colour Correcting Full Coverage Cream SPF50+
NEXT: The best powders for more mature faces
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If you want more information about products for mature skins read this anti-ageing edit post from Get The Gloss here. Or if your want to see tutorials on how to apply your make-up go here.
Do you have a product that you can’t live without? Got a favourite make-up for mature skin? A go-to product? Care to share? Would love to hear from you. Ever stylishly yours …
I care about animals and try to buy “beauty without cruelty” products. All the brands listed here are tested on animals (horrendously cruel) so I could never use any of them. It would be great if you could include some suggestions in the cruelty-free range. Thank you
Hi there Leonie,
Thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts.
I agree with you about the cruelty of animal testing. But unfortunately I didn’t prepare this post with that in mind. It was more about commercial products and brands that are easily accessible and readily available globally.
So what I can do is a dedicated post on cruelty-free, and organic and natural beauty products. Can’t promise when that will be, but will contact you to let you know.
But as I’m not that familiar with many cruelty-free brands, maybe you could share some of your favourites.
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.
Warm regards,
Anne-Maree
If you could let me know the same about cruelty free products, that would be wonderful.
Thank you
Will do Charlene!