The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?

8 best foundations for mature skin: Formulas that deliver hydration and added radiance

Ditch creams and serums that set into fine lines and creases in favour of these nourishing formulas

Suzanne Baum
Thursday 23 March 2023 15:14 GMT
<p>We were looking for hydrating, non-cakey solutions across varying levels of coverage   </p>

We were looking for hydrating, non-cakey solutions across varying levels of coverage

Our Top Picks

Embracing our look as we get older can involve making tweaks to our skincare and make-up routine to ensure that, as our skin matures, the products and ingredients we’re using will still match our needs.

With everything from pigmentation and wrinkles to middle-aged acne and enlarged pores becoming possible areas that we may want to address, finding the best foundation for our skin as it evolves is a must. After all, the right product can make all the difference when it comes to flattering the skin and helping it really glow.

So, how do you choose which foundations are best suited to mature skin? Although some of the tried-and-tested formulas in our round-up are aimed at specific skin issues, experts recommend choosing a product with multifunctional properties that will target all areas.

Obviously, finding a foundation that provides maximum coverage and the right shade is extremely important, but make sure that moisturising ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and squalane, which mimic the skin’s natural oils, also feature – hydrating the skin is important as we age and helps foundation sit nicely on the skin, without caking, or drying out the skin barrier.

With more options than ever before, we know it can be overwhelming finding the best foundation that’s going to work for your mature skin – so, we’re here to help, with our guide to the best options.

How we tested

We went face to face with these foundations to see if they were easy to apply, comfortable to wear, long-lasting, provided the right kind of coverage and, most importantly, gave a youthful appearance to the skin. We applied each one in the morning, on top of our usual skincare routine, minus a primer, to see how well they fared alone. These are the foundations that stood out.

The best foundations for mature skin 2023 are:

  • Best overall – Giorgio Armani luminous silk foundation: £48, Armanibeauty.co.uk
  • Best for sensitive skin – Oxygenetix oxygenating foundation: £56, facethefuture.co.uk
  • Best for flawless coverage – SUQQU the liquid foundation: £71, Cultbeauty.co.uk
  • Best brightening foundation – Il Makiage woke up like this foundation: £39, Ilmakiage.com

Giorgio Armani luminous silk foundation

best foundation for mature skin
  • Best: Overall
  • Size: 30ml
  • Key ingredients: Glycerin
  • Shades: 40

This foundation, as its name suggests, really does feel like you are enveloping your face in silk. There’s a lot of hype around this product and, to be honest, we’re not surprised, as it is simply the best. After applying Giorgio Armani’s luminous silk foundation with just one layer of coverage, our face looked completely flawless, as the product covered everything we wanted it to. Because it’s formulated with a patented micro-fil technology (inspired by charmeuse silk), which enables the pigments to sit perfectly on the skin and help produce a healthy glow, it doesn’t feel at all heavy on the face either.

As it contains a powder-setting finish, you won’t need to apply product on top of product, which can clog up your pores. And, just like silk, the foundation glides over your face and gives luminous lightweight coverage that we found evens out the skin tone and covers blemishes as well as any areas of redness. You’ll only need a small pump of this too.

Back to top

Oxygenetix oxygenating foundation

best foundation for mature skin
  • Best: For sensitive skin
  • Size: 15ml
  • Key ingredients: Aloe vera
  • Shades: 28

What we like about this product most is that it is so soothing to the face and, being our best pick for sensitive complexions, it’s perfect for everything from menopausal skin to post-operative.

The original formula was created by a doctor for burn patients to use, so that explains why this foundation produces such great coverage. Our 49-year-old tester had numerous breakouts at the time of testing and found that, as well as covering these up, this foundation worked well as a healing product too. This is because the breathable formula is able to get to work without irritating the skin underneath it.

Our tester only had to use two pumps of the product to see results, and it was easy to apply with fingers, so you won’t need a brush to blend it out. This could also be a good go-to foundation if you have regular laser treatments, owing to the fact it can create a flawless glow while also covering up any red patches resulting from facial treatments.

Back to top

La Prairie skin caviar complexion concealer foundation

best foundation for mature skin
  • Best: For midlife skin
  • Size: 30ml
  • Key ingredients: Caviar extract
  • Shades: 11

Whether it’s ageing spots, eye creases or dark circles, this foundation has you covered when it comes to mid-life skin and everything it can throw at us. Formulated with caviar extract, the concealer and foundation work hand-in-hand to disguise any facial markings and add dewiness to the skin while providing complete coverage.

As it glides onto the skin and remains intact all day, there is no need to wear a primer beneath. Our tester noted this foundation stayed put from 8am until she removed it at 9pm, with it even lasting well throughout two hot flushes and a hot tube ride home from work. We couldn’t give this product five stars, owing to its higher price point – it’s a lot of money to spend on an everyday make-up product.

Back to top

SUQQU the liquid foundation

best foundation for mature skin
  • Best: For flawless coverage
  • Size: 30ml
  • Key ingredients: Botanical extracts, hydrolysed collagen and hyaluronic acid
  • Shades: 23

Most of the foundations in our final edit did produce flawless coverage, but this liquid foundation from SUQQU had the edge. This foundation has a serum-like consistency and glides onto the skin beautifully, covering up dry and uneven patches and producing a beautiful seamless look. It blends into the skin so easily, you can apply it with your fingers and then dab it in with a blending brush, with the results being very impressive.

With 23 shades available, there is something to suit a wide range of skin tones. What we love about this product, as well as its flawless finish, is the fact it is infused with 13 Japanese extracts – as well as hydrolysed collagen and hyaluronic acid – to nourish and hydrate, which is exactly what mature skin needs.

Back to top

Sculpted By Aimee Connolly second skin foundation dewy finish

best foundation for mature skin
  • Best: For glowing skin
  • Size: 32ml
  • Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, lavender and aloe vera
  • Shades: 30

This mineral liquid foundation from Irish make-up artist Aimee Connolly will certainly help you get your glow on, particularly if your skin is looking lacklustre as a result of a reduction in collagen. Formulated with so much goodness, from hyaluronic acid for hydration to lavender and aloe vera oil for skin calming and an SPF factor of 50, it gives off a truly radiant finish. We found it wasn’t cakey or heavy on the skin and it’s so lightweight that you don’t feel like you’re wearing any product.

Although we love it, the only thing that meant we had to knock a mark off this foundation’s star rating was that we needed to reapply the foundation by late afternoon, so, in terms of staying power, it wasn’t as long-lasting as the others we tried.

  1. £25 from Boots.com
Prices may vary
Back to top

Il Makiage woke up like this foundation

best foundation for mature skin
  • Best: For brightening
  • Size: 30ml
  • Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid and vitamin E
  • Shades: 50

This matte foundation comes in 50 shades, which is a very impressive selection. There is quite an intense colour match procedure to go through online to find the right shade for you, which does throw up quite a lot of options and includes some trial and error, but when our tester ordered hers, the colour was perfect.

Once you have met your match, everything about this foundation works brilliantly, when it comes to brightening up skin. It uses optical-corrective powders to blur and conceal pores and imperfections so that you are left with a smooth and soft face that looks instantly more youthful.

Stand out ingredients include hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, which help to add moisture to the skin and stop any dry patches from looking raised. Also, it doesn’t budge, so it will take you from day to night easily.

Back to top

Chanel sublimage l'essence de teint ultimate radiance-generating serum foundation

best foundation for mature skin
  • Best: For luxury
  • Size: 40ml
  • Key ingredients: Vanilla planifolia water and vanilla enfleurage oil
  • Shades: 13

The first serum foundation by Chanel, this product really does pack a punch. It combines both skincare and make-up together, and with 13 shades to choose from, there is something for a range of skin tones. The product glides on beautifully and instantly gives the skin a luminous glow. What it doesn’t do, though, is provide full coverage which means that if, like our tester, you have breakouts on the skin they will not be totally covered.

With long-lasting coverage – our tester reported that it stayed in place for 12 hours – this is one to wear from day to night, without the need to reapply. Plus, the skin felt perfectly hydrated, almost as though the product provided a drink for your skin, which will be perfect if you suffer from dryness. This really is luxury in a (stunning) bottle, while the soft Chanel brush that comes with the foundation is an added bonus.

  1. £130 from Chanel.com
Prices may vary
Back to top

Dr Irena Eris face zone even tone skin enhancer SPF 50+

best foundation for mature skin
  • Best: For uneven skin tones
  • Size: 30ml
  • Key ingredients: Vitamin E
  • Shades: N/A

Uneven skin is left looking beautifully ironed out with Dr Irenas product, which, although acting like a skin cream, is actually a lightweight foundation due to its ability to add subtle colour and even out your complexion. An extremely weightless formula, with a very high SPF protection of 50, mature skin types will certainly benefit from this product.

With its nourishing properties, this can be worn alone if you want a more natural finish – we found it quite refreshing to find a foundation that could produce a nice day look that leaves the skin soft and youthful looking. And, as mature skin can burn easily, we love the fact that out of all our foundations, this one contained the highest level of sun protection.

  1. £30 from amazon.co.uk
Prices may vary
Back to top

Foundation FAQs

What type of foundation is better for ageing skin?

Choosing the right foundation for mature skin is far more difficult than at any other stage of our life. 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 the 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 our foundation picks, we chose formulas with the hero product hyaluronic acid, which helps feed our skin by adding moisture back into it.

You also have to decide on what type of coverage you are after. As skin matures and becomes more prone to wrinkles and ageing spots, it’s more likely that a foundation offering maximum coverage will be appealing. That said, this doesn’t mean the formulation needs to be a heavy one, as we want our 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 those that have a dewy and luminous finish, to help boost your skin’s glow.

The verdict: Foundations for mature skin

Our favourite foundation for mature skin has to be the Giorgio Armani luminous silk foundation, owning to the fact it ticks all of the boxes when it comes to coverage – even the deepest of wrinkles and ageing spots are hidden well beneath the silky formulation, which glides onto the skin. It is on point when it comes to the price too, particularly as you only need to use a very small amount, so the bottle will last you for ages.

If you suffer, like our tester does, from middle-aged acne, Oxygenetix is a dream, as it not only covers up red and inflamed areas but also doesn’t irritate the skin – you can even sleep in it. And it’s also a magic formula for anyone with sensitive skin.

Read our pick of the best eye creams for mature skin that will help to brighten and hydrate your skin

Voucher Codes

TUI Discount Code
£100 off all bookings over £1000 - TUI discount code
ASOS Discount Code
20% off everything with this ASOS app discount code
Travelodge Discount Code
5% off all bookings with this Travelodge discount code
The Body Shop Discount Code
20% off everything with The Body Shop discount code
The Perfume Shop Discount Code
15% of all orders with The Perfume Shop birthday discount
Cult Beauty Discount Code
Up to 20% off all orders over £40 - Cult Beauty discount code

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in