As we grow older, our beliefs and habits evolve to reflect maturity and experience – and so does our skin. Hormonal changes such as menopause and a natural reduction of essential oils leave our skin more susceptible to the effects of prolonged sun exposure, age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. All of this together contributes to an epidermis in need of a little more TLC. Fortunately, there is plenty of help at hand. The beauty industry has spent millions into researching and developing foundations specifically formulated to nurture mature skin. In today’s post, we’re going to look into some of the best foundation for mature skin over 40. Bonus, we’ve also included makeup and foundation recommendations from actual women who are over 40!
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Starting off our list of best foundation for women over 40 is this awesome base makeup. The Mii Cosmetics Absolute Face Base Foundation offers the best of both worlds. Comprehensive coverage which doesn’t look heavy or over-the-top, in a powder that sits lightly on the skin. Equally as effective in a single layer or in multiple, the foundation can be applied with a brush or fingertips. The Mii Absolute Face Base is also specially designed to enhance your natural glow all day long.
Its non-comedogenic properties ensure it won’t react badly with even the most sensitive-skinned individuals. With an extensive range of over 40 shades to choose from, you’re sure to find a tone and texture to match your own.
This anti-wrinkle foundation containing moisturizing properties is specifically designed to alleviate the effects of skin that is prone to drying out over time. What’s more, the unique formula of Lancôme Rénergie Lift Foundation contains extracts of Vitamin E, meaning the longer you wear it, the more beneficial its impact will be on your skin’s health and appearance. Effectively blurs lines and obscures wrinkles for up to 12 hours; what more do you want in a best foundation for aging skin with dryness issues?
This luxury brand is next on our list of best foundation for older skin. An all-in-one liquid foundation, you’ll hardly notice you’re wearing this ultra-lightweight base for mature skin. Containing microscopic radiant-pearl mica, the formula of Laura Mercier Candle Glow Soft Luminous Foundation adds a subtly luminous glow to your face. It also softens unwanted lines, wrinkles and pores in one fell swoop.
What’s more, the dual-hydration of this best foundation for skin over 40 qualities provide an immediate burst of moisture and a longer-lasting hydrating effect.
As a water-based, oil-free foundation, this silky makeup suitable for older skin provides superb coverage. Cover FX Natural finish Foundationworks very well on the whole T-zone area. This foundation also minimizes the appearance of larger pores, which is a concern that many women with aging skin have.
The Cover FX foundation also contains significant nutritional benefits, including elevated levels of Vitamin C and Vitamin E to protect against the damage caused by free radicals.
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Best Foundation for Over 40: Recommendations from Ladies Over 40 Years Old
If you’re looking for favorites from actual people who vouch for the effective results these makeup products give, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve compiled some recommendations of the best makeup for aging skin over 40 given by real women aged 40 and above.
Physician’s Formula Silk Foundation
Natalie Rodrigues, who has combination skin that gets dry during the winter, recommends Physician’s Formula:
“I’m also loving Physician’s Formula Silk Foundation. I’m usually not a drugstore makeup kind of person but I had to pick some up in a hurry and I ended up loving this one.
It was a great texture, not too heavy, it feels moisturizing and made my skin look great. I’m not a fan of heavy foundation or heavy coverage so these made me a fan.
I like that Physician’s Formula is also natural and organic because it makes me feel like my skin would benefit more from something I’m using all the time.”
Foundation for mature skin over 60: Fashion Fair Foundation
Carol Gee mentions Fashion Fair’s wide range of shades that led her to the perfect one for herself:
“I am a light complexioned African American female who just turned 70 years young. Back when i started wearing foundation, I found it difficult to find one that worked for skin tone. Some were too light chalky or two pink or too something.
Discovering Fashion Fair makeup was a game changer. It has shades for a number of nationalities and skin tones.
I love it because as a retired AF veteran I have been able to find it at base exchanges most of the places my husband and I were stationed.
It is easy to apply. Typically, I apply moisturizer, then dab on a bit of powder in the same shade to ‘set’ it and it lasts all day without streaking or reapplying.”
“I use a tinted, all natural, vegan cream that reduces redness and gives a light cover up.
I actually developed the cream, called Recova Tinted Arnica Cream, to use as a post-surgery cream to reduce bruising, swelling and redness. Most people have used it after plastic surgery on the face. It feels so light and reduces redness that I have used it every day for 2 years. Recova is light, has all-natural ingredients, super 9 anti-inflammatory ingredients. Gives a nice glow, reduces redness. I chose not to add SPF to the formulation as to not dilute the potency.
Luxury Favorite and Best Drugstore Foundation for Mature Skin Over 40 Picks
Musician and TV/Radio host Larissa Lam has sensitive skin on the normal to dry range. She rotates her foundation to avoid developing an allergy to them:
“I like to use lighter coverage for everyday wear for when I’m running errands or taking my daughter to school. When I need to dress up or be in more work settings, I will use a medium to full coverage foundation.
As budgets have gotten tighter, especially in light of all the uncertainty now, I’ve discovered some great drugstore brand foundations.
For medium to full coverage, I really like Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation. At $10, it’s a great bargain and comes in a lot of shades. The thing I like most about it is that it doubles as a concealer.
For lighter coverage, my bargain pick is Wet n Wild Photofocus Foundation. At under $7, it’s a real steal. It’s great for selfies and blends easily.“
Mature Skin Makeup Recommendations from a Makeup Artist to the Stars
Andrea Claire, makeup artist and hair stylist to Hollywood stars such as Miranda Richardson, Liv Lo, Henry Golding, Romee Strijd, Lisa Ray, and Margaret Atwood – to name a few – recommends tried and tested makeup for mature skin:
“I am actually a makeup artist so I have tried and tested many brands.
FACE atelier I use when I want more coverage. It’s seamlessly buildable and breathable which means you can layer it without it looking cakey. Great for day or evening events. It has a second skin quality so you don’t look like you’re wearing foundation but has a flawless satin canvas finish.
Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder is light weight also with breathable but sheer coverage so your own skin will shine through
YSL Le Teint Encre De Peau has a matte finish yet with a slight healthy glow. It’s a great foundation for women concerned with needing more natural looking coverage but also want to avoid any dewy finish.
Shiseido Synchro Skin– my running theme is breathable coverage without the cakey finish. Shiseido knows skin and that certainly comes through with their foundation formulas”
Foundations for Mature Skin Over 50: For Shining Under the Spotlight
Amy Brownstein, at 52 years old, wears foundation almost daily. She also gives some insight on what foundations she picks for her line of work:
“I am in a public field and always around people. I love the more solid thicker foundations because when I am with clients we often take selfies together and rather than using any sort of photo enhancing app, these really do the trick all on their own,.
Plus they also have a very good substance for laying comfortably on the skin, staying there and not rubbing off on people.”
She shares the following makeup for over 40 that she uses, including her choices for best foundation for older women:
“For the regular every day medium to light coverage: DrJart+ BB DIS-A-PORE. It has medium coverage, SPF 30, and is non-drying which is extremely important for aging skin). I have 4 different types of their Beauty Balm.
I love DrJart+ because it goes on creamy. You can pat it very carefully on your skin, it leaves a dewy glow. It also helps hide minimal imperfections.
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Calling All Fabulous Ladies Over 40! What’s your pick for best foundation for mature skin over 40?
Maturing skin is a natural part of life. Embrace the changes and love yourself more with any of the foundations for mature skin over 40 mentioned in this post. We hope you found one that works for you!
Let us all in on the secret to looking young with foundations for over 40 in the comments section below!
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Great idea making use of foundation marketed for older people for dry skin, I can totally see that working! And we’re happy our choices worked for you as well!
They’re great!
Thanks for sharing the recommendation from your mom, Nancy!
Oooh! My mom loves foundation from Shiseido, paired with their sunscreen. Love that these options are affordable and works great with mature skin! Clinique is also really good as a foundation. I’ve always been curious about YSL makeup!
Nancy ✨
Haha I have really dry skin and tend to opt for foundations that are aimed more towards older skin to help keep my moisture levels up. A few of my favourites are mentioned here, I used to love the Laura Mercier one X
Sophie
I like BB creams ❤
Couldn’t agree more!
This is such a great list! I think it’s important to have a good list for foundations that work for more mature skin!
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Great idea making use of foundation marketed for older people for dry skin, I can totally see that working! And we’re happy our choices worked for you as well!
They’re great!
Thanks for sharing the recommendation from your mom, Nancy!
Oooh! My mom loves foundation from Shiseido, paired with their sunscreen. Love that these options are affordable and works great with mature skin! Clinique is also really good as a foundation. I’ve always been curious about YSL makeup!
Nancy ✨
Haha I have really dry skin and tend to opt for foundations that are aimed more towards older skin to help keep my moisture levels up. A few of my favourites are mentioned here, I used to love the Laura Mercier one X
Sophie
I like BB creams ❤
Couldn’t agree more!
This is such a great list! I think it’s important to have a good list for foundations that work for more mature skin!
-Ashley