We Tested the Best Makeup for Older Women — These Are the Hydrating, Glow-Giving Winners (2024)

We tested 23 foundations for mature skin, and the Dior Backstage Foundation easily earned our top pick for its hydrating formula. Boosted with nourishing squalane and hyaluronic acid, it creates a natural-looking glow, smoothes fine lines, and corrects redness. Our testers were blown away by the movie-magic effect of this lightweight foundation, which instantly provided even, buildable coverage and radiant skin with just a dime-sized amount of product.

The formula feels lightweight on skin and creates an airbrushed look in just one layer, although it’s easy to build up to more mid-weight coverage without it feeling cakey. We were most impressed with how the formula settled into the skin, smoothing out overall texture and never creasing or clinging to fine lines. One tester gushed: "This was, in all honesty, I think the best foundation I have used in my life. It immediately made an impressive change on my face. All I had to do was an application of one layer and my face looked as if I had it done professionally. Every person in the room also noticed the quick change."

The same tester noted that the refined foundation performed well as the day wore on, further smoothing their skin rather than creasing, and easily brightening up their dark under-eye circles. “It even made my fine lines seem to evaporate," they said. "I actually feel like I looked so much younger."

We love that the foundation comes in a wide range of 43 shades, which makes it a breeze to find your perfect color match. It’s also designed to be used on the face and the body, so you can dab it on red marks or blemishes for an all-over airbrushed look.

Sizes: 1.7 oz. | Shades: 43 | Key Ingredients: Squalane, hyaluronic acid | SPF: No

If you’re looking for the same benefits as the Dior Backstage Foundation but at a more affordable price point, we recommend the Make Up For Ever Reboot Active Care Revitalizing Foundation, which boasts a similarly lightweight, buildable coverage and hydrating formula — but at half the price. The one downside is it’s available in fewer shades, so matching to darker skin tones in particular might be difficult.

During our testing period, we found that just a single layer of this moisturizing foundation creates a blurring effect and minimizes overall redness, blemishes, and lightens under eye circles. For a truly airbrushed look, a second layer completely erases any lingering blemishes; the buildable formula absorbs readily into skin, so we were never left with that unpleasant mask-like feeling.

The formula boasts anti-aging, complexion-enhancing ingredients like camellia, which works to restore your skin’s natural glow, plus ginseng, which stimulates collagen production and improves skin’s suppleness. One tester raved that the product provided lasting softening effects, stating that when they took it off mid-afternoon, they noticed that their face felt very soft, smooth, and moisturized. Even the following morning, the skin on their face felt extra soft.

Sizes: 1.01 oz. | Shades: 17 | Key Ingredients: Ginseng, camellia japonica, mondo grass | SPF: No

Out of all the tinted moisturizers we tested, this best seller from BareMinerals earned a nearly perfect score during testing for its silky, lightweight formula, which is enhanced with nourishing hyaluronic acid as well as protective SPF 30. We love that it’s part makeup, part skincare, and that the built-in SPF means we can save some time during our morning routine by applying both at once.

An ideal tinted moisturizer for mature skin should be moisturizing, with lightweight coverage that won’t settle into wrinkles. Although this formula isn’t the best for under-eye, as the silky finish can get into creases, it still checks all our boxes: It goes on smooth and creamy, with a hint of tinted coverage that keeps skin feeling hydrated and naturally glowing. We tested it through the seasons, and found that it became indispensable as our daily go-to — our skin looked plumper and more luminous year-round, without suffering dry spots in winter or oily patches in summer.

Sizes: 1.18, 0.5 oz. | Shades: 20 | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, squalane | SPF: 30

This ultra-lightweight tinted moisturizer is incredibly easy to spread and buff into the skin. Despite its gentle tint, it manages to create solid coverage in just one layer, while simultaneously plumping our skin with French Polynesian Kopara, which provides a boost of extra hydration. We love how soft and supple the thinner formula feels on our skin — like we’re not wearing any makeup at all. When applying the pigmented moisturizer, it never creased or settled into our fine lines.

We felt like this offered the perfect amount of coverage while still feeling like a moisturizer rather than a foundation. While this pick is slightly pricier than other tinted moisturizers we tested, we feel it’s worth it for the quality and long-lasting finish — not to mention, the built-in SPF 30.

Sizes: 1.9 oz. | Shades: 16 | Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, French Polynesian Kopara | SPF: 30

Self-tanners are typically prone to settling into dry patches and exacerbating them, rather than evening them out. Those with dry skin should look to the James Read H2O Tan Drops, which stand out for their moisturizing formula packed with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera to help nourish the skin while gradually helping you to achieve a deeper shade. The drops are designed to mix into your daily moisturizer, ensuring a smooth application that won’t crease in any dry spots or fine lines.

The skin-satiating ingredients include soothing aloe vera, hyaluronic acid to improve elasticity, nourishing castor oil, and water to further hydrate thirsty skin. We love this serum for everyone — the paraben- and sulfate-free formula makes it an excellent choice for those with dry or sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, mature skin, and more. Application couldn’t be easier, either — just mix 1 to 4 drops into your moisturizer, depending on how deep a shade you’re looking to achieve.

Sizes: 1.01 oz. | Shades: 1 | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, aloe vera | SPF: No

Setting powders can easily get caught in wrinkles or fine lines, but this product from Saie is boosted with skin-nourishing squalane that’s made to hydrate and plump up skin rather than dry it out. It ensures a smooth, natural finish that blurs blemishes without looking or feeling cakey.

The barely-there feel of it adds a subtle, velvety texture that enhances skin, rather than covering it up. We love the aerated-cream technology, which provides the soft airbrushed effect. The formula also helped control shine when used on top of our dewy foundation by mattifying skin while still providing a lit-from-within glow thanks to the mica base.

Our only gripe is that, given the formula’s hydrating properties, it tended to wear off sooner than other setting powders that we tried — around the five-hour mark. Still, we’d prefer the occasional touch-up in exchange for the smoothing, plumping effects of this setting powder.

Sizes: 0.14 oz. | Shades: 3 | Key Ingredients: Squalane, aerated-cream technology, ethically sourced Mica | SPF: No

An even skin tone is one of the keys to maintaining a more youthful complexion, and a reliable dark spot corrector like this pick from Neutrogena is a great way to achieve that. This soft, velvety formula absorbs quickly and blends easily with other makeup. We noticed a marked difference in our dark spots over the course of six weeks of regular use, with our acne scars lightening up the most.

We love that this hydrating formula can be used as a spot corrector or all over the face, thanks to the vitamin C and moisturizing hyaluronic acid that keep skin feeling fresh and glowy. The vitamin C also helped to brighten and firm up our skin. Best of all, this dark spot corrector is equipped with retinol, which targets fine lines and wrinkles while also fading the appearance of dark spots.

Sizes: 1 oz. | Shades: 1 | Key Ingredients: Retinol, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid | SPF: No

Cream blushes are the way to go for those with dry, flaky, or mature skin, as they tend to impart hydration rather than settle into dry spots. This vegan formula from Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty line goes on easily with either fingertips or a brush, smoothly blending out without collecting in patches or settling into pores.

We love the dewy effect that it has, creating a naturally flushed look without ever leaving us feeling sticky or greasy. The formula is lightweight, sheer, and super buildable — during testing, we found that a little goes a long way with this product, which boasts Isononyl Isononanoate to help even out skin texture.

Choose from ten gorgeous shades designed to suit a range of skin tones, with options like shimmering tangerine and dusty rose. You can opt for just a hint of glow, or you can make the pigment truly pop if you’re looking for a more vibrant look.

Sizes: 0.1 oz. | Shades: 10 | Key Ingredients: Isononyl Isononanoate | SPF: No

Whether you’re going for a barely-there touch up or a full-coverage finish, this magic wand from Benefit has got you covered —literally. During our testing, we found that this silky formula was easy to layer on to cover up any dark circles or bags thanks to the soft doe-foot applicator, which allowed us to build up radiant coverage without looking cake-y. We did discover that the product can crease lightly given its moist formula, so it’s best to apply a smaller amount of product at first and go from there.

However, this product immediately brightens up the under-eye area while also helping to hydrate it. Enhanced with vitamin C for instant illuminating and red algae extract to help improve skin’s elasticity and moisture-retention, this is essentially part-makeup, part-skincare, and it’s perfect for those with dry or mature skin.

Sizes: 0.17 oz. | Shades: 26 | Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, red algae extract | SPF: No

Those in the know have sworn by this concealer from Nars for years. When we tested under-eye concealers, this one earned top marks in every category, thanks to its ease of application, hydrating feel, crease-resistant formula, buildable coverage, and superior staying power.

This product boasts a multi-active botanical blend of magnolia bark extract, grape seed extract, and vitamin E designed to hydrate and tighten the delicate skin under the eyes, while also reducing redness and improving the skin barrier. Light-diffusing mineral powder blurs fine lines and blemishes, helping to even out the skin tone and in turn, reveal a more youthful complexion.

We were blown away by how long-lasting this concealer is — it’s meant to stay on for 16 hours and hydrate the under-eye area all day long. We love that it’s available in 30 shades, making it easier to find your match for a radiant, natural look.

Sizes: 0.17 oz. | Shades: 30 | Key Ingredients: Mineral-tone balancing powder, light-diffusing mineral powder, magnolia bark extract, grape seed extract, vitamin E | SPF: No

Being able to walk into a drug store and find an undereye concealer that works on mature skin and blends out any blemishes is a game-changer — and we stand by Maybelline’s New York Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment. The soft sponge top applicator makes it a breeze to apply on the go, although we wish it were removable so that we could clean it more easily.

Ultimately, this hydrating concealer minimizes redness and dark circles by infusing the under-eye skin with haloxyl, which improves circulation and creates an overall lighter effect — a boon for all skin types, but particularly for drier and more mature skin. The delicate yet powerful formula provides 12 hours of hydrating coverage, with a creamy texture that rarely creases.

Sizes: 0.20 oz. | Shades: 18 | Key Ingredients: Haloxyl | SPF: No

Looking for plump, voluminous lashes that are absolutely smudge-proof and won’t break the bank? Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Plumping Mascara checks all our boxes: a tapered wand makes it easy to apply even on your inner lashes, and the waterproof formula won’t budge come rain, tears, or sweat. Plus, it’s under $10!

We applied eye drops and sprayed water on our faces during testing, and our lashes remained thick and clump-free — there was absolutely no smudging or runiness to be seen. The volumizing formula is enhanced with hydrating hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and keratin to boost shine and lash thickness while replenishing brittle lashes.

Another bonus is that unlike other waterproof formulas, which often require ill-advised rubbing and scrubbing to get off: This formula is a breeze to remove gently with micellar water.

Sizes: 0.21 oz. | Shades: 2 | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, keratin | SPF: No

For long-lasting color that won’t dry out your lips, matte liquid lipstick is the way to go. We love this wallet-friendly pick from Maybelline that we tested, which settles without creasing into the fine lines and corners of your mouth. The sheer, buildable consistency is comfortable enough to wear all day long, and we found that applying two coats helped it to stay on for several hours.

While the formula takes a few moments to dry entirely — and can transfer slightly even after it’s dried — it’s packed with softening dimethicone, which absorbs nicely and doesn’t leave an uncomfortably sticky consistency. The arrow-tip applicator makes it easy to apply the color with precision, especially on smaller lips.

While this is an excellent wallet-friendly pick that won’t chap your lips, it’s still a good idea to layer it with lip balm or Vaseline in colder weather to avoid any dryness or flaking. With 30 different shades available and at such an affordable price point, you can even stock up on a few for you and your BFF, or try out multiple shades to mix it up from day to night.

Sizes: 0.17 oz. | Shades: 30 | Key Ingredients: Dimethicone | SPF: No

This cloud-like facial primer from Hourglass is worth the investment, thanks to its smoothing capabilities and built-in sun protection. The formula boasts titanium dioxide, which helps with broad spectrum protection, while zinc oxide offers a physical barrier from UVA rays.

We found that putting this on helped our foundation glide over our skin, particularly when it came to the fine lines around our mouths. We awarded this product a perfect 5 out of 5 rating when it came to the application — it goes on smoothly and remains seamless for hours, without every pilling or creasing.

While this is more hydrating than most similar formulas, you still may need a moisture boost — particularly for more mature skin or in winter. We’d use this after your go-to facial moisturizer in order to first create a hydrating barrier for skin.

Sizes: 1 oz. | Shades: 1 | Key Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide | SPF: Yes

Those with mature or chronically dry skin will adore this hydrating setting spray that we tested from Mac Cosmetics. Equipped with antioxidants like green tea extract, it’s designed to liven up your skin and boost your natural glow — not to mention, protect you from blue light and environmental pollutants. Crucially, the formula is alcohol-free, so it will never dry out your skin — unlike many other moisture-stripping setting sprays that contain high levels of alcohol.

This product features a milky consistency that instantly revitalizes skin when spritzed on top of makeup: We particularly love layering it on after dusting our foundation with powder for even more staying power. The weightless consistency upped our glow without causing our skin to look oily, in turn crafting a moisturized, mattified look that lasted all day long.

Truly, the brand’s 16-hour promise is no joke — this spray helped lock in our makeup for the full day. It also enhanced the overall texture of our skin, blurring out blemishes while enhancing our makeup. Just be sure to shake it up before spritzing, as otherwise the fine-mist pump can get backed up and spit out the product rather than gently spray it.

Sizes: 3.4 oz. | Shades: 1 | Key Ingredients: Cucumber extract, green tea extract, caffeine | SPF: No

Lips oils are a nourishing alternative to lip balms, formulated with hydrating ingredients that are meant to enhance the skin of your lips and smooth out any cracks or dry areas. We love this wallet-friendly lip oil we tested from NYX, which instantly plumped and softened our lips with its dense, squalane-enhanced formula. It’s not as sticky as other lip oils we tried, yet offers a lusciously thick and moisturizing feel.

After 30 minutes, our lips still felt hydrated and comfortable. It never felt greasy or slippery, and it stayed on well even while eating and drinking — although we liked to reapply sometimes after eating to maintain the sheer color boost in addition to the hydration. We appreciated that a little goes a long way with this product, which requires only one swipe to infuse lips with softening hydration and glossy shine.

Sizes: 0.16 oz. | Shades: 8 | Key Ingredients: Vegan squalane, raspberry oil, cloudberry oil | SPF: Yes

When it comes to applying eyeliner on more mature skin, you want to avoid tugging at all costs. That’s where this gel-pencil hybrid from Lancôme comes in: the formula is smooth and easy to apply in one easy stroke. We found we could line both the top and bottom lashes without any pressure or pulling. The eight available shades — in vibrant matte, glitter, and metallic finishes — required only one swipe to enhance the eyes.

We loved that the pen dried instantly, and it earned our top pick for a long-lasting formula thanks to how well it stayed on oily skin during our tests without ever smudging. Those who prefer a buildable eyeliner may want to look at the other products we tested that scored highly on our tests.

Sizes: 0.42 oz. | Shades: 8 | SPF: No

When it comes to trustworthy drugstore brands, Elf is at the top of our list —and this lip plumper we tested is an excellent example of why. Supple and smoothing, this hydrating gloss plumped our pouts in just one swipe, producing a cooling sensation that soothed our skin. We much preferred that sensation to the unpleasant tingling feeling caused by most of the other lip plumping products we tested. We appreciated how moisturized our lips felt for hours after applying the product, thanks to the formula’s nourishing blend of vitamin E and coconut oil.

For those looking for more dramatic plumping results, you may want to consider other options we tried — the softer sensation of this one translates to slightly less in-your-face results. However, our pouts were definitively fuller after use, and the small size makes this a breeze to toss in your purse for on-the-go touch ups.

Sizes: 0.09 oz. | Shades: 9 | Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, coconut oil | SPF: No

Frequently Asked Questions

• What kind of foundation should an older woman wear?

  Hydration is key when it comes to finding the right foundation for more mature skin. “I would suggest a lightweight, hydrating foundation to avoid makeup settling into fine lines and wrinkles,” says Dr. Idriss. Formulas enhanced with nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, aloe vera, glycerin, or vitamin E are a great place to start.

  Liquid foundations tend to be most flattering for more mature skin, given that they help to blur and soften skin with a dewy finish rather than settle into fine lines as with more matte products. Dr. Idriss suggests looking for foundations with SPF as well, to further protect skin from the sun’s damaging rays throughout the day. You can use a bronzer stick to add some warmth to your skin.

• How do you get flawless makeup on mature skin?

  Before applying makeup, it’s crucial to make sure you’re taking care of your skin by drinking plenty of water, gently cleansing, and moisturizing appropriately. “Hydrated skin provides a smoother canvas for makeup application,” Dr. Idriss explains. Opting for products that blend easily, boast buildable formulas, and won’t settle into fine lines is key to achieving a blurred, airbrushed look on more mature skin.

• Should older women wear matte or dewy makeup?

  Dr. Idriss suggests women with mature skin lean towards products with a dewy finish, as it helps to bring out and enhance your natural radiance. When it comes to wearing matte makeup, it’s important to check that the formula still boasts hydrating ingredients that won’t dry out your skin, as not all matte products are created equal. “I recommend avoiding matte makeup because it can accentuate dryness and emphasize fine lines and wrinkles,” she says. For those with a deep affinity for their matte products, consider layering with a hydrating mist like Mac Fix + Stay Over Alcohol-Free 16-Hour Setting Spray in order to keep skin looking and feeling fresh.

• What makeup ingredients should those with mature skin look for and why?

  There are a range of hydrating, nourishing ingredients to keep an eye out for when shopping for makeup for mature skin. Dr. Idriss suggests prioritizing products enhanced with squalane, glycerin, or ceramides to achieve maximum hydration and to protect your skin’s moisture barrier. Other skin-softening key players include vitamin E, coconut oil, and hyaluronic acid, which work to brighten skin and lock in moisture.

Meet Our Expert

Dr. Shereene Idriss is a board-certified dermatologist, founder of Idriss Dermatology in NYC, and creator of the #PillowtalkDerm series on Instagram.

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