The 15 Best Foundations for Mature Skin, Confirmed by a Beauty Editor

The idea that your beauty regimen should change with your age is nothing new. After all, our skin is our largest living organ, so it's only natural that as it adapts to changes, our beauty routines call for a bit of a revamp, and with them, so do our makeup bags. And when it comes to makeup products, foundation is one of the first things you might find yourself wanting to change. So, how come—out of all products—foundations for mature skin are so notoriously tricky to get right?

It's no secret that mature skin requires a different approach. As we age, not only does our collagen production decline (which is followed by loss of elasticity and the formation of fine lines and wrinkles), but our skin also becomes much drier, which inevitably means that skincare-infused serum foundations and dewy skin tints will be your best bet. Elsewhere, you might want to look into blurring formulas—bonus points if they also pack an impressive staying power.

But before even adding any foundation to your cart, it's imperative that you're familiarised with all the ins and outs of mature skin. Most importantly: What exactly is "mature" skin, and at what age is your skin considered mature?

"Because it can refer to either a certain age or condition of the skin, it’s a bit of an ambiguous term,” explains Sarah Chapman, cosmetic scientist, skincare expert and founder of Skinesis. "If we’re looking for classic signs of a ‘mature’ complexion, it would be skin that’s showing visible signs of ageing—loss of volume and firmness, fine lines, wrinkles and signs of sun damage such as uneven pigmentation and collagen loss.”

It’s also important to note that a variety of factors play a role in skin maturity, including genetics, ethnicity, overall health, and lifestyle choices like hydration, smoking, drinking, and sun exposure.

Below, we've put together a definitive edit of the best foundations for mature skin, including expert advice from Chapman and celebrity make-up artist Kenneth Soh, who's worked with the likes of Golda Rosheuvel, Sophie Okonedo and Priyanka Chopra. So, whether you were curious about how our skin changes as it matures, how to find the right foundation and all the different ways you can apply it, here's everything you need to know.

The Best Foundations for Mature Skin

• Best All-Rounder: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, £47
• Best Glow Giver: Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation, £39
• Best for Luxury Formula: Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate SPF 50, £130
• Best Budget Foundation: L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect BB Cream SPF 50, £12
• Best for Oily Skin: Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation, £39
• Best for Light-Medium Coverage: Jones Road What The Foundation, £44
• Best for Medium-Full Coverage: Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting SPF30 Foundation, £47
• Best Matte Foundation: Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation, £41

1. Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

2. Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation

3. Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate SPF 50

4. Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick

5. Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation

6. Sisley Sisleÿa Le Teint Anti-Ageing Foundation

7. Nars Light Reflecting Advanced Foundation

8. Jones Road What The Foundation

9. Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting SPF 30 Foundation

10. ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 30

11. Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation

12. Beauty Pie Everyday Great Skin Foundation

13. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Powder Foundation

14. Dior Forever Skin Glow Foundation

15. Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Foundation

What Happens to Skin When We Age?

As we get older, our complexion decreases its production of sebum, oil and ceramides, which are essential to help strengthen the lipid barrier and retain moisture, keeping skin plump and firm. "Cell turnover also slows down—from about every 14 days as infants to about 30 days in our 30s to 60+ days as we reach our 60s,” says Chapman.

"In fact, research suggests that by our early twenties, collagen production starts diminishing by 1% each year. Our collagen and elastin fibres become thicker and less taut, leading to slackening, a change in face shape, and a reduction in the youthful plumpness of the skin.” However, it isn’t one size fits all, and someone in their 20s may show more signs of ageing than someone in their 40s, so it’s all about being in tune with your skin.

What to Look for in a Foundation for Mature Skin?

According to Chapman, you should look for make-up with good skincare ingredients. "Our skin can become increasingly dull and dehydrated as we age, so hydrators such as hyaluronic acid can help plump out fine lines and help keep your skin looking dewy and radiant throughout the day.” Chapman says it’s worth noting that although a foundation offering extra UV protection is always beneficial, never skip your dedicated SPF.

What to Avoid in a Foundation for Mature Skin?

As for things to avoid? "I recommend avoiding retinol in a foundation and focusing instead on delivering high-quality actives through your skincare. Vitamin A can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays, so if you do go for a foundation containing retinol, it’s even more important to wear a high-protection SPF underneath.”

How to Apply Foundation on Mature Skin

"See where you need foundation, be it to warm and even out skin tone or to provide a little coverage, then working with the principle that less is more, use only what you need, starting from the centre of the face, working outwards,” explains Soh. "Keep as little product as possible on areas where there are lines or creases. I often run a clean cotton bud over the areas with lines to help prevent any creasing or build-up of foundation.”

How We Tested

We know that foundation is one of the most personal products in your makeup bag, especially when you're navigating the nuances of mature skin. To make sure every recommendation here truly delivers, we put each foundation through its paces on real skin, not just in swatches or studio lighting. Our editors, experts and contributors (with skin ranging from dry to combination and ages spanning from 20s to 60s) wore each formula in their daily lives, from school runs to Zoom calls to long dinners. We looked at coverage, blendability, finish, how it wore throughout the day, and—crucially—how it interacted with fine lines, dryness, or texture. If it creased, caked, or disappeared by lunch, it didn’t make the cut.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.