As we get older there’s no doubt that our skin changes greatly. Thankfully there’s now more information out there on how our hormone levels affects our skin, whether that’s with loss of volume, dryness or skin tone change. While this is more important to note when it comes to skincare and supplements it’ll also play a part in the makeup that we pick too. From choosing liquids or powder products or even opting for a primer that works better for mature skin.
I’m 30 and have already seen the choices I make adjust as my skin texture and tone change. I’m suddenly more drawn to creamier products and crave glow-boosting formulas across each step of my routine. Priming your skin is the crossover step from skincare to makeup and we’re seeing more brands wise up to the benefits of incorporating skincare ingredients into primers, which is why I love to include this product in my everyday makeup routine.
What to Look for In a Primer For Mature Skin
To help makeup last longer on mature skin, it’s about keeping the skin hydrated and plump. So, it’s key to look out for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides and peptides. Hyaluronic acid attracts and holds up to 1000 times its weight in water so skin benefits from staying softer and more hydrated for longer. Ceramides also help with hydration by strengthening the skin barrier, while peptides encourage your skin to make more collagen, eventually leading to plumper-looking skin. When it comes to making your makeup last, opting for primers that look to blur and hydrate will be the best combination for more mature skin.
The Best Face Primers for Mature Skin:
1. Tatcha The Silk Canvas
This primer contains a combination of green tea, rice and algae for skincare benefits. And the product name doesn’t lie, it leaves you with silky soft skin and a perfect canvas for any base product.
Best for: Dry skin
Pros: Nourishing, blurring and boosts radiance
Cons: More of an investment
2. Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer
This primer gives you the ultimate 2-for-1 with a primer and SPF 50 everyday protection. If you find your skin normally feels dry after applying traditional primers then this one should be your next pick.
Best for: Dry skin
Pros: Hydrating and contains SPF 50
Cons: More of an investment
3. Hourglass Vanish™ Airbrush Primer
Fine lines your biggest skin bugbear? This primer helps to blur the look of them but doesn’t feel silicone-like. It’s a gel consistency that dries to a velvety finish.
Best for: Oily skin
Pros: Lightweight, blurring and controls excess oil
Cons: More of an investment
4. The Ordinary High-Spreadability Fluid Primer
Definitely the most affordable primer of the bunch, this product isn’t like an old-school silicone primer. It has a serum texture and has a soft skin finish.
Best for: All skin types
Pros: Affordable, serum-like consistency and velvety finish
Cons: You might not be a fan of the pipette applicator
5. Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer Hydrating
Vitamin A, C and E are focal ingredients in this primer to deliver radiance along with hydration.
Best for: Dry skin
Pros: More affordable than other high-end options, lightweight and hydrating
Cons: Bigger sizes often sell out
6. Shiseido Synchro Skin Soft Blurring Primer
The blurring effect in this formula uses light-diffusion technology. It absorbs sweat, oil and reduces shine without drying out the skin.
Best for: Oily skin
Pros: Water-based so not drying on the skin but still has a mattifying effect
Cons: Won't give you a dewy finish
7. Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Face Primer
If glow is what you’re after you can’t go wrong with this radiance-inducing primer. Its key ingredient is vitamin C which helps to even your skin tone.
Best for: Dry skin
Pros: Illuminating and smoothing
Cons: Your skin might not get on with vitamin C
8. Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base
Such a classic product, this acts as a face moisturiser and a primer in one with hyaluronic acid, shea butter and a blend of vitamins B5, C and E. It soothes, smooths and brightens skin over time but immediately acts as a great makeup base.
Best for: All skin types
Pros: Hydrating but not greasy
Cons: More of an investment
9. Lancôme La Base Pro Perfecting Makeup Primer 01
This translucent formula adheres makeup to the skin but beforehand smooths skin and blurs the appearance of fine lines.
Best for: Oily skin
Pros: Blurring and controls shine
Cons: Might not be super hydrating
10. Armani Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer
Silky-soft skin is pretty much guaranteed with this primer thanks to the shea butter and glycerin in the formula locking in hydration.
Best for: Dry skin
Pros: Hydrating and adds a gorgeous glow
Cons: Might not be suitable for oily skin
11. Huda Beauty Glowish Blur Jam Primer
If you still prefer a matte makeup finish, this gel-like texture smooths skin and gives a matte, but not flat, pre-makeup finish.
Best for: Oily skin
Pros: Hydrates the skin while also controlling excess oil and shine
Cons: Packaging could be a little messy
12. Morphe Revitalizer Foundation Primer
For ultra-dry, patchy or flaky skin, you can apply this on the spots of dryness to even out tone and texture.
Best for: Dry skin
Pros: Lightweight and moisturising
Cons: Might not be suitable for oily skin
13. Lumene Invisible Illumination Instant Glow UV Primer
This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
