✔️Keratolytic or exfoliating ingredients: “Look for products with salicylic acid, glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, retinoids (such as adapalene), azelaic acid, alpha hydroxy acids or sulfur,” says Butler. “All of these ingredients help loosen up dead skin cells and prevent them from clogging pores.”
✔️Serums, creams, lotions or peels: It’s more about the ingredients than the formula. Choose a texture that you prefer.
✔️Avoid products that claim instant results: “Be aware of products that pretend to be quick fixes,” says Dr. Gohara. “You want to both eliminate blackheads and help prevent new ones from forming.”
✔️Be careful when trying blackhead tools: Yes, they work but can also cause damage to skin so proceed with caution.
We updated this article in February 2023 to ensure all picks tested and vetted by the
Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab were available, in stock and correctly priced. We replaced the Imani Cosmetics Foundation Stick with Make Up For Ever HD Skin Foundation as we recently tested this product and the former was low in stock.
Your skin changes as you get older, and so should your foundation. While you may have battled acne or oily skin in your 20s, you’re more likely to be dealing with dark spots, wrinkles and fine lines in your 40s, 50s, 60s and over. Overall, “your goal should be radiant, glowing skin,” says Erica Whelan, a makeup artist in New York City and Los Angeles. Seek out foundation formulas that are “not drying and light, fresh and sheer, with youth-enhancing ingredients when possible,” suggests Birgitte Philippides, a makeup artist in New York City.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab is constantly testing the latest foundation formulas, including foundations for oily skin, foundations for dry skin, full coverage foundations and of course, bases for mature skin. They range in formula from liquid, powder, stick, mineral and cream and are evaluated by Lab experts and professional makeup artists on factors like formula quality, application, finish and look and feel on skin. GH Beauty Lab scientists then tally hundred of data points to find the best foundations for mature skin on the market.
Our top picks:
Best Overall Foundation for Mature Skin
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer SPF 50+
$44 at Ulta Beauty
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Best Value Foundation for Mature Skin
L’Oreal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation SPF 50
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Best Tinted Moisturizer Foundation for Mature Skin
Lancôme Skin Feels Good Skin Nourishing Foundation
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Best Cream Foundation for Mature Skin
CoverGirl + Olay Simply Ageless Foundation
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Best Foundation for Mature Wrinkled Skin
Mary Kay TimeWise Luminous 3D Foundation
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Best Natural Finish Foundation for Mature Skin
HD Skin Foundation
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Best Foundation for Mature Skin with Large Pores
Armani Beauty Power Fabric Compact Cream Foundation Balm
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Best Lightweight Foundation for Mature Skin
Chantecaille Future Skin Gel Foundation
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Best Sheer Foundation for Mature Skin
Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30
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Best Foundation for Mature Skin and Dark Spots
Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting CC Cream
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At the end of this guide you’ll find more information on how we test as well as pro tips on how to apply foundation on mature skin and what to look for when shopping. Check out the best anti-aging wrinkle creams and best concealers for before and after foundation.
