Like many women in our community, I still love wearing makeup. I don’t use anti-aging products to try to look younger. Instead, I use makeup for mature skin to highlight my best features. And, while I don’t want to look younger, I also don’t want to make myself look any older by using the makeup techniques that I learned as a teenager.
Read more: 3 Makeup Trends Taking Over for 2025 (and How to Wear Them).
All that said, it’s often difficult to find makeup for mature skin. So, today, I’d love to get your opinion on this. Let’s share our favorite makeup brands for mature skin. Hopefully, we can all find a few new products to experiment with!
We had so many amazing responses to this question, including a few surprises. If I’m honest, I was expecting to hear the same popular makeup brands again and again. I was so wrong! Your answers were anything but boring!
From your responses, it is clear that most of you are not fixated on “anti-aging” products. That said, you are definitely still paying attention to the latest skincare innovations. For example, the women in our community are using different serums, from Olay to Vichy. They are also using small batch vitamin C and rosehip oil.
I was definitely surprised by the diversity of skincare products that all of you are using. You can see some of the more than 20 brands that were mentioned in the list below. At the same time, there were also some clear favorites. Two brands that stood out were Vichy and Medica. L’Oréal’s Age Perfect eye cream was also popular. I’m definitely going to have to give all three of these a try!
I was also pleasantly surprised to see so many small boutique companies, like Colorscience, Jentry Kelley, Southern Magnolia Minerals, and Josie Moran listed among your favorite places to shop. It’s clear that, when it comes to makeup for older women, there are more choices than ever before!
Following is a list of the skincare and makeup products that the women in the Sixty and Me community love.
***Please continue to add your favorites in the comments below. Let’s build the world’s best list of makeup products for mature skin!***
Here are your favorite skincare product brands:
And here is a list of the makeup product brands you collectively love:
As we age, our skin undergoes significant changes—losing elasticity, becoming drier, and developing fine lines and wrinkles. These changes make it crucial to prep your skin before applying makeup, as a well-prepared base ensures that makeup applies smoothly, looks natural, and lasts throughout the day. Skincare prep not only enhances the effectiveness of your makeup but also contributes to the overall health and appearance of your skin.
Hydration is key for mature skin. As skin ages, it tends to lose moisture more rapidly, which can lead to a dull and uneven texture. A good moisturizer is the first step in prepping your skin for makeup.
Look for moisturizers that are specifically formulated for mature skin, with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, helping to plump up the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Another beneficial ingredient is ceramides, which help to restore the skin’s natural barrier and lock in moisture.
Application Tip: Apply your moisturizer to slightly damp skin to lock in extra hydration. Allow it to absorb fully before moving on to the next step in your routine.
Read 13 All-Natural Skin Moisturizer Brands for Women Over 50
The delicate skin around the eyes often needs extra care. Using a hydrating eye cream before makeup application can help smooth out fine lines and reduce puffiness, creating a better base for concealer.
Read 10 Best Eye Creams for Women Over 50
Serums are concentrated treatments that deliver active ingredients directly to the skin. For mature skin, serums can address specific concerns such as dullness, uneven skin tone, and loss of firmness.
Consider using a vitamin C serum for its brightening properties and its ability to boost collagen production. Retinol or its gentler alternative, bakuchiol, can help with cell turnover, reducing the appearance of fine lines and improving skin texture. Peptide serums are also excellent for mature skin, as they support collagen and elastin production, leading to firmer, more resilient skin.
Application Tip: Apply serum after cleansing and before moisturizing. Pat it gently into the skin, focusing on areas that need extra attention, like around the eyes and mouth.
Read 7 Best Peptide Serums.
Primers are often overlooked, but they are essential in prepping mature skin for makeup. A good primer can fill in fine lines, blur imperfections, and create a smooth canvas that allows makeup to glide on effortlessly.
For mature skin, silicone-based primers are a popular choice because they create a barrier that helps makeup stay in place without settling into lines and wrinkles. If you have dry skin, opt for a hydrating primer that adds an extra layer of moisture and gives the skin a radiant glow. Color-correcting primers can also be beneficial, especially if you experience redness or sallowness.
Application Tip: Use a small amount of primer and focus on areas where your makeup tends to fade or crease, such as around the eyes, nose, and mouth. Allow the primer to set for a minute or two before applying foundation.
Read 8 Best Primers for Mature Skin.
Remember, makeup is only as good as the canvas it’s applied on, and well-prepped skin is the foundation of a flawless look.
Ariane Poole is a celebrity makeup artist, who is focused on a positive, not anti-aging, mindset. She worked with me on a series of beauty videos to introduce older women to makeup products and techniques designed to make us look and feel great at any age.
Here are a few of the tips that we discuss in this video for choosing and finding makeup for mature skin.
Ariane first applied Ariane Poole Tinted Primer in Medium. This product combines primer, tinted moisturizer and foundation all in one. It can be applied with fingers or a brush.
Read 7 Best Natural Primers for Aging Skin.
Ariane applied Ariane Poole Mineral Illuminating Pen in Medium, low under my eyes, just on the top of my cheekbone. This technique gives definition but does not take away attention from the eyes.
Read 8 Best Concealers for Mature Skin.
Ariane Poole Brow Tint Blonde was applied as an “eyebrow mascara,” giving a definition to my eyebrows, but not doing anything overpowering.
For eye shadow, we used Ariane Poole Shine in Stellar, a crème to powder shadow in a long-lasting neutral copper shade. Ariane applied it on the center of my eyelids, not extending too far past the edge of my eyes.
Read 7 Best Natural Eyeshadows for Older Women.
Ariane Poole Super Wear Gel Pencil in Mystic was then applied to base of my top lashes. This liner pencil was simple to apply and added amazing definition to my eyes. Ariane placed just a little liner on the bottom lashes as well.
Read 7 Best Eyeliners for Older Women.
Ariane applied Ariane Poole Luxury Mascara, in Black. This formulation was intended to plump up my lashes and make them full and lush, even for a daytime look.
Read Best 10 Mascaras for Sensitive Eyes.
Ariane Poole Cream to Powder Blush in Whisper was applied to the “apple” of my cheek – not too high because as Ariane explained that makes the face look droopy.
Read 10 Best Cream Blushers for Over 60s.
Lining my lips on the outside rim with Ariane Poole Teaberry Lip Pencil was followed by a gentle application of Ariane Poole Luxury Lip Gloss in Blossom Rose.
Read Choosing the Right Lip Color for Women Over 60: Expert Tips and Recommendations.
Do you want to learn how to apply makeup for your mature skin that highlights your inner glow? Ariane says that the face is the first part of our bodies that other people see. As a result, we want our faces to reflect the positive and healthy feelings that we have inside.
Read 5 Best Natural CC Creams for Aging Skin.
Also, read 5 Best Natural BB Creams for Aging Skin.
Because Annie is not interested in wearing a lot of makeup, Ariane used Ariane Poole Tinted Primer which combines primer, foundation and concealer. It’s lightweight and made Annie’s skin shine. She also suggested trying a Tinted Moisturizer, BB or CC Creams or Estee Lauder Illuminating Perfecting Primer.
Ariane explained that it is important for older women to apply blush on the apple of their cheeks. She suggested a pinkish or coral shade.
To achieve this, she applied a beautifully soft and subtle Ariane Poole Matte Mineral Blush in Rose Bud. She also suggested the following alternatives: Bobbi Brown Blush in Rose or Nectar, Clinique Cheek Pop in Peach Pop, Clinique Blushwear Cream Stick in Rosy Blush or Peachy Blush or Liz Earle Healthy Glow Cream Blush.
Ariane recommended the use of an illuminator stick to give our aging skin a bright healthy glow. You can see Annie’s eyes come to life when Ariane applies Ariane Poole Luminizing Stick.
She also suggested that you might want to consider using Nars Illuminator, Revlon Photoready Skinlights or Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer. She reminded us that the liquid illuminators can also be mixed with normal foundation to give it a glow.
If you prefer to use an illuminator after foundation is applied, Laura Mercier Secret Finish is a great option. It is fabulous if you feel your skin is looking dull after you have finished your makeup. All you have to do is rub some between your fingers and pat it gently on your face. It really is one of the most powerful ways to apply makeup for mature skin!
Ariane applied a small amount of lip gloss to make Annie’s face complete. She recommended applying a gloss or tinted balm in a softly vibrant shade like Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm. Other ideas include Ariane Poole Luxury Gloss or Hydrating Tinted Lip Balm, Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm, or Balance Me Tinted Lip Salve.
Many of the products and techniques that worked in our 20s and 30s don’t always deliver the same results later in life. Instead of trying to cover up every flaw, the goal becomes enhancing natural beauty, adding radiance, and avoiding anything that emphasizes dryness, texture, or fine lines.
Here are some key features to look for when shopping for makeup for mature skin.
Our mature skin tends to be drier, so it’s important to choose makeup that adds moisture rather than drawing it away. Look for foundations, concealers, and lip products with hydrating ingredients like:
Avoid matte or long-wear formulas unless they specifically mention hydrating or serum-infused ingredients, as these can cling to dry patches.
Cream-based products – especially blush, highlighter, and eyeshadow – tend to sit more naturally on mature skin. They blend easily, add a healthy glow, and don’t settle into fine lines the way powder formulas often do.
That said, if you prefer using powders, go for finely milled formulas that have a luminous or satin finish instead of flat matte.
Heavy, full-coverage foundations can make skin look cakey and older. Choose products that offer light to medium coverage and can be layered as needed. Tinted moisturizers, BB creams, and serum foundations are great options for letting your skin breathe while evening out tone.
Look for labels that say:
Try to avoid labels that say matte, long-wear, or oil-control unless your skin is still oily.
Mature skin can be more sensitive, so fragrance-free formulas are a safer choice. Avoid products with alcohol or unnecessary fillers that can irritate or dry out the skin.
If your skin tends to react to certain products, look for makeup labeled:
As skin tone changes over time, so should your color palette. Neutral, rosy, and peachy tones tend to look more flattering than cool-toned or very dark shades. Lipsticks with a satin or creamy finish can plump up the look of thinning lips, and soft browns and coppers can bring warmth to the eyes.
When in doubt, aim for shades that add brightness and warmth, not harsh contrast.
Makeup that is too stiff or fast-drying can be difficult to blend on mature skin. Look for formulas that give you time to work with them – especially with concealers, foundations, and eyeshadows. Creamy, blendable textures help create a smoother, more natural finish.
With so many products on the market, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. That’s why we’ve taken your responses and organized them into easy-to-browse categories. These community favorites work well with mature skin and offer a variety of textures, price points, and finishes to suit different needs.
When choosing foundation, the goal is often a radiant, skin-like finish that doesn’t settle into fine lines. These formulas offer hydration and coverage without looking heavy.
The best concealers for mature skin offer light to medium coverage and a radiant finish without caking or creasing.
Soft, moisturizing lip colors in flattering tones can make a big difference. These picks smooth, hydrate, and enhance natural lips.
As lashes thin with age, it’s helpful to look for formulas that add volume without irritation.
Sparse brows can be gently defined with soft pencils or tinted gels.
Cream blushes add freshness and help lift the face, especially in pink, coral, or peach tones.
Watch our full series of short videos with Ariane all about makeup for older women. We touch on several topics, from how to cover age spots to tips for the best evening makeup.
Where do you buy your makeup? Who do you think sells the best makeup for mature skin and why? Is there a particular makeup product that you could not live without? Please add your thoughts in the comments section below.
For foundation, I’m enjoying Jones Road WTF Foundation. It elevates my skin’s appearance without looking heavy. I’m also having fun with 5 different colors of the Jones Road Miracle Balm. It took a couple tries to get the right amount of product for the look and feel I love but when I nailed it – Wow! It’s me but lifted and not at all masked. So awesome for my aging skin!
Clinique discontinued my favorite make-up I wore forever. Even better cream to powder make up. No need for wrinkle induced powder. Every make up I have tried does not stay in place without powder. When you add powder hello wrinkles.