As we grow older, our skin, just like the rest of our body, begins to change. Seniors, people in their 50s and beyond, have their own set of skincare needs.
As soon as estrogen levels start to decline during menopause, we can see the effect on our skin. Our skin stops being able to protect itself from damage due to dryness or loss of collagen and our moisture barrier stops working the way it used to in our 20s and 30s. The ongoing damage to our moisture barrier means that our skin is much more prone to inflammation and dehydration, which enhances the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
One of the worst things about these changes is that the makeup routine that we’ve perfected over the course of our lifetime sudden requires major changes — especially when it comes to the foundation used. In fact, a good foundation is the keystone of any makeup routine. It should enhance our skin without caking or masking the face.
To help with these changes, here are some excellent foundations that are great for the mature skin which comes in your senior years.
1. It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream
This foundation by It Cosmetics was developed by plastic surgeons and dermatologists specifically for mature skin. It’s really a three-in-one product, although they don’t advertise it that way.
In addition to giving great all-over coverage in a range of 12 different shades, this foundation contains SPF 50 broad-spectrum sunscreen, which is the highest SPF available of all the foundations profiled here. Plus, it also contains an anti-aging serum that helps to improve the look of skin long-term.
This anti-aging serum contains workhorse ingredients like hydrolyzed collagen (a protein in the body that helps give structure to the skin), hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants. It’s available in stores like Sephora and Macy’s for $38.
2. Covergirl Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation
If you’re looking for great all-over coverage that won’t make your skin flat and pancake-like but don’t want to pay high-end prices, Covergirl Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation has great reviews and an even better price point. This $11 bottle of magic boosts hydration even as it gives long-lasting, all day coverage.
Made in partnership between Covergirl and Olay, the Simply Ageless Liquid Foundation contains a hyaluronic complex designed to plump the skin. Hyaluronic acid is a key component of many anti-aging products since it’s produced naturally in our bodies but production declines as we age. It helps keep moisture levels consistent, which in turn reduces the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone.
3. Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm
Dr. Jart is a premium skincare brand from South Korea that has only been selling its products in the United States since 2008. They were the ones who brought the first multitasking BB (blemish or beauty balm) cream to the United States.
Now, their Premium Beauty Balm is available from Sephora for only $35. It contains a bio-peptide complex infused with white gold and other anti-aging ingredients that help to increase natural collagen production. In addition to giving users these anti-aging benefits, it also smooths the look of lines and wrinkles, color-corrects blotchy or uneven skin tone, and brightens complexion.
In addition to its benefits for seniors, Dr. Jart’s beauty balm is great for people with super sensitive skin.
4. Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint
It’s a rare that a skincare product can provide amazing benefits to the skin long-term, even as it brightens, protects, and smooths away wrinkles. Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint goes on smooth with no clumping or caking, plumps fine lines and wrinkles, tightens sagging skin and gives a gorgeously luminous glow. It contains a basic SPF 15 sunscreen, which helps to protect against the sun’s harmful rays all day. It also contains pearlescent pigments which make skin look absolutely radiant.
In a study done by the company, 100 percent of test subjects saw improvements in the firmness and smoothness of their skin and 80 percent reported that their skin was dramatically more hydrated.
It’s available for $56 at Nordstrom or Sephora.
5. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Treatment Makeup
Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind Eraser Treatment Makeup is one of the best products on the market for less than $15. It contains extract of goji berry (a powerful antioxidant) and collagen to help improve the look and elasticity of skin long-term.
Plus, it comes with its own patented micro-corrector applicator. This little tool sits on the top of the bottle and helps to smooth imperfections on the surface of the skin without having to resort to costly makeup brushes or sponges. It also contains an SPF 18 sunscreen to protect skin from sun damage.
Find this foundation for $11 at Ulta or Amazon.
6. Lancôme Rénergie Lift Makeup SPF 20
Lancôme’s Rénergie Lift Makeup is a long-lasting formula that uses gentle Vitamin E to help smooth mature skin. Their makeup is extremely light — the company describes it as going on like silk — which makes it easy to use as a base layer. It contains natural extracts from ivy, corn, and caffeine to help stimulate the skin, and microscopic pearlescent particles to give skin a radiant, dewy glow.
Unlike some of the foundations on this list, it’s available in a wide variety of skin tones, so you can always find your perfect shade. Furthermore, it contains an SPF 20 sunscreen.
The Lancôme Rénergie Lift Makeup is available for $48.
7. Almay Smart Shade Anti-Aging Skintone Matching Makeup
Almay’s Smart Shade Anti-Aging Skintone Matching Makeup contains a unique formula that Almay calls their Tonemimic shade-sensing bead technology, which goes on white but blends into skin as soon as it dries. This ability to perfectly color-match any skin tone with only the six shades available makes this product a must-have for anyone with problem skin.
Users also love that it doesn’t settle into fine lines and smooths the look of skin. You don’t need anything except your finger to apply the product. If you use a beauty blender, it won’t change colors and will stay pale white on your skin.
It’s available from Amazon and Ulta for less than $12.