As our skin changes during the perimenopause and menopause years, so too should our makeup. The best foundations for mature skin have a different job to do to the products you may have used before.
You might notice your complexion feeling thinner, duller and drier in midlife. Not to worry. There are plenty of foundations created by the most coveted beauty brands that are formulated to fix these specific issues. Creating the best foundations for mature skin has been a focus for the beauty world, and the results are impressive. New formulations offer flawless coverage for midlife skin.
From hydrating and soothing to radiance-boosting, here are the best foundations for mature skin.
What makes a product right for a Hylda woman?
Here’s how we choose… Our beauty writers are experts in their field and have years of experience writing about the best in beauty. They will only recommend products that they know will make a difference and help with the symptoms caused by the fluctuations of the menopause years. Our reviews are honest – they are not paid for by the brands. We might earn some affiliate commission if you choose to buy the product, but we are not paid by the brands to put them in the article. Never ever. Picked by experts and chosen just for you, that’s our Hylda promise.
Top 10 foundations for midlife skin…
Best for hydration: Dior Forever Skin Glow, £45. Buy it now.
Best for brightening: Clinique Even Better Glow, £31. Buy it now.
Best for restoring: La Mer Soft Fluid Longwear Foundation, £105. Buy it now.
Best for sensitive skin: Chantecaille Future Skin Gel Foundation, £75. Buy it now.
Best for firming: Clarins Everlasting Youth Fluid, £36. Buy it now.
Best for skin prone to breakouts: Guerlain L’Essential Foundation, £44. Buy it now.
Best for mattifying: Tom Ford Traceless Soft Matte Foundation, £56.10. Buy it now.
Best for a flawless finish: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, £44.50. Buy it now.
Best for added SPF: Estée Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue, £36. Buy it now.
Best for sheer coverage: NARS Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, £31. Buy it now.
Best for hydration: Dior Forever Skin Glow Foundation, £45
Why it’s a great buy: When Dior reformulated the iconic Forever Foundation in 2019, a brand new Glow version followed, and it’s a dream for dry skin.
What we love about it: Formulated with nourishing pansy extract and protective rosehip oil, it’s intensely hydrating. One of the best anti-ageing liquid foundations.
What we don’t love quite so much: If you have oily skin, you may need to use a primer or powder to keep shine at bay.
Best for brightening: Clinique Even Better Glow Foundation, £31
Why it’s a great buy: Developed by dermatologists, Even Better Glow works to combat dry, dehydrated skin while offering a buildable, luminous coverage.
What we love about it: It also includes Vitamin C to brighten your complexion over time.
What we don’t love quite so much: One reviewer said it didn’t give them enough coverage.
Best for restoring: La Mer Soft Fluid Longwear Foundation, £105
Why it’s a great buy: Infused with the same patented Miracle Broth you’ll find in the luxury skincare, La Mer’s foundation will hydrate and heal your skin without compromising on coverage.
What we love about it: Weightless but longwearing, it’s definitely a worthy investment.
What we don’t love quite so much: The price.
Best for sensitive skin: Chantecaille Future Skin Gel Foundation, £75
Why it’s a great buy: Sensitive skin? French beauty brand Chantecaille has created a soothing formula that reduces the appearance of redness, fine lines and enlarged pores.
What we love about it: It’s also vegan and cruelty-free. One of the best vegan foundations for mature skin.
What we don’t love quite so much: Some reviews say it’s not suitable for oily skin.
Best for firming: Clarins Everlasting Youth Fluid Foundation, £36
Why it’s a great buy: A true skincare-foundation hybrid, the Clarins Everlasting Youth Fluid is formulated with glycerin to help your skin to retain moisture as well as brightening chicory extract for a natural, illuminated finish.
What we love about it: The formula contains organic oat sugars to firm your skin.
What we don’t love quite so much: No SPF.
Best for skin prone to breakouts: Guerlain L’Essential Foundation, £44
Why it’s a great buy: Guerlain’s foundation is designed to let your skin breathe and keep its natural microbiota stable.
What we love about it: If you suffer from menopause-induced breakouts, this will cover them while also protecting your skin and achieving that lit-from-within glow.
What we don’t love quite so much: It has a subtle scent which you may not like if you want your base totally fragrance-free.
Best for mattifying: Tom Ford Traceless Soft Matte Foundation, £56.10
Why it’s a great buy: If you like a matte finish, Tom Ford’s foundation still offers plenty of hydration and will brighten your complexion, too.
What we love about it: It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid and caffeine, plus Vitamins C and E.
What we don’t love quite so much: One review said it needed some reapplication throughout the day.
Best for a flawless finish: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, £44.50
Why it’s a great buy: Giorgio Armani’s best-selling base blurs imperfections and never settles into fine lines, giving an airbrushed finish.
What we love about it: It offers a luminous (clue’s in the name), natural coverage that you can build up depending on the occasion.
What we don’t love quite so much: No SPF.
Best for added SPF: Estée Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue Foundation, £38
Why it’s a great buy: If sun protection ranks highly in what you want from your foundation, this one from Estée Lauder includes an impressive SPF 45.
What we love about it: With its flawless high coverage and inclusion of soothing probiotic technology to calm any redness or irritation, it’s the ultimate multitasker.
What we don’t love quite so much: Some reviewers have struggled to find a shade to match their skin tone.
Best for sheer coverage: NARS Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, £31
Why it’s a great buy: Our favourite ‘your skin but better’ base comes courtesy of NARS. Technically a tinted moisturiser, it still covers any imperfections while hydrating dry skin and giving a luminous finish.
What we love about it: It also includes SPF 30 and works to reduce the appearance of dark spots over time.
What we don’t love quite so much: The matte black packaging quickly looks tatty.
