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The best powder foundation for mature skin can bring more to the table than just its ability to mattify skin and set makeup. While there are a ton of complexion formulas to choose from, be they tinted moisturizers or skin tints, few can match the staying power of powder foundations. And, while these beauty products might seem counterintuitive for aging skin, the newest crop of powders are formulated with hydrating ingredients — in addition to other perks. Co-Fun
For starters, powder foundations are less messy than their liquid counterparts — and you can get a customized, long-wear coverage in a single step instead of having to use both liquid foundation and powder, says makeup artist Nick Barose, who counts Kim Cattrall and Angela Bassett among his clients. (That said, you can always layer a powder over a liquid or cream foundation, where it'll serve as an impromptu setting powder to help makeup last all day.)
Plus, unlike a liquid foundation, powder foundations are often less irritating since "it sits on the surface of the skin and doesn't penetrate it as easily," says makeup artist Robin Black, founder of Beauty Is Boring. "It's also great for humid weather and oily skin types."
Ultimately, while a powder might not seem like an obvious go-to, the best powder foundations for mature skin prove otherwise. Scroll ahead to shop the best options in the market right now.
Chanel Ultra Le Teint Ultrawear All-Day Comfort Flawless Finish Compact Foundation
Why It's Worth It: Chanel's Ultra Le Teint Ultrawear All-Day Comfort Flawless Finish Compact Foundation is a go-to for Barose, since "it gives good coverage that's easy to control," he says. In terms of application, "the key is not to apply it all evenly throughout the face as if you're painting a wall," Barose explains. Even though the powder is mattifying, it includes a complex designed to reflect and diffuse light, giving skin a soft-focus finish. Plus, the double-sided applicator has a spongy side for more coverage and a velvety side for a light, sheer look.
Editor Tip: Once you hit empty, you can replace the pan with a refill, which costs less ($50) and also comes with a fresh sponge.
Key Ingredients: Talc, squalane, silica | Available Shades: 16
Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Custom Finish Powder Foundation
Why It's Worth It: When he wants to give a client all-day wear, Barose reaches for Shiseido Synchro Self-Refreshing Custom Finish Powder Foundation. “It has super-fine pigments that basically disappear into the skin,” he says, noting that this has an especially seamless finish. The formula is designed to help skin resist just about every external aggressor out there, with a complex that resists heat, humidity, and oil, polymers that prevent pollutants from sticking to skin, and even thyme extract to offer antioxidant protection. The payoff? Skin that looks fresh and radiant for hours.
Editor Tip: It's non-comedogenic, so it won't clog pores for those prone to acne or breakouts.
Key Ingredients: Thyme extract, iron oxide, talc | Available Shades: 16
One/Size by Patrick Starrr Turn Up The Base Versatile Powder Foundation
Why It's Worth It: One/Size's Turn Up The Base Versatile Powder Foundation reimagined the category, earning itself a Best of Beauty Award in 2021, with a pressed powder that can be used as a full-coverage foundation, blotting powder, or even concealer in a pinch. Rice silk powder helps keep excess oil from turning into full-fledged shine, and the true-color pigments quickly blur dark spots. Both ingredients are suspended in a soft, buttery texture that doesn't appear patchy on dry skin or collect in fine lines.
Editor Tip: Its wide shade range also spans six undertones, which makes it easier to find a close match to your skin tone.
Key Ingredients: Kaolin, rice silk powder | Available Shades: 33
Make Up For Ever HD Skin Matte Velvet Powder Foundation
Why It's Worth It: With a silky texture that melts into — versus sitting on top of — skin, this powder foundation becomes invisible once applied, giving skin an airbrushed finish. (How? It uses three different types of powders to correct redness, pores, and uneven texture — sans cakiness.) Make Up For Ever's HD Skin Matte Velvet Powder Foundation is also one of the few powders that offers a wide range of coverage, too, allowing you to adjust it from sheer to full.
Editor Tip: It comes with a dual-sided sponge to help you customize your application; one side deposits product so you can control your coverage level, while the other is intended for seamless blending.
Key Ingredients: Silica, vitamin E | Available Shades: 25
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Filt'r Powder Foundation
Why It's Worth It: While powders can be so basic and straightforward that they come in a single translucent shade, that's not the case for powder foundation, which actually needs to conceal and blur large pores, dark spots, and beyond. Fenty Beauty 'sPro Filt'r Powder Foundation comes in an impressive 50 shades — which is par for the course for our girl Rihanna, who set a new standard for accounting for diverse skin tones back in 2017 — and even resists sweat and humidity. Despite the generous coverage it doesn't feel heavy or settle into fine lines and wrinkles.
Editor Tip: It’s lightweight enough to layer over other foundations if you’re just looking to set makeup.
Key Ingredients: Kaolin, silica | Available Shades: 50
BareMinerals Matte Loose Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15
Why It's Worth It: While powder foundations have been around for years, few redefined the category quite like BareMinerals, whose loose powder has been racking up Allure Best of Beauty Awards since 2007. (We have receipts.) The Matte Loose Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15 is one of the few powders that cover the light-to-medium coverage range — though it can be built up to full coverage as needed — and the titanium dioxide and zinc oxide serve as sunscreen filters. It imparts a satin-matte finish with more dimension than the average powder and offers 30 shades, which is why it’ll always be in our rotation.
Editor Tip: It only provides SPF 15, so you'll still need to apply sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30, as recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology. Besides, we always recommend a standalone sunscreen that's not a makeup hybrid for maximum coverage and benefits.
Key Ingredients: Mica, iron oxides, titanium dioxide | Available Shades: 30
Bobbi Brown Skin Weightless Powder Foundation
Why It's Worth It: As the name implies, Bobbi Brown's Skin Weightless Powder Foundation really is weightless, imparts a super-smooth, shine-free finish, and delivers buildable coverage that camouflages hyperpigmentation and blemishes without a cakey look. In fact, its feel is surprisingly cushiony, which might be the work of the squalane, a lipid identical to one found in our skin’s moisture barrier, and botanical extracts like apricot and rosemary extracts.) Plus, the small compact makes touch-ups a breeze.
Editor Tip: If you do want sheer coverage, just apply it with a powder brush instead of the included sponge.
Key Ingredients: Squalane, apricot extract, rosemary extract | Available Shades: 17
IT Cosmetics Celebration Full Coverage Powder Foundation
Why It's Worth It: Most powder foundations are built with minimizing excess oil in mind; they tamp down shine and help blur pores. What sets this IT Cosmetics formula apart is a lineup of powerful skin-care ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed collagen, peptides, and antioxidants like niacinamide and vitamin C, which help brighten skin — putting it among the best foundations for mature skin, full-stop. Another bonus: Celebration Full Coverage Powder Foundation is talc-free (which gives formulas a silky feel but can look chalky) and leaves skin with a radiant finish.
Editor Tip: It comes in only seven shades, which may be a tough sell for some skin tones.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide | Available Shades: 7
L'Oréal Paris Infallible 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation In A Powder
Why It's Worth It: This TikTok-viral foundation makes skin look professionally airbrushed and feels just as lightweight, too. Available in 20 shades, L'Oréal Paris's oil-free Infallible 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation In A Powder won't crease, settle in wrinkles, or clog pores, making it a winner for those with combination skin. Plus, it's heat-proof, so it can see you through the warmer months without caking up or feeling heavy, and comes with a flat sponge applicator designed to lend more versatility.
Editor Tip: When used dry, this drugstore powder lends a natural finish, but — as Black mentioned — dampening the sponge first will turn it up to full coverage.
Key Ingredients: Silica, dimethicone | Available Shades: 20
While powders aren’t Black’s first choice for mature skin, which tends to be dry, “there are some new formulas that contain hydrating ingredients and very fine texture,” Black says. “The more silky the powder, the better it will work on mature skin.” Black is also a fan of hybrid formulas that transform into a powder finish, as these also tend to work better on mature skin than traditional powders.
Ideally, you should swatch the formula on your skin to get an idea of the finish. “Look for a formula that’s not completely matte,” makeup artist Nick Barose says. “It should reflect light a bit so you get that healthy, luminous glow along with the coverage.”
Applying foundation to mature skin, whatever the type of formula, should revolve around one thing: moisture. To that end, “Start by prepping your skin with a heavy moisturizer and allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes,” says Black; this method allows the moisture to sink in before applying primer and prevents pilling. Black recommends looking for a primer for mature skin with a semi-matte finish.
Next up is concealer. Since these are typically liquids or creams, they should be applied prior to any powder. Once you get to your powder foundation, “skip the brush and reach for a traditional makeup puff or a dense, angled sponge,” says Black, who adds that dampening the sponge first will increase the coverage. (Using a dry sponge, on the other hand, will scale down the coverage.) Finally, “concentrate the powder on the planes of the face, avoiding the creases around the nostrils, nasolabial folds, under eyes, and anyplace else where you can see more dramatic texture, dry skin, or wrinkles,” she says.
When it comes time for touch-ups, don't always reach for the compact, since regular reapplication can make the powder too thick, according to Barose. “Instead, opt for blotting paper to avoid powder build-up," he says.
Proper prep — that is, moisturizing and then following with a makeup primer — will go a long way to smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Then, once you’ve finished applying your powder foundation, apply a hydrating mist. Barose, for his part, prefers to mist skin with My Payot Brume Éclat to leave skin looking luminous and not overly matte.
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best powder foundations for mature skin, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors — in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon — is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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