Best hydrating makeup for dry mature skin that doesn’t settle into wrinkles and fine lines.
Our skin changes as we get older. Many factors can dry out our face and make it look more textured, including sun damage and stress. As our bodies change over time, so do the needs of our skin.
We know that finding a foundation for dry skin over 40 is hard, but it doesn’t have to be! To avoid your foundation from looking dry, you need something hydrating and moisturizing without creasing into fine lines and wrinkles.
Choose a foundation that is specifically formulated with ingredients shown to nourish mature skin types while keeping your face looking healthy and younger!
We all know how important it is to feel confident about yourself when going into work each day – or even on zoom calls!
Luckily, many makeup brands are constantly developing foundation formulas that suit aging skin. They are specifically designed for women over 40, 50, and 60 so that they make their mature skin look flawless.
You deserve to feel confident about how your makeup looks every single day – no matter what type of skin you have. Whether you want something lightweight or full coverage, here are the best foundations for dry skin over 40!
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Best high end foundations for dry skin over 40
MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation
This foundation is available in 50 shades to match any skin tone. Its lightweight formula has Hyaluronic acid which helps to hydrate the skin. It also has silica powders that blur imperfections and Sericite which helps to smooth the appearance of the skin.
This unique formula gives the complexion a younger look without looking cakey. It doesn’t emphasize fine lines or wrinkles and it gives light to medium coverage depending on how you apply it.
The formula is similar to a tinted moisturizer but it’s also buildable so you can add a second layer to get more coverage. It doesn’t oxidize and it’s also long-lasting. The fact that it doesn’t cling to dry patches makes it a great choice for dry skin.
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation features a unique and liquidy texture that blends so easily. It’s a lightweight, buildable and hydrating foundation with skincare benefits.
It contains Hyaluronic Acid and Aloe Vera which help hydrate and smooth the skin’s appearance.
This foundation works great to give you that naturally radiant, everyday skin-like finish. It lasts well throughout the day and doesn’t emphasize dry patches or wrinkles.
The only downside is that it might oxidize after wearing it. This might be an issue for people with extremely fair skin. Getting a sample from the store and testing it before deciding which shade to buy can be a nice solution!
To get a long-wearing makeup look, or if you have a special occasion, you can apply a primer underneath your foundation. Choose a hydrating primer that works well for dry skin to prevent your makeup from separating. Avoid using a water-based primer with a silicone-based foundation as these two might not sit well on top of each other.
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation
This oil-free foundation gives the skin a luminous, glowy finish that looks so natural. It’s formulated with a unique technology that allows the buildable color pigments to lay flat on the skin for a seamless blending.
It contains Glycerin which helps hydrating dry skin and it’s available in 40 shades that can suit many skin tones. It’s very pricey but a little bit goes a very long way with this foundation so you only need a tiny amount. The bottle will last you for several months so it’s worth the splurge. It’s also buildable so you can get medium to full coverage by layering the product.
It’s a Holy grail foundation for dry aging skin because it doesn’t cling to dry patches and it doesn’t emphasize fine lines or wrinkles. It is also very easy to blend and can work perfectly for a no-makeup type of look.
It’s also long-lasting and it doesn’t separate or transfers even when wearing a face mask.
You can also set it with a face powder o get a long-lasting look. Check this list of best powder for mature skin to pick the best drugstore or high-end powders.
Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation
Available in 30 shades, this foundation from Shiseido has a weightless but buildable formula that looks like a second skin. It helps to smooth the appearance of fine lines without looking heavy on the face.
It gives light to medium coverage and it looks natural at the same time. For a sheer finish, apply one pump to your skin and blend it with a damp beauty sponge.
Add another pump to get medium coverage. You can also use a soft kabuki brush or a stippling brush to blend it on the skin.
The tools you use can have a big impact on the final look so choose the one that works the best for your desired type of coverage.
This foundation is also long-lasting and it doesn’t melt off or separate throughout the day. This lightweight formula works great to get the no-makeup makeup look for every day.
To get a long-wearing look on hot and humid days, you can set it with a loose or pressed powder on top. You can also use a setting spray to lock everything into place.
Dior BACKSTAGE Face & Body Foundation
If you like foundations with a semi-matte finish that looks like skin, try this one from Dior.
It’s a foundation for the face and body that comes in a wide range of shades. It gives the skin a natural finish and medium to full coverage that’s waterproof and sweat-resistant.
If you have very dry skin, be sure to moisturize your face very well before applying this foundation. It can work nicely with a glowy primer underneath. It dries down to a semi-matte finish but it doesn’t look heavy on dry skin.
The fact that it’s silicone-based makes it easily spreadable on the skin. It blends nicely without settling into fine lines and it helps to blur the pores.
This formula works well for special occasions, weddings, or photography. It can cover everything from redness, hyperpigmentation, or skin discoloration and it makes the skin look flawless and smooth.
Tip: To make your makeup look more natural, mix your foundation with moisturizer for a sheer look!
Smashbox Studio Skin 24 Hour Oil-Free Hydra Foundation
This oil-free foundation is infused with nourishing hyaluronic acid and glycerin to help hydrating dry older skin. It has a weightless and build-able formula for the perfect lightweight and flawless makeup. It’s also easy to blend and provides long-lasting coverage.
If you are looking for a full coverage foundation that works well for dry aging skin, the Smashbox Studio Skin 24 Hour Oil-Free Hydra Foundation can be a great choice. With 39 shades, you’ll be able to pick the perfect match for your skin tone.
It feels like you’re wearing nothing but still has that natural second-skin look. It’s also vegan, cruelty-free and it doesn’t transfer so it works great if you are wearing a face mask!
Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Glow Foundation
If you are looking for a silicone-free foundation that stays put, the Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Glow Foundation can be a great choice. It has Glycerin which helps to provide hydration and oil derived from coconut which helps to comfort the skin.
It’s also Alcohol-Free and it comes in 30 shades to suit many different skin tones. It has an ‘ultra fair’ shade that can work well for people with very fair skin. If you are looking for something that provides full coverage, this is not the right foundation. This is a ‘light coverage’ type of foundation that feels very comfortable to wear. It works great for every day and it doesn’t emphasize flaky or dry skin.
It blends effortlessly, it’s long-lasting and it doesn’t oxidize. This formula is perfect for the spring or summer when you want an even skin tone without too much coverage. It doesn’t need a primer because it looks very smooth and lightweight so it’s perfect for a quick everyday makeup look.
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation
The name itself speaks to dry skin! This foundation will make your skin look luminous with a radiant finish. It’s lightweight and comfortable, which means you can wear it all day long.
The NARS Sheer Glow Foundation is perfect for anyone who wants their makeup to look natural but still have an airbrushed effect! The formula blends easily into the skin while providing buildable coverage.
It has Vitamin C which is one of the best anti-aging ingredients. It helps to brighten the skin while diminishing the look of discoloration. It also has Turmeric which enhances the skin’s radiance.
This foundation works nicely to hide wrinkles and smooth skin texture because it’s silicone-based. It doesn’t cling to dry patches and it stays put all day even with a face mask on. It’s also free of mineral oils and fragrances.
MAKE UP FOR EVER Reboot Active Care Revitalizing Foundation
This foundation has Camellia Japonica which helps to support the skin’s natural glow. It gives the face a smooth and satin finish and it doesn’t settle in dry patches or emphasize them.
It applies beautifully with a sponge or a brush and it dries to a natural but radiant finish that looks like skin but better.
It is light to medium coverage depending on how you apply it and doesn’t feel cakey on the face at all. It’s one of the best hydrating foundations for mature skin. It even works great for textured skin because it melts right into the skin and it stays put all day long.
The only downside is that it has a scent that I know many people don’t like. Fragrances in cosmetics, especially in high concentrations, can irritate sensitive skin and many people tend to avoid them.
I also wish they can extend the shade range because it’s only available in 24 shades.
Best Drugstore foundations for dry skin over 40
Maybelline New York Fit Me! Foundation dewy and smooth
This lightweight foundation has a very smooth texture that blends so easily into the skin. It provides a natural medium to full coverage depending on the way you apply it.
Using a damp makeup sponge makes your foundation application way easier and it gives a luminous finish. You must not use the makeup sponge dry, because it will absorb all your foundation.
To blend the foundation perfectly, bounce the liquid foundation across your face for a flawless finish. Avoid dragging the sponge across your face as this might just move the foundation and apply it unevenly.
For more coverage, use a kabuki brush and buff the foundation on your skin. Choose a brush with soft bristles so that it doesn’t feel harsh or scratchy on your face.
The Maybelline New York Fit Me! Foundation dewy and smooth gives you long-lasting coverage and a weightless, natural finish that’s perfect for every day. It has glycerin which helps hydrate and smooth dry skin. It leaves a naturally luminous finish that looks like skin but better.
Because of its lightweight formula, this foundation doesn’t settle into fine lines or wrinkles. It’s also non-comedogenic and it has an SPF 18 to help to protect the skin from harmful UV rays.
It comes in 21 shades that suit many different skin tones but I wish they could extend the shade range like The fit me matte foundation which is available in 42 shades.
There are many adjuster shades that you can use to make your foundation lighter or darker. These are basically white or dark liquids that you can mix with your foundations to change the color depending on your skin color. This shade adjuster is one of the most popular and it has got many rave reviews.
L’Oréal Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation
This drugstore gem leaves a beautiful, radiant finish on dry aging skin. It has a lightweight and creamy formula that goes on smoothly without looking cakey on the skin.
The watery consistency of this foundation makes it a great choice for older skin. It gives light to medium coverage without settling into smile lines, pores, or wrinkles.
It’s also long-lasting and it doesn’t oxidize. It’s available in 12 shades which is not a very good shade range. I wish they can add more shades to include different skin tones.
A little bit goes a very long way with this foundation so you only need a tiny amount to get medium coverage. It has glycerin to help hydrating mature skin and an SPF to protect from sun damage.
Please note that built-in sun protection is not enough to protect the skin from harmful UV rays. To get the UV protection promised by the SPF rating on the foundation bottle, you’ll need to apply a very thick layer of foundation which can look cakey and heavy on the skin.
If you want to wear makeup and still feel protected from the sun, you need to apply a sunscreen before primer or foundation.
Final Thoughts On foundations for dry and mature skin
Many factors go into choosing the best foundation for dry mature skin over 40. The two main things you should consider before deciding which foundation you want are the formula and coverage preference (light, medium or heavy).
If you want a light to medium coverage, try the Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Glow Foundation.
If you prefer medium to full coverage, try the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation, the Dior BACKSTAGE Face & Body Foundation, or the Smashbox Studio Skin 24 Hour Oil-Free Hydra Foundation.
For a drugstore option, try the Maybelline New York Fit Me! Foundation dewy and smooth.
Don’t forget to prepare your skin very well before makeup application. Makeup can look flaky on top of dry skin and many foundations can cling to dry patches. To avoid this from happening, cleanse your skin with a gentle cleanser, exfoliate to get rid of dead skin cells, and moisturize your skin with a rich moisturizer that works well for dry skin.
Applying makeup on top of flaky skin can make your face look older so always be sure to prepare your skin for makeup!
Sunscreen is also an important part of your skincare routine. Protect your skin from sun damage by applying sunscreen daily. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
What to look for in foundation for dry skin over 40? What kind of makeup should an older woman wear?
Lightweight formula
Avoid heavy foundations with thick formulas and choose a lightweight one that doesn`t emphasize your fine lines and wrinkles. Thick formulas can look cakey and heavy on the skin which makes you look older than you are.
Good ingredients
There are many liquid foundations available to choose from, but if you have dry mature skin, choose a foundation that contains moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid or soothing ingredients like aloe vera.
Satin or natural finish
Choose a foundation with a satin or semi-matte finish.
Matte foundations may look heavy on the skin and they might accentuate your fine lines and wrinkles. On the other side, extremely dewy foundations can emphasize wrinkles. Glitter and shimmer can also highlight your fine lines so you need something in between that sit well on top of your skin. Choose a foundation with a satin or semi-matte finish.
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