As you age, collagen (the protein responsible for helping your skin look plump and smooth) and elastin (credited for the skin's snap-back quality) start to decrease. Wrinkles are more prominent, and the skin feels drier. But, a smooth, plump, radiant complexion is still made possible with one of the best foundations for mature skin—and one of the best primers for mature skin.
The latter glides over fine lines, blurs pores, and keeps makeup in place. Beyond their makeup-extending abilities, primers for mature skin are often formulated with hydrating ingredients and smoothing agents that impart a subtle, healthy glow.
There’s certainly no shortage of makeup primers available, and the multi-purpose options do more than keep your makeup from budging. Formulas like NARS Light-Reflecting Primer instantly moisturize dry skin, while the REFY Glow Sculpt Face Primer de-puffs skin and helps boost radiance. Mature skin can also still get shiny. A primer with mattifying properties like Milk's Hydro Grip Hydrating Makeup Primer is a solid pick to keep skin balanced without looking oily or overly dry.
Once you’ve sorted the best primer for your skin type and level of makeup wear, round out your routine with one of the best concealers for mature skin. Keep reading for the full breakdown of the best makeup primers for mature skin according to Marie Claire’s editors and tested by women over 50.
Best Primers for Mature Skin
- Best Makeup Primer for Mature Skin Overall: Yves Saint Laurent Beauté Touche Éclat Blur Primer
- Best Brightening Makeup Primer for Mature Skin: Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Primer
- Best Primer for Enlarged Pores: Il Makiage No Filter Poreless
- Best Hydrating Makeup Primer for Mature Skin: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer
- Best Tightening Makeup Primer for Mature Skin: Peter Thomas Roth Instant Firmx No-Filter Firming Primer
The YSL Touche Éclat lineup is iconic on the base makeup front. The primer is the perfect companion to its wide shade range of full-coverage foundations. The formula isn't just made to keep makeup in place; the oil-laced primer gives skin a luminous, glowing finish without looking greasy. It's straightforward but still blurs pores without any tint or opaque fillers. So, skin looks smooth and poreless, and makeup stays put.
Finish: Dewy
Benefits: Leaves skin with a dewy finish without looking greasy; Blurs pores
Who It’s For: Dry and normal/combo skin looking for a non-matte; Hydrated skin finish and extended foundation wear
Key Ingredients: Corn; Apricot kernel (gives glow); Passiflora; Rice bran oils (moisturizing)
What I Love: Hydrating; Adds luminosity; Doesn't look overly shiny or oily; Leaves skin with a smooth, bare-feel surface; Doesn't cake; Can be worn alone or under makeup
What I Don’t: It's pricey for a primer
Review for MC: "It's fragrant, has a gel texture, and is lightweight with a slight glow. It really helped the foundation to lay nice on the skin! I really like how it helped the foundation not settle in lines. It feels very smooth, almost silicone-like, on the skin." — Mindy Holender
Mindy Holender wearing Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Face Primer.
Charlotte Tilbury has mastered the art of the face blur, and this Wonderglow primer is one of the brand's not-so-secret weapons for smooth, candle-lit skin. On the surface, light-reflecting microspheres give dull skin a natural, glowing look without too much shine. Peptides in the formula work deeper to boost collagen and rehydrate dry skin for a more plump and youthful look.
Finish: Dewy
Benefits: Works on both surface and molecular levels to make skin look and feel more hydrated and dewy; Delivers a luminous finish without looking overly shiny
Who It’s For: Dry skin in need of a moisture boost, luminosity, and plumping
Key Ingredients: BioNymph Peptide Complex (boosts collagen production within the skin to improve elasticity and skin's firmness); Hyaluronic acid (hydrating); Wild pansy, rosehip, and camellia (seal in moisture)
What I Love: Line smoothing; Lit from within effect; Looks natural and adds just the right amount of radiance; The primer has a slight tint; Doesn't look ashy or dull; Works on a range of skin tones; Looks good when worn alone
What I Don’t: Can make oily skin look too greasy and glittery
Review for MC: "This glides on more like a lotion compared to other primers I've tried, but I applied it with my fingers and it's very smooth. I thought the color would wash me out but it blended in nicely." — Nicole Davis
Nicole Davis wearing Charlotte Tilbury Glow Primer
Milk Makeup makes products designed for long-wear performance, including this gel primer. If you're going for a full face of makeup that you need to last through whatever the day throws your way, start here. The gripping primer promises to keep makeup in place for 12 hours, and even though it has a tacky gel consistency, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide in the formula allow it to feel hydrating and leave skin with a dewy finish.
Finish: Natural
Benefits: Keeps makeup in place for 12 hours; Leaves a dewy finish; Moisturizing
Who It’s For: Full-coverage foundation wearers will get smudge- and melt-free wear from their base; The dewy finish is also ideal for dry, normal, and combination skin
Key Ingredients: Blue agave extract (grips makeup to keep it in place for hours); Hyaluronic acid; Niacinamide (moisturize and plump skin); Aloe water and hemp-derived cannabis seed extract (hydrate and lock moisture into skin)
What I Love: The dewy finish and long wear capabilities; Skin feels hydrated when wearing
What I Don’t: The formula can pill when applied over certain skincare; It's on the pricier side compared to other primers
Review for MC: "This primer is super tacky and grippy. I didn't love the feeling of it on my skin, but that feeling dissipated after applying foundation. It does leave a bit of a residue when you take it off." — Kellie Pean
Kellie Pean wearing Milk Makeup Hydrogrip Primer
When hiding visible pores is the goal, Il Makiage has you covered—literally. The lightweight gel primer is designed to give skin a soft-focus look in real life. Unevenly textured skin and enlarged pores are erased, and any makeup you layer on top stays in place. There's a slight mattifying effect, too, so spot-treat areas of your face that tend to get oily.
Finish: Satin
Benefits: Gives skin a soft-focus finish; Naturally filtered look by reducing the appearance of enlarged pores and fine lines
Who It’s For: Skin with uneven texture, large pores, or normal to oily skin that needs some shine control without overdrying
Key Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane (smooths uneven skin and helps makeup stay in place); Dimethicone cross polymer (resurfaces rough skin and fills in fine lines and pores to make skin look smooth)
What I Love: The line-smoothing, lit-from-within effect looks natural and adds just the right amount of radiance; The primer has a slight tint to it but doesn't look ashy or dull; Works on a range of skin tones; Looks good when worn alone
What I Don’t: No skincare benefits
Review for MC: "I applied this with my fingers, and I absolutely love it. It goes on super smoothly. There's absolutely no caking or creasing. It makes everything else I put on go on super smoothly. I love how much better the other makeup goes on by using the primer." — Rhonda Acholonu
Rhonda Acholonu wearing Il Makiage No Filter Poreless Base Smoothing Primer
Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk Foundation is perhaps one of the most well-known products in the beauty world, but the foundation’s little sister (and right hand!) is key to getting the best Luminous Silk result. Shea butter, rice bran, and glycerin are the product’s star ingredients, working to hydrate the skin and, more importantly, create a soft-to-the-touch texture. I swear my redness disappears when I use this, so much so that I occasionally skip foundation altogether.
Finish: Radiant
Benefits: Hydrating; Blurring; Plumping
Who It’s For: This silky formula leaves skin soft and smooth, whether you have normal, dry, combination, or oily skin
Key Ingredients: Shea butter and glycerin (moisturize and smooth); Rice bran (smooths uneven texture)
What I Love: Long-wearing formula lasts all day; Softens skin
What I Don’t: Scented formula may not be for everyone
Review for MC: "I applied this with my fingers to clean, moisturized skin. It has a silky consistency and went on very smoothly. I noticed that it immediately removed the shine on my face, giving my skin a matte finish. I used it under concealer and a powder foundation that ranged from sheer to full coverage. No creasing, but I didn't wear it for very long." — Erin Chin
Armani Luminous Silk Primer before, solo, and with a light base
As skin's elasticity loosens with age, this formula taps a combo of silicates (a blend of silicone and oxygen) along with seaweed extract, to give the immediate look of firmer skin, and help skin regain elasticity over time. It also helps make pores look smaller and less visible for an overall firmer appearance. Another bonus is that it comes in two finishes: mattifying and dewy.
Finish: Dewy or matte
Benefits: Gives skin a soft-focused, naturally filtered look by reducing the appearance of enlarged pores and fine lines
Who It’s For: Skin that has lost elasticity or that has more prominent fine lines and needs instant and deeper firming over time; The mattifying version is ideal for mature skin with areas of oiliness, and the glowy version works best on dry, normal, and combination skin for a more dewy finish
Key Ingredients: Silicates and seaweed extract (help tighten skin immediately and more permanently over time); 3% BarPull (moisturizes and plumps skin); Elastiflex IQ (improves elasticity over time)
What I Love: The skin-tightening effects are pretty immediate and improve more permanently over time
What I Don’t: It is not as hydrating as other options; Some customers also say it's not ideal for sensitive skin, so patch test before applying
Review for MC: "This by far my favorite of the three I tested. I wore it both alone and as a primer underneath my makeup. It didn’t interfere with my other products, (which meant no pilling!) and my foundation went on so smoothly!! And it lasted ALL DAY” — Astrid Marzovilla
Astrid Marzovilla wearing Instant FIRMx No-Filter Primer
Other Primers for Mature Skin I Love
Makeup artist Natalie Dresher swears by this primer for anyone over the age of 45. “It’s infused with skincare to hydrate the skin and allows for the foundation to glide on smoothly,” she shares. “It really gives the finished product a skin-like feel even if that foundation on top is full coverage.” It’s multi-use, too, so you can use it as a primer or add a few drops to the cheekbones for an instant highlight.
Finish: Radiant
Benefits: Hydrating; Illuminating; Plumping
Who It’s For: Lightweight yet hydrating, this primer plays nicely with most skin types; Anyone looking for a luminous, multi-tasking primer will appreciate how it can be layered under makeup or used on its own to highlight high points of the face
Key Ingredients: Roma-Light Complex (proprietary pearlescence that brightens skin for a natural-looking glow); Hyaluronic acid (replenishes moisture)
What I Love: The makeup-artist-approved, multi-purpose formula can be used as a highlighter; Infused with hydrating and plumping ingredients
What I Don’t: The scented formula may irritate sensitive skin
Customer Review: “Worth every penny! This is the best primer I have ever used! It’s so versatile! You can use it for just about anything and get amazing results! I use it under makeup as a primer because it gives that perfect dewy look, but I also wear it when I don’t put any makeup on at all because it gives my skin the most beautiful glow. You could even use it as a highlighter. It's something I definitely recommend if you have drier skin. If you're someone who isn't too crazy about the shine/glowy look, then this might not be for you! However, I'd still give it a shot; you may end up liking it!” — Sephora
Sensitive skin can occur at any age. The number-one dermatologist suggestion to avoid irritation? Steer clear of fragrance. That’s where Ilia’s gentle face primer comes into play. With non-irritating ingredients (no silicones, fragrance, or oils), this maintains a high-quality texture that glides onto the skin. Plus, its star ingredient, beta-glucan, actively helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while hibiscus protects skin from free-radical damage.
Finish: Radiant
Benefits: Improves fine lines and wrinkles; Tightens. Protects
Who It’s For: This skincare-makeup hybrid is formulated to be extra gentle, making it a great choice for all skin types, even sensitive.
Key Ingredients: Beta-glucan (hydrates and boosts collagen production to smooth fine lines); Hibiscus (delivers antioxidant protection); Mastic (mattifies shiny skin)
What I Love: Helps mattify oily zones despite its radiant finish; Ultra-breathable formula; Clean and fragrance-free
What I Don’t: Doesn’t work well with oil-based foundations
Customer Review: “I have extremely sensitive skin, and this works beautifully. Zero irritation and holds the Ilia Dewy Foundation very well. Highly recommend.” — Sephora
NARS has a handful of high-performing products for every level of makeup wearer, but this option is particularly great for mature skin types. Formulated with the trifecta of hydrating ingredients—hyaluronic acid, squalane, and peptides—this silky-textured primer delivers instant moisture the second it touches the skin. Every time I layer this under my foundation, I notice that my foundation stays on longer and doesn’t sink into fine lines. It also provides a slight cooling effect, a welcome sensation when I wear it in the summer.
Finish: Radiant
Benefits: Hydrating; Brightening; Smoothes the look of fine lines
Who It’s For: If your mature skin craves moisture, this silky formula infuses lightweight ingredients that deeply hydrate and plump skin without feeling heavy
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid; Squalane; Peptides (moisturize the skin to get rid of dryness and smooths fine lines)
What I Love: Deeply hydrating; Silky texture; Cooling sensation
What I Don’t: Has a somewhat funky scent
Customer Review: “Really love this new primer. I normally like a hydrating or glowy primer to use everywhere on my face except my T-zone, and this is perfect for that! It goes on so silky smooth and really makes your face look so fresh! My pores looked smaller, too, so I think it helped with this. It made my makeup go on smoothly and last so long during the day. After a long day at work, my makeup still looked glowy—but not excessively, just a natural glow. It’s really nice with the matching setting spray!” — Nordstrom
Chances are you’ve seen this roller bar primer across your TikTok page—it went viral as soon as it launched, and it’s easy to see why. Not only does the cooling, roller edge help depuff your face and around your under-eyes, but it leaves behind a hydrating and slightly grippy texture that allows for flawless makeup application. I like to start in the center of my face and roll outward, but you can use the product however feels best to you. It contains ingredients like niacinamide to help brighten skin and alleviate redness.
Finish: Radiant
Benefits: Hydrating; Radiance-boosting; Redness-fighting; De-puffs
Who It’s For: If you wake up with puffiness and eye bags, this sculpting roller primer makes the perfect A.M. pre-makeup step; It provides lightweight moisture, making it great for most dry and oily skin; Its redness-fighting abilities are key for those with sensitive skin or concerns like rosacea
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide (brightens discoloration); Glycerin (moisturizes)
What I Love: Cooling roller bar helps depuff; Super hydrating
What I Don’t: The texture may be a little too sticky for some
Customer Review: “Really moisturizing. I noticed this helps my makeup last all day. It keeps the skin looking like skin. I definitely recommend.” — Sephora
J-Beauty products are renowned for their elegant and effective formulas, which is precisely why this Tatcha primer is such a beauty staple. I can’t get over how soft and smooth this glides onto my skin—it truly floats over fine lines. The best part about this formula, though, is how effectively it brightens and illuminates the skin. Formulated with pink and gold pearls, it gives the skin a subtle radiance and shimmer without leaving skin glittery-looking.
Finish: Natural
Benefits: Brightening; Smoothing; Redness-fighting
Who It’s For: The weightlessness of this formula makes it ideal for normal, combination, and oily skin types; Its luminous finish is great for improving the look of large pores, fine lines, and redness
Key Ingredients: Silk (gives skin a blurred yet illuminated finish)
What I Love: Brightens skin with pearls; Improves the look of pores and fine lines; Protects skin against environmental stressors
What I Don’t: May pill if layered on top of products that haven't fully absorbed
Customer Review: “Works so well! It keeps my makeup on for a good amount of time, in my opinion, and it’s also very hydrating. It leaves such a glowy finish, and it doesn’t make my skin look too greasy!” — Sephora
Makeup artist Jaleesa Jaikaran considers this her preferred primer for mature skin, thanks to its luxe formula and shade range. “It’s incredibly lightweight and contains hydrating ingredients that help to smooth and plump the skin,” she explains. “What sets it apart is that it’s silicone-free and comes in two shades, which most primers don't offer. The texture is a lightweight gel that does not feel heavy, which is a major factor for me as I prefer a weightless finish.”
Finish: Radiant
Benefits: Hydrating; Texture-refining; Radiance-boosting
Who It’s For: The lightweight yet hydrating formula makes it a great choice for all; Its two tint options (yellow and pink) to match a wide range of skin tones and undertones
Key Ingredients: Vitamins E and C (brighten and deliver antioxidant protection); Caffeine (boosts circulation and minimizes undereye discoloration)
What I Love: Makeup artist-recommended; Comes in two shades to cater to different skin tones; Contains skin-protecting antioxidants
What I Don’t: The scented formula may not be for everyone
Customer Review: “I stopped wearing primers for so long because they always dried out my skin or made it appear even oilier than it already is. This, however, is a game-changer! It helps my makeup last all day with little to no shine. I even use it on days I don't wear makeup because it makes my skin smooth and even overall. The best part is that it works well with my other products and doesn't cause irritation or breakouts.” — Ulta
Alicia Keys' popular beauty brand, Keys Soulcare, crafted this serum-primer hybrid to suit normal, oily, dry, and combination skin types. It contains niacinamide, which helps brighten the complexion and improve the look of pores without causing irritation, as well as hydration superstars squalane and rose water to leave skin plump and radiant. The fast-absorbing formula leaves a natural-looking glowy finish that makes makeup application seamless.
Finish: Radiant
Benefits: Brightening; Plumping; Hydrating
Who It’s For: Whether your skin is dry, oily, or somewhere in between, this supercharged formula will leave your skin smooth, glowy, and ready for makeup
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide (brightens and smooths fine lines while reducing redness); Rose water and squalane (deeply hydrate and plump skin)
What I Love: Infused with a variety of hydrating and brightening ingredients; Clean formula; Suitable for all skin types
What I Don’t: The scented formula may not be for everyone
Customer Review: “Amazing glow that enhances skin but isn’t overly shiny! Lovely on bare skin or under makeup, and it lasts all day.” — Amazon
If you feel like your under-eye area looks a little dull or sunken, allow me to introduce you to this Bobbi Brown creation. Launched as an extension of the brand’s cult-favorite Face Base, this vitamin C-enriched cream will perk up your skin’s color and firmness almost instantaneously. Hyaluronic acid helps to plump out the look of lines or wrinkles. Of course, it boasts a grippy finish that keeps concealer in place and crease-free all day long.
Finish: Natural
Benefits: Hydrating; Plumping; Brightening
Who It’s For: Formulated specifically for the eye area, this genius moisturizer-primer hybrid is a solid choice for anyone looking to improve the look of under-eye bags, wrinkles, and dark circles
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid (moisturizing); Vitamin C (brightens and protects against environmental stressors)
What I Love: Brimming with vitamins and antioxidants; Incredibly nourishing; Doubles as a moisturizer
What I Don’t: Only meant for the under-eye area
Customer Review: “I love the Face Base, so I gave this a try. I love it. I am 59 with some under-eye wrinkles, and this smooths them out like nothing else I have tried—and I have tried them all. It has a light, fresh scent. It’s not heavy or greasy; it’s just right. Don't hesitate to give this a try.” — Nordstrom
Blurring formulas are typically accompanied by matte finishes—the antithesis of what you want for mature skin. That’s what makes this Iconic London makeup-skincare hybrid so special. It has a glowy finish and potent ingredients like vitamin C that also brightens from within, and there are also blurring powders to provide a soft focus finish to mask fine lines and large pores. In my book, that’s a win-win. What’s more, it protects skin against blue light, making it a great choice for long days spent in front of your laptop.
Finish: Radiant
Benefits: Blurring; Pore-refining; Glow-boosting
Who It’s For: This blurring yet radiant formula is great for all skin types, especially those looking to improve the look of large pores or uneven skin tone
Key Ingredients: Artemisia capillaris (protects skin from blue HEV light damage); Vitamin C (brightens and takes down discoloration)
What I Love: Blurs fine lines; Contains protective antioxidants; Shields skin from blue light; Can be worn under foundation or alone
What I Don’t: Not very hydrating
Customer Review: “I've tried a lot of primers, and none have been exactly right for my skin. Some are too heavy, some are greasy, etc. This primer is exactly what I have been looking for. It's illuminating without making my skin look shiny throughout the day. It creates a smooth base for any makeup. I can even wear it without makeup, as it does a nice job of evening out my skin on its own. This is definitely a product I will continue to use and rebuy.” — Sephora
As we age, our skin naturally becomes drier and rougher. That makes it all the more important to flood your face with hydration, exactly what this Estée Lauder primer set out to do. In fact, clinical studies have shown that this watery face primer boosts skin’s hydration three times over. Every time I apply this primer, I’m pleasantly surprised by the cooling gel texture, which feels like a refreshing pick-me-up for my skin.
Finish: Dewy
Benefits: Deeply hydrating; Skin barrier-strengthening
Who It’s For: If your mature skin leans dry, you can count on this primer to quench skin, allowing for smooth makeup application
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid and glycerin (douse skin in moisture)
What I Love: Keeps skin hydrated all day long; Doesn’t pill under makeup; Non-acnegenic
What I Don’t: Has a slightly greasy feel
Customer Review: “This primer makes your skin glow under foundation, with no irritation or breakouts. I have very sensitive skin, and this is my holy grail! A little goes a long way!” — Ulta
Despise the tacky texture associated with the majority of primers? Trust us, you’ll love this Hourglass pick. It has more of an oil-like texture that sinks into the skin and delivers 28 different skincare ingredients, including essential oils, plant oils, and vitamins. Because of its skin-first, deeply nourishing formula, you can use this product as a makeup primer, overnight serum, and even as a hair oil.
Finish: Natural
Benefits: Smoothing; Nourishing; Softens fine lines and wrinkles
Who It’s For: This nutrient-rich formula is suitable for most skin types, making it ideal for anyone looking for a versatile, multi-use primer that doesn’t skimp on skincare benefits
Key Ingredients: Essential oils (soften roughly textured skin); Plant oils (replenish moisture); Vitamins A, B5, C, and E (brighten and smooth fine lines)
What I Love: Packed with good-for-your-skin botanical ingredients; Extremely versatile formula; Silky, non-tacky texture; Repels water to keep makeup fresh
What I Don’t: Essential oils may irritate sensitive skin
Customer Review: “This beautiful primer is nothing short of pure total luxury! I use it under my makeup when my skin is feeling dry, but I also use it for many other purposes. It’s great to apply to the back of your hands and cuticles or to tame flyaway hairs. Its many uses are endless. It smells absolutely amazing and leaves your skin feeling soft, plump, and hydrated. A little goes a long way, so the bottle will last you very long. I couldn’t recommend this beautiful oil highly enough. Everyone needs this in their lives.” — Bluemercury
With a thin layer of this superstar Chanel primer, rough patches, blemishes, skin crepiness, or little lines will instantly fade. How, you ask? It’s all due to an incredible blend of ingredients, including micro-blurring powders, light-reflecting particles that even out skin texture, plumping hyaluronic acid, and antioxidant powerhouses blue and red micro-algae.
Finish: Radiant
Benefits: Hydrating; Smoothing; Plumping; Protecting
Who It’s For: If you’re battling rough, dry, and uneven texture, you can count on this luxe skincare-primer hybrid to leave your skin oh-so-smooth
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid (hydrates); Blue and red micro-algae (fades hyperpigmentation and provides antioxidant protection)
What I Love: Contains hydrating and protecting ingredients; Antioxidant-rich formula; 12-hour wear
What I Don’t: Scented formula may not be for everyone
Customer Review: “Love love love this primer. Amazing for dry to normal skin. Love the glow and hydration that it gives my skin, and it also keeps my makeup in place. Highly Recommend!” — Ulta
Unprotected sun exposure isn’t just unsafe (it can increase your risk of developing skin cancer), but it can also bring out age spots, melasma, and hyperpigmentation. While you should always apply sunscreen as a first step before makeup, a makeup primer that contains SPF is an added bonus. This Shiseido formula is light and dewy and locks hydration into dryness-prone skin for well over eight hours, making it an especially great pick for mature skin over 50.
Finish: Radiant
Benefits: Hydrating; Brightening; Skin barrier-strengthening
Who It’s For: A great primer for daytime wear, this protective formula plays nicely with all skin types, even sensitive
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide (smooths fine lines); Fermented Kefir+ (balances skin's microbiome); Avobenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene (protect against UV damage)
What I Love: Contains SPF and microbiome-loving prebiotics; Lightweight texture; Blurs imperfections
What I Don’t: Leaves a subtle white cast
Customer Review: “Gave me a beautiful glowy radiance on its own. This absorbed quickly without any residue and made my texture and pores look less noticeable. Wearing it under makeup, I noticed it made my foundation stay fresh longer than usual and worked well with my other products.” — Nordstrom
Your skin is in for a treat with this powerful little primer. Not only does it impart a refreshing, cooling sensation on contact, but it also delivers a tightening effect, thanks to the brand’s cryo-firming complex. Natural marine extracts tighten up pores and smooth over fine lines and wrinkles, leaving your skin revitalized and renewed after just one use.
Finish: Natural
Benefits: Tightening; Smoothing; Hydrating
Who It’s For: Fine lines and wrinkles are no match for this formula’s smoothing and tightening benefits; Its cooling properties make it an especially refreshing pick for humid summer days
Key Ingredients: Cryo-Firming Complex (tightens loose skin); Mediterranean algae and marine extracts (reinforce the skin barrier)
What I Love: Cools on contact; Tightens and firms skin; Smooths fine lines and wrinkles
What I Don’t: May pill if previous products aren’t fully absorbed
Customer Review: “Instantly smooths skin and makes foundation go on flawlessly. It’s also good to wear on its own.” — Nordstrom
What to Look for in a Face Primer for Mature Skin
- Glowy Finish
Matte finishes tend to not only further dry out mature skin, but also emphasize fine lines and wrinkles. That’s why Dresher does her best to avoid them, opting for glowy or dewy finishes instead. These provide a soft and youthful-looking finish to the skin.
- Ingredient Profile
“Hydrating smoothing primers are best suited for mature skin as they contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, grape seed extract, and shea butter,” explains Jaikaran. “These are simply better suited as they help to plump the skin and give a more radiant, glowy finish.” You might also want to look for antioxidants like vitamins C and E, as they can offer additional protection from environmental damage.
When Do I Apply Primer on Mature Skin?
Your primer goes between your skincare and makeup—but the application timing is key to a flawless finish. “I like to apply primer five minutes after skin prep, and five minutes prior to makeup application,” says Dresher. “This allows the product to really soak into the skin and dry properly before adding more product on top.”
How Do I Apply Primer for Mature Skin?
When applying product—be it primer, concealer, or foundation—to mature skin, stick with a "less is more" motto. “Generally, it’s best to approach application using a moderate amount of product,” says Jaikaran. “Too little won’t allow a smooth finish, and too much may create a heavier look.” Place a small amount of product onto clean fingertips and gently massage the primer onto needed areas. “Focus on the areas where fine lines or texture are more pronounced. With primer and all of your skincare, ensure you apply in an upward or circular motion so you’re not pulling the face down,” she adds.
Should I Apply Different Primers for Various Concerns?
Chances are, you’ll only need one hydrating primer for your skin. But, if you have certain concerns—like an oily T-Zone or rougher texture on the side of your face—you may consider cocktailing a few different options. “You can use a pore-filling primer in the nose area or a smoothing primer everywhere else,” explains Jaikaran. “It’s a targeted approach that can help address specific concerns more effectively.”
Why Trust Marie Claire
Nykia Spradley is a New York-based beauty editor and writer specializing in digital features, trend stories, and shopping roundups. She spoke with makeup artists and experts about the newest and trendiest in the beauty space to compile this list of the best primers for mature skin on the market.
When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we've spoken to. Learn more about how we review products.
How We Tested
Women aged 40+ were tapped to go through a rigorous testing period where they reviewed dozens of primers. After determining the top picks alongside makeup experts, they tested each foundation for its blurring effects, ingredient profiles, finish, texture, and feel to determine this list of the 21 best primers for mature skin. They also evaluated customer reviews and best-selling products across our favorite retailers.
Meet the Experts
Natalie Dresher is a celebrity and bridal makeup artist in Miami and New York. With many years of experience in her field, Natalie has become a trusted name in the beauty community. Working with brands like Saie Beauty, Revlon, Maybelline and Dibs she has a lot of experience working with our favorites under her wing.
Jaleesa Jaikaran works as a professional makeup artist in beauty, fashion and product development projects. She is also the host of the 'Life of a Makeup Artist' podcast and represents several brands for events and education purposes.
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