Lady Gaga's Haus Labs' foundation is lightweight, hydrating and skin perfecting — which is why it's our best of the year. (Sephora)
Our makeup needs change as we age, which is why finding the best foundation for mature skin becomes more important as the years pass. I've covered the cosmetics industry for more than a decade and, for most of those years, my foundation philosophy was simple: the fuller the coverage, the better. My skin needed to look poreless, filtered and as smooth as a mannequin’s. While my friends and colleagues obsessed over dewy finishes and no-makeup makeup, I stood firmly in the matte-or-die camp, remaining loyal to the best foundations that could withstand a heatwave, a crying session and, quite possibly, the apocalypse.
But, as with many things — my tolerance for alcohol, my ability to stay up all night — now that I'm in my 40s, my foundation preferences have shifted. Instead of reaching for the heaviest, most opaque formulas, I now find myself gravitating toward those same dewy, lightweight foundations I avoided in the past. I'm finding that the best foundations for mature skin are hydrating enough to smooth out fine lines but still fully capable of covering a rogue blemish, dark spot or under-eye circle. To be clear, I'm not against matte or full-coverage foundations, but as my skin ages, I care more about the overall formula and product texture than how much it can fully camouflage.
Aside from the fact that dehydrated, menopausal skin simply responds better to lighter-weight, hydrating foundations; part of my switch has to do with wearing less makeup in general, a common trend for women as they get older. Don't get me wrong, foundations are still a staple in my makeup bag — and, as it turns out, they may even be helping to protect my skin too.
Celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau has a sun protection philosophy that actually goes hand-in-hand with regular foundation wear. During a recent facial, she told me how, over the years, she noticed many of her 50+ clients in Dallas had fewer wrinkles than those in New England. She realized it was most likely because of their makeup routines — a penchant for wearing foundation nearly 24-7 (even immediately post-facial) helped shield her Dallas clients' skin from sun damage. “I recommend everyone wear foundation no matter what, because it acts as an extension of your sunblock — it's layering and protecting your skin,” Rouleau explained. “I always tell people that foundation, even if it’s not labeled with SPF, still has [sun protecting qualities] in it because of the iron oxides, which is what gives the coverage and the opaqueness.” And, while foundation will never be a replacement for sunscreen, Rouleau's theory does hold weight: Research shows that, when used in tandem with SPF products, foundations help protect your face from skin cancer. The more you know!
When tracking down the best foundation for mature skin, I put my decades-long relationship with this type of makeup to good use and rounded up the formulas that actually deliver — especially for skin that's over 40 and no longer tolerates anything cakey, drying or overly matte.
Whether you're after a stick that doubles as concealer, a balm that blurs without feeling heavy or a super splurgy skin-care-meets-makeup hybrid, these are the foundations that smooth, glowify and never settle into fine lines.
Other foundations that didn't make the cut
What to look for in a foundation
Coverage: Medium | Type: Liquid | Finish: Natural | Shades: 51 | Size: 1 oz
Haus Labs by Lady Gaga is a vegan, cruelty-free cosmetics line that was founded by the singer in 2019. If you haven’t tried its Triclone Skin Tech Foundation, but have heard good things about it, I’m here to tell you that the hype is very much real.
For years, this medium-coverage foundation has been making waves and winning awards for its ability to provide the right amount of coverage without being heavy. Packed with fermented arnica (great for calming redness) and patented BioFerment 7 Complex (fancy talk for ingredients that help with skin barrier support), this formula is equal parts makeup and skincare and it's truly a delight on the skin.
It offers medium coverage that’s buildable, meaning you can go sheer for a more natural look or layer it up for extra glam. The finish is natural, never too dewy or too matte and it lasts through long days without breaking down into a greasy mess. As for the all-important shade range? A whopping 51, so there’s truly a match for everyone.
Coverage: Medium | Type: Liquid | Finish: Natural | Shades: 47 | Size: 1 oz
In the past few years, drugstore foundations have seriously upped their game, and L’Oréal True Match is proof. This foundation has been beloved forever, and the current iteration is the best the product has ever been: It’s affordable, blended like a dream on my combination-slash-menopausal-dry skin and has 47 shades to accommodate a wide range of skin tones.
The formula is oil-free, making it great for those who want a lightweight base that won’t clog pores. It also adapts well to different skin types, so whether you’re dry, oily or somewhere in between, True Match will get the job done.
Coverage: Medium | Type: Liquid | Finish: Radiant | Shades: 28 | Size: 1 oz
Yes, this is that La Mer—the brand known for its ultra-luxurious, ultra-expensive skincare. It may be $150, but it is a dream for those who love a glowy, natural-skin look that still provides adequate coverage. I still haven’t found anything quite like it, despite my ongoing search for “dupes” and such.
The foundation contains La Mer’s signature Miracle Broth, which is honestly one of my favorite beauty lore legends. The proprietary ingredient complex — which boasts powerful regenerative and soothing properties — is made of sustainably-harvested sea kelp, vitamins and minerals. The product undergoes several months of fermentation where it is exposed to light and sound waves (actual recordings of past fermentations’ bubbling sounds; I’m obsessed with this tidbit). That may all seem over the top, but I am not exaggerating when I say that this foundation makes my skin look beyond amazing, smooth and hydrated with the perfect amount of natural-looking coverage. This is one of the products that's worth the splurge.
Coverage: Full | Type: Stick | Finish: Natural | Shades: 32 | Size: 0.25 oz
I may wear more — and have a slight preference for — liquid foundations, but even I can't deny the convenience of stick formulas. I don’t have to worry about leaks or spills and can just throw one in my purse or suitcase, no problem. Hourglass Vanish's stick formula is creamy, pigmented and somehow both weightless and full-coverage at the same time. Just a few little swipes, a quick buff with a brush and my skin looked polished without feeling like I was wearing a mask. It’s especially great for over-40 skin because it doesn’t settle into lines. It just smooths everything out and leaves behind a soft-focus finish.
If I didn’t give the “best stick foundation” award to Hourglass Vanish, it would also qualify for best multi-stick. Not only is it incredibly buildable, but you can also use it to contour or highlight — just get a shade or two darker or lighter than your natural skin tone.
Coverage: Light | Type: Cream | Finish: Natural-Matte | Shades: 11 | Size: 0.63 oz
Truthfully, I was a bit hesitant to try a balm-powder foundation as I haven’t had luck with them in the past. But Danessa Myricks's Yummy Skin is the kind of product that made me rethink everything I thought I knew about foundation (most notably, that I always had to use a liquid!). It’s a solid balm that melts into the skin upon application and then sets to a soft, blurred finish, sort of like an IRL filter to smooth rough texture, cover pores (one of my main concerns) and buff out shine.
This product somehow manages to be both matte and radiant, which makes it a dream for mature skin and those who desire a glowy finish without looking greasy.
The formula features upsalite, a fancy Swedish technology that balances oil and controls shine without drying you out. There’s also olive-derived squalane for a dose of hydration and a smooth glide during application.
You can wear this balm alone as a light foundation or even underneath a foundation with more coverage. It’s one of those multitasking formulas that looks and feels like your natural skin (but better) and it holds up shockingly well throughout the day.
In order to curate the ultimate list of foundations, I tested over two dozen products and spent hours swatching, blending and wearing foundations from the most known, classic brands to online cult favorites. I paid careful attention to find those that matched perfectly with my skin tone and those that were completely off, no matter what the shade (I tested several shades from each brand).
Overall, I looked at shade range, finish, texture, feel on my skin, quality of ingredients, scent, longevity of wear time and price point. I also considered how each product held up under different conditions, like temperature, humidity, all-day errands and long, boring days in front of a laptop.
During testing, I came across far more good foundations than bad ones — ultimately my choice came down to picky personal preferences and little details that might not bother someone less experienced with foundation. For instance, Saie’s Glowy Super Skin Foundation has a beautiful finish, but it was just too liquid-y for my liking. KVD’s Good Apple Serum Foundation seemingly had potential, but I could not get the shade match right no matter how many times I tried — it kept leaning too orange on my skin. Then there was Polite Society’s More Than a Pretty Face Skin-Caring Foundation, which had a lovely and smooth texture once it was on, but the packaging was a non-stop struggle and the lid was super difficult to remove.
This one’s a personal choice. Some of us want to look like a glazed donut, while others prefer that ultra matte, mannequin-esque finish from my early years. If you’re still in your full-coverage era, I salute you, but with mature skin, you'll still want to use foundation with buildable formulas that let you customize your coverage, preferably with added skin care ingredients.
Any brand that doesn’t offer a wide variety of tones (and undertones!) in 2025 needs to get with the program. It's important to note that shade matching is not a one color fits all: I've found that I’m in the light category in some brands but in the medium camp in others. Finding your match might involve a little trial and error, but once you do, you’re gold.
Your foundation should work with your skin, not against it. If you’re oily, look for oil-free formulas that won’t slide off your face by lunch. If you’re dry or dehydrated, you probably want to stay away from the mattes, but also reach for something hydrating with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or squalane. And if your skin is sensitive or reactive, fragrance-free is your friend.
If you wear foundation every day, you want something that not only works, but works within your budget. There are plenty of amazing drugstore options (hello, to my L’Oreal Paris pick above), and splurgy picks if you’re feeling bougie.
The absolute best way to accurately find your foundation shade is to test in natural light on your jawline, as that area is the best indicator of your natural complexion overall. As a rule, your perfect shade should blend seamlessly with the skin on your face — and neck.
Matte foundations control shine and are ideal for oily skin. Dewy foundations create a radiant, hydrated look, perfect for dry or mature skin. Satin finishes tend to be ideal for most skin types as they are a balance between matte and dewy.
Starting with a primer is always a good idea (I also suggest this for eye makeup). Find one that's suited to your skin type, and then finish with a setting spray and/or powder to lock everything in.
Absolutely! For quick fixes, you can use a small amount of foundation on problem areas and blend it with a brush or your fingertips.
Yes! Mixing formulas can help you customize your ideal shade or finish. For example, blend a dewy formula with a matte one for a more natural, satin-like finish.