Nervous about powder settling into fine lines and wrinkles? Don’t count the best powder foundations for mature skin out yet. While traditional wisdom holds that lightweight liquid foundations are the ticket to a cake-free, crease-free makeup base, they’re not the only option.
“When you choose the right formula, powder foundation can actually look incredibly smooth on mature skin,” says makeup artist Alexa Persico. “It helps even out tone, reduces shine in the T-zone, and gives that soft-focus finish that photographs beautifully.” Plus, Persico adds, modern formulas are the opposite of heavy or cakey; instead, the best of the bunch are “breathable, smoothing, and buildable.”
Vogue’s Favorite Powder FoundationsBest Overall
Laura Geller Baked Balance-n-Brighten Color Correcting Powder
Jump to reviewBest Satin Finish
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder
Jump to reviewBest Drugstore
Maybelline Super Stay Up to 24HR Hybrid Powder-Foundation
Of course, it helps if you know how to apply them—especially when texture or discoloration is a concern. “When using a powder foundation on more mature skin, make sure you hydrate the skin fully,” says Jennifer Lopez’s makeup artist Scott Barnes. “Once the moisturizer has absorbed into the skin and is not tacky to the touch, I use a face brush for the most even application.”
Speaking of brushes, heed Barnes’ advice on this: “I know a lot of brands give a free puff with powder foundations, but you can go ahead and save that for touch-ups or for setting the eye area,” he says. “Using a brush for full face application gives the best coverage and prevents too much product from settling into lines.”
But which exact foundations are worth swirling your brush through? Take it from the pros. Ahead, find the powder foundations they swear by for a smoothing, blurred finish on mature skin—and the same formulas they use on over-50 clients like Jodie Foster and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Happy brushing up!
In This Story:Best Overall: Laura Geller Baked Balance-n-Brighten
Laura Geller
Baked Balance-n-Brighten Color Correcting Powder
Why We Love It: “This one has been long hailed as the holy grail of mature skin powder,” Johnson says. “It has a nice mix of colors so it won’t appear too flat on the skin, and it will brighten where you need it to.” She notes that the formula, which is baked on terracotta tile, is “creamy and lightweight,” dusting onto the skin like a dream (even for a novice). Johnson isn’t alone in her love of the product. Makeup artist Brett Freedman, whose clients include Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jodie Foster, and Lisa Kudrow, calls this his “favorite powder foundation, hands down.” He notes that the marbleized formula swooshes on with a natural, demi-matte finish.Key Ingredients: Centella Asiatica, white tea extractFinish: Demi-matte naturalCoverage: Buildable light-to-mediumShades: 9Best Satin Finish: Chanel Powder Les Beiges
Chanel
Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder
Why We Love It: Designed to perk up the skin with a natural-looking glow, Chanel’s satiny powder has ingredients that pamper and protect. “This really stands out for mature skin because it has jasmine oil in it,” notes Chicago-based hair and makeup artist Kate Johnson. “This helps with hydration and gives the product a natural, satin finish that’s buildable from lightweight to full coverage.” Other nourishing ingredients include shea butter, which softens the skin, and the antioxidant vitamin E. Available in 14 shades, the refillable powder has photo-adaptive pigments that help the skin look radiant in any kind of lighting.Key Ingredients: Jasmine flower-infused oil, shea butter, vitamin E, sodium hyaluronateFinish: Natural satinCoverage: Buildable, lightweight to fullShades: 14Best Blurring: L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Creamy Powder Foundation
L’Oréal Paris
Age Perfect Creamy Powder Foundation
Why We Love It: With a ceramide antioxidant complex that smooths and protects, “This is incredible for mature skin because it has a creamy feel, and it doesn’t sit on top of the skin the way traditional powders can,” Persico says. Its cream foundation feel is excellent to counteract dryness and long-lasting wear. Available in 16 shades, the drugstore gem has a blurring effect that minimizes fine lines, pores, and dark spots—but not at the expense of a natural-looking flush. “It evens out the complexion while still making it look natural and luminous,” he continues. The foundation can be applied with a brush or, for more substantial coverage, a wet sponge.Key Ingredients: Ceramide-antioxidant complexFinish: Satin, shine-freeCoverage: Buildable, light to mediumShades: 16Best Buildable Coverage: Tarte Amazonian Clay Blurring Powder Foundation
Tarte
Amazonian Clay Blurring Powder Foundation
Why We Love It: “For a full-glam kind of person, this powder foundation is definitely the move,” says bridal makeup artist Natalie Dresher. “It’s a bit heavier in application, but it covers up redness and imperfections with one swipe.” That coverage doesn’t budge: Made with Amazonian clay, the formula can stay in place for up to 16 hours. Available in 20 shades, the foundation has a blurring effect on the skin; the brand likens it to a “full-coverage filter infused with skincare.” On that note, it’s made with a hyaluronic acid complex that hydrates and plumps, while its clay sops up excess oil to accommodate the longer wear.Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid complex, Amazonian clayFinish: Natural matteCoverage: BuildableShades: 20Best Drugstore: Maybelline Super Stay Up to 24H Hybrid Powder-Foundation
Maybelline
Super Stay Up to 24HR Hybrid Powder-Foundation
Why We Love It: “This is great for mature skin as it is sweat and humidity resistant—a.k.a., hot-flash resistant—and it wears all day,” says Barnes. Persico is also a fan: “This gives surprising coverage while still being incredibly lightweight,” she says. “It smooths uneven texture and stays put, which is great for long days.” With a silky, breathable finish, the formula comes in 16 shades and is resistant to sweat, water, and transfer—all of which make it excellent for all skin types.Key Ingredients: Silica, dimethicone, tocopherol, zinc stearateFinish: Soft matteCoverage: Medium to fullShades: 16Best Matte Finish: Estée Lauder Double Wear Matte Powder Foundation
Estée Lauder
Double Wear 12-Hour Stay-in-Place Matte Powder
Why We Love It: One of Vogue’s favorite matte foundations overall, Estée Lauder’s velvety powder is a clutch-sized solution for excess oil in the T-zone. Made to control shine for up to 12 hours, the buildable powder has a featherweight feel on the skin. If you’re traveling, take note: Waterproof and resistant to sweat and humidity, this is a shoo-in for your makeup case on a tropical getaway. It offers buildable, medium coverage with a matte finish, and comes in a wide-reaching 38 shades.Key Ingredients: Zinc Stearate, silica, tocopherol, micaFinish: MatteCoverage: Buildable, light to fullShades: 38Best for Everyday: BareMinerals Original Loose Mineral Foundation SPF 15
BareMinerals
Original Loose Powder Foundation SPF 15
Why We Love It: One of Vogue’s all-time favorite powder foundations, this classic has been a standby in makeup kits since the mid-1990s. The SPF-infused formula is a favorite of London-based makeup artist Maria Asadi, who previously shared: “This is a true classic. I love how breathable it feels on the skin while still offering buildable coverage.” Asadi added that the mineral powder has a slightly luminous finish, which keeps the complexion looking alive rather than flat. “It works particularly well for natural, everyday makeup looks,” she noted.Key Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, mica, silica, calcium silicate, lauroyl lysine, iron oxidesFinish: LuminousCoverage: Sheer to fullShades: 30Best Shade Range: MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
MAC Cosmetics
Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
Why We Love It: “This one has been a staple in my kit for years,” Persico says. “It gives beautiful coverage without looking flat, and it’s one of the few powders that doesn’t immediately emphasize texture. It’s great for quick touch-ups too.” The classic formula—recently tweaked to be talc-free—comes in a whopping 67 shades to suit a wide range of skin tones and offers 24-hour oil control. “This updated, talc-free version feels modern and versatile,” pro makeup artist Lucy Burt previously told Vogue. “It’s finely crafted and buildable, working well alone or as a lightweight setting powder.”Key Ingredients: Aluminum starch, hydrogenated vegetable oil, silica, dimethicone, kaolin, micaFinish: Blurred matteCoverage: Medium to fullShades: 67Everything You Need To Know
The Benefits of Powder Foundation for Mature Skin
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“I love using powder foundations. Why? They’re buildable and give a gorgeous, velvety look to skin,” says Freedman. What’s more, “I find powder formula foundations cover pigmentation much better than cream.” To cover dark spots, he applies a wash of foundation evenly over the entire face, then uses a smaller brush to correct any dark spots still peeking through.
What type of powder is best for aging skin?
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“Look for powders that are creamy, finely milled, and hydrating,” says Persico. “Anything too matte or dry will cling to fine lines.” She notes that satin or natural-finish powders tend to sit the best on mature skin, By contrast, powders with visible shimmer can enhance texture.
What to Look for in a Powder Foundation for Mature Skin
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“You want something that feels silky and almost balm-like when you touch it,” says Persico. “Ingredients like hyaluronic acid or emollients help powders glide on smoothly.” She also looks for buildable powders, and tests formulas by applying one light layer to see if it perfects the skin without turning chalky.
How to Keep Powder From Settling Into Fine Lines
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“Application makes all the difference,” Persico notes. Below, she outlines her method for applying powder foundation to mature skin.
Following moisturizer to stave off dry skin, first, make sure you have the right tools. “Use a fluffy brush and tap off any excess powder before touching your face,” Persico says. “Less is more.” Next, press the powder onto the skin instead of sweeping it. “Sweeping can move any product underneath,” she notes.
You don’t necessarily have to tackle the whole face. For mature clients, “I love applying powder just where it’s needed: usually the T-zone, smile lines, and under the eyes,” Persico says. “When you keep the perimeter of the face more dewy, the result looks youthful and fresh.” From there, apply concealer where needed and continue with other makeup products in your routine. To ensure a cake-free finish, use lightweight layers of products and finish with setting spray.
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When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity makeup artists—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to powder foundations for mature skin, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: finish, coverage, ingredients, shade range, texture, packaging, breathability, and the makeup concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
AccordionItemContainerButtonKate Johnson is a hair and makeup artist based in Chicago and the founder of Glossed Finishing Studio and The Bridal Beauty Team.Natalie Dresher is a bridal makeup artist based in New York City.Scott Barnes is a celebrity makeup artist and the creator of Scott Barnes Cosmetics.Alexa Persico is a makeup artist and the founder of Alexa Persico Cosmetics.Brett Freedman is a celebrity makeup artist whose clients include Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jodie Foster, and Lisa Kudrow.