
Foundation for mature skin:
a step-by-step guide
Foundation for mature skin: a step-by-step guide
Looking to illuminate the skin while having a soft and sophisticated makeup look? Lancôme Pro Artist Charlotte Wood shows us how to achieve the perfect complexion for mature skin. Discover our tips to help you choose the right match for your skin type and tone.
How to choose the best foundations for mature skin
Skin changes over time, growing thinner and more prone to wrinkles, fine lines, and discolouration. And as your skin changes, so should your makeup kit. The best foundation for over 50s addresses these concerns with targeted solutions, from light-reflecting pigments to blurring formulas and extra hydration. Check out our guide to the best foundations for mature skin before following the steps below.

Step 1: Prepare and hydrate the skin
Before applying any makeup, hydrate your skin with Advanced Génifique Serum to give it luminosity and radiance. It’s designed for rapid absorption, instantly making skin feel smoother and firmer. Whichever you choose, make sure to use a healthy amount of serum on any deeper lines or wrinkles for an extra boost of hydration.
Step 2: Add additional moisture to the skin
For even more hydration, follow your serum with a good moisturising primer. Our gel-based Prep & Hydrate Illuminating Primer contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid to really hydrate the skin. This ensures a smoother foundation application, for a dewy glow.


Step 3: Choose a foundation specifically designed for mature skin
Look for a liquid foundation that provides seamless all-over coverage, without any cakey or powdery finishes. The ultimate in age defying makeup, our Teint Idole Ultra Wear Nude Foundation is perfect for more mature skin as it won’t sit in any fine lines or wrinkles. It’s smudge-free and comes in 45 shades so you’re sure to find the perfect match.
Step 4: Apply a high coverage concealer
In need of a little extra coverage? Add a touch of high coverage concealer around the eyes to neutralise any discolouration and smooth over blemishes. Teint Idole Ultra Wear All Over Concealer offers up to 24 hours of hydrating coverage – just use sparingly so it doesn’t sit in any lines.
Step 5: Set the complexion with translucent powder
Now it’s time to fix everything in place with a light translucent powder. Set your complexion with Long Time No Shine, a mattifying formula that blurs blemishes and safeguards your foundation against whatever the day throws at it.
Step 6: Add a touch of blusher for a pop of colour
Dial up your radiance with a touch of colour to the cheeks. Blush Subtil is a luxuriously silky blend that fuses on the skin for a fresh, natural glow. Choose from a palette of vibrant colours to flatter mature skin. Try sweeping the blusher slightly higher on the cheek for a more lifted appearance.


Step 7: Define the eyes
Make your eyes pop with a bit of definition. Define and contour using the Crayon Khôl Eyeliner, whether you prefer a crisp cat-eye or sultry smokey eye. Choose from creamy, blend-able shades in soft neutrals and classic black, and finish off with a swipe of Hypnôse Mascara to pump up the volume.
Step 8: Complete the look with Le Lip Liner
Complete your look with Le Lip Liner and a touch of L’Absolu Gloss Cream to add some luminosity. Choose from a dewy or mirror shine finish in a selection of gorgeous, flattering colours.
Step 9: Set with setting spray
Now for the final step – a quick spritz of Fix It Forget It Setting Spray. It keeps your makeup looking dewy and fresh, minimising touch-ups throughout the day.
Foundation for older skin: the bottom line
The best foundations for mature skin are packed with colour-matched, hydrating ingredients to fill in fine lines and blur blemishes. From creamy sticks to sheer tints, find skin perfecting formulas that make you look and feel your best, at any age. Explore Lancôme's best foundation for older skin here.