As we age, our skin’s needs change. It may become drier, with wrinkles becoming more apparent. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up on the perfect makeup look! We often think of foundation like CC Cream first when it comes to makeup, but primer is the game changer for mature skin, supporting a smooth foundation and helping makeup last longer. According to dermatologists, here’s a guide to the 15 best primers for mature skin to help you achieve radiant, youthful skin.
OUR TOP PICKS
LAURA GELLER SPACKLE SKIN PERFECTING PRIMER
The Laura Geller Spackle Skin Perfecting Primer is a highly acclaimed product designed specifically for mature skin. It has gained immense popularity among makeup professionals and enthusiasts alike. This versatile product serves a dual purpose by functioning as both a moisturizer and a primer. Its lightweight formula transforms from a cream to a gel consistency upon application. The primer aspect of the product helps prepare the skin for long-lasting makeup, ensuring a smooth and flawless finish. Meanwhile, the moisturizing properties provide a powerful boost of hydration to the skin. The inclusion of nourishing ingredients such as shea butter, jojoba seed oil, squalane, and aloe vera contribute to its moisturizing capabilities.
MILK MAKEUP HYDRO GRIP PRIMER
For those with mature skin seeking a hydrating and long-lasting primer, the Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer is a strong contender. This award-winning formula is a favorite among dermatologists for its unique ability to combine skincare benefits with makeup-gripping technology. Packed with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, it plumps and brightens skin, while the innovative blue agave extract helps makeup stay put for up to 12 hours. Unlike many primers, this one is silicone-free, so it won’t clog pores, and its gel texture feels lightweight and comfortable, never heavy or greasy.
CHARLOTTE TILBURY WONDERGLOW FACE PRIMER
This simple makeup base makes your skin look shiny and moisturized because it has ingredients like collagen-boosting peptide and hyaluronic acid. It also has tiny shiny particles that make wrinkles and lines look less noticeable. Kenna Ehman, who owns a salon in Charlotte, North Carolina, says you can even use it as a light makeup for older skin when you don’t want to wear a lot of makeup.
E.L.F. PORELESS FACE PRIMER
Aiming for a smooth, flawless canvas at an affordable price? Then the e.l.f. Poreless Face Primer is a great option for mature skin. This drugstore favorite is known for its ability to minimize the appearance of pores, leaving a soft, blurred finish. While it might not be as intensely hydrating as some primers, its lightweight formula absorbs quickly and creates a great base for foundation. Infused with tea tree oil and vitamins A and E, it offers some added skincare benefits, like gentle blemish-fighting and antioxidants to help protect against environmental damage. Plus, e.l.f. is a cruelty-free and vegan brand, making it a good choice for those with those preferences.
SMASHBOX PHOTO FINISH PRIMERIZER + HYDRATING PRIMER
Designed specifically for those with dry or dehydrated skin, the Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer + Hydrating Primer is a double-duty product that combines the benefits of a primer and a moisturizer. This dermatologist-approved pick features a unique formula enriched with triple hyaluronic acid. This powerhouse ingredient plumps and hydrates skin for up to an impressive 72 hours, leaving it looking smooth and supple. Beyond hydration, the Smashbox primer also offers a layer of protection against environmental aggressors like pollution and blue light, which can contribute to premature aging. This dual-action primer creates a perfect canvas for makeup application, promoting a flawless and long-lasting finish.
LANEIGE GLOWY MAKEUP SERUM
Laneige Glowy Makeup Serum is another interesting option for those seeking a radiant, dewy complexion. This product is a two-in-one formula, functioning as both a hydrating serum and a glow-boosting primer. It combines skincare benefits with a makeup-prepping base. The key ingredients include ceramides for deep hydration and diamond mineral powder to create a subtle, healthy-looking glow. Laneige’s Light Fit Prep Technology ensures comfortable wear and helps makeup adhere better for extended wear. This all-in-one product is ideal for those who want to simplify their routine and achieve a natural, lit-from-within look.
PETER THOMAS ROTH INSTANT FIRMX NO-FILTER PRIMER
Dr. Diane Madfes, who is a skin doctor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, likes this primer because it makes your skin feel tighter. It’s made to make fine lines, big pores, and other skin problems less noticeable, which is good for older skin. It stays on your skin for a long time and has stuff like seaweed and a thing called BarPull that makes your skin more hydrated and less wrinkly. It also has something called Elastiflex IQ that helps your skin look smoother and stretchier as time goes on.
TATCHA THE LIQUID SILK CANVAS PRIMER
For a luxurious touch, Tatcha The Liquid Silk Canvas Featherweight Protective Primer caters to mature skin seeking a weightless, protective base. This high-end primer boasts a unique formula infused with Hadasei-mai, a proprietary Japanese rice bran extract known for its plumping and nourishing properties. It helps to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, creating a soft, velvety texture for makeup application. The Liquid Silk Canvas goes beyond simple priming. It also includes silk extracts that shield skin from environmental pollutants, a concern for mature skin that can be more susceptible to damage. This featherweight primer absorbs quickly without feeling greasy, making it comfortable for all-day wear.
L’ORÉAL PARIS AGE PERFECT BLURRING FACE PRIMER
Designed specifically for mature skin, L’Oreal Paris Age Perfect Blurring Face Primer is a drugstore-friendly option that tackles common concerns. This primer is infused with a caring serum, aiming to address the needs of maturing skin while creating a flawless makeup base. The rosy-hued formula offers two key benefits: blurring and brightening. It helps to soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while the universal rosy tint adds a subtle flush of healthy-looking color to the complexion. L’Oreal Paris Age Perfect Blurring Face Primer boasts a comfortable, weightless feel. It’s formulated to be non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores, making it suitable for various skin types.
FENTY BEAUTY PRO FILT’R HYDRATING PRIMER
Crafted for normal to dry skin, Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Primer is a fantastic choice for mature complexions seeking a boost of hydration. This lightweight formula from Rihanna’s brand goes beyond just creating a smooth base for makeup. Packed with nourishing ingredients, it instantly hydrates the skin, keeping it comfortable throughout the day. The silky-smooth texture of Fenty Beauty’s primer melts into skin without feeling greasy or heavy. This is a major plus for mature skin, which can be prone to dryness and flakiness. But the benefits don’t stop there. The Pro Filt’r Hydrating Primer also helps extend foundation wear, ensuring your makeup stays put for a flawless look that lasts.
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP PORE FILLER PRIMER
A cult favorite among budget-minded makeup enthusiasts, NYX Professional Makeup Pore Filler Primer is a great choice for those with mature skin looking to minimize the appearance of pores at an affordable price. This drugstore primer boasts a lightweight, translucent finish that won’t add unwanted heaviness or cakeyness on mature skin. The key to its pore-blurring magic lies in its mattifying formula that helps control shine and smooth the appearance of enlarged pores. This creates a more even canvas for foundation application, promoting a flawless and long-lasting finish. While it might not be as intensely hydrating as some primers, its comfortable, lightweight texture makes it a great option for everyday wear.
GLOW RECIPE WATERMELON GLOW NIACINAMIDE DEW DROPS SERUM
While the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops isn’t technically a primer, it can be used as a makeup-prepping step for those with mature skin seeking a radiant boost. This lightweight, multi-tasking serum is packed with ingredients that benefit mature complexions. Niacinamide, a key component, helps minimize the appearance of pores and even skin tone, while watermelon extract provides a surge of hydration. Hyaluronic acid, another hero ingredient, plumps and smooths the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines. This dewy formula can be used before moisturizer to create a plump, hydrated base for makeup or even as a final step for a touch of extra glow. However, keep in mind that due to its focus on hydration and radiance, it might not offer the same pore-minimizing or oil-controlling benefits as a traditional primer.
THRIVE CAUSEMETICS FILTERED EFFECTS™ BLURRING PRIMER
Thrive Causemetics Filtered Effects™ Blurring Primer is another strong contender for mature skin seeking a multi-benefit primer. This formula goes beyond just creating a smooth canvas for makeup. Thrive Causemetics boasts a unique gel-to-powder formula that provides a surge of hydration upon application, thanks to its inclusion of breakthrough skincare ingredients and antioxidants. This is a major plus for mature skin, which can often be drier and more prone to fine lines. The Filtered Effects™ Blurring Primer also tackles the common concern of enlarged pores. It utilizes a powerful blurring effect to minimize their appearance, leaving a soft, velvety finish. This primer also boasts mattifying properties, helping control shine throughout the day without feeling heavy or greasy on the skin.
STRIVECTIN LINE BLURFECTOR INSTANT WRINKLE BLURRING PRIMER
Specifically formulated for mature skin with concerns about wrinkles, StriVectin Line BlurFector Instant Wrinkle Blurring Primer is a problem-solver. This primer boasts a two-pronged approach to tackling wrinkles. First, it utilizes light-diffusing, optical microspheres that blur the appearance of wrinkles instantly. These tiny spheres work like magic to scatter light, minimizing the shadows that settle into creases and highlight fine lines. Secondly, the Line BlurFector goes beyond temporary solutions. It’s infused with skincare benefits to help improve the look and texture of your skin over time. The breathable formula is packed with ingredients that work to keep your skin hydrated and supple, which can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles in the long run.
BENEFIT THE POREFESSIONAL FACE PRIMER
A long-time favorite for a reason, Benefit’s The POREfessional Face Primer is a great all-rounder for mature skin. This primer tackles two common concerns: enlarged pores and fine lines. Its lightweight, silky formula smooths skin texture, minimizing the appearance of pores for a flawless canvas. While it doesn’t boast the most intense hydration, it still manages to create a comfortable base for makeup application that won’t feel heavy or greasy. Benefit’s primer also contains vitamin E, offering a touch of antioxidant protection against environmental aggressors that can damage mature skin. The POREfessional is known for its ability to extend makeup wear, ensuring your foundation stays put for a long-lasting, flawless finish.
WHY SHOULD YOU USE A PRIMER?
While makeup can enhance our natural beauty, having a flawless canvas to work with can make all the difference. This is where primers come in. Primers are like the unsung heroes of the makeup world, creating a smooth base for your makeup and offering a multitude of benefits that can elevate your entire look.
Here’s why you should consider adding a primer to your makeup routine:
FLAWLESS FINISH
Just like prepping a wall before painting, primer creates a smooth, even surface for your makeup application. It fills in fine lines and minimizes the appearance of pores, resulting in a more airbrushed, flawless finish. Your foundation will glide on effortlessly and blend seamlessly, creating a professional-looking result.
EXTENDED WEAR
Primer acts like a double-sided tape for your makeup, helping it adhere better to your skin. This translates to longer-lasting makeup that’s less prone to smudging, fading, or settling into creases throughout the day. No more touch-ups every hour – your makeup will stay put with a primer as your base.
ENHANCED BENEFITS
Many primers go beyond just creating a smooth canvas. They can be formulated to address specific skin concerns. For example, hydrating primers are packed with ingredients like hyaluronic acid to plump and moisturize dry skin, while mattifying primers help control shine and keep oily skin at bay. Some primers even offer color correction or a subtle glow, depending on your preference.
PROTECTIVE BARRIER
Primer can act as a protective barrier between your skin and your makeup. This is especially beneficial if you have sensitive skin or use makeup frequently. The primer creates a layer that can help minimize irritation caused by certain makeup ingredients.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST PRIMERS FOR MATURE SKIN
When choosing a primer for mature skin, there are a few key factors to consider:
- Hydration: Mature skin tends to be drier, so opt for primers packed with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or glycerin to plump and hydrate the skin.
- Texture: Look for lightweight, silky formulas that won’t feel heavy or cakey on mature skin.
- Benefits: Consider your specific concerns. If fine lines are your main worry, choose a primer with blurring properties. For enlarged pores, opt for a mattifying primer. If you want a radiant glow, choose a hydrating primer with a dewy finish.
- Base type: Consider if your foundation is water-based or silicone-based. Generally, water-based primers work better with water-based foundations, and vice versa.
Here’s a quick recap to help you choose:
- Dry Skin: Look for hydrating primers with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or glycerin (Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Primer, Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer + Hydrating Primer)
- Enlarged Pores: Choose mattifying primers that minimize pores (NYX Professional Makeup Pore Filler Primer, Benefit The POREfessional Face Primer)
- Fine Lines & Wrinkles: Opt for primers with blurring technology or light-diffusing properties (Thrive Causemetics Filtered Effects™ Blurring Primer, StriVectin Line BlurFector Instant Wrinkle Blurring Primer)
- Radiant Glow: Choose a hydrating primer with a dewy finish (Laneige Glowy Makeup Serum, Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops Serum [not technically a primer])
CONCLUSION
This guide has explored 15 of the best primers for mature skin, formulated by dermatologists to address common concerns like dryness, fine lines, and enlarged pores. Whether you prioritize hydration, a blurring effect, or a touch of radiance, there’s a perfect primer out there to create a smooth, flawless canvas for your makeup and help you achieve a youthful, radiant look. So, don’t underestimate the power of a primer – it can be the key to taking your makeup routine to the next level. Remember, consider your specific needs and preferences when choosing a primer, and don’t be afraid to experiment to find your holy grail product!