Our editorial team selected the foundations for mature skin in this list based on extensive research, real customer reviews and personal experience. For each category, we carefully selected parameters based on our research and identified the products with the highest review score within those parameters.
Read more detail on our methodology below.
Best overall foundation for mature skin
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Not yet rated
Pros
- Offers an even, flawless finish that lasts all day
- Doesn’t settle into fine lines and pores
Cons
- There are more affordable options in the market
- Not buildable according to some
Why we chose it
The Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation was one of the highest rated overall foundations for mature skin according to almost 28,000 Google reviews with a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. It also scores 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 300 reviews on the Myer website. Many reviewers liked that it was perfect for mature skin, not being too heavy while still providing enough coverage for radiant and flawless skin.
The Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation range consists of 40 shades and is suitable for all skin types. The formulation is lightweight, easy to apply and has a smooth and fluid consistency. It is also designed to correct imperfections in the skin and offers buildable coverage. It is non-comedogenic, non-greasy and has no fragrance. It is dermatologically, ophthalmologically and allergy tested.
Best full-coverage foundation for mature skin
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Not yet rated
Pros
- Formulation is long wearing and lasts all day
- Easily colour matched
Cons
- Doesn't have a pump applicator
- Takes a lot of product to cover the whole face, according to some reviews
Why we chose it
The Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Makeup was one of the highest rated full-coverage foundations for mature skin according to over 50,000 Google reviews with a 4.6 out of 5 stars rating. It also has a 4.9 out of 5 stars rating from almost 300 reviews on the Estée Lauder website as well as the same rating from another 800 reviews on the Myer website. Many liked that it was easy to blend into the skin, had a great range of shades and lasted all day without needing to retouch.
The Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Makeup has an oil-free liquid formulation that offers buildable coverage with a matte finish. It comes in a wide range of colours and stays on the skin for 24 hours. The product doesn't crease on the skin and stays on through sweat and humidity. It also doesn't cake with application or settle into fine lines and pores. The product is oil-free and fragrance-free.
Best buildable foundation for mature skin
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Not yet rated
Pros
- Buildable and pore minimising
- Contains SPF and collagen
Cons
- Not suitable for oily or acne prone skin
- Water based and does not apply well over silicone-based primers
Why we chose it
The IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ was one of the highest rated buildable foundations for mature skin according to over 50,000 Google reviews with a 4.2 out of 5 stars rating. It also scores 4.5 out of 5 stars from almost 1,000 reviews on the Sephora Australia website. Many liked that it offered good coverage, was pore minimising and buildable.
The IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50 is a three-in-one product that provides a full coverage foundation, the skincare benefits of a serum as well as a pore-minimising primer. It also contains SPF 50 acting as a broad-spectrum physical sunscreen. It is suitable for normal to dry skin types as well as those prone to redness. The product covers dark spots and minimises pores while leaving the skin feeling smooth and appearing bright. It is PETA-certified and cruelty-free.
Best drugstore foundation for mature skin
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Not yet rated
Pros
- Provides matte coverage for oily skin and minimises the appearance of pores
- Good price point for quality of product
Cons
- Not suited to dry skin
- Doesn't come with a pump
Why we chose it
The Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation was one of the highest rated drugstore foundations for mature skin according to over 80,000 Google reviews with a 4.3 out of 5 stars rating. It has the same rating from a further 2,000 reviews on the Chemist Warehouse website and over 200 reviews on the Adore Beauty website. Many found the product to be good quality for the price point and liked that it suited oily skin types while minimising the appearance of pores.
The Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation is designed for oily skin and helps to control shine and minimise the appearance of pores. It comes in over 40 shades, is oil-free and leaves the skin with a matte finish. The product feels light on the skin, offers medium coverage and won't cake with application. It also comes in another version suitable for dry skin.
Best foundation for fine lines
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Not yet rated
Pros
- Doesn't settle into fine lines or wrinkles
- Gives the skin a glow without the formulation feeling oily
Cons
- Some found the formulation too watery
- Formulation isn't as good for covering redness
Why we chose it
The Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat All In One Glow Foundation is one of the highest rated foundations for fine lines according to over 1,100 Google reviews with a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating. Out of 270 reviews, it's rated at 4.7 out of 5 stars on the YSL Beauty Australia website. Many liked that the product doesn't feel oily yet still gives you a glow and doesn't settle into fine lines or wrinkles.
The Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat All In One Glow Foundation is suitable for normal to dry skin types and offers medium coverage with a natural and dewy finish. The formulation is long-wearing and hides imperfections without settling into fine lines or wrinkles. It has the added benefits of skincare containing hyaluronic acid and vitamin E which add moisture to the skin. It is oil-free, comes in a squeeze tube with a pump and travels easily.
Best foundation for dry skin
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Not yet rated
Pros
- Doesn't cling to dry patches of skin
- Blends well into the skin and doesn't require a lot of product for coverage
Cons
- Doesn't come with a pump
- Doesn't last as long as some other formulations, according to some reviews
Why we chose it
The MAC Cosmetics - Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 was one of the highest rated foundations for dry skin according to almost 38,000 Google reviews with a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating. It is also a finalist in the MECCA 2020 Beauty Election and has a further 500 reviews scoring 4.5 out of 5 stars on the website. Many liked that it has a matte finish but didn't cling to dry patches of skin.
The MAC Cosmetics - Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 is a long-wearing foundation with a medium coverage that is buildable and offers a matte finish while controlling shine. It minimises the appearance of pores and gives the skin a smooth and natural appearance. The formulation is sweat and humidity-resistant, providing 24-hour coverage and also contains SPF 15 for slight sun protection. It is oil-free, non-allergenic and dermatologically tested.
Best foundation for oily skin
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Not yet rated
Pros
- Oil-free formulations suitable for oily skin types but still provides a glow
- Only a small amount is needed for adequate coverage and the product is buildable
Cons
- Pump needs to be purchased separately
- Some reviewers found the bottle to leak
Why we chose it
The NARS Sheer Glow Foundation is a buildable foundation that comes in a large variety of shades and leaves a subtle glow on the skin. It has the added benefits of skincare containing glycerin, vitamin C and turmeric extract. The formulation is lightweight and leaves the complexion looking natural. It is made without parabens, fragrance, oil, phthalates, gluten or alcohol.