13 Best Primers for Mature Skin, According to Makeup Artists & Tested by Us
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You might deem a primer unnecessary, but even just a light layer of one of the best primers for mature skin can give you a radiant base for your makeup. “Mature skin can be drier, so it has a tendency to drink the foundation, creating a patchier look,” says Jeanine Lobell, a celebrity makeup artist and founder of beauty brand Neen. Adding a hydrating primer with moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and shea butter can help. You also might want to pick one that addresses your skin care concerns, whether it’s redness, large pores, or fine lines (we have plenty of those below). For the latter, just remember that while no product can completely erase wrinkles (if that’s what you’re after), they can help to reduce their appearance by filling in crevices and smoothing out texture.
Ahead, we asked makeup artists what primers they use on folks over 50, and dermatologists to share their professional recommendations and application tips. We also polled Glamour reviewers for their personal tried-and-true favorites to curate our list below.
The best primers for mature skin, at a glance
- Best Overall: Laura Geller Spackle Skin Perfecting Primer Hydrate $14
- Best Drugstore Primer: Neutrogena Prep + Correct Primer, $15
- Best for Fine Lines: Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Face Primer, $55
- Best for Darker Skin Tones: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Mattifying Pro Filt’r Primer, $46
- Best for a Long-Lasting Look: Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer, $20
- Best for Pore-Minimizing: Benefit the PoreFessional Face Primer, $35
Why should you use a primer?
“Primer is like Velcro for your makeup. It helps to blur fine lines and pores, keeps your makeup looking smooth, and adds a longer wear to your complexion products like foundation, concealer, and powder,” says Emmy-nominated makeup artist Gregory Arlt.
Think of your face as a blank canvas—a quality makeup primer helps smooth other layers of products and creates a nice base to work your magic, which can be helpful for all skin types, including mature skin. By combining the right primer with a lightweight foundation, you’ll have a flawless makeup look.
For those dealing with fine lines, loss of elasticity, and hyperpigmentation (a.k.a. dark spots), it’s important to look for products that are specially formulated to smooth, nourish, and brighten skin.
Should those with mature skin use a primer?
Using makeup primer can be a great choice for people with mature skin. “The key is to look for hydrating ingredients, as well as pore- and line-filling silicones,” says makeup expert Laura Pucker. “Silicone-based primers are great for filling in lines and pores; hydrating primers with ingredients like hyaluronic acid can plump up the skin; and primers with optical blurring powders can help diffuse the look of wrinkles.” This results in less creasing and a smoother surface for makeup. Just be aware that silicone can sometimes clog pores, so those with acne-prone skin may want to avoid a silicone-based primer. And don’t skip facial sunscreen—it’s nonnegotiable for protecting skin and mitigating signs of aging.
In addition to helping to fill in fine lines and wrinkles, primers can also help reduce the appearance of pores, redness, dark circles, and pigmentation. “If the person has a specific skin issue—such as lots of texture, deep pores, and expression lines—primers can be the ideal solution,” says makeup artist Natalie Dresher, especially if you prefer a natural look.
Does primer smooth the appearance of wrinkles?
While no product can claim to completely erase the appearance of wrinkles, primers may help to reduce their appearance. Instead of reaching for the concealer or a full-coverage base (which can lead to a cakey look), adding in a primer before your makeup can improve the texture of your skin and therefore achieve a better overall finish. “The trick for me is to apply primer a bit after your moisturizer so it can get to work without the interference of too much moisture,” says Lobell. She suggests using your fingers and then applying foundation pretty quickly after so the primer can grab it to stay put.
