Primer for Mature Skin: Your Foundation’s Best Friend
“Think of primer for mature skin as an insurance policy for your foundation,” says Emmy-nominated makeup artist Ngozi Olandu-Young. “It helps everything you apply look better and last longer.” While primers are famous for keeping makeup in place—creating a smooth, long-lasting base—the best ones for mature skin also offer anti-aging benefits.
### Vogue’s Top Primers for Mature Skin
Best Blurring:
StriVectin Line BlurFector Instant Wrinkle Blurring Primer ($39 at Amazon)
Best Anti-Aging:
Victoria Beckham Beauty Cell Rejuvenating Priming Moisturizer ($150 at Violet Grey)
Best for Radiant Finish:
Saie Glowy Super Gel ($28 at Saie)
Celebrity makeup artist Jillian Dempsey explains that the right primer prevents foundation and concealer from settling into fine lines, wrinkles, or pores, giving makeup a fresher, more youthful look. A great primer also controls shine and nourishes skin with beneficial ingredients.
No wonder professional makeup artists always keep primers on hand, especially for clients over 50. But which ones truly stand out? Below, makeup artists and Vogue editors share their top picks for achieving a smooth, blurred finish that turns back the clock.
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### Best for Sallowness: RMS Beauty ReEvolve Radiance Locking Primer
Price: $45 (Amazon, BlueMercury, Nordstrom)
Why We Love It:
Vogue’s beauty team once recreated Michelle Pfeiffer’s flawless 60+ makeup look using RMS Beauty’s melting formulas. This primer provides the perfect base for a soft, radiant finish, counteracting dullness with its peachy-pink tint. Infused with Tightenyl (a patented firming ingredient), vegetable squalane, and hyaluronic acid, it hydrates while keeping skin lifted.
RMS founder Rose-Marie Swift notes that primers do more than hold makeup—they also lock in skincare. “Primers help your skincare stay put under makeup, making aging skin look fresher,” she says.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Tightenyl, vegetable squalane
Finish: Sheer, natural glow
Size: 1.01 fl oz
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### Best for Fine Lines: L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Face Blurring Primer
Price: $11 (originally $14, 21% off at Amazon)
Why We Love It:
This creamy, serum-infused primer instantly blurs fine lines for a smoother, younger-looking complexion—and it’s budget-friendly. “It’s affordable, effective, and packed with skincare ingredients that improve over time,” says Emmy-winning makeup artist Nyssa Green.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E (antioxidant), bisabolol (soothing), glycerin (hydration)
Finish: Soft-focus, natural
Size: 1.0 fl oz
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### Best Oil-Free: Lancôme La Base Pro Makeup Primer
Price: $45 (Nordstrom, Amazon)
Why We Love It:
Celebrity makeup artist Sheika Daley recommends this lightweight, oil-free primer for its ability to blur imperfections without feeling heavy. “Its silicone-based texture smooths skin beautifully,” she says.
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### FAQs
– Matte or dewy primer for mature skin? Dewy finishes add radiance, while matte can emphasize dryness.
– Difference between regular and mature-skin primers? Mature-skin primers often include hydrating and firming ingredients.
– Does primer smooth wrinkles? Yes, by filling in fine lines and preventing makeup from settling.
Primer isn’t just a makeup essential—it’s a skincare ally for mature skin.Here’s a natural and fluent rewrite of your text:
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Smooths fine lines and wrinkles, creating a soft-focus effect on the skin. It also acts as a strong base for makeup, helping foundation stay in place longer without settling into creases. The formula features the brand’s Elasto-Smooth Technology, which blurs imperfections and leaves skin looking smooth and satiny. Daley notes that the primer enhances radiance while keeping skin fresh—key for a youthful glow.
Key Ingredients: Elasto-Smooth Technology, cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone crosspolymer
Finish: Radiant, silky-soft, airbrushed
Size: 0.8 oz
### Best Plumping: Estée Lauder Futurist Peptide-Power Serum Primer
Price: $56 (Dermstore, Nordstrom, BlueMercury)
Why We Love It: This lightweight serum-gel primer hydrates and plumps skin while protecting against antioxidants and blue light. Perisco says, “It’s perfect for skin needing both support and smoothness. It feels like skincare but grips like a primer, and its peptides boost elasticity—great for mature skin.” It layers well without disrupting foundation.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides
Finish: Luminous
Size: 1.0 fl oz
### Best Anti-Aging: Victoria Beckham by Augustinus Bader Cell Rejuvenating Priming Moisturizer
Price: $150 (Violet Grey)
Why We Love It: Powered by Augustinus Bader’s TFC8 technology, this primer blurs wrinkles, moisturizes, and firms skin. Perisco calls it “more than a primer—it’s a hybrid treatment that preps skin beautifully. It plumps and firms without irritation, perfect for textured or dry skin.”
Key Ingredients: Microalgae extract, black tea ferment, papaya enzymes, avocado oil, peptides
Finish: Radiant, blurred
Size: 1.7 fl oz
### Best Moisturizing: Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base
Price: $69 (BlueMercury, Nordstrom)
Why We Love It: This cream melts into skin, creating a smooth, dewy base for makeup. Packed with vitamins B, C, and E, it gives skin a healthy glow. Periso says, “It’s a longtime staple—hydrates, nourishes, and preps in one step. Ideal for skin needing extra bounce, it holds makeup without feeling too slick or matte.”
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, shea butter, squalane
Finish: Natural luminosity
Size: 1.7 fl oz
### Best Long-Wearing: Milk Hydro Grip Primer
Price: $38 (Amazon, Sephora)
Why We Love It: Loved by all ages, this hydrating primer features hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to brighten and smooth skin. Blue agave extract delivers antioxidants, while cannabis seed extract moisturizes—great for mature skin. Known to keep makeup flawless for 12 hours, it’s a red-carpet favorite (even Emma Chamberlain swears by it).
Key Ingredients: Blue agave extract, hyaluronic acid, aloe water, hemp-derived cannabis seed extract
Finish: Dewy
Size: 1.52 fl oz
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This version keeps the original meaning while making the text more natural and engaging. Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!Saie Glowy Super Gel
$28 at SAIE | $28 at SEPHORA
Why We Love It:
This lightweight gel gives your skin a radiant, sunlit glow that works beautifully under makeup. “I absolutely love this formula,” says makeup artist Alexis Perisco. “It’s like a moisturizer and glow serum in one. I use it before makeup for fresh, hydrated, and luminous skin.” The result? A natural, healthy glow that shines through minimal makeup or light foundation. Choose between two shades—Starglow (champagne) or Sunglow (golden-bronze)—to customize your radiance.
Key Ingredients:
Plant-derived glycerin, olive-derived squalane, rosehip seed oil, mica
Finish:
Subtle glow (no glitter)
Size:
1.0 fl oz
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Tatcha The Liquid Silk Canvas
$54 at TATCHA | $54 at SEPHORA
Why We Love It:
Infused with silk extracts, this lightweight primer shields skin from pollution while enhancing makeup’s vibrancy. “It gives a silky, poreless finish while nourishing the skin,” says Olanu-Young. “I use it on mature clients for a flawless, smooth look—it’s a red-carpet must-have.” Green adds, “It’s lightweight yet effective for all skin types and feels amazing—perfect for bridal makeup.”
Key Ingredients:
Silk extracts, anti-pollution actives, Hadasei-3 (green tea, rice, algae)
Finish:
Smooth and natural
Size:
1.0 fl oz
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StriVectin Line BlurFector Instant Wrinkle Blurring Primer
$39 at AMAZON, NORDSTROM, ULTA BEAUTY
Why We Love It:
This primer uses light-scattering microspheres to blur pores and wrinkles, giving mature skin a velvety finish. It also contains NIA-114 to strengthen the skin barrier. Though it has a peachy tint, it blends seamlessly into all skin tones without settling into lines. Dermatologist-approved for aging skin, it’s ideal for smoothing deep wrinkles.
Key Ingredients:
Optical microspheres, Cyclopentasiloxane, polymethyl methacrylate
Finish:
Matte
Size:
1 fl oz
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Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Primer
$75 at NORDSTROM, BLUEMERCURY | $58 at AMAZON
Why We Love It:
Blurring microspherical powders in this primer minimize pores and control oil. The translucent gel formula keeps makeup fresh all day. “This primer is incredible,” says makeup artist El DeBratto. “It blurs imperfections, fills fine lines, and absorbs excess oil—perfect for oily skin or men’s grooming.”
Key Ingredients:
Microspherical powders
Finish:
Translucent, airbrushed effect
Size:
1 fl oz
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Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Moisture Repair Balm Serum
$36 at AMAZON
Why We Love It:
This balm-serum hybrid deeply hydrates while soothing irritation and dryness. With 98% natural ingredients, including Asiatic pennywort, it calms tightness and flaky patches for a radiant, healthy glow.
Key Ingredients:
Asiatic pennywort, nourishing botanicals
Finish:
Luminous, hydrated
Size:
1.7 ozHere’s a more natural and fluent rewrite of your text:
“One of my favorite primers,” says Olandu-Young. “It plumps, hydrates, and gives skin a healthy bounce before I even apply foundation.” She calls it the perfect skincare-primer hybrid for mature skin.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, blue tansy flower extract, centella asiatica
Finish: Smooth and natural
Size: 1.41 oz
### Best for Dry Skin: Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer+ Hydrating Primer
Price: $42 at Nordstrom
Why We Love It: “Primer is a game-changer for mature skin,” says celebrity makeup artist Stevi Christine. “It smooths texture, softens fine lines, and helps foundation stay put all day without settling or sliding.” She loves this formula for its long-lasting wear, calling it “especially great for photoshoots or red carpets.” With a silky texture that locks in moisture, it’s packed with hydrating ingredients to plump dry or sagging skin.
Key Ingredients: Triple hyaluronic acid, niacinamide
Finish: Dewy and fresh
Size: 1 fl oz
### Best for a Subtle Glow: No. 1 De Chanel Skin Enhancer
Price: $65 at Chanel
Why We Love It: This illuminating primer gives skin an instant radiance boost, and with continued use, it evens out skin tone over time. Infused with hyaluronic acid, it works as a tinted gel-cream alone or under foundation. “It adds radiance in a refined way—lightweight, blends seamlessly, and gives a soft glow without greasiness,” says Perisco. She loves wearing it under sheer foundations or mixing it with complexion products for a flattering, subtle luminosity.
Key Ingredients: Red camellia extract, red camellia oil, hyaluronic acid
Finish: Sheer with a pearlescent sheen
Size: 1 fl oz
### Best Pore Minimizing: Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Face Primer
Price: $58 at Nordstrom
Why We Love It: This translucent formula works for all skin tones, instantly blurring pores and fine lines. “It’s an oldie but goodie that’s been in my kit for years,” says Green. “I use it under makeup and for touch-ups throughout the day.” A Vogue favorite for an airbrushed finish, beauty writer Conçetta Ciarlo has relied on it for over a decade. “Even 15 years later, it still has that velvety, creamy texture that smooths pores and fine lines flawlessly.”
Key Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone, dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer
Finish: Matte
Size: 1.5 fl oz
### Best Softening: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer
Price: $46 at Nordstrom or Sephora
Why We Love It: Packed with moisturizing ingredients, this primer leaves skin softer and more supple. Whether worn alone or under makeup, it boosts luminosity effortlessly. “It pairs beautifully with sheer or medium-coverage foundations,” says Perisco. “It smooths skin without heaviness and helps makeup stay in place.” For mature skin, it delivers elegant hydration—never tacky or oily, just a luminous finish.
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, rice bran, glycerin
Finish: Luminous
Size: 1 fl oz
### Everything You Need to Know
What’s the difference between regular primers and those for mature skin?
(Note: The last line was cut off in the original, so I left it as is.)
This version keeps the original meaning while making the text more fluid and natural. Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!Why Regular Primers Don’t Work for Mature Skin
“Regular primers tend to be sticky and don’t blend well into the skin because they’re designed to hold heavy makeup, which younger people often wear,” explains makeup artist and RMS Beauty founder Rose-Marie Swift. “Mature skin needs a formula specifically made for its needs—something lightweight yet deeply hydrating.”
Should Mature Skin Use Primer?
According to makeup artist Daley, “Primers can be beneficial for mature skin, especially for addressing fine lines, wrinkles, or texture issues. They create a smooth base for makeup, improving its application and longevity. Hydrating and blurring primers are ideal, as they add moisture while minimizing the look of lines and pores.”
What to Look for in a Primer for Mature Skin
Dr. Jeannette Graf, a board-certified dermatologist, says, “Primers for mature skin should be hydrating and slightly thicker to smooth wrinkles and fine lines while prepping the skin for makeup.” She recommends ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and peptides.
Swift’s favorite is the RMS ReEolve Radiance Locking Primer, which contains natural peptides to soften dry skin and a peachy tint to counteract dullness. Dr. Graf prefers the One Size Secure the Blur Makeup Magnet Primer, infused with hyaluronic acid to minimize pores and fine lines.
Matte or Dewy Primer for Mature Skin?
Dewy primers are usually the better choice. “As skin ages, it loses moisture and radiance, so hydrating primers with a soft glow work best,” says makeup artist Alexa Perisco. “Matte formulas can emphasize dryness and lines, while dewy primers plump and smooth for a youthful look.”
How to Apply Primer
Swift recommends applying primer after skincare and before makeup. “It’s that simple. I also use it alone to lock in skincare when I’m not wearing makeup.”
Dr. Graf suggests using a dime-sized amount, pressing it gently into areas with wrinkles. “Apply it after sunscreen but right before makeup to create a smooth base.”
Does Primer Really Smooth Wrinkles?
“Yes,” says Daley. “Certain primers fill in fine lines and even out texture. Silicone-based ones are especially good at blurring imperfections. For best results, press—don’t rub—the primer into deeper wrinkles for a smoother, more youthful finish.”
Meet the Experts
– Alexa Perisco: Celebrity makeup artist and founder of Alexa Perisco Cosmetics.
– Ngozi Olandu-Young: Emmy-nominated, NAACP Image Award-winning makeup artist.Jillian Dempsey is a celebrity makeup artist and the creator of her own brand, Jillian Dempsey.
Nyssa Green is an Emmy-winning makeup artist and the founder of The Green Room Beauty Agency.
Stevi Christine is a celebrity brow and makeup artist.
Rose-Marie Swift founded RMS Beauty.
Sheika Daley is a celebrity makeup artist who works with stars like Serena Williams, Anok Yai, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph.
Dr. Jeannette Graf is a board-certified dermatologist and an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.