The 7 Best Primers For Mature Skin, According To Makeup Artists
The best primers for mature skin help makeup apply smoothly while providing skincare-like benefits. ILLUSTRATION: FORBES/IMAGES: RETAILERS
To narrow down the list of winners, we considered different skin types, ingredients, formulas and finishes. In particular, we prioritized versions with hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin and niacinamide. 'As we age, we lose moisture in the skin,' says professional makeup artist Alexa Rae. 'The most important thing for mature skin is for it to feel supple and hydrated before applying makeup to keep products from drying out, caking up and settling into fine lines and wrinkles.' Below, you'll find all the best primers for mature skin, ranging from a drugstore bestseller to a lightweight formula with SPF. Our Top Recommendations
Best Value Primer For Mature Skin: Maybelline Grippy Serum Primer
Best Luxury Primer For Mature Skin: Tatcha The Liquid Silk Canvas
Best Primer With SPF For Mature Skin: Ciele Prime & Protect SPF 30
Best Longwear Primer For Mature Skin: Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer
Armani Beauty Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer
Key ingredients: Shea butter, rice bran, glycerin | Size: 1 ounce | Price per fluid ounce: $46
This top pick not only preps the skin for flawless makeup application, but the formula offers skincare benefits as well. Shea butter and glycerin hydrate the complexion, while rice bran helps condition and soften the skin. It has a radiant finish, and customers appreciate the lightweight consistency that doesn't feel greasy or sticky.
Ulta Beauty Maybelline Grippy Serum Primer
Key ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide | Size: 1 ounce | Price per fluid ounce: $13
If you don't want to spend a fortune on a primer, we recommend the Maybelline Grippy Serum Primer, which costs less than $15 and does an excellent job of keeping makeup in place and plumping up the skin before application. This pick also comes highly recommended by celebrity makeup artist Cat Mignano: 'This is a budget-friendly option that delivers hydration and impressive makeup grip with a luxurious feel.' Pro tip: After applying this serum primer, press it into skin with clean fingertips and wait at least 20 seconds before layering other products on top.
Sephora Tatcha The Liquid Silk Canvas
Key ingredients: Silk powder, silk extracts, glycerin | Sizes: 1 ounce, 0.35 ounces | Price per fluid ounce: $55
Formulated with silk powder and silk extracts, this lightweight primer melts into skin and creates an invisible barrier between your skin and makeup, which can help prevent breakouts and clogged pores. 'Lightweight yet effective, this primer blurs imperfections while nourishing with anti-aging botanicals,' says Mignano.
Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, vitamin E, green tea leaf oil | Size: 1.6 ounces | Price per fluid ounce: $23.75
The Ciele Prime & Protect SPF 30+ Smoothing Primer includes hydrating vitamin E and green tea leaf oil, plus the added benefits of a mineral sunscreen to protect against the sun's harmful rays. (We still recommend using a separate sunscreen for proper coverage.) Reviewers mention that this evens out their skin tone nicely, and it doesn't contain any pore-clogging ingredients, so it works well for those with sensitive, acne-prone skin.
Ulta Beauty Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer
Key ingredients: Blue agave, hyaluronic acid, aloe water, hemp seed extract | Sizes: 0.33 ounces, 1 ounce, 1.5 ounces | Price per fluid ounce: $29
If you don't want to worry about your makeup's longevity (even on hot and humid summer days), this grippy primer is an excellent choice. The gel-like texture feels refreshing and cooling on the skin, and it keeps everything locked in place for up to 12 hours. It's also packed with hydrating ingredients like aloe water and hyaluronic acid to hydrate, soothe and provide a natural-looking glow.
Nordstrom Nars Light Reflecting Hydrating Primer
Key ingredients: Double hyaluronic acid (two sizes of molecules), glycerin, squalane, cacao peptides, moringa seed | Size: 1 ounce | Price per fluid ounce: $42
For those that could use an extra boost of hydration, this primer contains 93% skincare ingredients to hydrate, nourish, brighten and more. Hero ingredients include double hyaluronic acid (the two different molecule sizes provide both immediate and long-term hydration), cacao peptides, which are rich in antioxidants, and soothing moringa seed. The luminous finish looks beautiful under makeup, and it can be worn alone for a subtle glow.
Sephora Benefit Porefessional Face Primer
Key ingredients: Vitamin E derivative | Sizes: 0.25 ounces, 0.75 ounces, 1.5 ounces | Price per fluid ounce: $48
If you want to minimize the appearance of pores and other imperfections, this lightweight balm melts into skin and blurs imperfections while mattifying shine. 'If someone's skin isn't too dry, and they have large pores, they may benefit from a primer like this one,' says Rae. 'I like to use a tiny dot only in the places where pores are visible. This formula almost fills in the pores, so when foundation is placed on top, it has a smoother appearance.'
At Forbes Vetted, we've researched, written and published dozens of makeup stories . Our coverage includes roundups of the best dewy foundations , best foundations for combination skin and more.
To narrow down our options for the best primers for mature skin, our beauty team tapped into our market knowledge and extensive testing experience, highlighting products and brands that offer hydrating, effective formulas. We closely assessed the formulations and ingredients to evaluate those that work well with mature skin specifically.
We analyzed the key ingredients in our top picks to ensure they cater to various skin concerns.
The experts we spoke with made recommendations based on their professional experience, while customer reviews were examined for standout product traits. As everyone's budget looks slightly different, we included a wide range of prices.
All the products selected for this story were also reviewed and approved by Sung.
'When choosing a primer for mature skin, the goal is to smooth texture, blur fine lines and boost hydration,' says celebrity makeup artist Cat Mignano. As skin naturally loses moisture as we age, mature skin benefits from hydrating formulas, although it's a good idea to consider your skin type first. According to the three makeup artists we tapped, here's what else to consider before making a purchase. Skin Type
As with most skincare products, it's essential first to consider your skin type and any skin concerns you may have. While those with mature skin typically benefit from added hydration, those with oily or sensitive complexions might have slightly different needs. 'Typically for mature skin, there is a need for a thicker, more hydrating sort of advanced cream,' says makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell. 'However, regardless of skin type, it's important to support the skin barrier.' Ingredients
Our experts agree that you should look for hydrating and soothing ingredients in a primer. 'Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid for moisture, vitamin C for brightness, and peptides or niacinamide to help firm and support overall skin health,' says Mignano. All of the options we highlight in this guide help plump the skin and boost hydration, but in particular, we recommend the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Makeup Primer (our best overall pick) and the Nars Light Reflecting Hydrating Primer (our choice for the best hydrating primer). Formula And Finish
The formula and finish largely depend on your personal preference, as some people prefer a more luminous, glowy finish while others prefer a natural finish. The Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Makeup Primer has a radiant finish that gives your skin a lit-from-within glow, while the Benefit Porefessional Face Primer adds a more matte appearance.
What Face Primer Is Best For Mature Skin?
After extensive research and tapping experts, we've determined that the best primer for mature skin is the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Makeup Primer. This popular primer is formulated with hydrating ingredients such as shea butter, glycerin and rice bran that also soften and smooth the complexion. Because it has a radiant, blurring finish, it also looks great on its own without any base makeup layered on top.
Is A Matte Or Dewy Primer Better For Mature Skin?
All of the experts we spoke with agree that a dewy primer is preferable over a matte one. 'In most cases, a dewy or radiant primer is best for mature skin. Matte formulas can emphasize fine lines, dryness or uneven texture. A luminous finish helps reflect light, giving the skin a softer, more youthful appearance,' says Mignano.
Should Those With Older Skin Use Primer?
Everyone's skin is different, and while primers can be a helpful product, skin prep is the most important step for a flawless base. 'Whether it's your favorite serum, milky essence, thick moisturizer, hydrating primer or all of the above, it doesn't matter,' says Sewell. 'As long as you are applying something to hydrate your skin and make it supple and ready for makeup.'
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