Good news: Finding the best powder foundations for older women is easier than ever, especially now that formulas have come a long way from the chalky, drying powders of the past. Today’s versions are silky, breathable, and infused with skin-care ingredients like squalane and shea butter that hydrate and smooth—without creasing or settling into wrinkles. Soft-focus pigments blur fine lines, lightweight textures melt seamlessly into skin, and matte finishes that leave your complexion looking fresh, not flat.
Plus, few products rival the lasting power and oil-absorbing properties of a good powder foundation. The makeup artist–approved picks ahead hold up beautifully through long days, resisting shine, settling, and caking. Ahead, we’ve rounded up the best powder foundations for older women, from full-coverage formulas to glow-enhancing picks that prove powder can be just as versatile as a liquid foundation.
Our Top Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: Chanel Ultra Le Teint Compact Foundation
Why it’s worth it: As we age, our skin changes—we lose elasticity and hydration, gain a bit more texture, and those fine lines start to show up. Chanel Ultra Le Teint Compact Foundation nails the trifecta of coverage, comfort, and elegance, all while keeping up beautifully with those shifts. The ultra-fine, silky formula glides on effortlessly, blurring lines and evening tone without clinging to dry spots or settling into creases. Its light-diffusing complex adds a natural luminosity, while absorbent powders leave a polished, matte (but never dull) finish. Amino-acid-coated pigments and squalane lend lightweight, lasting coverage that feels breathable and refined. “It gives good coverage that’s easy to control. The key is not to apply it all evenly throughout the face as if you’re painting a wall,” says New York City-based makeup artist Nick Barose.
Once you run out, you can replace the pan with a refill, which costs less than a whole new compact and comes with a fresh sponge.
- Key ingredients: talc, squalane, silica
- Shades: 15
- Coverage: medium; buildable
- Finish: satin-matte
- Who it’s for: people who want a softened effect
Best for Uneven Texture: Bobbi Brown Skin Weightless Powder Foundation
Bobbi Brown
Skin Weightless Powder Foundation
Why it’s worth it: Fine lines often bring their plus-one: uneven texture. Luckily, this powder foundation knows exactly how to smooth things over. Bobbi Brown Skin Weightless Powder Foundation “goes on silky smooth and gives buildable coverage while finishing skin with a natural glow,” says Harvey. A trio of light-diffusing powders (talc, synthetic fluorphlogopite, and boron nitride) blurs pores and rough spots, while dimethicone and squalane add a cushiony, soft finish that makes skin feel hydrated and comfortable. Antioxidant-rich apricot, apple, and rosemary extracts nourish the skin while keeping the formula featherlight and breathable, so your coverage never feels piled on.
- Key ingredients: talc, synthetic fluorphlogopite, and boron nitride, dimethicone, squalane
- Shades: 17
- Coverage: medium to full
- Finish: matte
- Who it’s for: people with normal or oily skin
Best Shade Range: MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
MAC
Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
Why it’s worth it: Available in a jaw-dropping 67 shades, MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation nails both inclusivity and high quality. “One thing about MAC is you cannot beat their color range in any of their products, yet they don’t sacrifice on performance. It’s buildable and sets itself, yet the coverage is so good you won’t need concealer,” says Valerie Harvey, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles. With 24-hour oil control, a matte finish, and a non-comedogenic formula, it’s a go-to for acne-prone or oily skin (because even mature complexions can still battle shine due to menopause-related skin changes). “I’ve transformed acne-prone complexions into smooth and even ones without the look of heavy makeup with this stuff,” says New York City-based makeup artist Tommy Napoli.
Hormonal changes during menopause—like a dip in estrogen and a rise in testosterone—can lead to oilier skin and jawline breakouts. A shine-controlling formula like this one helps absorb excess oil and even out tone without clogging pores.
- Key ingredients: talc, silica, titanium dioxide
- Shades: 67
- Coverage: medium to full
- Finish: matte
- Who it’s for: people with acne-prone or oily skin, dealing with menopausal acne
Best for Dry Skin: Make Up For Ever HD Skin Matte Velvet Powder Foundation
Make Up For Ever
HD Skin Matte Velvet Powder Foundation
Why it’s worth it: With a silky texture that melts into skin (rather than sitting on top of it), Make Up For Ever HD Skin Matte Velvet Powder Foundation delivers a smooth, natural finish that flatters every skin type. “It’s coverage and hydration all in one. Many powder foundations lack the moisture mature skin needs to look vibrant. This foundation gives buildable coverage and leaves the skin looking velvety and flawless,” says Harvey. The formula combines three types of powders to neutralize redness, diffuse hyperpigmentation, and smooth uneven texture without cakiness.
Its oil-absorbing technology helps resist shine and sweat, so it stays fresh all day.
- Key ingredients: silica, boron nitride, synthetic mica, vitamin E
- Shades: 35
- Coverage: buildable
- Finish: matte
- Who it’s for: people with dryness, redness, or uneven skin tone
Best Long-Wearing: Dior Forever Natural Matte Velvet Compact Foundation
Dior
Forever Natural Matte Velvet Compact Foundation
Why it’s worth it: If you want your full-coverage foundation to look like real skin, only smoother, Dior Forever Natural Matte Velvet Compact Foundation has both “a flawless application and finish,” says Harvey. The ultra-soft, creamy powder melts right in for a natural matte finish that lasts up to 24 hours. And even though no one’s wearing foundation that long (probably), it definitely proves a point. “It gives amazing coverage that looks like real skin and doesn’t settle into fine lines,” says Harvey. Plus, it’s packed with skin-friendly floral extracts: iris to protect, rose to refine pores, and wild pansy to keep things hydrated.
The sleek, refillable compact (complete with its own applicator) makes on-the-go touch-ups effortless—though, you probably won’t even need them.
- Key ingredients: rose extract, wild pansy extract
- Shades: 16
- Coverage: full
- Finish: matte
- Who it’s for: everyone
Best for Oily Skin: Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Matte Powder Foundation
Estée Lauder
Double Wear Stay-in-Place Matte Powder Foundation
Why it’s worth it: If you have oily skin, it’s easy for foundation to feel heavy or mask-like, but Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Matte Powder Foundation gets it just right. “The powder is so finely milled for natural-looking coverage and the matte finish absorbs oil without looking flat or accentuating texture,” says New York City-based makeup artist Christian Briceno. The formula mixes light-diffusing powders (such as synthetic fluorphlogopite and boron nitride) with oil-absorbing ingredients like silica and zinc stearate to keep shine under control and skin looking smooth. And thanks to vitamin E and lauroyl lysine, it stays comfy all day. “It delivers long-lasting, buildable coverage that stays in place,” says Briceno.
Flip the two-sided applicator depending on your vibe—use the sponge side for full, all-over coverage, or the velvety side for a softer, more natural finish.
- Key ingredients: silica, zinc, synthetic fluorphlogopite, boron nitride
- Shades: 40
- Coverage: medium to full
- Finish: matte
- Who it’s for:
Best for Dullness: BareMinerals BarePro 24HR Skin-Perfecting Powder Foundation
BareMinerals
BarePro 24HR Skin-Perfecting Powder Foundation
Why it’s worth it: A pressed powder foundation that actually brightens your skin? Yep, it exists with BareMinerals BarePro 24HR Skin-Perfecting Powder Foundation. The formula’s pineapple complex with licorice root helps even out imperfections and nix dullness, while cocoa and shea butters keep skin feeling soft and hydrated by maintaining your complexion’s moisture balance. Peony flower and sugarcane-derived squalane smooth everything out. Mica, a light-reflecting mineral, gives skin a halo-like glow and helps diminish the appearance of dark spots. “It also wears well through heat and long days with minimal fading,” Briceno says.
While talc-based powders can help blur and mattify, a talc-free formula like this one can feel lighter and more breathable.
- Key ingredients: pineapple complex, licorice root, cocoa butter, shea butter, peony flower, squalane
- Shades: 35
- Coverage: full
- Finish: matte
- Who it’s for: anyone with dullness, visible pores, or uneven texture
Best Drugstore: L’Oréal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder
L’Oréal Paris
Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder
Why it’s worth it: If you want the full coverage of a liquid foundation but the weightlessness of a powder, L’Oréal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder is the best of both worlds. “It can stand next to any luxury brand in texture and coverage, and does a great job of smoothing and concealing problem areas,” says Harvey. The formula mixes oil-absorbing talc and silica with dimethicone and corn starch to blur texture and keep shine in check. The best part: The flexible finish stays put from morning to night. “Once it’s on, your look is locked in,” says Harvey.
Vitamin E and marine extract give your skin a little extra care while you wear it.
- Key ingredients: talc, silica, dimethicone, corn starch
- Shades: 20
- Coverage: medium to full
- Finish: matte
- Who it’s for: everyone
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of powder foundation for mature skin?
For starters, powder foundations are less messy than their liquid counterparts—and you can get a customized, long-wear coverage in a single step instead of having to use both liquid foundation and powder, says Barose, who counts Kim Cattrall and Angela Bassett among his clients. (That said, you can always layer a powder over a liquid or cream foundation, where it’ll serve as an impromptu setting powder to help makeup last all day.) And, unlike a liquid foundation, powder foundations are often less irritating since “it sits on the surface of the skin and doesn’t penetrate it as easily,” says Los Angeles-based makeup artist Robin Black, “It’s also great for humid weather and oily skin types.”
Remember, menopausal acne is no small thing, so a non-clogging, lightweight foundation is essential for mature skin. “The biggest thing about menopause is that estrogen levels start to drop so you have this unopposed testosterone influence on your skin, and that manifests in many ways,” Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Hamden, Connecticut previously told Allure. “That creates some of the things we see, like hair thinning, hair loss, facial hair, and even some acne breakouts.”
How do I choose the best powder foundation for mature skin?
While powders haven’t always been Black’s first choice for mature skin (which can trend dry), he explains that some new formulas contain beneficial, hydrating ingredients and fine texture. “The more silky the powder, the better it will work on mature skin.” Black is also a fan of hybrid formulas that transform into a powder finish, as these also tend to work better on mature skin than traditional powders. So, look for powder foundations that tout hydrating ingredients.
Ideally, you should swatch the formula on your skin to get an idea of the finish. “Look for a formula that’s not completely matte,” says Barose. “It should reflect light a bit so you get that healthy, luminous glow along with the coverage.”
What’s the best way to apply powder foundation on mature skin?
Applying foundation to mature skin, whatever the formula, should revolve around one thing: moisture. “Start by prepping your skin with a heavy moisturizer and allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes,” says Black; this method allows the moisture to sink in before applying primer and prevents pilling. Black recommends looking for a primer for mature skin with a semi-matte finish.
Next up is concealer. Since these are typically liquids or creams, they should be applied before any powder. Once you get to your powder foundation, “skip the brush and reach for a traditional makeup puff or a dense, angled sponge,” says Black, who adds that dampening the sponge first will increase the coverage. (Using a dry sponge, on the other hand, will scale down the coverage.) Finally, “concentrate the powder on the planes of the face, avoiding the cakey creases around the nostrils, nasolabial folds, under eyes, and anyplace else where you can see more dramatic texture, dry skin, or wrinkles,” she says.
When it comes time for touch-ups, don’t always reach for the compact, according to Barose. Regular reapplication can make the powder too thick. “Instead, opt for blotting paper to avoid powder build-up,” he says.
How do you avoid powder foundation settling into wrinkles?
Proper prep—a.k.a. moisturizing and then following with a makeup primer—will go a long way to smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Then, once you’ve finished applying your powder foundation, apply a hydrating mist.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best powder foundations for mature skin, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Mature beauty deserves the very best—shop more expert-approved favorites: