Pro MUAs Explain Why Liquid Foundations 'Don’t Work On Mature Skin'—And How Tinted Moisturizer Is More Flattering

Aiming for a radiant makeup look this fall? As we grow older, our skin tends to dry out, making it more prone to highlighting wrinkles and fine lines , especially when using liquid, drying, or powder foundations.

Recently, a Reddit discussion featured makeup artists and beauty experts who shared their views on why liquid and powder foundations aren’t ideal for those over 40, and recommended some of their preferred alternatives.

We conducted our own research and consulted professional makeup artists to gain further insight. They explained why liquid foundation is often unsuitable for women over 40, identified common mistakes in its application, and emphasized that tinted moisturizers or serum foundations offer a more flattering and appropriate option.

Read on for tips and suggestions from Mandie Brice , professional makeup artist and instructor, Margina Dennis , celebrity makeup artist and expert, and pro MUAs Lindsay Kastuk and Jen Cayle Gaum.

Why Liquid & Powder Foundations Aren't Ideal For Mature Skin

In the aforementioned Reddit thread titled: "Foundation for older skin," the creator wrote: "I’m nearly 44 and most foundations look terrible on me, they either separate and go patchy or look way too heavy and caked on." They went on to share the liquid foundation products they had tried and detailed their experiences with them.

Another user took to the comments section and responded: "Hi, I'm a makeup artist. So it's a hard truth but here it goes. Liquid foundations don't work on mature skin. They will look cakey and patchy no matter how hard you try to work with it, they will not stay for long."

They continued, adding: "I recommend using creamy/ stick foundations instead. They have a different formula obviously and tend to sit better on the skin. Less is more...apply your foundation, blend it and set it with a translucent or banana powder. Even a compact works. Hope it helps."

After connecting with Brice, she revealed to SheFinds that for those over 40 with textured skin, along with cream and stick foundations, tinted moisturizers are a far more flattering choice compared to liquid and powder formulas , which can exacerbate dryness.

How Creams, Sticks And Tinted Moisturizers Can Be Better Options

Brice firstly noted that "so many people are opting for much more natural looks overall than in recent years, and that is definitely more flattering for mature skin." She pointed out that this ranges from "a dewy tinted moisturizer instead of full-coverage matte foundation to simply wearing a neutral eyeshadow with mascara and a light cream blush instead of dramatic eye looks and tons of powder."

She went on: "I always say, trend or not, makeup is about self-expression, so you should do what makes you happy and feel like you. But right now, the trends are right in line with most recommendations for mature skin."

Guam stresses that "a heavy liquid foundation will settle into fine lines, making them more noticeable and exaggerated and will only emphasize wrinkles."

Instead of liquid and powder formulas, Guam advises trying to mix a “moisturizing face tint and face primer then apply it directly to the face with a foundation brush.”

This, she says, will give you a well-blended, even (and youthful-looking) complexion with a warm, natural glow.

Brice agrees, saying that the main issue is when people use foundation that is drying. “Skin with texture (wrinkles) works best with a cream or serum foundation, as anything drying can accentuate the wrinkles,” she says, noting that “skin prep” (cleansing and moisturizing before application) can also help the foundation last longer.

“Also, many people are in the habit of using powder as a last step, and they may not need it. Our skin produces less moisture as we age, so we may not need powder to mattify and set anymore,” Brice says. “We could be unnecessarily applying it, again accentuating the wrinkles.”

Additional Foundation Tips For Mature Skin

Dennis concludes that there are "two things that consistently happen when we age: our skin gets drier and our coloring loses the vibrancy we had in our youth." She says that you can still "bring those elements back into the skin to help it look more youthful, and it is easy to do with the right foundation."

Our skin turnover "slows down, as well as our blood flow, and these can both can contribute to dull-looking skin," she continues. "It's important to gently exfoliate a few times a week to get rid of dead skin cells and increase circulation."  This will also make it easily for your tinted moisturizer to penetrate the skin, she explains.

The Bottom Line

She also goes on to say that many of us make the mistake of "applying way too much foundation than needed" when attempting to conceal imperfections or fine lines. "The best way to apply foundation is to start with a penny-sized amount and apply to the center of the face," she says.

Dennis then suggests blending out to the hairline and jawline and then "applying more when you need additional coverage."  Your foundation will "last longer and will look fresher this way," she notes. The more you know!