13 Best Primers For Women Over 50, According To A Makeup Artist (2024)

The 5th decade of your life brings wisdom and wrinkles – the former requires celebration, the latter makeup. The best face primers for over 50 years’ women become the MVP of your makeup kit at this point. Because this is the time when your skin needs some extra TLC as it starts to manifest your age. It gets dehydrated easily, fine lines and wrinkles start sprouting up, dark circles and blemishes make your skin look dull, and pores get even more clogged than it was. You need a lot of makeup to cover the freckles and scars, but it ends up giving you a cakey look. Regular beauty products become less effective at this point, and your skin starts to ask for some special care. But aging does not have to sound like a horror story. It is a beautiful process, and as for mature skin, there are products in place that can give you a flawless look, no matter your age. The 13 primers listed below can help you achieve timeless beauty and retain your skin’s youthful charm.

Want to give your face an instant lift? Check our list below!

Top 13 Best Primers For Women Over 50 – Our Picks For 2024

1. Best Anti-Aging Formula: Covergirl Simply Ageless Anti-Aging Foundation Primer

4.3

Image: Covergirl

Now 13% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $13.97

Let the almost-ordinary packaging of this product not deceive you, as this foundation primer for women over 50 is one the best ones available in the market. This fantastic primer, when applied as a base, helps in making your liquid foundation stay longer and is ideal for achieving a more youthful complexion. This creamy primer penetrates the epidermis of the skin, keeping it nourished and hydrated while also fighting the signs of aging. It can also be used as a moisturizer for a radiant, dewy, and youthful look. A few pumps of this pore-filling primer will go a long way in keeping your face fresh for the whole day and gives a natural-looking finish.

Review: A user enthusiastically writes, “The Covergirl Simply Ageless Anti-aging Foundation Primer is my current go-to choice. It is moisturizing without a strong scent, making it ideal for regular use. It visibly blurs my pores and primes the skin flawlessly. It’s a must-have in my makeup collection.”

Quick Tip

Use a hyaluronic acid-based moisturizer before applying this primer to avoid having dry and lackluster skin.

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

More than 736 customers have given the product positive reviews on Amazon.

2. Best Dermatologically-Tested: Jane Iredale Smooth Affair Facial Primer And Brightener

4.4

Image: Jane Iredale

BUY ON AMAZON | $52

As the name suggests, this primer is not just a base or a prep product; it also adds a radiant glow to your skin. Not only does it mask wrinkles, fine lines, pores, and dark spots, but it also works on uneven skin tone. This dermatologist-tested primer helps keep your skin looking firm and youthful with its anti-aging properties offered by the green and white tea extracts. It also retains your healthy, natural glow with the help of grapefruit extracts. Just apply a pea-sized amount of this primer to bring back life to dull skin, and also marvel at how your makeup goes on easier with this product. If you want a detailed review of the primer, take a look at this video detailing a tester’s experience with it.

Review: According to a tester, “The Jane Iredale Smooth Affair Facial Primer And Brightener is ideal for mature skin. It not only moisturizes my skin but also offers a radiant glow. This primer goes on flawlessly and feels lightweight and pleasant on the skin.”

Pro Tip

To achieve a skin-like, natural base, apply the primer in a light patting motion with your fingertips or a damp makeup sponge in a thin, even layer avoiding the eye area.

3. Best Powder-Gel Formula: DHC Velvet Skin Coat

4.4

Image: Dhc

Now 39% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $15.19

DHC Velvet Skin Coat is an antioxidant-rich mattifying face primer for mature skin that works wonders on the face. It helps blend out any imperfections on your face. It helps moisturize your face while preparing it for a smooth and flawless makeup application. This wrinkle-smoothing face primer also helps reduce pores so you can enjoy your day without constant touch-ups. It is infused with organic olive oil and silica, which helps protect your skin from environmental stressors while absorbing excess sweat and oil production. DHC Velvet Skin Coat can be applied to the face before your foundation or can be worn on its own for a matte finish.

Review: A user shares her review saying, “This DHC primer has completely exceeded my expectations. It is great on my combination skin and leaves it feeling velvety smooth without drying it out or making it too oily. The Japanese product keeps my makeup looking flawless all day!”

Quick Tip

Dip a cotton ball in olive oil or milk and wipe your face with it to remove the primer on mature skin. Rinse your face off with lukewarm water.

	Covergirl Simply Ageless Anti-Aging Foundation Primer Best Anti-Aging Formula	Jane Iredale Smooth Affair Facial Primer And Brightener Best Dermatologically-Tested	DHC Velvet Skin Coat Best Powder-Gel Formula
	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
Skin Type	Oily, Combination, Sensitive, Dry, Normal	Oily	All
Color	Primer	-	-
Dimensions	6 x 5 x 4 inches	1.25 x 2 x 5.25 inches	4.5 x 1.25 x 0.75 inches
Weight	1.06 Ounces	0.16 Ounces	0.64 Ounces
Rating
Reviews	736	354	1,253
Price	$13.97	$52	$15.19

4. Best Lightweight: Estee Lauder The Illuminator Radiant Perfecting Primer + Finisher

4.5

Image: Estee Lauder

BUY ON AMAZON | $59.99

As smooth as silk or as smooth as a baby’s bottom, either way, this primer for women over 50, is as smooth as it can get. Enriched with the goodness of vitamin E, rice bran essence, and shea butter, this product leaves your skin feeling revitalized. Illuminate your face with this non-greasy primer, which adds a pale, pink glow to the skin. While covering all your wrinkles and pores. It helps blur out fine lines and enhances your makeup with its soft-matte texture. This lightweight face primer for over 50 from the celebrity-endorsed brand is non-greasy. You won’t even feel like you have applied anything under your makeup.

Review: A reviewer happily states, “The Illuminator Primer + Finisher from Estee Lauder has pleasantly surprised me! The product not only creates a smooth canvas for my makeup but also works as an intense moisturizer. I am in awe of the brightening effect and subtle shine it adds to my mature skin.”

5. Best Anti-Inflammatory: Chantecaille Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Primer

4.2

Image: Chantecaille

Now 18% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $88

A face primer that also protects from the sun! We must be dreaming, or somehow, it appears that all our prayers have been answered. This primer may look small, but have no doubts that it packs quite a punch. Not only does it keep your makeup fresh all day long, this mattifying primer and sunscreen also offers ultimate anti-aging protection and keeps your skin soft and supple. This SPF-infused face primer for mature skin is packed with the lush goodness of cherry blossom, lemon balm, and white tea extract, this primer lends a soothing effect on the skin. Carnosine (a protein building block) present in this primer makes the skin firm and softens wrinkles.

Review: According to a user, “The Chantecaille’s SPF 45 Primer serves as a protective sunscreen and a smooth primer for my foundation. Just a few drops of the product work wonders in my case. I adore the way the product feels on my skin. It is a must-have for people who wear makeup regularly.”

6. Best Non-Comedogenic: Clarins Paris Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch

BUY ON AMAZON

What are the two most important things we look for when we select a makeup product, particularly a primer? Firstly, it has to make our skin feel instantly smooth, and secondly, it blurs imperfections on our face – this primer does both. It’s remarkably smooth, oil-free, and glides on effortlessly. It helps in concealing wrinkles and reduces the appearance of open pores vastly. This perfecting base cream can be used as a base before you apply foundation or as an instant lift-me-up for your dull skin and for a flawless finish. Once you have applied this primer, wait a few minutes before you put on your foundation for best results.

7. Best Cruelty-free: Tatcha The Silk Canvas Primer

4.3

Image: Tatcha

BUY ON AMAZON | $54

A skin perfector that puts velvet to shame, Tatcha’s The Silk Canvas priming balm for women over 50, helps makeup glide on smoothly and keeps it fresh for long periods. It also benefits the skin by preventing clogged pores and breakouts. Why is this product such a hit among mature women across the world, one might ask? It not only helps makeup last longer but also protects the skin by keeping makeup from clogging pores. With natural active ingredients like real silk, pink and gold pearl, and Tatcha’s very own anti-aging superfood trinity, this primer nourishes dull skin and minimizes the appearance of pores, wrinkles, and other imperfections. It also gives your makeup a seamless finish. This makes it one of the best primers for aging skin..

Review: A reviewer opines, “The Tatcha The Silk Canvas Primer truly impresses me. The velvety consistency blends seamlessly, blurring my pores to perfection. This primer delivers a smooth base to my textured skin, concealing blemishes effortlessly. My makeup stays put even in humid conditions and keeps the look polished!”

8. Best Affordable: Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer

4.2

Image: Revlon

BUY ON AMAZON | $24.99

Let your face be the masterpiece that the whole world is waiting for with a little help from this perfecting primer by Revlon. Be not just photo-ready, but always ready with its high definition filter technology. The primer acts as a radiant and long-lasting canvas that reflects and diffuses light to lend you an enviable, airbrushed look. This pink-tinted formula also helps in brightening your skin tone while reducing the appearance of imperfections and letting you achieve a youthful appearance. For best results, start by applying the primer to the center of your face and blending it outwards.

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

It has gained over 2,220 positive reviews on Amazon, making it an all-time best-seller.

9. Best Translucent Formula: Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Pore Primer

4.6

Image: Benefit

BUY ON AMAZON | $25

An excellent example for the saying, “great things come in small packages”, this amazing tube contains stuff that ‘perfect-skin’ dreams are made of. If you are looking for a primer that acts instantly to hide the appearance of large pores, this product fits the bill. For skin as smooth as butter, apply this lightweight formula and watch your fine lines and wrinkles vanish immediately. This translucent formula also contains vitamin E, which helps in protecting the skin. This long-lasting face primer for mature skin is suitable for all skin tones, this primer can be applied under or over your makeup. The primer was tested by 100 consumers for 1 week and 91% of users noticed a reduction in the appearance of their pores. 97% of users claimed to have experienced smooth skin after using the primer.

Review: A reviewer says, “I apply the Porefessional primer from Benefit Cosmetics on problem areas of my face. It works well under makeup and offers a smoother skin texture with a velvety finish. It elevates my makeup game, especially during longer-lasting occasions in the summer season.”

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

This product has received 839 reviews from customers on Amazon, indicating its popularity and reliability.

10. Best Silicone-Free: MILK Makeup Hydro Grip Primer

4.3

Image: Milk

BUY ON AMAZON | $37.63

MILK Makeup’s Hydro Grip Primer helps you achieve a fresh, dewy look with an even skin texture that makes you look flawless with one application throughout the day. Infused with the goodness of blue agave extract, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and hemp seed extract, this hydrating primer makes your makeup stay for a long period of time. It also keeps your skin moisturized and offers you the perfect dewy finish

Review: According to a user, “Trying out this Hydro Grip Primer from MILK Makeup’s was interesting, to say the least. Initially, it felt dry, but the second attempt worked wonders on my skin. The primer kept my makeup flawless throughout the day, even when I was sweating. It may not suit everyone, but it has made a difference for me.”

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

More than 289 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are so in awe of this product.

11. Best Fragrance-Free: Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth And Blur Primer

4.6

Image: Smashbox

Now 8% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $34.95

It’s a pity that most women who enjoy makeup don’t realize the importance of what a great primer can do for them. Women with mature skin should invest in a good primer, much like this one from Smashbox. A Smashbox bestseller, this photo finish foundation primer is oil-free and settles on the skin as soon as it is applied. It helps you achieve radiant skin tone. Transform your face into a beautiful, even surface with this transparent primer gel to blur out all flaws like deep lines, wrinkles, and large pores.

Review: A tester writes, “As someone with mature skin, finding a primer that enhances my foundation was essential. Smashbox Original Photo Finish Primer fills in fine lines and pores, leaving my skin smooth. It makes my makeup last all day, even in challenging weather conditions.”

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

The product has more than 2,327 reviews and is a top choice all around the world.

12. Best Oil-free Formula: Lancome Perfecting Makeup Primer

4.6

Image: Lancome

BUY ON AMAZON | $42

From the makers of some of the best makeup products in the world, comes another great innovation – the perfecting makeup primer. This oil-free formula not only creates a smooth canvas but also keeps the skin cool. This is one of the best radiance-boosting face primers for mature skin as it creates a long-lasting canvas for a refined look. As it is a transparent primer gel, it can be used on any skin tone. It’s so silky and glides on so effortlessly; one will forget that they have used any base for their product. It helps makeup stay on all day long without making it cakey on the wrinkles. Many reviewers attest that only a few pumps of this primer will go a long way in keeping your face fresh for the whole day. It gives you natural-looking coverage. It is the perfect travel size for any occasion.

Review: A reviewer opines, “This makeup primer by Lancome has a smooth texture. It offers a dewy sheen to my skin. I have been using the product for a very long time. It is pricey but the results are worth it.”

13. Best Moisturizing: Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream

4.5

Image: Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream

BUY ON AMAZON | $49.49

Bobbi Brown products are loved all over the world by amateur, professional, and celebrity makeup artists and deservedly so. They work like a charm and are made with lush, nourishing ingredients. This two-in-one moisturizing primer and cream is lightweight, controls oil, and preps your skin in seconds for the perfect makeup application. If your skin is thirsty, quench its thirst with this hydrating product enriched with mineral water and algae extracts. This hydrating face primer for mature skin delivers exceptional results that will definitely not disappoint you.

Review: A tester writes, “This Bobbi Brown face cream is ideal for my combination skin. I am in my late 50s and it effortlessly maintains a flawless look and It feels pleasant on my skin and works wonders during the winter season.”

[ Read – Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream Review ]

Georgina Goetz, a professional makeup artist says, “ Primers are a gift from the makeup gods if you know how to use one. A primer evens the skin and makes it look smooth. It can even give the impression that you are wearing a permanent blur filter. Some even have reflection pigments in them, which reflect the sunlight, making your face look smoother and glowing.” Let us take a look at some important factors you must consider before choosing a primer.

Why Do Women Over 50 Need A Primer?

It is no secret that women over 50 have wrinkles and enlarged pores. While many women go makeup-free and flaunt their wrinkles, some like to keep them concealed. Foundations can go a long way in blurring the imperfections, but a blurring face primer for over 50 is also important as it sets the tone for the makeup. It helps the foundation glide on smoothly and also makes it last longer. Primers are specifically designed to make skin look smoother, minimize the appearance of wrinkles and pores, and also to hold makeup in place for hours. However, it has an added advantage for women over 50 (or even 40); it perks up the face instantly.

How To Choose A Face Primer For Women Over 50

• If you have oily skin, stick to an oil-free primer with a mattifying effect. A primer with silky powder will also help in absorbing excess oil.
• However, if you have dry skin, your best bet is to choose a gel-based or illuminating primer, which will keep you away from dehydrated skin.
• For those of you who have combination skin, look for a primer that has light-reflecting properties as it adds a healthy glow to the skin.
• Choose a dermatologist-tested formula packed with clinically tested ingredients if you have sensitive skin or acne-prone skin to avoid allergic reactions.
• Opt for primers with ultra sun protection properties to achieve a flawless look while also protecting your skin from harmful UV rays.

Infographic: Primers For Mature Skin: Key Ingredients & How To Apply

If you want your makeup to last long, you must invest in a long-wearing, premium primer suitable for your skin. This becomes even more important when your skin becomes textured as you mature. The infographic below explains which ingredients to look out for if you are purchasing a primer for mature skin and how to correctly apply the primer before putting on other makeup products. Take a look!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Do primers age your skin?

No, other factors like the environment, food habits, and metabolism among others make your skin age as you grow older, but a primer can help you conceal those imperfections.

Are primers good for mature skin?

Yes, not only does it mask fine lines, wrinkles, and open pores, it can also hydrate the skin.

Can primer be used everyday?

Yes, it can be used as a base for when you want to apply makeup, or just as a hydrating cream in itself.

What is the best face primer for wrinkles and pores?

The Jane Iredale Smooth Affair Facial Primer And Brightener, the Covergirl Simply Ageless Anti-Aging Foundation Primer, and the It Cosmetics No.50 Serum Collagen Veil Anti-Aging Primer are some of the best primers for wrinkles and pores. These products reduce the appearance of aging signs and offer youthful skin for a flawless makeup base.

Does primer go on before or after moisturizer?

A primer should ideally be applied after the moisturizer. This ensures your skin is well hydrated before the subsequent makeup products are applied.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Srijita De, the author of this article, is a makeup fanatic and admires providing research-backed articles for her readers. She conducts thorough research by browsing various product specifications of primers and analyzing the user feedback online to provide the curated list of the best face primer. These face primers keep your face fresh all day, provide good coverage, keep your skin hydrated and make you look youthful.

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• Best e.l.f Primers To Purchase For All Skin Types

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Georgina GoetzMakeup Artist

 

Georgina Goetz is a professional MUA from Hamburg, Germany, with three years of experience. She started her career with an apprenticeship as a hairdresser at “Marc Gruenkemeyer and Stylists,” a salon specialized in curls and fine hair. After finishing her apprenticeship, she studied at Beauty is Life (BIL) under Beatrix Isabell Lied to become a professional makeup artist. Georgina has...more

Srijita DeCommerce Writer

 

Srijita De is a makeup and fashion enthusiast with a passion for empowering readers through practical tips and tricks to present their best selves with confidence. Armed with a postgraduate degree in English and Literature from the University of Calcutta, she has honed her writing skills and developed an in-depth understanding of the beauty and fashion world. Prior to her...more

Srijani Roy Chowdhury Associate Commerce Editor

Srijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a certified style and image consultant. She began her career as a freelance content writer, has worked as a journalist in several media houses, and has over three years...more

Madhumati ChowdhuryAssociate Editor

Madhumati is an associate editor with seven years of professional experience. She has previously worked as an editor, proofreader, and a writer with various organizations, helping her navigate through the various facets of content creation and refinement with ease. She graduated in English Literature from Jadavpur University, West Bengal. Her educational background lends a critical perspective and depth to her...more