The Best Makeup Primers for Mature Skin Will Plump Up Fine Lines (2024)

The Best Makeup Primers for Mature Skin Will Plump Up Fine Lines (1)

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By Samantha Holender

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While you can go straight from skincare to foundation application, applying one of the best primers in between is typically worthwhile. Their powers are seemingly endless, with the ability to blur pores, grip onto makeup, or even color-correct with tinted pigments. But as we age, finding—and using—the best primers for mature skin is even more important; they can make all the difference. With hydrating ingredients and smoothing agents, these typically glow-boosting products can prevent makeup from settling into fine lines, plump the skin, and provide a subtle, healthy glow that highlights and brightens the complexion.

Thankfully, primers are not in short supply. New launches have delivered some of the most effective plumping formulas to date. NARS just released a new light-reflecting primer that instantly moisturizes dry skin, while REFY created a primer that’s both de-puffing and radiance-boosting. Some primers have a long-standing cult-favorite status among those with mature skin, too. Valentino, Bobbi Brown, and MAC are all makeup artist staples.

To get the full breakdown on the makeup primers I swear by (I've tested well over 80), and discover those loved by makeup artists, read ahead.

The Best Primers for Mature Skin

The Best Makeup Primer for Mature Skin Overall

Valentino V-Lighter Illuminating Face Primer and Highlighter With Hyaluronic Acid

Makeup artist Natalie Dresher swears by this primer for anyone over the age of 45. “It’s infused with skincare to hydrate the skin and allows for the foundation to glide on smoothly,” she shares. “It really gives the finished product a skin-like feel even if that foundation on top is full coverage.” It’s multi-use too, so you can use it as a primer or add a few drops to the cheekbones for an instant highlight.

Pros: Makeup artist-approved; multi-purpose; hydrating

Cons: None

The Best Makeup Primers for Mature Skin Will Plump Up Fine Lines (3)The Best Hydrating Makeup Primer for Mature Skin

NARS Light Reflecting Hydrating Primer

NARS has a handful of high-performing products in its arsenal, but its latest launch is the best suited for mature skin types. Formulated with the trifecta of hydrating ingredients—hyaluronic acid, squalane, and peptides—this silky textured product delivers instant moisture the second it touches the skin. Every time I layer this under my foundation, I notice that my foundation stays on longer and doesn’t sink into fine lines. It also provides a slight cooling effect, which is a welcome sensation in the summer heat.

Pros: Deeply hydrating; cooling sensation; silky texture

Cons: Smells a little funky

The Best Makeup Primers for Mature Skin Will Plump Up Fine Lines (4)The Best Mattifying Makeup Primer for Mature Skin

The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer

You don’t want to lather a mattifying primer all over your face, as it can “really bring out fine lines, wrinkles, and even expression lines," says Dresher. But a controlled application might be necessary in certain areas if you have an oily T-Zone. Ordinary is the brand best equipped to handle the job. Not only is the product insanely affordable (it’s under $7!!!), but it also has a grippy texture that blurs over pores and holds onto makeup all day long.

Pros: Affordable; holds onto makeup

Cons: Can look cakey if overused

The Best Brightening Makeup Primer for Mature Skin

Tatcha The Liquid Silk Canvas: Featherweight Protective Primer

J-Beauty products are known for excelling at product elegance, which is precisely why this Tatcha primer lands at the top of our list. I can’t get over how soft and smooth this glides onto my skin—it floats over fine lines. The best part about this formula, though, is how effectively it brightens the skin. Formulated with pink and gold pearls, it gives the skin a subtle radiance and shimmer.

Pros: Great texture; brightens with pearls; provides environmental protection

Cons: Expensive

The Best Blurring Makeup Primer for Mature Skin

Refy Glow and Sculpt Face Serum Primer With Niacinamide

Chances are, you’ve seen this roller bar primer across your TikTok page—it went viral as soon as it launched. It’s easy to see why. Not only does it help depuff your face and your under-eyes, but it also leaves behind a hydrating and slightly grippy primer that allows for flawless makeup application. I like to start in the center of my face and roll outward, but you can use the product however feels best to you.

Pros: Depuffing action with roller ball; hydrating formula

Cons: A little too tacky for some

Also Recommended

The Best Silicone-Free Primer for Mature Skin

MAC Prep + Prime Natural Radiance Primer

Makeup artist Jaleesa Jaikaran names this as her preferred primer for mature skin, thanks to it’s luxe formula—and shade range. “It’s incredibly lightweight and contains hydrating ingredients that help to smooth and plump the skin,” she explains. “What sets it apart is that Its silicone-free and comes in two shades, which most primers don't offer. The texture is a lightweight gel that does not feel heavy, which is a major factor for me as I prefer a weightless finish.”

Pros: Makeup artist-recommended; available in two shades; silicone-free

Cons: Has a scent

The Best Makeup Primers for Mature Skin Will Plump Up Fine Lines (8)The Best Plumping Primer for Mature Skin

Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Eye Base Primer & Moisturizer With Hyaluronic Acid

If you feel like your complexion looks a little dull or sunken, allow me to turn you onto this Bobbi Brown creation. It’s been around for decades and maintains its cult-favorite status for a very good reason. A small, dime-sized application of this vitamin-C-enriched cream will perk up your skin’s color and firmness almost instantaneously. It has a slight fruity scent that will wake up your entire being, too.

Pros: Refreshing scent; brightens skin; provides antioxidant protection

Cons: Feels heavy

The Best Gentle Primer for Mature Skin

Ilia True Skin Radiant Priming Serum

Sensitive skin can occur at any age. The number one dermatologist suggestion to avoid irritation: Steer clear of fragrance. That’s where Ilia’s gentle face primer comes into play. With non-irritating ingredients (no silicones, fragrances, or oils), this maintains a high-quality texture that glides onto the skin. Plus, its star ingredient, beta-glucan, actively helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Pros: Good for sensitive skin; fragrance-free

Cons: A little watery so it doesn't grip makeup

The Best Luxury Primer for Mature Skin

Armani Luminous Silk Hydrating Makeup Primer

Luminous Silk Foundation is perhaps one the most well-known products in the beauty world. But the foundation’s little sister (and right hand!) is key to getting the best Luminous Silk result. Glycerin and shea butter are the product’s star ingredients. They work to hydrate the skin, but, more importantly, create a soft-to-the-touch texture. I swear my redness disappears when I use this, so much so that I occasionally skip foundation altogether.

Pros: Hydrating ingredients; can be worn alone; reduces redness

Cons: Expensive

The Best Blurring Primer for Mature Skin

Iconic London Underglow Blurring Primer

Typically blurring formulas are accompanied by matte finishes—the antithesis of what you want for mature skin. That’s what makes this Iconic London makeup-skincare hybrid so special. It has a glowy finish thanks to powerhouse ingredients like vitamin C, but also includes blurring powders to provide a soft focus finish against fine lines and large pores. In my book, that’s a win-win.

Pros: Can be worn with foundation or alone; hydrating; blurs over fine lines

Cons: Bottle can be messy

The Best Primer for Mature, Dry Skin

Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer

As we age, our skin naturally becomes a little drier and rougher. That makes it all the more important to flood your face with hydration, which is exactly what this Estee Lauder primer set out to do. In fact, clinical studies have shown that the watery face primer boosts skin’s hydration three times over. Every time I apply this primer, I’m pleasantly surprised by the cooling gel texture that feels like a refreshing pick-me-up for my skin.

Pros: Moisture boosts lasts all day long; doesn’t pill under makeup

Cons: Small jar

The Best Makeup Primers for Mature Skin Will Plump Up Fine Lines (13)The Best Skincare-First Primer for Mature Skin

Hourglass Nº 28™ Primer Serum

Despise the tacky texture that coincides with the majority of primers? Good news: you’ll love this Hourglass pick. It has more of an oil-like texture sinks into the skin and delivers 28 different skincare ingredients, including essential oils, plant oils, and vitamins. Because of its skin-first, deeply nourishing composition, you can use this product as a makeup primer, overnight serum, and even as a hair oil.

Pros: Versatile; uses botanical ingredients like essential oils; doubles as a hair serum

Cons: Expensive

The Best Smoothing Primer for Mature Skin

Chanel La Base Illuminatrice Glowing Makeup Primer

With a thin layer of this superstar Chanel primer, rough patches, blemishes, skin crepiness, or little lines will instantly fade. How, you ask? It’s all due to an incredible ingredient makeup. Inside, you’ll find itty-bitty blurring powders, light-reflecting particles responsible for evening our skin texture, and hyaluronic acid, which provides an instant plumping effect.

Pros: Has antioxidant protection thanks to blue and red algae; good for uneven skin texture

Cons: Expensive

The Best Makeup Primers for Mature Skin Will Plump Up Fine Lines (15)The Best SPF Makeup Primer for Mature Skin

Revitalessence Skin Glow Hydrating Primer

Unprotected sun exposure isn’t just unsafe (it can increase your risk of developing skin cancer), it can also bring out age spots, melasma, and hyperpigmentation. While you should always use one of the best sunscreens, a makeup primer that contains SPF is an added bonus. I love this Shiseido formula, which is light, dewy, and leaves dryness-prone skin hydrated for well over eight hours, and is especially nice if you're over the age of 50.

Pros: Contains spf; light texture; blurring properties

Cons: Can leave a bit of a white cast

The Best Makeup Primers for Mature Skin Will Plump Up Fine Lines (16)The Best Tightening Primer for Mature Skin

Elemis Pro-Collagen Insta-Smooth Primer

Your skin is in for a cool treat with this little guy. Not only will you experience a refreshing sensation upon application, but you’ll also get a tightening effect thanks to the brand’s cryo-firming complex. Natural marine extracts tighten up pores and smooth over fine lines and wrinkles, leaving your skin refreshed and renewed after just one use.

Pros: Cooling feeling; tightens and firms the skin

Cons: Some report pilling with the wrong skincare

What to Look for in a Face Primer for Mature Skin

  • Glowy Finish

Matte finishes tend to not only further dry out mature skin, but also emphasize fine lines and wrinkles. That’s why Dresher does her best to avoid them, opting for glowy or dewy finishes instead. These provide a soft and youthful-looking finish to the skin.

  • Ingredient Profile

“Hydrating smoothing primers are best suited for mature skin as they contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, grape seed extract, and shea butter,” explains Jaikaran. “These are simply better suited as they help to plump the skin and give a more radiant, glowy finish.” You might also want to look for antioxidants like vitamin C and E, as they can offer additional protection from environmental damage.

When to Apply Primer on Mature Skin

Your primer goes between your skincare and makeup—but the timing of application is key to a flawless finish. “I like to apply primer five minutes after skin prep, and five minutes prior to makeup application,” says Dresher. “This allows the product to really soak into the skin and dry properly before adding more product on top.”

How to Apply Primer for Mature Skin

When applying product—be it primer, concealer or foundation—to mature skin, stick with a less is more motto. “Generally, it’s best to approach application using a moderate amount of product,” says Jaikaran. “Too little won’t allow a smooth finish, and too much may create a heavier look.” Just place a small amount of product onto clean fingertips and gently massage the primer into needed areas. “Focus on the areas where any fine lines or texture is more pronounced. With primer and all of your skincare, ensure you apply in an upward or circular motion so you’re not pulling the face down,” she adds.

Should I Apply Different Primers for Various Concerns?

Chances are, you’ll only need one hydrating primer for your skin. But, if you have certain concerns—like an oily T-Zone or rougher texture on the side of your face—you may consider co*cktailing a few different options. “You can use a pore-filling primer in the nose area or a smoothing primer everywhere else,” explains Jaikaran. “It’s a targeted approach that can help address specific concerns more effectively.”

Meet the Experts

The Best Makeup Primers for Mature Skin Will Plump Up Fine Lines (17)

Natalie Dresher

Natalie Dresher is a celebrity and bridal makeup artist in Miami and New York. With many years of experience in her field, Natalie has become a trusted name in the beauty community. Working with brands like Saie Beauty, Revlon, Maybelline and Dibs she has a lot of experience working with our favorites under her wing.

The Best Makeup Primers for Mature Skin Will Plump Up Fine Lines (18)

Jaleesa Jaikaran

Jaleesa Jaikaran works as a professional makeup artist in beauty, fashion and product development projects. She is also the host of the 'Life of a Makeup Artist' podcast and represents several brands for events and education purposes.

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Samantha Holender

Beauty Editor

Samantha Holender is the Beauty Editor at Marie Claire, where she reports on the best new launches, dives into the science behind skincare, and shares the breakdown on the latest and greatest trends in the beauty space. She's studied up on every ingredient you'll find on INCI list and is constantly in search of the world's glowiest makeup products. Prior to joining the team, she worked as Us Weekly’s Beauty and Style Editor, where she stayed on the pulse of pop culture and broke down celebrity beauty routines, hair transformations, and red carpet looks. Her words have also appeared on Popsugar, Makeup.com, Skincare.com, Delish.com, and Philadelphia Wedding. Samantha also serves as a board member for the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME). She first joined the organization in 2018, when she worked as an editorial intern at Food Network Magazine and Pioneer Woman Magazine. Samantha has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from The George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. While at GWU, she was a founding member of the school’s HerCampus chapter and served as its President for four years. When she’s not deep in the beauty closet or swatching eyeshadows, you can find her obsessing over Real Housewives and all things Bravo. Keep up with her on Instagram @samholender.

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The Best Makeup Primers for Mature Skin Will Plump Up Fine Lines (2024)

FAQs

The Best Makeup Primers for Mature Skin Will Plump Up Fine Lines? ›

Best for Fine Lines: L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Face Blurring Primer. Why we love it: L'Oréal's creamy, serum-infused primer instantly blurs fine lines for a smoother, more youthful-looking complexion.

Which primer is best for fine lines and wrinkles? ›

Best for Fine Lines: L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Face Blurring Primer. Why we love it: L'Oréal's creamy, serum-infused primer instantly blurs fine lines for a smoother, more youthful-looking complexion.

Which is the best primer for mature skin? ›

Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Hydrating Makeup Primer

More than half of the pros we spoke to recommended this primer as the best for mature skin, proving it's a worthy option to consider.

Does primer help fill in wrinkles? ›

Applying a makeup primer helps to smooth the look of the complexion and provides a flattering, blurring effect that bends and bounces light when it hits the skin. Primer can help to reduce the look of wrinkles, but it won't fill them in, as such.

Does primer hide fine lines? ›

Primer fills in fine lines and blurs imperfections, and with a smooth, even surface, your products will apply more easily.

What is the best plumping primer? ›

Catrice Cosmetics The Hydrator Plump & Fresh Primer This wallet-friendly option by Catrice is one of Sesnek's go-to primers. ``Its light formula gives the skin a fresh, hydrated look with aloe vera,'' he tells Byrdie. The formula has a gel texture that offers a refreshing cooling sensation.

What do makeup artists use to fill wrinkles? ›

The Hollywood Wrinkle Filler

– Hollywood's top makeup artists use Dermaflage Topical Filler to turn back time. This innovative silicone wrinkle filler was expertly developed by special effects makeup pros who demand the best wrinkle filler with results that look like real skin, even up-close and in real life.

What is the #1 primer? ›

NYX Professional Makeup Marshmellow Smoothing Primer.

What primer do professional makeup artists use? ›

Dior's Backstage line was created with makeup artists in mind. It's a do-it-all, works-on-everyone type of primer that won't let you down. It's extremely lightweight and doesn't suffocate the skin. Instead, it provides a luminous, even finish and delivers up to 24 hours of continuous hydration.

How do I choose the right primer? ›

For example, if you have dry skin, you may want a hydrating primer with a creamier texture, while oily skin may benefit from a mattifying primer with a lighter, more gel-like consistency. Sun protection: If you're looking for a primer with added sun protection, look for one with an SPF of at least 30.

Do you put moisturizer over primer? ›

The truth is, you should always apply moisturizer before reaching for primer (seriously, always). As we mentioned above, the purpose of a moisturizer is to lock in moisture to keep dryness at bay. If you apply primer first, you run the risk of sporting dry, lackluster skin.

What is the best drugstore primer for mature skin? ›

Best Drugstore: Neutrogena Prep + Correct Primer

If you're looking for a budget-friendly primer, this pick from Neutrogena works to even out your skin tone and give it a more radiant finish.

What makeup smooths wrinkles? ›

A primer helps blur lines by filling them in. It will also help your foundation sit smoothly on your skin and stay put without creasing through the day. A silicone formula with hydrating benefits is a top choice. We like The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer for masking the signs of ageing.

Which primer is best for fine lines? ›

L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Face Blurring Primer

This primer checks all the boxes. Not only is it formulated with a nourishing serum to keep skin hydrated, but it also helps instantly blur the look of wrinkles and pores thanks to silicones that help create a barrier between skin and makeup.

What are the disadvantages of using a primer? ›

When you apply a silicone-based primer to your skin on a daily basis; It makes them greasy and sweaty, which leads to pimples and acne. Also, it may clog your skin pores; This causes many skin problems, especially for oily skin, such as black and white heads, pimples and acne.

How do you keep makeup from creasing in fine lines? ›

Use your fingers to gently rub in a face moisturizer all over your skin. Pay special attention to your laugh lines, around your eyes, and the area under your nose. Let the moisturizer soak into your skin for at least 30 minutes before you apply your makeup to smooth out the creases in your face.

What is the best way to reduce fine lines and wrinkles? ›

If you're looking for more dramatic results, a dermatologist can recommend medical treatments for wrinkles. These include prescription creams and serums; injections of medicine such as Botox, Jeuveau, Xeomin, Daxxify, Sculptra, Radiesse; chemical peels; microneedling; and laser treatments.

How do you cover fine lines and wrinkles? ›

8 Ways to Hide Wrinkles
  1. Plump Up With Moisturizer.
  2. Use Retinoids.
  3. Don't Overdo Anti-Aging Creams.
  4. Makeup: Start With a Silicone Primer.
  5. Use a Light, Moisture-Rich Foundation.
  6. Lighten Up on Powder.
  7. Play Up Your Eyes.
  8. Smudge-Proof Your Lips.
Sep 19, 2013

What makeup won't settle in wrinkles? ›

Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Foundation

What We Love: It doesn't settle into fine lines, even after hours of wear.

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