I know we’re supposed to age gracefully…but psh, whatever. I’m doing my best to be at peace with gravity, but occasionally I take a glimpse into the mirror and think, “um…maybe you at least TRY to do something about your aging skin.” So I researched. And tested. And researched some more to find the best foundations to hide wrinkles and pores on the market. I was looking for:
• foundation that didn’t settle into creases and pores throughout the day
• foundation with a moisture boost (aging skin is dry skin)
• foundation with SPF 15 or higher
• foundation with anti-aging ingredients
• foundation that achieved that “fresh faced” look – something for daytime/daily wear. Heavy foundations will actually accentuate fine lines/wrinkles
RELATED: 11 Best Anti-Aging Skin Products Under $20 That Really Work
Ingredients you should be looking for when shopping for an anti-aging foundation:
+ Niacinamide: this is a vitamin B3 derivative that protects your skin against pollution and irritants. It has hydrating properties and corrects skin tone.
+ Hyaluronic acid (hyaluronan): this is a natural substance found in healthy skin. Moisture-attracting and holding properties plump up wrinkles and aid in tissue repair
+ Sun protection factor (SPF): octyl salicylate and physical sunblocks like zinc oxide protect skin from the aging effects of the sun.
Not all products will contain ALL these ingredients, but knowing about and being on the lookout for them certainly helps.
The foundations in the slideshow hit most all the points above. If you’re age 30+, these are must-try foundations!
What about you? What foundation do you swear by, and why?
The 15 Best Foundations to Hide Wrinkles and Pores
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NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation, $48
Buy Now at Nars Cosmetics
COVERAGE: Medium
KEY FEATURES: Gold and green pigments in a perfect 4-to1 ratio optically manipulate how light reflects off skin's surface, evening the complexion for instant luminosity. Green pigments negate redness on contact, while gold combats dullness. Scarlet Spiderling Root Extract helps reduce the appearance of discoloration and reveal brighter, more even, uniform skin over time.
BEAUTY BLOGGERS SAY: "I swear to you my face was glowing and legit looked luminous. Even my boyfriend commented asking what I had on my face because it is so different to other foundations I have used. Personally, one pump covered up most of my imperfections, but for the chick that likes the ultimate full coverage then two pumps will do you fine. I used two pumps recently on a night out and the finish was still natural and lightweight.” — LauraLivingLife.com
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Max Factor Skin Luminizer Foundation, $25
Buy Now on Amazon
COVERAGE: Light
KEY FEATURES: Infused with subtle skin luminizers, Max Factor Skin Luminizer Foundation creates a healthy-looking glow that'll ensure your skin lights up the room. It offers the perfect combination of radiance and coverage.
BEAUTY BLOGGERS SAY: "If you have dry/dehydrated skin this is the foundation for you, yes the texture veers slightly on the thick side but it blends out like a dream be it with a brush, sponge or your fingertips. The creamy formulation feels lightweight on the skin, it doesn't cling to any dry areas and despite being a little on the thick side it does not feel heavy once on the skin at all.” The Sunday Girl
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BareMinerals BareSkin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20, $29
COVERAGE: Medium to Full
KEY FEATURES: Clinically proven tone-correcting mineral foundation and brightening serum in one. Made with the bare minimum ingredients and formulated without oil, silicone, parabens or fragrance.
BEAUTY BLOGGERS SAY: "The coverage was fantastic. Fuller than I thought it would be, but it didn’t look too heavy. You know how some serums can have a gel-like feel on the skin? This doesn’t feel like that. … It didn’t leave me shiny, nor did it feel greasy, it just felt hydrating.” — Kate, Thesmallthingsblog.com
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Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturizing Balm, $56
Buy Now at Bobbi Brown Cosmetics
COVERAGE: Light
KEY FEATURES: Broad spectrum SPF 25 helps protect skin against damaging UVA/UVB rays. Argireline® peptide boosts skin’s natural collagen production and clary sage ferment strengthens skin’s protective moisture barrier. Water-in-oil emulsion creates a uniquely rich and emollient balm texture that helps promote immediate and long term moisturization.
BEAUTY BLOGGERS SAY: "You can also use this as a base under foundation but I usually wear it on its own. It does have a tendency to make me a bit shiny so I always set it with a powder. This has VERY light coverage–think tinted moisturiser but it does hydrate my skin throughout the day. I use this product to even out my skintone on days when I don’t need to look “flawless”. Also–the packaging is so luxurious and gorrrgeous!” — EssieButton.com
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Maybeline Instant Age Rewind Erase Treatment Makeup, $9.52
Buy Now on Amazon
COVERAGE: Medium
KEY FEATURES: Patented micro corrector applicator micro-fills and smoothes imperfections on skin's surface. Super concentrated formula with goji berry and collagen tightens and improves skin elasticity. SPF 18 helps protect skin from sun damage.
BEAUTY BLOGGERS SAY: “I give it major kudos for the fact alone that [the formula] has an SPF 18, but Instant Age Rewind Foundation also contains Goji berry, a powerful antioxidant/super fruit known for its abilities to defend the skin against environmental aggressors to help prevent premature aging. ... The texture of this liquid gives a decent amount of buildable coverage and makes my skin look pretty fresh, soft, and happy.” — Amber, Beautyjunkiesunite.com
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Suqqu Frame Fix Cream Foundation, $125
Buy Now on Suqqu
COVERAGE: Full
KEY FEATURES: Suqqu's Frame Fix cream foundation is a rich and light cream foundation that does not need a makeup base prior to application, simply apply to freshly moisturized skin. It spreads smoothly to moisturize your skin and fits to your skin perfectly, covering pores and unevenness, leaving the skin fully hydrated and lustrous.
BEAUTY BLOGGERS SAY: "It’s a high coverage foundation. I prefer a sheer coverage yet gravitate to high coverage bases. ... It’s a dewy finish foundation. Luminous but never greasy. Greasy is bad. ... It’s long wearing. If sky-high Japanese humidity isn’t the ultimate test of longevity, I don’t know what is. A dewy foundation that stays put? Mind blown.” — ShamelessFripperies.com
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Jouer Matte Moisture Tint SPF 15, $40
COVERAGE: Medium
KEY FEATURES: A lightweight, mattifying moisture tint evens out imperfections and imparts a velvety smooth finish with its Multi-Mineral Complex. SPF 15 protects from UVA and UVB rays while vitamins A, C and E deliver rich antioxidants to the skin.
BEAUTY BLOGGERS SAY: As someone that doesn't wear heavy makeup, this is my favorite foundation that delivers flawless coverage for day AND night. I prefer the matte formula over the luminizing formula - I can skip powder entirely. I've always found powder to sink into/highlight my fine lines, so this is the perfect product for me. - Cathleya, Momtastic.com
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Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free SPF 20, $34
COVERAGE: Light
KEY FEATURES: Micro-fine light diffusing pigments create a sheer wash of natural color and not only mask, but help diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkes.
BEAUTY BLOGGERS SAY: "This definitely felt like a moisturizer and whatever tint existed pretty much disappeared. I would recommend this for people who don't wear makeup (more than gloss and mascara) and those that have dry skin type." - Kia, Yummy411
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Clinique Even Better Makeup SPF 15, $22
COVERAGE: Medium to full
KEY FEATURES: Product promises improved clarity, a more even skintone, and visibly diminished age spots. The long-wearing formula provides moderate-to-full coverage and also helps prevent new discolorations with SPF-plus antioxidants.
BEAUTY BLOGGERS SAY: "It glides over the skin and hides minor imperfections such as small blemishes etc. I also found it to not settle in my pores nor did it highlight the fact they are enlarged. My skin is dull so the brightening factor spoke to me." - The Sunday Girl
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Perricone MD No Makeup Foundation, $35.70
COVERAGE: Extremely light
KEY FEATURES: Treatment, cosmetic and SPF 30 all in one. A multi-purpose product that provides natural translucent coverage, corrects skin undertones, instantly smooths fine lines and boosts skin's natural moisture throughout the day, all the while delivering antioxidant benefits.
BEAUTY BLOGGERS SAY: This is my everyday foundation. Perricone products have transformed my skin; while they're pricey, I'm a believer. The coverage is extremely light - it doesn't cover up blemishes, but it evens out skin tone enough to make you appear as if you are not wearing any makeup at all, but have naturally beautiful skin. Perfect for running around during the day, but not for date night. - Cathleya, Momtastic.com
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Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12 Hour Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen, $47.90
COVERAGE: Light to medium (buildable)
KEY FEATURES: 12-hour longwear, powerfully pure formula not only works as a skin-soothing treatment, but as a moisturizer, sunscreen, primer and foundation that visibly improves skin's overall appearance for a youthful-looking glow.
BEAUTY BLOGGERS SAY: Gives you an illuminating glow that reminds me of a bronzed, Greek goddess. A primer, sunscreen, and moisturizer in one. This product can be used underneath makeup as well. Tarte's BB cream is an anti-aging treatment with a glistening of shimmer that can be seen when facing certain angles of the sun." - Natalie, Momtastic.com
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Omorovicza Complexion Perfector, $95
COVERAGE: Light to Medium
KEY FEATURES: This product does not contain polyethylene glycol, petrochemicals, silicones, synthetic colors, or synthetic fragrances. Great for all skin types including those with sensitive skin, these versatile five-in-one formulas are designed to do it all: support with high levels of active skincare ingredients; moisturize and smooth dehydrated skin; prime and perfect skin’s surface; camouflage and color correct the skintone; and protect skin from the sun with SPF.
BEAUTY BLOGGERS SAY: It gives me an absolutely gorgeous palette, which holds onto color well (probably due to its moisturizing properties). The biggest selling point for me, and the reason that I’ll replace this bottle, is the skin care ingredients and the lightweight feel. Some BB creams claim skin care benefits, this one delivers. Immediately. Bottom line–it’s a top shelf BB cream, the best I’ve tried. - Amy, CafeMakeup.com
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Philosophy Miracle Worker Anti-Aging Foundation SPF 30, $24
COVERAGE: Medium
KEY FEATURES: Visibly takes up to 5 years off your complexion. Helps to improve radiance and tone, even after you take it off. All-day, natural-looking coverage
BEAUTY BLOGGERS SAY: "The coverage is beautiful! I would call it medium to full coverage and has a beautiful glow. Since I'm on the oily side, that's not always a good thing for me. But its so gorgeous on the skin I'm making it work with a primer. I apply it by using a damp beauty blender." - Mandy, Living in My Heels
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Neutrogena Healthy Skin Makeup Compact SPF 55, $11
COVERAGE: Light to full (buildable)
KEY FEATURES: Blends easily to give you a flawless, natural look, while helping to protect your skin from the sun's damaging rays. Silky, lightweight formula gives you buildable coverage and provides the most powerful level of UVA-UVB protection available in a foundation without feeling heavy.
BEAUTY BLOGGERS SAY: "This is going to be of great help to me in this harsh Florida summer (last year I burnt my back in spite of wearing a sunscreen). Also, great for travelling. It stayed put on my face for around 6-7hrs." - Beena, BeatuyAndEverythingElse.com
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Marc Jacobs Beauty Genius Gel Super-Charged Foundation, $46
COVERAGE: Medium to full
KEY FEATURES: Erase the past, perfect the present, and protect the future. Formulated with lifestyle ingredients and Buoyancy Gel™ technology, Genius Gel Super-Charged Foundation creates a weightless, natural veil that never settles into fine lines. An infusion of Soft Focus Powder reflects light to minimize imperfections, while revitalizing multi-vitamins provide supreme hydration for even application and luxurious wear.
BEAUTY BLOGGERS SAY: "It's very lightweight (perfect for Spring and Summer), so I'm astonished at the coverage I received. It covered nearly every mark on my face and dark circles. ... It's a peculiar formula, but not gel like at all. The description for this foundation states, "Erase the past, perfect the present, and protect the future." For me that happened." - Kim, AVerySweetBlog.com
