Frequently Asked Questions
What foundation works best for mature skin?
Foundations that work best on mature skin tend to be moist and flexible, rather than dry or heavy. “Mature skin looks best in hydrating liquid, serum, or soft satin formulas that go with the skin,” says Breitweiser. “This finish helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and dryness instead of emphasizing them.” Powder foundations are not limited, but heavy powders can exaggerate the texture; Breitweiser says she prefers to “keep the cream basic and use the powder where it’s really needed.”
Are drugstore basics as good as fancy?
“Drugstore cosmetics have come a long way,” DeMann says, noting that the gap between them and luxury formulas is much smaller than it used to be. Today’s drugstore options offer more realistic textures, a wider shade range, and a skin-like finish instead of makeup. “Many drugstore formulas build well without cake, which is great for mature skin,” adds Breitweiser. And like the pricier options, application is important: “Use thin layers with a brush or wet sponge to keep everything looking nice and natural,” he says.
What are the basic ingredients that help with dry skin?
For dry skin, especially mature skin, look for foundations that include hydrating and barrier ingredients. “Many products include emollients like niacinamide, oil, and hyaluronic acid,” which help keep the formula flexible and prevent it from sticking to dry patches, says DeMann. She says she prefers liquid lotions because they “move with the skin” instead of sitting on top of it. Ingredients like glycerin, squalane, and ceramides can also make a big difference in helping foundation go on smoothly and stay comfortable all day.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any cosmetics, we ask several questions: What ingredients are in them? Does the brand offer a wide range of colors that include consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for students with sensitive skin or contact lens wearers? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or is it unnecessarily wasteful?
To review the best drugstore foundations, we enlisted the help of dozens of editors, writers, contributors, makeup chemists, and professional makeup artists to review the products. This ensures that our test base includes different skin tones, genders, and skin conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four main categories: ingredients, aging and longevity, packaging, and inclusiveness. To find out more about what’s involved in our reporting, see our full review process and how to page.
Our staff and inspectors
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You may be looking for a face cream to combat persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday skincare routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launch to hit the hair market. Whatever your wants or needs and concerns, Seduction you want to make sure you like whatever we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse group of writers and editors—in addition to the extensive list of external reviewers and industry experts we call on regularly—is critical to achieving that goal.
After all, we can indeed Are we saying that a skin care product is “best” for people over 50 when the only testers we asked for were people under 30? Can we honestly consider a premium diffuser worth your hard-earned money if it’s never been tested on curls? We pride ourselves on the fact that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair colors, genders, and backgrounds, which means we are able to thoroughly evaluate any beauty product that enters the beauty closet.
