The best primers for mature skin

Primer is the key to flawless and long-lasting makeup – if you’re using the right one. But sometimes trying to choose the right primer can feel like an impossible game of chess. And if you have mature skin, there are a few extra skin needs and concerns that you might want to tackle.

So we’ve spoken with makeup artist Sonia Allen to find out how you should go about choosing a primer for your mature and aging skin…

What picking the right primer can do

Sonia explains that the right primer will address your main skin concerns while helping your makeup to look its best. “For example, using an anti-redness calming primer on rosacea-prone skin will mean you won’t need as much coverage from your foundation or tinted moisturiser to correct the redness. In turn this means coverage won’t need to be as heavy and the makeup can remain looking fresh,” says Sonia. “Choosing a hydrating primer for dry skin will ensure skin remains hydrated throughout the day and won’t leach moisture from the foundation. When this happens we often see ‘cracks’ in the foundation but using the right primer underneath avoids this as skin remains supported.

“Mature skin is often prone to hyperpigmentation and sun spots. Choosing a treatment primer with SPF and brightening ingredients will be key to prevent more sun spots appearing and can sometimes also help fade existing patches of hyperpigmentation leading to a clearer, more even complexion,” says Sonia.

Picking the right consistency

Does it even make a difference? In short: yes. “Ultimately a balance between the required texture you feel comfortable with (consistency of a cream or gel or spray) and the results you want to obtain (even skin tone, SPF protection, hydration, anti-redness, radiance) will guide you in making the right choice of primer,” says Sonia.

“Generally as a guide, mature skin is better suited to gels (for to normal-oily skin) and creams (normal-dry) than sprays. You can always use a refreshing skincare mist first before your primer if you like the feeling of a spray before makeup application. The Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist is absolutely divine to use at any stage of your skincare application and can also be used to refresh makeup throughout the day,” Sonia explains.

What to keep in mind when choosing a primer for mature skin

1. Conditions that come with mature skin

“Mature skin often needs support whether it’s for conditions such as flushing, rosacea, inflammation or loss of elasticity. Choosing a primer that is able to address some of these skin concerns is a great way to ensure the rest of your makeup application will be as fresh and long-lasting as possible,” Sonia explains.

2. Matching ingredients to skin type

“Matching ingredients in primers to skin types is also essential. For example, a drier dehydrated skin would benefit from a moisturising primer which would likely contain emollient ingredients to hydrate and nourish the skin,” says Sonia.

3. The makeup look your aiming for

“Thinking about how you’d like your makeup to look will also aid you in choosing the right primer. Do you like full coverage and lots of colour, or are you more on the minimal side?” explains Sonia.

Sonia’s mature skin primer picks

“Primers with treatment grade ingredients will always yield the best results,” says Sonia. “You should think of your primers as an extension of your skincare regime.”

She trusts the following four primers for mature skin because of their ingredients.

1. Colorescience Even Up SPF 20

“Endorsed by the Skin Cancer Foundation in the US, this is a great treatment primer that helps to improve the appearance of skin discolouration while protecting the skin from sun exposure. It brightens the skin and has a slight tint making it ideal also for “no makeup” days. Great base for makeup and ideal for mature skin concerned with hyperpigmentation and sun spots,” says Sonia.

2. Colorescience All Calm Colour Correcting Primer

“A 3-in-1 formula which helps to neutralise the appearance of redness, soothe and calm sensitive skin and provide SPF30. Going one step further, it also contains BioSolace™ complex to provide ongoing relief from sensitivity and treatment making this an ideal primer for inflamed skin, those with rosacea, flushing or even acne. An Oprah Winfrey award winner!” Sonia says.

3. CoverFx Anti-Ageing Primer

“This primer certainly helps makeup to glide on and extends the wear. It is loaded with Coenzyme Q10 to improve clarity and radiance as well as MultiPeptide Copmlex to support skin repair, collagen production and hyaluronic acid production. Also loaded with Vitamins F, C and E to protect the skin, soothe inflammation and reduce redness,” Sonia explains.

4. Marc Jacobs Under(cover) Perfecting Coconut Face Primer

“A really beautiful primer, it suits mature skin that is on the dry/dehydrated side. It contains five types of concentrated coconut extracts to nourish and hydrate skin and create a vitamin-rich barrier between skin and makeup aiding in the makeup application process and longevity of products layered over the top,” says Sonia.