Did you know that your makeup can either give you a youthful glow or draw attention to any crow’s feet or laughter lines? “Powder can actually settle into wrinkles and accentuate them, but liquid foundation acts like a filler for a smoother finish,” advises beauty industry expert Emma Bruzzesi. Again, if you’ve got enlarged and rather visible pores, a liquid foundation is also your best option – for the very same reason.
The trick, according to the skincare experts for those aged 50 plus at PrimeWomen.com, is to keep in mind that excess makeup will always serve to exaggerate any signs of aging. So make sure to use a brush when applying your foundation and, afterward, always press your face gently with a damp makeup sponge. “This technique will remove any foundation that has settled into your fine lines and wrinkles,” they advise. By removing any excess, there’ll be no accentuation of any form of aging that you’d rather keep under wraps.
Dryness under the spotlight
While not appealing to talk or think about, it’s worth looking into and reading up on what makes our skin drier and rougher as we age. Dermatologist Dr. Sonia Badreshia-Bansal tells WebMD readers that this is caused by a combination of “fewer natural oils, sun damage, and decreased cell renewal.” Her colleague, Dr. Carolyn Jacob, concurs, advising that a reduction in hormones can also add a drying effect. When we age, she says, “The skin doesn’t produce as much natural moisturizing factor as it used to, and the top layers of skin [can] become dry.”
There are plenty of things you can do to treat skin that’s becoming drier, but first, let’s analyze the link between dry skin and your foundation. If you’ve been wearing powder-based foundation for many decades, it may be time to make the switch to a liquid-based product. Why? As time passes, an old favorite may need an upgrade. Professional makeup artist Lenore Caulton-Downey suggests that powder foundation is likely to accentuate dry skin, whereas a liquid option can add a “moisturized and healthy” glow.
Nudge-nudge, wink-wink: the latest liquid-foundation renditions are being produced with many highly-desirable ingredients, which include anti-aging peptides, SPF 30 (or more), hydrating, and also skin-toning agents. Instead of caking it on, as per your great-grandmother’s era, industry pros are suggesting that we go ahead and experiment with coverage – thereby applying what we need, where we need it, with just our fingertips.
Remedies for dry skin, even before you begin to apply your makeup? Protect your skin on a daily basis with a reputable sunscreen; add a plethora of antioxidants and healthy oils to your diet; moisturize whenever you think of it and can do so (not in the midst of a work Zoom, but otherwise anytime and all the time); chat to your skincare professional about products that specialize in slowing down any sort of collagen breakdown.
When blemishes strike
Caulton-Downey also has valuable advice for older women with dermatological issues. Rosacea, for example, creates a texture on the skin – another reason to steer clear of powder foundation, which could make a skin issue appear “more pronounced,” she advises.
On the other hand, a liquid foundation is geared towards giving you increased coverage that stays put longer – no need to reapply too often, then, especially if your work involves ultra-long shifts, such as those of an air hostess, for example. Powder has its uses, though – especially if your skin is textured and oily, where a liquid foundation may provide a good base while a light dusting of loose powder could then be applied to handle any hectic shine.
An anti-aging winner? CC cream. It combines sunscreen (go for an SPF 50+ if you can), foundation, and moisturizer all in one liquid solution, which is color-correcting (especially against redness and bumpiness) but still lightweight and breathable without clinging to dry spots. Just make sure the CC cream brand you go for boasts both collagen and peptides, then apply it with a dense foundation brush and blend outwards. Redness, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone… All sorted!
Anything but shine
In contradiction to all of the above, powder foundation still has its place – especially if your skin tends to gather shine over time. Even better, shop around for a product that “applies like a liquid, but dries down to a smooth, powder-like finish.” If it has kaolinite clay in it, you’re “A” for away with an ingredient that will absorb oil as the day, or night, progresses in order to keep your complexion shine and blemish-free – naturally.
How new-gen creams stack up
The more mature generation often asks about how new-generation products, such as BB, CC, and DD creams, weigh in against normal foundations. There really needs to be more educational material out there to answer these varied queries.
However, any beauty therapist who knows her stuff, such as those writing for Healthline.com, will explain that while these new-generation solutions are easily applied and facilitate you exiting the house with a solid dose of SPF and moisturization in place, they tend to lack variety. “Most are formulated in only a select few shades (light, medium, and dark, for example), while traditional foundation brands offer a way more inclusive, and gradually increasing, variety of shades,” say their experts.
A last dab
Moral of the story? Makeup artist Jamie Coombes, who has the back of any mature beauty reader, tells GoodHousekeeping.com that dehydrated skin will not provide a healthy base for any type of foundation. Essentially, “Good hydration is key to a youthfully radiant complexion at any age” is his take on the matter. It all comes down to a thorough and appropriately considered skincare regime – he’d also make a case for a brilliant serum and notable moisturizer.
While powder is a great aid in setting makeup and mattifying skin that develops shine, fine layers win over trawling it all on. “As we get older, heavier finishing powders can look overdone – accentuating pores, flattening the complexion, and generally aging us,” Coombes enthuses. So lightly does it for an overall more youthful-appearing you.
<sources>
https://blackopalbeauty.com/collections/foundations-primers
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/beauty/makeup/a573359/foundation-older-skin/
https://primewomen.com/beauty-and-fashion/skin-care-and-makeup/flawless-foundations/
https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/age-dry-skin#1
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/what-is-cc-cream#worth-a-try