10 of the best primers for mature skin you can find at Boots
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones and Boots Health & Beauty Team
Beauty & Skincare
Reading time: 5 minutes
Keep make-up crease-free and fresh all day long with our top picks and expert tips
If you’re finding that your foundation isn’t sitting as smoothly as it once did, you’re not alone. As we age, changes to skin texture and oil levels (cue dryness and dullness) mean we could all probably benefit from a few small but mighty product swaps to help combat creasing and give our base a radiance boost.
A great place to start? Your primer .
One of the easiest ways to give your make-up routine a makeover from the ground up, modern primers are brimming with skincare benefits to provide even more bang for your buck – think of it as a stealthy extra layer to ensure a hydrated, healthy glow.
From what to look for in a primer to how to apply one, we spoke to top make-up artists in their 40s to answer your most searched for questions. Read on for their expert tips plus, 10 of our favourite primers for mature skin guaranteed to take your base to the next level.
Is primer good for those with mature skin?
Absolutely. Consider it a triple threat and then some.
Primer is a true multitasker, a make-up/skincare hybrid that not only acts as a foundation primer that helps your make-up stay the distance, it also works on the skin beneath to target common skin concerns.
These include changes to skin texture, dryness, pigmentation and sun damage that becomes more noticeable as we age.
A quality primer can even help you resist the temptation to apply more make-up to cover age-related changes in your skin – a real fast-track ticket to a cakey finish. The golden rule? Less is more. A good primer can help provide a dose of clever layering to reduce the risk of foundation overload.
“Make-up tends to be more noticeable when skin is dry and textured,” explains Amalie Russell, pro make-up artist at Bobbi Brown. “It settles into fine lines, creases or dry areas and creates shadow and texture. Make-up primers can help smooth, hydrate and cancel this out.”
Want to learn how to apply your foundation on top of your primer like a pro? Watch our tutorial for achieving a glowing, natural-looking finish.
How to pick the best primer for mature skin
For seamless layering, it’s all about finding the balance between skincare and texture. “Cream-textured primers are great on mature skin as they restore radiance and hydration, allowing for a lighter, more discreet coverage base on top,” says Benefit Cosmetics make-up artist, Laurretta Power.
Water-based primers are usually lighter but still hydrating. “Those containing glycerin can help combat the dryness caused by ageing without feeling heavy,” she says.
“‘Underglowing’ – the art of helping skin glow before make-up is applied – can help make everything you’re concerned about look less noticeable,” says Amalie. “Shea butter and hyaluronic acid in primers can help add moisture and lock it in, while vitamin C can help brighten and protect against oxidative stress.” Consider us sold.
How to apply primers on mature skin
Application is everything and when it comes to primer, a hands-on approach is best. “I apply primer directly onto the skin with my fingers as it warms it up and makes it more malleable, ensuring a smoother lightweight finish,” says Lauretta.
10 of the best primers for mature skin
Whatever your skin type or budget, we’ve got your back – and your face – with our top Boots-approved picks.
For more add-to-cart inspo, browse our full range of hard-working primers.
Best for adding moisture
Try: Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base
• Size: 50ml
• Great for dry, combination and oily skin types
• Can also be used as a night cream
This primer/moisturiser hybrid is a beauty editor favourite for a reason. Rich but non-greasy, it’s the secret to cushiony skin, thanks to its blend of shea butter and vitamins B, C and E that help skin look and feel softer and smoother for longer.
Best for reducing the appearance of pores
Try: Benefit The POREfessional Lite Primer
• Size: 22ml
• Fragrance-free
• Non-comedogenic
• Great for oily skin types
Lauretta’s go-to primer, this pick helps smooth skin while locking make-up in place. Pore-blurring powders instantly soften their appearance while its 73% water-based, fragrance-free formula containing glycerin feels weightless on the skin. A great all-rounder.
Best for smoothing the appearance of wrinkles
Try: Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch
• Size: 15ml
• Great for combination, dry and oily skin types
This melting, smoothing make-up primer visually minimises skin texture in seconds. Simply apply a fine veil over moisturiser and wait a few minutes before applying your face base. Magic.
Best for SPF
Try: Sculpted Beauty Base Protect SPF 50 Primer
• Size: 50ml
• Vegan-friendly
• SPF50 Broad Spectrum protection
• Translucent colour to suit all skin tones
Infused with hyaluronic acid to give the skin a splash of hydration, this all-in-one moisturising primer preps, protects and perfects in one easy application. With peptides for skin conditioning and SPF50 to protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays, this radiant formula also helps give the skin a subtle glow. We love it!
Best for brightening
Try: Max Factor Miracle Prep 3-in-1 Beauty Protect Primer With SPF30
• Size: 30ml
• SPF30
• Formulated without fragrance, oil or silicones
• Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin
This pick not only primes skin and extends the wear of make-up, its ginseng complex helps preserve a radiant complexion long after your make-up comes off. Anything else? It’s got you covered: helping protect skin against pollution and UV rays, too.
Best for blurring
Try: Estée Lauder The Smoother Universal Perfecting Primer
• Size: 30ml
• Great for dry, combination and oily skin types
Infused with skin-softening apricot essence, this lightweight primer optically perfects skin, diffusing the look of visible pores while leaving skin with a smooth, even base for layering on your make-up. Or wear it alone – it’s a one-step beautifier.
Best for mattifying
Try: Revlon PhotoReady Prime Plus Mattifying + Pore Reducing Primer
• Size: 30ml
• Great for oily skin
If your skin skews oily, it can mean your make-up slides faster than the time it took to apply it. Try this sebum-sapping face primer infused with clarifying salicylic acid and AHAs . Simply apply one or two pumps to fingers and sweep from the centre of the face outwards to help control shine and give your base extra staying power.
Best for plumping
Try: Too Faced Plump & Prime Luxury Face Plumping Primer Serum
• Size: 30ml
• Serum texture
• Great for dry skin
As we age, skin can feel less supple and bouncy due to lower collagen levels. Thanks to hardworking ingredients like peptides and niacinamide, this serum/primer hybrid helps prime, even out and plump your complexion in one easy step.
Best for colour correction
Try: Super Facialist Skin Perfecting Primer
• Size: 30ml
• Colour-correcting
• Great for dry and dull skin
With peach, green and lavender pigments, this clever formula provides a colour correcting twist to your primer. A pea-sized amount massaged into skin helps tone down everything from redness to sallowness and dullness, while hyaluronic acid, cica and niacinamide help to hydrate, comfort and calm.
Best for value
Try: 17 Photofilter Balm Primer
• Size: 20ml
• Vegan-friendly
• Great for dry and combination skin types
This lightweight balm primer instantly minimises the appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles to give more expensive products a run for their money. Light-reflecting microspheres and shea butter give skin a smooth, silky finish. Your wallet will feel as looked after as your skin.
