The 9 Best Primers for Mature Skin of 2026, MUA-Approved

Key Ingredients: Silk, anti-pollution natural actives, green tea, rice, algae | Size: 0.35, 1 oz | Texture: Liquid | Finish: Natural | Cruelty Free: Yes

Tatcha is a fan–favorite brand among those with mature skin, so it’s no surprise that their Liquid Silk Canvas made our list. Celebrity makeup artist Catrina Breitweiser describes this primer as having a “silky, refined texture that blurs pores and fine lines while keeping skin comfortable.” Made with fibroin, sericin, and silk powder, aka “thin layers of silk,” as the brand puts it, this primer makes mature skin look nearly poreless and provides a smooth base for makeup. Bonus: it includes natural actives that fight against pollution, as well as Tatcha’s signature Hadasei-3, made of green tea, rice, and algae for a gorgeous glow.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, bisabolol, glycerin, and silicones | Size: 1 oz | Texture: Cream | Finish: Natural | Cruelty Free: No

Breitweiser says the L’Oréal Age Perfect Blurring Face Primer is the best drugstore primer for mature skin. Made specifically for aging skin, it contains vitamin E for moisture and protection against environmental aggressors, bisabolol to soothe redness and inflammation, glycerin to boost hydration, and silicones to soften wrinkles and blur pores. “It has a silky texture that smooths fine lines without feeling heavy or silicone-slick,” she says. “It gives that soft-focus finish that helps foundation sit beautifully on textured or crepey areas, especially around the cheeks and mouth.” Plus, its rosy tint is a universal shade that gives the complexion a youthful radiance, and it can be worn on its own or underneath foundation.

Key Ingredients: Vitamins A and E | Size: 0.34, 1, 1.7 oz | Texture: Gel | Finish: Matte to natural | Cruelty Free: Yes

Another favorite of Spickard’s, this blurring primer will make your skin look like it has a filter on. “The Danessa Myricks Blurring Balm in the shade Universal is incredible,” he says. “It smooths and blurs the skin without grabbing onto any texture or leaving any white cast.” Upsalite in the formula helps absorb oil and sweat, while olive-derived squalane balances oil production and conceals signs of aging, such as dryness and fine lines. And to put the cherry on top, you’ll find hyaluronic acid for a boost of hydration. While the Universal shade is an excellent option for a standard primer, it’s available in 22 shades if you’d prefer a tint and more of a primer-foundation hybrid.

Key Ingredients: Upsalite, olive-derived squalane, hyaluronic acid | Size: 0.63 oz | Texture: Balm-to-powder | Finish: Matte | Cruelty Free: Yes

Spickard turns to the tried-and-true, beloved Smashbox Photo Finish Primer for his mature clients. Dry texture and enlarged pores are common concerns among those with mature skin, and this primer does an incredible job of addressing them and smoothing the complexion. “It fills in any large pores and helps blur the skin,” says Spickard. It’s lightweight and oil-free, so it won’t feel cakey, and it’s formulated with antioxidants to help shield skin from environmental stressors. Plus, it has thousands of five-star ratings from users online.

Key Ingredients: Vitamins B, C, and E, hyaluronic acid, squalane, shea butter | Size: 0.5, 1.7, 3.38 oz | Texture: Cream | Finish: Natural | Cruelty Free: No

The key to smooth-looking makeup is starting with a moisturized, hydrated base, especially for mature skin prone to dryness. Both of our experts recommend this skincare-makeup favorite from Bobbi Brown. “Marketed as a primer-skincare hybrid, this formula is perfect for mature skin,” says Spickard. “It gives skin a beautiful, juicy plumpness, creating a smooth base for makeup.” It’s packed full of vitamins, specifically vitamins C, B, and E, to brighten, reduce redness, and protect the skin barrier, and it plumps and hydrates thanks to hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and squalane. It has a subtle scent of grapefruit and geranium; while you may want to skip it if you’re sensitive to scent, the fragrance is 100% naturally derived.

Key Ingredients: Rose extracts, French mineral water, glycerin | Size: 0.5, 1 oz | Texture: Liquid | Finish: Natural | Cruelty Free: No

Dry skin will drink up this hydrating primer from Laura Mercier. Despite its lightweight feel, Breitweiser loves how intensely moisturizing it is, helping prevent makeup from clinging to dry patches and ensuring a smooth canvas. It helps smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles with glycerin, an incredible humectant that plumps skin, and French mineral water, which targets dullness. In terms of nourishment, its blend of rose extracts helps add moisture. Online reviewers praise how smoothly foundation glides over it, along with its longevity abilities and the burst of hydration it gives skin.

Key Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide | Size: 0.31, 1, 2 oz | Texture: Cream | Finish: Natural | Cruelty Free: Yes

While you should be applying sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day, it never hurts to have some extra sun protection in your makeup. The Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer contains SPF 15 and is one of Breitweiser’s favorite primers for mature skin. “It gives a soft-focus glow while hydrating and smoothing texture beautifully,” she says. It’s oil-free, so it won’t feel greasy on the skin like some primers do.

Key Ingredients: Finely-milled powders, porcelain flower extract  | Size: 1 oz | Texture: Liquid | Finish: Radiant | Cruelty Free: Yes

The Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter is a viral favorite for a reason. If you want a glowy, radiant complexion, this primer is worth adding to your cart. It’s multipurpose and can be used as a tinted primer, foundation, or highlighter, making it truly customizable to your preferences. It’s made with finely-milled powders that help blur texture and pores, and the finish is filter-like. Since mature skin can experience dullness, Breitweiser likes that this pick makes skin look luminous and glowy without highlighting texture.

Key Ingredients: Rice bran extract, deep-sea extract, polymer and mineral powder blend | Size: 0.26 oz | Texture: Liquid-cream | Finish: N/A | Cruelty Free: No

Mature eyelids tend to have more texture and crepiness, which can cause eyeshadow to crease and fade. An eyeshadow primer can help make your eye makeup last longer and prevent creasing and smudging. Breitweiser’s favorite eyeshadow primer for mature skin is this pick from Nars, which she says keeps shadow in place without emphasizing texture. It also does an incredible job at preventing creasing throughout wear. “A very thin layer goes a long way and keeps shadow smooth, vibrant, and locked in all day without drying the skin,” she notes.