We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
7 Best Primers For Mature Complexions To Encourage Radiance And Hydration
Skin so good, you might even need less foundation...
Next to peptide moisturisers and enlivening tinted moisturisers, incorporating the best primer for mature skin will help create a plush, healthy canvas that feels comfortable and lasts all day long.
The Best Primers For Mature Skin
Make-up experts agree that proper skin prep is the first step to achieving make-up that looks fresh and radiant. No longer the slippery, silicone-heavy formulas of years past, modern primers now aim to flood skin with hydration and brightness - all while extending the longevity of your make-up.
The expert:
- Ruby Hammer, make-up artist and founder of Ruby Hammer
What are primers?
For esteemed make-up artist Ruby Hammer, whose own products (the blush and lip balms are standouts) are designed to enhance the wearer's radiance, make-up primers are an extension of your skin routine. 'They help to create the perfect base by smoothing, adding in hydration and locking in skincare,' she tells ELLE. 'I use them when I want my make-up to last longer or to address specific concerns, like dryness, uneven texture or to increase longevity of make-up being applied for special occasions or long days.'
Who should use a make-up primer?
If you find your foundation looking cakey or sliding off quickly, a good primer can tackle the issue - provided that you find the right one. It's not a one-size-fits-all product.
'If you have dry skin, a hydrating primer can make your complexion feel fresh and more comfortable. If you have oilier skin, a mattifying or blurring primer can help provide balance. The trick is to treat it like skincare - pick the one your skin actually needs,' shares Hammer.
How to find the right make-up primer for mature skin
Mature skin types will vary - just like all complexions. You can be oily, dry, a combination of both and have various concerns. 'As we age, skin can become drier, show more fine lines or develop uneven tone,' says Hammer, adding that a hydrating primer is a great place to start if you're new to primers as 'it will keep your skin looking plump and prevents foundation from settling into lines'.
To encourage radiance, Hammer recommends a lightweight illuminating primer with ultra-refined pearls (not glitter) for a natural glow. If excess shine is a concern, skin-balancing ingredients such as niacinamide and salicylic acid can help without leaving the skin feeling parched.
'Always test a few in-store if possible—primers interact differently with skincare and foundation, so what works beautifully for one person may not work as well for another,' Hammer adds.
How to use a primer correctly
Less is always more. 'Apply a small amount, starting from the centre of the face and blend outward with fingertips, a brush, or a damp sponge. Focus on areas where make-up tends to break down: around the nose, forehead, or anywhere with fine lines,' shares Hammer, name-checking Laura Mercier, Tatcha and L’Oréal as her go-to primer brands. Let it sink for a minute before applying foundation.
Pilling (or the balling up of product) happens when layers of skincare and make-up don't mesh well together. To avoid, Hammer recommends applying your skincare in thin layers and letting each step absorb fully before adding the next. Adds Hammer: 'When it comes to primer, don’t overapply—too much product can cause rolling. And always check ingredient compatibility; some silicones and water-based formulas don’t mix well.'
The best primers for mature complexions
Streamline your routine with this two-in-one powerhouse, which delivers both moisture and preps the skin for make-up. It uses 11 different forms of hyaluronic acid alongside squalane, rosewater, sweet almond oil and niacinamide to ensure your skin is deeply hydrated all day long, thus negating the need for a separate moisturiser. Let in sink in for a few seconds before applying your foundation for a velvety soft finish that lasts.
Product specifications:
| Shade: | Clear |
|---|---|
| Benefits: | Hydrating, plumping |
| Texture: | Light cream |
| Key ingredients: | Squalane, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide |
Make-up artist Danessa Myricks is known for creating plush, impeccably radiant complexions on people across all ages and ethnicities. Short of having her do your make-up, try this moisturising primer. It delivers hydration which keeps your make-up looking fresh and prevents foundation from settling into fine lines while antioxidants provide added skincare benefits.
Product specifications:
| Shades: | Three |
|---|---|
| Benefits: | Moisturising, glow-boosting |
| Texture: | Creamy |
| Key ingredients: | Glycerin, squalane, niacinamide |
A real insider favourite. Tatcha's silky primer is infused with silk powder to smooth and brighter while the brand's proprietary complex of double fermented Akita rice, green tea and Okinawa algae helps to calm any flare-ups. If you're prone to oily skin, this lightweight texture feels especially refreshing and comfortable throughout the day.
Product specifications:
| Shade: | Clear |
|---|---|
| Benefits: | Smoothing, pore-filling, soothing |
| Texture: | Silky |
| Key ingredients: | Silk powder, Uji green tea, Okinawa algae |
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer
The Luminous Silk foundation is revered for its picture-perfect finish, but if you're looking for extra longevity and radiance, layer this luminising primer underneath. For a more low-key approach, apply it after your SPF or moisturiser and leave as is for a healthy glow.
Product specifications:
| Shade: | Clear |
|---|---|
| Benefits: | Brightening, hydrating |
| Texture: | Silky |
| Key ingredients: | Glycerin |
Powered by skincare ingredients such as hydrating glycerin and clarifying salicylic acid, this gel primer creates the appearances of refined pores and minimises excess oil without leaving mature complexions feeling tight and uncomfortable. This also translates into longer-wearing make-up. It's a great one for no make-up days too, as it simply gives a gentle blurring effect to any redness and pores.
Product specifications:
| Shade: | Clear |
|---|---|
| Benefits: | Oil-control, soothing, blurring |
| Texture: | Silky gel |
| Key ingredients: | Glycerin, salicylic acid, panthenol |
Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer Illuminating
Whether you're looking to perk up a tired complexion or want to give your foundation a more radiant effect, this lightweight primer will do the job. Gentle pearl powders lend a brightening finish without enhancing fine lines while nourishing ingredients keep the skin feeling fresh and supple.
Product specifications:
| Shade: | Clear |
|---|---|
| Benefits: | Radiance, hydration |
| Texture: | Gel-cream |
| Key ingredients: | Pearl, glycerin, rose extracts |
Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer
We tend to use a much smaller amount of make-up than skincare to fully reap the benefits of its ingredients, but if you prefer your base to still deliver some goodness to the complexion, this dewy primer has you covered. It's loaded with probiotics to keep the skin's microbiome in balance (read: less redness), nourishing squalane and hyaluronic acid to restore moisture and bisabolol to keep reactive skin in check. Just add concealer for that second-skin, fresh face effect.
Product specifications:
| Shades: | Clear |
|---|---|
| Benefits: | Hydrating, soothing |
| Texture: | Gel-cream |
| Key ingredients: | Hyaluronic acid, probiotic, peptides |
Medina Azaldin is the beauty editor of ELLE and Harper's Bazaar UK, working across print and digital features. She has more than seven years journalism experience and has previously written for Red and Good Hoousekeeping. When she's not demystifying the latest skincare ingredient, sniffing out the next big perfume trend or uncovering the science behind wellness practices, you'll most likely find her in Hatchards Piccadilly or watching a crime series with her cats. Oh, and she's a competitive cheerleader, too.
15 Of The Best Beauty Travel Sets For Summer
Taylor Swift’s New ‘Life Of A Showgirl’ Lipstick
The 9 Best Smudge-Proof Mascaras For Summer
The Best Cream Blush Of 2025
