They say life after 40 is when the fun really begins. You know your worth, you've hit your stride, and you've learned what works best for you. But as you've grown more confident in your own skin, your makeup has started to shift, too. Collagen loss, years of sun exposure, and the natural evolution of skin mean your beauty needs are different now, and you might find that the foundations and concealers you used to rely on just don't serve you anymore. The fix? Reach for complexion products that feel more like skin care than cover-up.
We rounded up eight foolproof, lightweight options to drench your skin in hydration, smooth texture, and bring out your best features. Several are packed with natural ingredients you'll actually recognize. One delivers a caffeine kick strong enough to make your favorite barista jealous. And one is designed to block the UV rays standing between you, and your well-earned me-time.
So on your next trip to Sephora [1], walk in with the glow of someone who's used to knowing exactly what she wants — and getting it.
Hourglass Veil™ Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation
Hourglass Veil™ Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation [2] ($49)
Keep your skin looking taut with this long-wearing foundation that delivers hours of protection — no cracks or creases settling into your fine lines or pulling away at your chin. That's thanks to meadowfoam seed oil [3] — packed with antioxidants and fatty acids to help promote elasticity and to stop your makeup from pilling and flaking, especially as skin becomes drier with age. Shea butter [4] also offers unbeatable skin barrier protection and anti-inflammatory properties. This product goes on and stays on for all day luminance.
Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops Dewy Skin Tint
Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops Dewy Skin Tint [5] ($68)
With so many good-for-you ingredients (hi, ginseng and pomegranate extracts) and a supple consistency, this skin tint from celebrity-loved Westman Atelier is practically a serum — made to even out skin tone, lift, and boost elasticity and radiance. It has long-lasting coverage, meaning you won't need to rely on much else in your cosmetics bag to achieve the coveted glow from within that only comes from wisdom and age (and the peace of mind of having picked the right beauty product for your changing skin).
Sarah Creal Face Flex Concealer & Complexion Enhancer
Sarah Creal Face Flex Concealer & Complexion Enhancer [6] ($58)
Fueled by green tea and caffeine, this luxury concealer is the perfect pick-me-up to brighten beneath the eyes. Aloe vera extract calms redness, making it ideal to help reduce the appearance of sun-related damage. It melts so seamlessly into your complexion and enhances evenness with such ease, it's nearly impossible to tell the makeup from your real skin underneath.
Iris&Romeo Best Skin Days SPF30 Whipped Tinted Moisturizer
Iris&Romeo Best Skin Days SPF30 Whipped Tinted Moisturizer [7] ($48)
You may not even realize it, but the blue light from your devices can wreak havoc on your skin. This multifunctional formula is loaded with skin-protecting properties that'll not only boost your complexion with added hydration — as time makes it more difficult for your skin to create its own oils and retain moisture — but also promote collagen production and prevent light damage.
Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick
Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick [8] ($38)
In one application, this foundation and concealer stick brightens skin and diminishes the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. It's rich with sea daffodil extract [9], the hero ingredient responsible for treating skin discoloration that may arise as we get older. Plus, it's compact enough to take with you on the go. Try it in a variety of shades to highlight or contour your cheekbones and jawline, areas of your face that tend to sag and may benefit from some light sculpting.
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Natural Glow Foundation
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Natural Glow Foundation [10] ($69)
While we left behind many style symbols in the first decade of the century, this foundation is not one of them. Both celebrities and their makeup artists have raved about this illustrious base product since it launched in the early aughts. And for good reason: it not only soothes redness and hides blood vessels, but its natural matte finish and incandescent sheen (sans shininess) is what really makes it stand out on makeup shelves. Weightless, buildable, and leaving you with plumper, more polished-looking skin with a single swipe of a makeup sponge or brush, this product remains one of the most beloved beauty formulas for mature skin. If you're searching for a sign to try it, look no further. With all purchases over $25 and a Beauty Insider account, you can pick up a sample at Sephora today, and watch in awe as it works its wonders.
Saie Slip Tint
Saie Slip Tint [11] ($38)
Finally, a buildable and creamy water-based tinted moisturizer with coverage to get excited about, especially if you're going for the no-makeup makeup look. Designed to even out skin tone and leave you with a dewy glow, this skin tint is ideal for dry skin. It also doubles as a primer when used under foundation to add moisture to your skin barrier.
Ciele Tint & Protect Medium Coverage Serum Foundation
Ciele Tint & Protect Medium Coverage Serum Foundation [12] ($44)
It's true that with age comes an air of refinement and grace. It's also true that the appearance of large pores and texture can creep up on us over time. This skin tint delivers just the blur you're looking for. With broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen, it fights against the harmful effects of UVA, UVB, infrared, and blue light — just be sure to layer it over additional sun protection for a truly glowing complexion. Lightweight and buildable, it smoothes into an effortless satin finish.