As you become older, your skin needs softer formulas, gentler textures, and ingredients that actually do something. The drugstore has gotten really good at this (like, surprisingly good). So we just pulled together 10+ swaps that trade matte powders for luminous balms, harsh cleansers for creamy ones, and flat foundations for blurring tints. Your CVS run just got a lot more interesting (and you buy most of this stuff online too).
Read This Before Scrolling (These Are the Basics for Softer Looking Skin)
Swap heavy matte foundation for a hydrating skin tint
Thick matte foundations can sink into fine lines and can make older skin look drier than it is. A lighter skin tint, a serum foundation, or a hydrating tinted moisturizer provides a softer coverage and allows the skin to look more natural.
Swap powder-heavy makeup for creamier formulas
Using too much powder setting spray, powder blush, or powder bronzer can create texture on the face and make it look worse. Using cream blush, and cream bronzers, and taking a softer approach to setting the face can help the skin look fresh, smooth, and not flat. But let’s get into the 10+ simple solutions for you to get started with today.
1. An Anti-Aging Foundation With SPF 28 Built In
COVERGIRL+OLAY Simply Ageless Instant Wrinkle (Pack of 1)
See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
It’s normal to see fine lines. This foundation is partnered with Olay's anti-aging technology and has an SPF of 28, which is higher than most daily foundations offer. It has a creamy texture, almost like a moisturizer. It finishes softly and luminously and avoids the flat matte finish that makes people look older. The shade leans cool, so if you’re a warm tone, swatch first. It’s buildable, but it will never be full coverage. Reviewers say it doesn’t sink into fine lines, which seems like the entire point. Under $15 and cruelty free at all drugstores. Great for everyday use!
2. A Pressed Powder Foundation That Won’t Settle Into Fine Lines
L’Oreal Paris True Match Super Blendable Oil (Pack of 2)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Pressed powders are usually bad. They can look cakey, settle into almost every crease, and announce themselves by two o'clock. They are usually unfortunate, but this powder is different. It mainly skips this fate because the formula is micro-fine rather than chalky. N9 Medium Deep is warm, which is good for those with a more golden undertone as opposed to rosy. Applying the powder has a silky feel rather than a mask-like one. The coverage is buildable so you can keep it sheer for errands or layer it for actual plans. Yes, it has a mirror and an applicator, but it really matters for touch-ups while in the car. The two-pack system helps to ensure you won't run out before the month is over.
3. A Hypoallergenic Concealer That Won’t Clog Sensitive Skin
COVERGIRL Smoothers ConcealerSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Stick concealers have a reputation for being dry, chalky, and settling into every crease by noon. This one proves otherwise. The formula glides on creamy and balmy, making it surprisingly easy to use under the eyes and around the nose. Plus, it’s hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, which matters if your skin tends to break out from the slightest provocation. Medium 715 has neutral undertones, so it works with a wide variety of warmer undertones. Because it twists up, there are no brushes or fingers needed. A drugstore staple your mom probably used is still earning its spot.
4. Creamy Stick Concealer That Blurs Dark Circles and Blemishes
Revlon Concealer StickSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The work here is mainly being done by a pointed tip. It slips into the inner eye corner, around the nostrils, that one area next to your lip that always needs a little help. The formula isn't chalky, which is nice when you're patting it under your eyes at 7 a.m. and praying no one sees your late-night blunders. HD Filter technology softens the things you'd prefer to be unphotographed, like under-eye bags, the stress pimple that always pops up, and redness around the chin. The coverage is medium but it build up to a full coverage without turning cake. There are 6 shades, ranging from fair to deep. Especially considering it's a drugstore concealer, expectations were set modestly. The performance was not.
5. Full-Coverage Foundation That Actually Lasts Through a 24-Hour Day
L’Oreal Paris Infallible Total Cover FoundationSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Are you looking for a light feeling foundation? One that is full coverage, but you don’t feel like you have a mask on? This is the foundation for you! The formula feels weightless and will not leave your skin feeling sticky, and you can even use the sponge to blend it and your skin will still be able to move. Classic Ivory is the lightest shade and has neutral undertones to fit under any powder. The 24-hour claim is a bit of a stretch, but for a long day at work it definitely holds up. It covers blemishes, calms redness and nothing will move or slide off your face by 3PM.
6. Liquid Foundation That Blends in Until You Can’t See It
L’Oréal Paris Makeup True Match Super (1 Count)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
In this case, you get your money's worth. The claim offers medium coverage that blends into your skin, and that's mostly true. Plus, it's an oil-free formula and has SPF. It's a relief if your T-zone gets shiny during the day. Natural Ivory C2 has a cool undertone; this is good to know, as the entire shade range is built around the undertone structure (warm, cool, neutral). It blends out thin, and has a watery consistency- no tugging, and no mask effect. It is best applied with fingers, although a sponge is great too. You can use it with the matching concealer, but honestly this is enough by itself. It’s not glamorous, but it is simple and even.
7. Hydrating Concealer That Covers Dark Circles Without Settling Into Creases
e.l.f. Hydrating Camo ConcealerSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Under-eye concealer that hydrates instead of settling into every fine line by 2pm? Sign me up. Fair Beige reads neutral, which is honestly the hardest undertone to find at the drugstore. The formula remains workable for a beat (long enough to tap it out with your ring finger), then sets to a soft satin that doesn’t go chalky. Full coverage, but the kind you can sheer out over a blemish without it looking like spackle. It's vegan, Leaping Bunny certified, and costs less than a latte at the airport. The wand is generous, so start with half a swipe.
8. Waterproof Concealer That Won’t Budge Through Tears, Sweat, or Rain
Mega Waterproof Concealer (150See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
It’s amazing that a drugstore brand like Moira can make a concealer that’s waterproof and doesn’t crack after hour four. It has full coverage and a cream finish, with a formula that stays intact even after a hot, sweaty bus ride or an emotional phone call. It’s a little thick, but a damp makeup sponge fixes everything in no time. Shade 150 is a light-medium with a neutral undertone, making it great for both spot covering and your under-eye areas. It’s also cruelty free and vegan with no parabens, and the plain packaging has surprisingly good staying power for a low-priced concealer. This isn’t a glowy-from-within vibe, just reliable, self-sufficient coverage. And that’s what most of us really need.
9. An Anti-Aging Foundation With Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C Built In
COVERGIRL+Olay Simply Ageless 3See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Anti-aging foundations usually have two outcomes: super cakey, or too sheer to have any effect. This one is somewhere more usable. The hyaluronic complex ensures hydration, so microfine eye wrinkles do not get highlighted, and vitamin C does its thing over time. It is also super lightweight. It feels almost like a tinted serum, but enough pigment to neutralize redness and blur under-eye bags. Classic Ivory is gently neutral, which is nice if foundations turning pink have burned you. It’s drugstore priced, Leaping Bunny approved, and no smiles lines by 3 p.m. Solid daily option for skin that could use a touch.
10. Powder Foundation That Covers Like a Liquid, Wears Like Air
COVERGIRL Clean Simply Powder FoundationSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Claims about powders acting like liquids usually disappoint, but this one doesn’t. This compact looks like it came out of a 2004 Caboodle, gold lid and all, but the formula is actually pretty nice. It’s non-acnegenic, hypoallergenic, and derm tested. Translation: it’s not going to break you out if your skin gets mad. It has a soft-matte finish that is super nice. Classic Ivory is a good choice for fair skin with neutral undertones. Just buff it in with a fluffy brush and don’t forget to do touch ups at lunch. It might be rare, but the pan lasts forever! It’s also Leaping Bunny certified, if that matters to you. It should.
11. Serum-Concealer Hybrid With Tremella Mushroom for All-Day Hydration
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP BareSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Because it does what hyaluronic acid is supposed to do, holding evaporative water in the skin, using a concealer with Tremella mushroom in it seems like a small miracle. One pump goes a long way. It is good to use on the under eyes, a stubborn blemish, or a red patch by the nose, and the finish stays flexible and not powdery, which is something to consider if you blink or, you know, have a face. Round the serum side off with Cica and green tea. Medium Vanilla is neutral leaning, good for fair skin with pink undertones. The coverage is medium, the formula is vegan and the wear holds up through a long Tuesday at the office. Not bad for under fifteen dollars.
