Cosmetic chemist Ginger King tells Allure that taking this extra step to find a hydrating lipstick is worthwhile. “For mature women, the selection of lipstick is trickier because they tend to have thinner and drier lips.” A safe bet, King says, is to “choose a more muted tone and just a hydrating sheer color; a tinted lip balm may be more suitable than a fully pigmented lipstick.”
What ingredients should I look for in lipstick for mature skin?
Hyaluronic acid is a beneficial ingredient for older women. “Hyaluronic acid provides hydration and plumpness—it also helps fill in the cracks on the surface of the lips by drawing in moisture, also known as a humectant,” says Badro.
Other moisturizing heavy hitters are emollients like shea butter and cocoa butter, which work to soften dry cracks and blur the appearance of fine lines. These ingredients are also responsible for giving your lipstick formulas that easy-gliding feeling. Regarding ingredients to avoid, Guth recommends steering clear of matte lipstick formulas, as they’re drier in consistency and may highlight fine lines.
How should I apply lipstick for mature skin?
Aside from seeking more nourishing ingredients for your maturing lips, your application technique plays a vital role in your finished look. To enhance the look of your lips, start with a clear lip balm to prime and prep the area. “Primers are a great way to ensure that the products stay in place and can prevent feathering, which can draw attention to fine lines,” Guth says.
After lip primer, she recommends using a lip pencil one to two shades darker than your natural lip color to slightly overdraw and give the illusion of bigger lips (try the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner for this step). Fill in your lips with your lipstick of choice, pop a bit of a lighter shade to the middle of the lips to highlight, et voilà! Instantly plump-looking lips.
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best lipsticks for mature skin, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, makeup artists, and cosmetic chemists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, demographics, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, efficacy, and hydration. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
