When looking for a foundation for mature skin, you might find yourself faced with a choice between a loose powder or a lightweight balm. Both have their benefits, but Sabina Wizemann, the Beauty & Personal Care Lab director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, is putting each formula category to the test to determine which is best for mature skin based on texture, application, finish, and wear.
To start the blind evaluation, Wizemann applies a loose powder on one side of her face. The formula is sheer, blurring, sets right away, and “buffs in nicely,” she notes. However, the matte finish can accentuate texture on mature skin. “You might want to look into something more hydrating,” says Wizemann.
Then, Wizemann dabs a foundation balm on the other half of her face. “This is very smooth and creamy,” she says, blending the formula with just her fingertips. “It has a really nice slip to it—slightly dewy, natural, [and] just looks like your skin, but better.” The winner of the test, it’s revealed, is the L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluron Tinted Balm.
“I want something that is going to deliver on coverage, hydration, and care,” says Wizemann. The balm checks all of her boxes, with buildabl...