Just our opinion, but “you’re glowing” just might be one of the best compliments of all time. And the best highlighters for mature skin can help lend skin that lit-from-within look without emphasizing texture, fine lines, or dryness.
Thankfully, today’s highlighters are a far cry from the frosty powders of the ’90s. These days, you can find next-gen formulas that not only blur fine lines—be they sheer liquids, micro-fine powders, and balmy highlighter sticks—but also hydrate skin with ingredients like shea butter, squalane, and hyaluronic acid. Whether you want a subtle wash of radiance or a red carpet-level gleam, there’s an option to suit the look and your skin.
Our Top Highlighters for Mature Skin
Best Liquid Overall: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter, $50
Best Powder Overall: Dior Forever Glow Luminizing Powder, $52
Best for All Over: Armani Luminous Silk Hydrating Glow Extending Primer, $48
Best Drugstore: L’Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Bronzing Enhancer, $18
But the right formula is only part of the equation. On mature skin, a little prep goes a long way, starting with a good face moisturizer. Think of it as building a luminous look in layers. “When skin is fully hydrated, it’s going to look glowy and beautiful before you even attempt to put on highlighter,” says NYC-based makeup artist Kirin Bhatty. From there, your highlighter is more like the finishing touch, rather than the entire glow strategy—meaning you don’t have to rely on glitter or sparkles to get gleaming skin. Ahead, you’ll find the highlighters makeup artists actually reach for—and how to use them to get the most natural-looking radiance.
Best Liquid Overall: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
Why it’s worth it: Part makeup primer, part highlighter, Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter has always been a bit of an overachiever. The multitasking formula pairs a dewy sheen with the blurring effect of finely milled powders, so the finish looks diffused rather than glittery—a particularly nice match for mature skin when you don’t want to call extra attention to fine lines or texture. “It gives such a gorgeous, soft-focus glow,” says New York City-based makeup artist Gita Bass. It’s also infused with squalane, glycerin, and porcelain flower extract for a hit of hydration—so it won’t look flat or patchy. It’s also endlessly customizable. Bass recommends mixing a few drops into moisturizer or foundation, or tapping it onto the high points of the face after makeup for extra radiance, or wearing it alone for a sheer, all-over glow. (Tilbury herself also recommended dotting it on beneath foundation, like a primer.) The oversized doe-foot makes it especially easy to apply, while 12 shades offer plenty of options for different skin tones.
Best Powder Overall: Dior Forever Glow Luminizing Powder
Why it’s worth it: Consider this proof that powder highlighter doesn’t have to settle into fine lines or creases. Dior’s Forever Glow Luminizing Powder has a unique, gel-to-powder texture that feels almost creamy going on. Unlike traditional powders, it’s finely milled, so it blends into the skin seamlessly, according to Bhatty. Meanwhile, super-small pearlescent pigments catch the light for noticeable radiance, with three finishes that let you choose your glow: Sequin (a classic iridescent sheen), Strobe (a more dimensional holographic effect), and Halo (which has an icy finish). If you want a highlight that actually shows up in photos, this one brings the wattage. One heads-up: The formula does contain fragrance, which is something to keep in mind if you’re sensitive to scents.
Best for All Over: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Glow Extending Primer
Why it’s worth it: As skin becomes more prone to dryness with age, thoughtful prep can make all the difference in how makeup sits and wears. Start with a hydrating moisturizer, then follow with a makeup primer that adds another layer of moisture—and, in this case, glow. After all, “glowing skin is all about layering luminosity,” says Bhatty. Primer is a natural place to start—and there’s no better thanArmani’s Luminous Silk Hydrating Glow Extending Primer, which is infused with hyaluronic acid to help skin feel plump and hydrated. It creates “a veil for other products to sit on top of,” says Bhatty; this helps makeup glide more smoothly over dry areas and fine lines rather than emphasizing them. The lightweight gel absorbs quickly but leaves behind just enough tackiness to grip makeup, along with a fresh, natural-looking sheen. Wear it alone for a subtle glow, layer it under foundation, or add highlighter on top when you want to dial up the radiance.
Best Drugstore: L’Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Bronzing Enhancer
Why it’s worth it: This illuminating lotion gives plenty of more expensive formulas a run for their money, with a soft, pearly shimmer that reads more candlelight than floodlight. There’s no chunky glitter in sight, either. “It’s not too intense, and provides a really natural glow,” says Bhatty. Shea butter and glycerin add hydration, while silicone offers a subtle blurring effect to minimize the appearance of fine lines. This lightweight formula can be worn alone, under makeup, or mixed with moisturizer for an all-over body glow. Try dabbing it along the collarbones and shoulders for a subtle hint of bronzy glow.
Best Multiuse: Saie Glowy Super Gel All-Over Luminizer
Why it’s worth it: It’s big on TikTok, but even offline, Saie’s Glowy Super Gel is especially loved for its versatility. The lightweight gel formula “is a highlighter, but I also look at it like skin care and primer,” says Bhatty, who uses the multitasking formula mixed into moisturizer, on its own, under foundation, or tapped onto the high points of the face like a traditional highlighter. Glycerin, squalane, and rosehip seed oil give it plenty of slip and hydration, helping it glide over mature skin rather than emphasizing wrinkles. Better yet, the highlighter blends effortlessly and can be used practically anywhere you want a hint of radiance. “I love adding a swipe onto the lid and inner corners of the eye for extra sparkle,” says Bass.
Best Stick: Chanel Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick
Why it’s worth it: There’s something refreshingly fuss-free about a stick highlighter: no brushes required, no loose powder to contend with, and a precise application exactly where you want a glow. Chanel’s Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick takes that convenience one step further with a creamy, emollient-rich formula that glides over skin without tugging and can be tapped over makeup without disturbing what’s underneath—a major advantage for mature skin. Rather than a metallic sheen, it leaves behind a shiny, almost wet-looking finish. “It has a very dewy glow that photographs beautifully,” says Bhatty, who frequently uses the creamy balm stick on clients when she wants to emphasize glossy skin for the red carpet. Swipe the twist-up stick onto cheekbones or eyelids, then tap it in with your fingertips for fresh, glassy radiance in seconds.
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