Not applying primer under your foundation or favourite base is one of the biggest beauty faux pas those with mature complexions can make. It’s the secret beauty weapon to creating a flawless make-up routine. Not only do the best primers smooth the way for make-up to apply seamlessly, they’re also the trick to making it go the distance.Our skin texture changes with age. Fine lines, pores, blemishes, and dryness make it harder to apply coverage directly to the skin without it settling or migrating into and around these imperfections, accentuating them rather than concealing them.That’s where a primer comes in. It glides over the skin, creating a smooth base – just like you’d prime a wall before painting – evening out the skin’s surface, so your coverage applies evenly. The extra prep step also ensures your make-up lasts longer, and some even have agents that make-up grip to which prolongs wear.From blurring to mattifying, you’ll find an abundance of primer formulas to suit every skin type and need. But let me make it easy for you: stick to hydrating primers if you’re over 35. Moisturising formulas work best for ageing skin that sits on the dry side.Your skin might also benefit from an illuminating primer if dullness is a skin-bugbear, they’re packed with light-reflecting particles to fake a youthful glow, or perhaps a little colour correction. I’ve covered all these bases below…Read more: 9 best primers for the perfect make-up base, tested by a beauty writerI looked for formulas that helped my make-up application (Sabine Wiesel/The Independent)The best primers for mature skin 2026 are:Best overall – Vieve super skin nova: £39, Spacenk.comBudget buy – E.l.f power grip primer: £11, Boots.comBest for hydration – Hourglass illusion priming moisturizer: £58, Spacenk.comBest moisturiser – Bobbi Brown vitamin enriched face base moisturiser and primer: £54, Lookfantastic.comBest for colour correcting – Stila one step correct colour correcting and brightening primer: £28, Marksandspencer.comRead more: Best neck creams for 2026, reviewed by a beauty expert in her 40s