While there’s no denying that aging is one of life’s greatest privileges, the passage of time can deploy changes to your skin that may have you reconsidering the products in your makeup bag. Dermatologists have previously explained to HuffPost that the natural production of collagen and elastin — proteins that give the dermis a firm appearance — slows as we age, in turn rendering skin thinner and less buoyant.The eye area is a particularly tricky one — as dermatologists have previously confirmed, eyelid skin is the thinnest on the entire face, and the natural loss of collagen can exacerbate the sensitivity of this already-delicate skin, making it prone to sagging and dehydration. If you’re concerned that the eye makeup products that you once relied on may no longer be enhancing your skin the way it should, we’re here to help. Over the years, we’ve spoken to scores of dermatologists and makeup artists about the best products for mature skin, along with combing thousands of reviews to determine which makeup essentials get the highest marks from shoppers in their 40s, 50, 60s, and 70s. Ahead, we’ve rounded up an arsenal of eye products — primers, eye shadows and liners, mascara and brow products, and concealers — that are designed to be extra-gentle on mature skin. AmazonA viral primer for helping eyeshadow stay put"This is a lightweight formula that evens out the texture and tone of your eyelids, setting the perfect, smooth canvas for all types of eye looks," reported shopping writer Griffin Wynne in previous coverage of this popular mature-skin-friendly eye makeup primer. "Users say it helps their eye shadow go on softer and keeps their shadows from creasing or fading." Just blend a pea-sized amount across your eyelids and wait for it to dry, then apply your eye makeup. Promising review: "I am adding this product to my Christmas shopping list for my mom, sister, coworkers, and girlfriends. It’s a remarkable product. I don’t have just ONE under eye issue. I have them all. Dark circles. Visible veins. Sinking skin. Crepey skin. Fine lines. This product made an immediate and visible difference. It blended invisibly but erased my problems. Nothing is going to make me look 25 again, but this product is a game-changer." – Holly Scott JonesThrive CausmeticsA brightening eye stick available in 28 shadesThis illuminating eye stick by Thrive Causemetics, a beauty brand dedicated to crafting makeup suitable for mature skin, is meant to make eyes look more lifted and awake. Apply the versatile, waterproof and cream-to-powder formula in the waterline, inside corners of the eyes or beneath the brow bone. It comes in 28 light-reflecting shades, and is infused with macadamia and meadowfoam seed oils to prevent a drying texture that settles into creases. Promising review: "I absolutely love them! They go on smoothly and they last all day! They don’t smudge and they blend nicely. My skin is not smooth, I’m 67 years old and they look great, no creasing." — Melinda K.NordstromA brown eye pencil with a slight shimmer"One tip I always give women who want to freshen their makeup as they get older is to switch from black eyeliner to brown," explained Brett Freedman, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist, in previous coverage. "Let the black from the mascara be the deepest shade."He loves Mac Cosmetics' Eye Kohl eyeliner pencil in the shade Teddy, because it's the perfect deep brown with the right amount of shimmer to catch light and add depth. For even more definition that won't drag eyes down, Freedman also suggested using a slightly lighter brown, like Mac Cosmetics' Powersurge, on the bottom lash line.AmazonA highly-rated lash curlerAccording to Freedman, nothing opens eyes up more than curling the lashes. "Once lashes are in the curler, squeeze and hold for a quick count of 10," he said, cautioning against "pumping" lashes with the curler, which he said "won’t really ‘set’ a curl."Based on his suggestion, we chose this highly rated stainless steel lash curler that promises to avoid pinching the delicate skin around the eye and uses elongated silicone pads that will be gentle on lashes.Promising review: “This curler doesn't pinch like all the others I've used over the last 50 years (yes, I'm 70). I was so pleased with my first curler, I immediately ordered a second for travel and threw out the other 6 I had collected over the years.” — Vicki DiPaoloMeritA "clean" mascara for sensitive eyesThis "tubing" formiula is designed to encase each eyelash with Merit's smudge-proof formula that conditions lashes with olive oil esters, fatty acids and vitamin B5.Promising review: "I have very sensitive eyes that have become more sensitive as I age. However, this mascara is truly amazing. Easy to apply-not clumpy- does not flake, and best of all stays all day long. So happy I found Merit. I use all your makeup. And am spreading the word to family and friends. Thank you!" — MaryMeritA brow pencil-and-spoolie combo for precise definitionApply this gel-consistency pencil to skin to create the appearance of brow hairs, and use the attached spoolie to style and shape existing hairs.Promising reviews: "My 25 year old daughter introduced me to Merit products which I have been using exclusively over the past year. Aside from some skin care, they have quickly replaced all of my make up items. The brow 1990 is a game changer! Since it's gel based, it's easy to apply without dragging on your skin and has really great staying power. The thin tip allows precise strokes that look natural. Everything from the quality, color selection and results I get from Merit products make me want to buy this brand exclusively. I also love how everything works together and blends seamlessly. Definitely looking forward to new products. — Mary B."This is the product I didn’t know I needed and now can’t live without!!! The fill is so subtle, the brush is perfection, and the combo with the 1980 has given me perfect eyebrows I didn’t know I’d want after spending my entire 40+ years feeling grateful they’re full and shaped. Turns out that’s produces lead to even better." — Britta A.MeritA gentle pomade for fuller-looking browsMerit's precise brush applies a conditioning pigment to individual brow hairs, ensuring that this face-framing feature appears fuller and more distinct.Promising review: "Makes for a perfect end to my new four-step routine: conceal under the eyes (in Linen) flush blush (in Beverly Hills), gloss (in Taupe) and brow 1980 👌 LOVE! All easy to use, perfect for 50+ skin and great staying power! – daphne l.AmazonA lightweight and brightening concealerThis bestselling concealer really has a way of providing comfortable and cushiony coverage under the eyes without looking cakey or creasing. The flexible and hydrating formula is infused with goji berry extract to brighten skin, color correct blemishes and camouflage fine lines. Available in 19 shades, the Instant Age Rewind is favorite of HuffPost reporters who attest to the incredibly lightweight and seamless texture. Promising review: "I love this..I struggle with eye bags and this doesn't remove them but does a great job at covering them and making my eyes look brighter. I use it under my eyes after moisturizing and then apply my regular foundation which is slightly darker than my shade of this (fair) and then I add a little more and the end of my makeup routine and I'm old and this does not get caked into my "mature skin" I will definitely add this to my subscriptions. Im.not paid to write this,just a soon to be 47 yr old who is looking for ways to disguise my gracefully aging skin.” — ReviewHappyAmazonA versatile eyeshadow stickWith nearly 2,000 reviews and a 4.5 star rating, this easy eyeshadow stick from IT Cosmetics is a clear customer favorite. This “Superhero” stick is blending with a priming formula to help the product stay put, and emollients like collagen, ceramides and a tri-peptide complex help to protect your the delicate skin on your eyelid. The silky "no-tug" formula applies with a creamy consistency and then dries down for smudge-free wear.Promising review: "This is the only eye shadow I use on my older eyelids. It never creases or looks dry or wrinkled. I use the shade Super Slate. I found it for a great price on Amazon. Yea!" — MzTechAmazonA drugstore eyeliner that took one reviewer 40 years to findThis creamy, cruelty-free eye pencil is packaged with a retractable tip that eliminates the need for sharpening. It's deeply pigmented and available in essential shades like black and brown and in addition to a gradient of metallic tones for more eye-popping looks. Promising reviews: "The color is soft and rich. It glides on smoothly. I'm 70 years old but it's easy to control the fine tip. The color is beautiful for an older woman. I highly recommend this color and this pencil." — LB"BEST EVER IN 40 YEARS OF BUYING EYELINER. I have been wearing eyeliner since I was a teenager and I can say with 100% confidence that this is by far the best eyeliner I have ever used. I'm a pencil girl so I can't speak much about liquid. But this goes on really nice and doesn't pull or tear at my aging skin. It lasts all day under normal conditions and has stayed on for hours in the water. Love the bronze color with the tiny sparkles. It's the only liner ibhave purchased in several years now. And the price... FAHGEDABOUDIT! 5 STARS across the board." — Vanessa L. KnightSephoraA cream-to-powder brow pencil that last a long time"After you hit a certain age, it's like all the hair on the other half of your eyebrows disappears," lamented Joan Wells, grandmother of senior shopping writer Tessa Flores, in previous HuffPost coverage. She claims to have found a worthy solution in this cream-to-powder brow pencil by Anastasia Beverly Hills. Available in six shades, Wells claims that this velvety-textured pencil lasts throughout the entire day and is easy to apply. And if you have white hair like hers, she suggests opting for the "cool taupe" shade, because it looks the most natural. Thrive CausemeticsA buildable crease-proof concealerAnother winning age-conscious formula from Thrive Causemetics, this creaseless concealer claims to brighten, blur and diffuse the appearance of fine lines and imperfections. It's infused with a proprietary eye serum containing moisture-locking ingredients like coconut emollients and betaine and elasticity-promoting snow mushroom extract. Shop this in 20 waterproof shades.Promising reviews: "I love it! It is much better than my previous concealers. It helps the wrinkles not to show around the eyes. I’m glad I bought it and will buy more when I run out." — Susan B."I've been searching for this concealer my entire life. I've always had dark circles but as I've gotten older I've got wrinkles around my eyes too. This stuff matches my skin tone perfectly. It's light and buildable. It does not make wrinkles look worse like all the others. Is not greasy. It's matte. It really looks like your not wearing concealer. I don't look so tired all the time. Thank you Thrive." — judi mWalmartA smudge-proof and easy-glide eye linerThis super silky formula is designed to glide over your skin, so there's no uncomfortable tugging on delicate eye skin or skipping application on fine lines. The waterproof formula is gentle enough for sensitive eyes, and promises to be non-drying, budge-proof and comfortable enough for all-day wear.Promising review: “I've used this product in Brown and love it, but have recently been wanting to switch back to using Black eyeliner. I'm 55 and about 5 years ago felt like black eyeliner was too harsh and aging my face. I love this eyeliner, but WOW- a little of the black goes a loooong way. I have to apply it with a slight hand, but it looks great as long as I don't go to hard with it. And this product lasts all day- I only swipe a little on my bottom lashes and it's still there at night when I clean my face. I think people have luck with different products but this one works for me- I just have to be careful in the application for sure.“ — Texas momRelatedshoppingmature skineye makeup
People With Mature Skin Are Obsessed With This Gentle Eye Makeup
Reviewers with mature or aging skin swear by these gentle eye makeup products.
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