Key ingredients: encapsulated water, vitamin B3, peppermint oil, peptides | Finish: shiny | Shades: 19
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of lipstick for mature skin?
While moisturizing lip products like balms, oils, and masks deeply condition your lips, it’s understandable if you don’t want to sacrifice your favorite red lipstick in the name of hydration. Thankfully, you can achieve the pigmentation you desire and still reap the benefits of lip-loving, texture-blurring ingredients, thanks to the abundance of hydrating and conditioning oils. In case you aren’t aware, moisture replenishment is especially important for diminishing the look of volume loss and fine lines, two key concerns that tend to pop up around the mouth as we get older. “As we age, our capacity to retain water in the skin diminishes, so skin becomes drier,” Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, previously told Allure. “Dry skin can appear dull and make fine lines more noticeable.”
Cosmetic chemist Ginger King says 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” or springing a tinted lip balm may be more suitable than a fully pigmented lipstick.”
What ingredients should I look for in lipstick for mature skin?
In case it wasn’t evident, hyaluronic acid is a beneficial ingredient for all, but especially for older women. According to New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Doris Day, MD, this hydrating humectant is “great at holding water and giving skin resilience and firmness.” Los Angeles-based makeup artist Elaina Badro adds that hyaluronic acid’s plumping properties help “fill in the cracks on the surface of the lips,” creating a smoother look to your lips.
Other moisturizing heavy hitters are emollients like shea butter and cocoa butter, which soften dry cracks and blur the appearance of fine lines. These ingredients are also responsible for giving your lipstick formulas that easy-gliding feeling. As for what to avoid? Guth recommends generally steering clear of matte lipsticks, as they have drier finishes that 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.