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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
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- Should people with mature skin use highlighter?
- Where should you apply highlighter on mature skin?
- What are common highlighter mistakes?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
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
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Charlotte Tilbury
Hollywood Flawless Filter
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
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.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: Porcelain flower extract, squalane, glycerin, mica
- Shades: 12
- Best for: someone who wants a natural glow
Best Powder Overall: Dior Forever Glow Luminizing Powder
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Dior
Forever Glow Luminizing Powder
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
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.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: mica, silica, hyaluronic acid
- Shades: 7
- Best for: those who want to see their highlight pop in photos
Best for All Over: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Glow Extending Primer
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Armani Beauty
Luminous Silk Hydrating Glow Extending Primer
Nordstrom
Sephora
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.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, lipohydroxy acid
- Shades: 1
- Best for: dry skin
Best Drugstore: L’Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Bronzing Enhancer
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L’Oréal Paris
Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Bronzing Enhancer
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
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.
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- Key ingredients: shea butter, glycerin
- Shades: 5
- Best for: head-to-toe glow
Best Multiuse: Saie Glowy Super Gel All-Over Luminizer
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Saie
Glowy Super Gel All-Over Luminizer
Amazon
Shop
Sephora
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.
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Key ingredients: Glycerin, olive-derived squalane, rosehip seed oil
Shades: 5
Best for: mixing and layering
Best Stick: Chanel Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick
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Chanel
Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick
Chanel
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
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.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: diisostearyl malate, mica
- Shades: 5
- Best for: gloss-like dewy finish
Frequently Asked Questions
Should people with mature skin use highlighter?
Absolutely. Glowy skin isn’t reserved for Gen Z; the right highlighter can actually give skin a youthful glow, according to Bass. The key is choosing a formula that complements mature skin and starting with a well-hydrated complexion before you even reach for your brush. And skip the frosty, iridescent highlighting powders altogether.
Where should you apply highlighter on mature skin?
Apply it to the high points of the face, but aim slightly higher than you might have in the past. “Strategically placed highlighter adds a lift and radiance to mature skin,” says Bass. She recommends applying it to the highest points of the face—the tops of the cheekbones, bridge of the nose and brow bones, extending up toward the temples to create a lifting effect. A touch in the inner corners of the eyes can add brightness, too.
Technique matters just as much as placement. Bass recommends warming the highlighter on the back of your hand before applying it to your face: “This helps it melt a little and allows the product to blend seamlessly and evenly onto the skin,” she says.
What are common highlighter mistakes?
It starts with the formula. When choosing a highlighter for mature skin, “steer clear of overly glittery or powdery highlighters, as both can exacerbate fine lines, wrinkles, and more textured skin that comes with aging,” says Bass.
Then, reconsider where you put it. For instance, “don’t apply highlighter close to the under-eyes,” says Bhatty. Since the area is prone to fine lines and darkness, “you don’t want to draw so much attention there,” she explains. Bhatty also recommends skipping the Cupid’s bow, which can draw attention to lips that have become less voluminous with age.
Meet the experts
- Gita Bass, a makeup artist based in New York, NY
- Kirin Bhatty, a makeup artist based in New York, NY
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best highlighters for mature skin, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Buff out your base routine:
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