The Best Vegan Makeup and Skincare for Women Over 50
These will be your new beauty faves.
As a nation, we’ve become more conscious of what we put in — and on — our bodies. We’re reading labels on packages of pastas and shampoos, and our browser tabs are filled with Google searches like what is glycerin and how many trans fats are in french fries. And that’s a good thing!
When it comes to beauty products, everyone has their own criteria about what’s healthiest to put on their skin, hair, and nails. For some, clean beauty products (free of toxins) are preferred, while others opt for natural makeup and skincare (sourced from nature).
But lately, it’s vegan makeup that’s creating all the buzz in the beauty world. What makes vegan makeup vegan, you might ask? Vegan products don’t contain animal by-products, and they omit toxic chemicals like heavy metals, sodium lauryl sulfate, polyethylene, petroleum distillates, and parabens. (Believe it or not, those are common ingredients in many beauty products!)
Sephora has a great selection of vegan makeup for women over 50, from anti-aging primers and foundations to lipsticks and mascaras. Here are our favorites.
Farsáli Rose Gold Elixir
best vegan beauty oil
$54, Sephora
As we age, our skin loses its natural moisture, which leads to wrinkles and creases. Beauty oils are like super-moisturizers that provide hydration for your face, lips, and neck. This one is infused with 24-karat gold flakes that emit a natural-looking glow, and it’s rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids to visibly brighten and improve skin’s texture.
Owner reviews:
“I have severely dry skin all year round, and this has been a game changer for my skin. I absolutely recommend this for a face oil, or adding some to your foundation.”
“I’ve seen this all over Instagram used by a lot of MUA’s and finally decided to try it. This product is amazing for dry skin! I’ve been having trouble with foundation making my skin even more dry. I’ve been using Tarte’s oil but it always makes me feel greasy and it smells like french fries. This oil absorbs very nicely and has a light fruity smell.”
Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup Foundation
best vegan foundation
$29.50, Sephora
Clinique is one of the most trusted brands in skincare, and this vegan foundation is no exception. Just a few drops neutralizes redness and reduces the appearance of blemishes. It contains medicated ingredients to combat acne and prevent future breakouts.
Owner reviews:
“I just returned to foundation after a long hiatus, due to my overly-sensitive skin. I am impressed, this product gave great, natural coverage and did not cause my face to break out.“
“I am a 56 year old (but very cool) woman who underwent chemo 18 months ago. Ever since then, my skin has been broken out with acne above and below the skin… I tried at least five mineral makeups thinking that was the better way to go. I ordered this makeup the other day and received it on last Thursday. All I can say is my skin has already cleared up – it’s a miracle. Great coverage and I use the ivory. I’m in heaven!“
Smashbox Photo Finish Reduce Redness Primer
best vegan primer
$39, Sephora
Primer is generally used prior to foundation, but this one can be used on its own to even skin tone, reduce redness, and blur large pores. It even reduces the look of lines, hence its “photo finish” moniker.
Owner reviews:
“I am 60 and live in a very dry climate. This primer is perfect, both in feel and as a great primer for makeup. I don’t know if I have ever used any type of face cream that feels so silky going on. I absorbs instantly and doesn’t feel greasy at all. I will definitely purchase again.“
“I have rosacea and it helps with the redness and evens out my skin tone. I only put it on the areas of redness and let it set for a couple of minutes before I put my base on. People cannot tell that I have rosacea.“
Bare Minerals Broad Spectrum Concealer
best vegan powder concealer
$22, Sephora
Some people prefer powder concealer to liquid, especially in hotter months. Just a couple dabs of this vegan powder conceals under-eye fine lines, dark circles, brown spots, and other imperfections. Bonus: It can also be used as an eyeshadow base!
Owner reviews:
“I’ve been using this for years. It’s amazing for covering up blemishes. I mostly use it under my eyes, and for that it’s best applied over a cream concealer or primer for maximum stay power without creasing.“
“The best stuff to make you look refreshed, hence the name. Great on eyelids and to cover problems…it’s not greasy and doesn’t creep into wrinkles – it stays on.
Bare Minerals Gen Nude Patent Liquid Lipstick
best vegan lip gloss
$20, Sephora
This high-shine lip gloss comes in 15 shades, so you can choose one to go with your every mood. Reviewers love how hydrated and smooth their lips feel when they wear this — it just might be your new go-to lip gloss.
One reviewer wrote, “If you haven’t decided what your favorite brand of lip products is, LOOK NO FURTHER. I adore all of BareMinerals lip products, but this glossy one is definitely my top choice. It’s a little sticky, but it lasts a long time, and smells AMAZING — it is just the right combination of shine and pigment! Love it! I received one BareMinerals sample two years ago and I’ve been hooked ever since!”
Bare Minerals Lasting Line Long-Wearing Eyeliner
Best vegan eyeliner
$17, Sephora
The challenge with using eyeliner on mature lids is that it often creases on crepey skin. This liner contains vitamin C and, according to reviewers over 50, won’t smudge, smear, or fade.
Owner reviews:
“I have purchased liner pencils at twice the price and they all end up running down my face half way through the day. This is the only liner that actually stays put and glides on and I line my inner eye rims as well. This is the only liner pencil I will buy in the future and stands up to its claims.“
“I have used bareMinerals eyeliners for years and especially love this long-wearing eyeliner. It smudges enough to not make a sharp line, which is what I want, and gives nice coverage/lining. I wear the sage green and love the color!!“
Milk Makeup Flex Concealer
best vegan liquid concealer
$28, Sephora
A liquid concealer is a must-have for dark circles, blemishes, and fine lines. This one contains marshmallow root extract that moves with your face and doesn’t crease or crack.
Owner reviews:
“Love this concealer! I struggle normally with the fine lines under my eyes. Every other concealer has always made them look worse. This one truly does glide over them! I am loving it!“
“Perfect. I never write reviews but felt compelled to for this one. I don’t wear much makeup…just this and then some powder (no primer) and it lasts through my 6.5 hour sweaty serving shift – doesn’t settle into lines, doesn’t look or feel cakey at all and it doesn’t break down and look weird when I can feel my face getting sweaty. It matches my skin tone perfectly and just looks like skin! And it’s vegan and cruelty free! Please don’t ever stop making this!!“
Marc Jacobs Beauty At Lash’d Lengthening and Curling Mascara
best vegan mascara
$24, Sephora
It can take years to find a favorite mascara. According to reviewers over 50, this is it. With vegan plant waxes, biotin peptides, and vitamin B5, this mascara enriches sparse lashes and enhances their appearance.
One reviewer wrote, “At my age and due to health issues, my poor lashes are becoming sparse and definitely not as long as they used to be. I was skeptical but I am very happy I decided to try it. Longer, fuller lashes, close to what I had up to my mid-40’s, not clumpy at all, no smudging or flaking. Oh, and easy to remove. It’s amazing how big an impact a little thing can do.“
Tarte SEA Quench Lip Rescue Balm
best vegan lipstick
$19, Sephora
This lipstick feels more like lip balm than the cakey lipstick you grew up using. With essential extracts, oils, and antioxidant-rich algae, you’ll love the way it hydrates your lips all day long.
Owner reviews:
“I love this balm. I’m over 50 so I want an easy natural look and this balm does just that. It feels good on your lips and adds a nice shine to your lips with a little color. I will buy more.”
“I’ve always had issues with lip products causing my lips to chap. Lipsticks, glosses, even oftentimes balms…chapped chapped chapped. But not this stuff. Finally a lip color product that keeps my lips feeling amazing! So glad I found this!”
Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish
best vegan nail polish
$20, Sephora
Gel manicures are great, but they can do serious damage to your nail bed. This nail polish has ten active ingredients to create the high gloss and long-lasting wear of gel without the harsh side-effects.
Owner reviews:
“This polish is amazing! The brush allows for one swipe, full coverage polish on my smaller nails. And the full coverage is just that, full coverage. One coat was perfect even for this darker shade. I will be purchasing more colors!“
“Great for ladies that want a neutral color without it looking flat. The shimmer is subtle, not overpowering. I paint my 90 year old grandmother’s nails every week for her…she loves the fact that her nails can sparkle without seeing chunks of glitter.“
