For anyone who has used foundation to conceal problems in skin tone or texture, you know how painful it can be to look at your face a couple of hours after application and see how the makeup actually accentuates the problem. This is especially true of fine lines and wrinkles. Somehow, all that foundation seems to migrate to the wrinkles, making them appear even deeper than they really are and giving your face an all-around cakey and overdone look.

But this doesn’t mean that you should give up, either accepting the caked-on look or leaving your wrinkles on display sans makeup. Here are some alternatives and some tips that will help your skin appear wrinkle-free and healthy.

Skip the heavy foundations. If you are stuck on using liquid or cream foundations, choose a sheer, light coverage. Liquid and cream foundations both tend to cake up throughout the day, so go with the least amount you can to meet your needs. Products with lightening ingredients or light reflectors will help diminish the appearance of wrinkles by lightening up the shadows caused by creases in the skin.

Choose makeup that blends perfectly with your skin tone. It may be the biggest makeup faux pas ever, choosing a foundation that doesn’t match your skin tone. Applying the wrong tone of makeup to your entire face can make your face look disconnected from your neck, while applying it strictly to problem areas can actually make the problems stand out more. The same goes for wrinkles. The wrong foundation tone will only serve to highlight your wrinkles. There are plenty of foundations on the market today that offer options to change the tone and make the foundation perfectly match your skin.

Try mineral powder makeup. Mineral powder makeup is the big rage with celebrities these days. It not only lays much lighter on your skin than liquid or cream foundations, it also promotes a healthier complexion since it does not clog pores or suffocate the skin. This is an option if you are looking for full wrinkle coverage without the heavy look of foundation. Mineral powder makeup may not be as effective for oilier complexions, however, because the powder will clump up throughout the day.

Moisturize. Perhaps the best things you can do to help makeup look smoother and less noticeable is to maintain a strict moisturizing routine. Even for oily skin, moisturizers are absolutely essential in keeping the skin fresh and young-looking. Dead skin cells on the surface can cause makeup to look dull and obvious, so choosing a good cream is crucial. There are a number of wrinkle creams available that protect and moisturize the skin while stimulating cell turnover and growth to keep skin smooth. The healthier and smoother your skin is, the better any makeup will work to cover wrinkles and other skin damage.

Find a moisturizer that helps your makeup look flawless. For information on wrinkle creams that help even out the tone and texture of your skin, click here.