The Best Blush for Mature Skin: Cream, Powder, Liquid and Stick Picks That Don’t Settle Into Wrinkles

What Actually Changes in Mature Skin (and Why Your Old Blush Betrays You)

Blush is the cheapest cosmetic trick for looking awake. It is also the first product that turns on you after 45. The same powder that looked “soft and pretty” at 32 starts behaving like a forensic highlighter at 55, mapping every pore and fine line with the enthusiasm of a crime-scene technician. It is not your face’s fault. It is the formula.

Mature skin produces less oil, holds less water, and has thinner texture. That combination changes how pigment sits. A dry powder can cling to patches. A shimmer can bounce light off wrinkles instead of softening them. A heavily pigmented cream can look painted on. Makeup artists keep repeating the same diagnosis because it is true: cream and liquid formulas generally blend into the skin instead of sitting on top of it.

But “cream is better” is a lazy conclusion. Plenty of cream blushes are greasy, patchy, or gone by lunch. Plenty of modern powders are now silky enough for 60+ skin, because formulators finally stopped using 1990s talc bricks and started milling pigments finer. The real answer depends on your skin type, your texture tolerance, and whether you want a five-minute face or a twelve-hour shift.

This guide is not a beauty-editor fantasy list. It covers what to buy, what to skip, what a “clean” label actually costs you, and which retailer will let you return a $40 mistake without a fight. Because the best blush for mature skin is not the one with the prettiest campaign. It is the one you will still be wearing at 4 p.m. without a touch-up.

The Best Type of Blush for Mature Skin: Cream, Powder, Liquid, or Stick?

Type matters more than brand. A mediocre cream blush will usually flatter mature skin more than a luxury powder that was designed for oilier, younger texture. But the gap is closing. Here is the honest hierarchy, not the marketing one.

Cream blush is the safest default for dry and normal mature skin. It melts, it moves with the face, and it does not powder into lines. The catch: cream formulas can slide on oily skin and can fade faster in humidity. Liquid blush is the most forgiving for texture because it is thin and buildable, but high-pigment liquids can stain before you have blended them. Stick blush is cream in travel form, ideal for purses and targeted application, though some sticks drag on dry cheeks. Powder blush has been reformulated aggressively, and the best modern powders use finer milling and blurring powders that do not emphasize texture the way older formulas did. If you have oily mature skin, powder may still be your best friend.

For most people over 50, the practical answer is a cream or liquid base with an optional powder touch-up. The “best type” is not a religion. It is a texture match.

Best Cream Blush for Mature Skin

Cream blush earns its reputation for one reason: it behaves like skin. It does not sit in the furrows of the cheek the way a dry powder can. But the category is crowded with overpriced pots of tinted grease. These picks are the ones that actually blend, last, and do not require a beauty-school degree to apply.

Best Overall Cream: Merit Flush Balm

Merit Flush Balm is the cream blush that made the “clean girl” aesthetic survivable for people who remember landlines. It is light, emollient, and forgiving. Vitamin E gives it a comfortable slip, and the finish is dewy without looking wet. The shade range is small but well edited: Beverly Hills, Terracotta, and Raspberry cover a lot of ground. Sephora lists it at $30 for 0.31 oz, and it has crossed one million units sold globally, which is the beauty-industry equivalent of a platinum record.

The texture is the selling point. It does not drag. It does not go patchy over sunscreen. It blends with fingers in about twelve seconds, which matters when you are applying makeup in a car or at a hotel desk. The downside is longevity: dry-skin users love it, but oily-skin users may find it fading by mid-afternoon. It is not the cheapest cream blush per gram, and the packaging is tiny for the price. Still, for dry and normal mature skin, it is the easiest recommendation in the category.

Best Blurring Cream: Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed

This is the closest thing to a texture eraser in blush form. It starts as a cream and dries down to a demi-matte, powder-like finish. The blurring effect comes from a formula designed to absorb excess oil while maintaining hydration, which is why it works on both mature and oily skin without turning either into a desert. Sephora prices it at $27 for 6 g, and Allure editors have called its versatility unmatched because it can be worn alone or layered under powder blush.

It is not a dewy blush. If you want a wet, glass-skin glow, this is the wrong product. If you want a soft-focus, “my cheeks but better” finish that does not announce itself, this is the one. It also works as a lip color, which is either a clever multi-use feature or a way to justify the price. A little goes a long way, and the compact is small enough for a makeup bag. Mature skin with visible pores tends to love this one more than traditional cream blushes because it does not settle into texture.

Best Clean Cream: ILIA Multi-Stick

“Clean” beauty is a marketing term with the regulatory backbone of a wet paper bag. But ILIA’s Multi-Stick is genuinely a good product, not just a good label. It is a cream stick with shea butter, avocado oil, and sunflower seed oil, and it glides over mature skin without tugging. The finish is dewy and natural, and the shade range includes soft pinks, warm peaches, and deeper berries. Sephora lists it at $36.

The trade-off is longevity. The lighter shades can fade relatively quickly, especially on oily skin, and the stick format means you are applying bacteria to your face every time you use it directly. Makeup artists recommend swiping it onto the back of your hand first, then picking up the product with a brush or finger. That extra step is annoying, but it keeps the stick clean and gives you more control over pigment intensity. For sensitive or reactive mature skin, the short ingredient list is a legitimate advantage.

Best Cream for Dry Skin: Jones Road Miracle Balm

Bobbi Brown built a career on skin-first makeup, and Miracle Balm is the product that proves she still understands the assignment. It is not really a blush. It is a tinted balm with jojoba, argan, and sea buckthorn oils that can be used on cheeks, lips, and everywhere else you want a little life. On dry mature skin, it is a rescue mission. Glamour’s testers note that the finish is dewy and radiant, almost lit-from-within, and that it is particularly good for the 50-plus crowd.

The catch is pigment. Miracle Balm is sheer. If you are looking for a strong blush payoff, you will be disappointed unless you layer it. It also has a learning curve: do not put your brush straight into the pot. Scoop a little onto the back of your hand, work it in, then apply. The $38 price tag is steep for a product that behaves more like a tinted moisturizer than a blush, but for very dry or flaky mature skin, the hydration is worth more than the pigment.

Best Powder Blush for Mature Skin

Powder blush was written off for a decade. Then formulators started milling pigments finer, removing talc, and adding blurring powders. The result is a new generation of powders that can sit on mature skin without turning it into a dried-out apricot. If your skin is oily, or if you simply prefer the control of a powder, these are the ones worth your money.

Best Overall Powder: Laura Geller Baked Blush-n-Brighten

This is the powder that converts cream-only skeptics. It is baked in Italy, marbled with brightening pigments, and enriched with antioxidants and white tea extract. The texture is buttery, not chalky, and it glides over fine lines instead of settling into them. Glamour’s tester specifically praised it for “skipping over — rather than settling into — fine lines and pores,” which is the sentence every 55-year-old wants to read.

It is available in eight shades and three finishes, including satin and matte. The marbleized swirl means the color is multidimensional, so it does not look flat on the cheek. The downside: some shades can appear more shimmery than expected, and the highly pigmented formula is easy to over-apply with a dense brush. Use a fluffy, airy brush and build in thin layers. At around $30–35 depending on the retailer, it is not drugstore-cheap, but it outperforms many $50 powders.

Best Talc-Free Powder: NARS Talc-Free Powder Blush

NARS reformulated its iconic blush without talc and managed to keep the pigment quality intact. The new formula is milled fine, blends without streaking, and lasts up to 16 hours according to the brand. Sephora lists it at $36. The shade range still includes Orgasm, which remains the universal peach-pink that flatters more complexions than it has any right to.

For mature skin, the talc-free version is a meaningful upgrade because it feels lighter and less drying than the original. It does not completely eliminate the risk of powder settling into texture, but it is far more forgiving than the old formula. If you already know your NARS shade, this is a safe rebuy. If you are new to the brand, start with a satin finish rather than a shimmer-heavy shade, because the shimmer can emphasize pores on mature cheeks.

Best Blurring Powder: Armani Luminous Silk Blurring Blush

Armani’s Luminous Silk Blurring Blush is the powder for people who hate powder. It uses ultra-finely milled pigments to create a soft-focus effect, and the finish is a natural glow rather than a flat matte. Sephora prices it at $40, which is undeniably expensive for a blush. But the blurring technology is real: it diffuses light across the cheek instead of reflecting it off texture.

The shade range is smaller than NARS or Laura Geller, and the compact is not refillable, which is a sustainability annoyance at this price. For mature skin with visible pores or uneven texture, however, the finish justifies the splurge more than most luxury blushes. Use a light hand. The pigment is buildable but concentrated, and over-application can look like a bruise.

Best Liquid Blush for Mature Skin

Liquid blush is the wildcard. It is thin, pigmented, and easy to overdo. It is also the most texture-friendly format if you choose the right formula, because it can be mixed with moisturizer or applied in translucent layers. The key is avoiding anything that dries too fast or stains before you can blend.

Best Overall Liquid: Saie Dew Blush

Saie Dew Blush is a liquid-cream hybrid with elderberry, licorice root, and plant-derived glycerin. It starts as a subtle tint and builds to a believable flush. NewBeauty recommends it for mature skin because it is hydrating and blendable, and the finish is dewy without being sticky. It is $25, which makes it one of the more accessible “premium-feel” liquid blushes on the market.

The applicator is a doe-foot, which is fine for precision but not ideal for hygienic sharing. The formula is thin enough to mix with a drop of moisturizer for an even sheerer finish, which is a useful trick for very dry or very fair mature skin. It does not last as long as a powder, but it fades gracefully instead of breaking apart. Oily mature skin may need a light setting powder on top.

Best Budget Liquid: e.l.f. Camo Liquid Blush

This is the blush that makes expensive liquid blushes nervous. It is $7, it is highly pigmented, and it does not sit in wrinkles. One dot covers both cheeks, which means the tube will outlast most relationships. Reviewers in their 60s consistently report that it blends beautifully and does not emphasize creases, and the shade range includes soft pinks, peaches, and berries.

The formula contains hyaluronic acid, which gives it a comfortable, slightly hydrating feel. It is not as refined as Saie or Armani, and the pigment can separate if you do not shake the tube. But at this price, the margin for error is enormous. If you are new to liquid blush, start here before spending $30 on something you might hate.

Best Blush Stick and Balm for Mature Skin

Sticks and balms are the travel-friendly wing of the cream blush family. They are not inherently better or worse than pots and tubes, but they offer convenience and, in some cases, a more controlled application. The best ones glide without dragging and do not leave a hard line where the stick meets the cheek.

Best Stick: Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks

Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks is the luxury stick that actually justifies part of its price. It contains jojoba seed oil, grape extract, and raspberry seed extract, and the texture is a satin cream that blends into skin rather than sitting on top. Allure calls it “equal parts skin care and makeup,” which is marketing language, but the formula is genuinely conditioning.

It is expensive: $48 for 6 g at most US retailers, and the petite version is smaller than it looks in photos. If you have dry mature skin and you want a stick that will not drag, this is one of the best. If you have oily skin, it may be too emollient. The shade range is only seven shades, which is narrow for deeper skin tones. Buy it if you value texture and convenience over shade inclusivity.

Best Balm: Jones Road Miracle Balm

Miracle Balm appears twice in this guide because it occupies two categories. As a balm, it is the most hydrating option on this list. It is not a precision blush; it is a wash of color and shine. For mature skin that has given up on powder entirely, it can replace blush, highlighter, and bronzer in one step. The 15 shades range from sheer nude to deeper berry, and the finish is dewy and slightly glossy.

The greasiness is the main complaint. On oily skin, it can feel like a face oil with a tint. On dry skin, it feels like salvation. The pot packaging is not the most hygienic, and the pigment is sheer enough that you may need two layers for visible color. At $38, it is a commitment, but a little goes a long way.

Best Stick for Oily Mature Skin: Clinique Chubby Stick

Clinique’s Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm is the stick for people who find cream blushes too slippery. It has a cream-to-powder finish that sets down and stays put, and the twist-up format is genuinely mistake-proof. Clinique prices it at $32, and the shade range includes soft pinks and warm roses that flatter mature skin without looking childish.

It is not as hydrating as Westman Atelier or ILIA, which is precisely why oily mature skin likes it. It does not slide, it does not transfer as much, and it can be blended with fingers or a brush. The downside is that it can cling to dry patches if your skin is dehydrated rather than oily. Use a hydrating primer or moisturizer underneath.

Best Drugstore Blush for Mature Skin Under $15

Drugstore blush has improved faster than any other category. The gap between a $9 blush and a $40 blush is now mostly packaging, shade range, and marketing. The formulas are often made in the same contract labs with similar pigment technology. These are the budget picks that do not look budget on the cheek.

Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Blush

Milani Cheek Kiss is the default recommendation for anyone who wants a cream blush under $10. It has a cream-to-gel texture that blends easily, and reviewers in their 70s specifically call it out for looking “high end” on mature skin. It is sheer but buildable, and the Nude Kiss shade is a universal warm nude that does not turn orange.

The formula is not as long-lasting as Merit or Danessa Myricks, and it can fade after four or five hours. But for the price, it is a low-risk entry point. It also works as a lip tint, which makes it a decent travel companion. If you have very dry skin, layer it over moisturizer; if you have oily skin, set it lightly with powder.

e.l.f. Monochromatic Multi Stick

This is the $5 stick that should not work as well as it does. It is a cream-to-powder multi-use stick for cheeks, lips, and eyes. The texture is smooth, the pigment is buildable, and it does not drag on mature skin. NewBeauty named it the best drugstore blush stick for mature skin, and the price makes it almost disposable.

It is not a luxury experience. The packaging is basic, the shade range is limited, and the stick can get gritty if it gets too warm. But for a purse blush or a travel blush, it is unbeatable. The Glistening Peach and Rose shades are the most flattering on mature fair-to-medium skin.

Flower Beauty Blush Bomb

Flower Beauty Blush Bomb is a cream blush in a tube with a doe-foot applicator. It is about $7–10 depending on the retailer, and makeup artists recommend it for mature skin because it delivers radiance and hydration without a heavy feel. The formula is sheer and dewy, and it blends with fingers in seconds.

The tube format is more hygienic than a stick, and the shade range includes soft pinks and peaches that work well on fair and medium skin. It is not as pigmented as e.l.f. Camo Liquid Blush, so it is a better choice if you want a subtle flush rather than a statement. It can separate in the tube; shake or knead before use.

Best Clean, Natural, and Organic Blush for Mature Skin

“Clean” and “organic” are not regulated claims in the US cosmetics market. A product can be labeled “clean” while containing synthetic preservatives, and “organic” only applies to agricultural ingredients, not the finished product. The label is a starting point, not a guarantee. These picks are genuinely good formulas that also happen to have shorter ingredient lists and fewer questionable additives.

ILIA Soft Focus Blurring Powder Blush is a talc-free powder that uses light-diffusing particles to soften texture. It is $32–36 depending on the retailer, and it is one of the few clean powders that does not look chalky on mature skin. Ogee Sculpted Cream Blush Stick is another clean option with jojoba oil and elderberry extract; it is pricey at around $38 but the stick format is convenient and the finish is a natural satin. RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek is a classic clean cream blush with shea butter and coconut oil; it is rich and dewy, best for dry mature skin, and the pot packaging is not ideal for travel.

Do not pay a premium for the word “clean” alone. Pay for the texture, the shade, and the ingredients that actually help your skin. A $50 clean blush that settles into lines is worse than a $10 conventional blush that does not.

Best Korean Blush for Mature Skin

K-beauty excels at sheer, buildable, skin-like color. The best Korean blushes for mature skin are not the intensely pigmented formulas that younger consumers favor; they are the soft, airy textures that blur rather than define.

A’pieu Juicy-Pang Blusher has a marshmallow-bounce texture that applies like a powder but feels like a cream. It gives an airbrushed finish and a soft flush, and it is forgiving on texture. Hera Reflective Liquid Blush in Rosy is a dewy liquid that reviewers specifically praise for not looking “clownish” on mature skin; it gives a glass-skin glow without turning the cheek into a disco ball. A’pieu The Pure Candy Water Cheek is a water-based gel-cream that is very sheer and very buildable, ideal for fair mature skin that wants a natural flush rather than a statement.

Korean blushes tend to run cooler and pinker than Western shades. If your undertone is warm, look for peach or coral shades rather than cool pinks. If your skin is very fair, the sheer K-beauty formulas are more forgiving than heavily pigmented Western liquids.

Best Blush Colors for Mature Skin (Fair, Medium, Deep, Pink, Peach)

The right shade is not the one that matches your skin. It is the one that creates a controlled contrast. Makeup artists consistently say that mature skin should avoid shades that are too close to the natural skin tone, because they disappear and make the face look flat. A soft rose, warm peach, or berry that pops slightly against the complexion reads as “alive” rather than “made up.”

Peach is the most universally flattering shade family for mature skin because it adds warmth without looking ruddy. Pink is the second safest, especially a soft rose or a muted pink rather than a bright fuchsia. Berry and plum work well on deeper skin tones and can double as a lip color. Avoid shades with visible glitter or large shimmer particles; they reflect light off wrinkles instead of softening them.

Best Blush for Dry vs. Oily Mature Skin

Dry mature skin needs emollients. Oily mature skin needs oil control. The same product cannot do both well, no matter what the marketing copy claims.

For dry mature skin, look for cream or balm formulas with jojoba oil, shea butter, squalane, or glycerin. Jones Road Miracle Balm, ILIA Multi-Stick, and Merit Flush Balm are the strongest picks. Avoid powders with mica or large shimmer particles, and avoid matte liquid blushes that dry down too fast. Apply over a hydrating primer or moisturizer, and use fingers rather than a brush to melt the product into the skin.

For oily mature skin, look for cream-to-powder formulas, blurring balms, or finely milled powders. Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed, Clinique Chubby Stick, and Laura Geller Baked Blush-n-Brighten are the safest bets. Avoid heavy oils, greasy balms, and anything with a “dewy” finish that never sets. Set the blush lightly with a translucent powder, but do not bake it; too much powder will emphasize texture.

For combination mature skin, use a cream blush on the drier parts of the cheek and a powder on the oilier areas. This is more work, but it is the only way to avoid both patchiness and slide. A blurring balm like Danessa Myricks is the closest thing to a one-product solution.

Best Blush Brush for Mature Skin (and How to Apply)

The wrong brush can ruin the right blush. Dense, stiff brushes deposit too much pigment in one spot, which is the fastest way to look like you have a fever. Mature skin needs diffusion, not intensity.

The best brush shape for mature skin is an airy dome or a slightly angled blush brush with soft, synthetic fibers. A fan brush can work for very pigmented powders, but it is less versatile for creams. BK Beauty’s Angie Hot & Flashy set includes an angled brush specifically designed for mature skin, and the Hourglass No. 15 is a slanted, pinched synthetic brush that diffuses color rather than dumping it.

Application matters more than the tool. Makeup artists recommend placing blush higher than you think it should go. Start at the apple of the cheek and blend upward toward the temple, not downward toward the mouth. “I never go below the line of the nostrils,” says RMS Beauty founder Rose-Marie Swift, because lower placement pulls the face down. For a lifted effect, sweep from the cheekbone up toward the hairline, then soften the edges with a clean brush or fingers.

• Start with less product than you think you need. One dot of liquid or one tap of cream is usually enough for both cheeks.
• Warm cream or balm between your fingers before applying; this makes it melt into the skin instead of sitting on top.
• Build in thin layers rather than applying one heavy layer. It is easier to add than to subtract.
• Blend upward and outward, not downward. Downward strokes drag the face visually.
• Set cream blush with a light dusting of translucent powder only where you get oily, not all over.

Top 10 Blushes for Mature Skin: Comparison Table

Prices below reflect US retail at the time of writing. They fluctuate with sales, loyalty offers, and retailer exclusives. The “best for” column is more useful than the price column.

Where to Buy Blush for Mature Skin: Retailer Comparison

Return policy matters more than a two-dollar price difference. A $40 blush that makes you look like a tomato is a $40 loss if you cannot return it. The table below compares the major US retailers on the things that actually affect your wallet.

Sephora’s 30-day window is the tightest of the major beauty retailers. If you are experimenting with a new formula, either buy in-store or be prepared to return within a month. Ulta gives you 60 days and free in-store returns, which is more forgiving if you live near a location. Target and Walmart have the longest windows at 90 days, and both accept opened beauty products, which is unusual and useful.

Amazon is the wildcard. Prices can be lower, but authorized-seller status varies by listing. If the price is dramatically lower than Sephora or Ulta, it is probably a third-party seller, and the return process may be less straightforward. For a product you are testing on sensitive mature skin, buy from an authorized retailer even if it costs a few dollars more.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose Without Wasting Money

The best blush for mature skin is the one that matches your texture and your routine, not the one with the most Instagram reviews. Start with the formula, then the shade, then the price. Most people do it in reverse and end up with a drawer full of expensive mistakes.

Step one: identify your skin type after cleansing. If your cheeks feel tight and look flaky, you are dry. If they shine by noon, you are oily. If you have both, you are combination. This determines whether you start with a cream, a powder, or a blurring balm. Do not buy a matte powder for dry skin or a greasy balm for oily skin, no matter how many influencers swear by it.

Step two: choose a finish you will actually wear. A dewy blush is beautiful in photos but can look sweaty in humidity. A matte blush is polished but can look flat on dry skin. Satin and soft-radiant finishes are the safest middle ground. If you have visible texture, blurring formulas are worth the premium.

Step three: pick a shade that contrasts slightly with your skin. Match your undertone, not your surface color. Cool undertones look best in rose, mauve, and berry. Warm undertones look best in peach, coral, and warm pink. If you are neutral, you can wear both. Avoid shades that are almost identical to your skin tone; they will disappear by lunch.

Step four: do the math on cost per use. A $48 blush that you use every day for a year costs about 13 cents per day. A $7 blush that you hate and never use costs infinitely more per use. The expensive product is not automatically the better value, but the cheapest product is not automatically the better value either. Consider the return policy before you consider the price tag.

Step five: ignore the word “anti-aging.” No blush reverses collagen loss. No blush removes wrinkles. The best you can ask for is a formula that does not emphasize texture and a shade that makes you look awake. Everything else is marketing with a lab coat.

Before You Add to Cart: Straight Answers

What is the best blush for mature skin overall?

Merit Flush Balm is the best overall for most dry and normal mature skin types because it blends easily, does not settle into lines, and gives a natural dewy finish. For oily or textured skin, Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed is the stronger choice because it blurs pores and controls shine without looking flat.

Is cream or powder blush better for older skin?

Cream is generally better for dry and normal mature skin because it melts into the skin instead of sitting on top of it. Powder can work well for oily mature skin, especially modern talc-free and blurring formulas that are finely milled. The best choice depends on your skin type, not your age alone.

What blush color makes mature skin look younger?

Peach and soft rose are the most universally flattering because they add warmth without looking ruddy. Cool undertones do well with mauve and berry; warm undertones do well with coral and apricot. Avoid glitter and heavy shimmer, which can emphasize fine lines.

Does expensive blush actually work better on mature skin?

Not automatically. Drugstore formulas like Milani Cheek Kiss and e.l.f. Camo Liquid Blush perform well on mature skin and cost under $10. Luxury blushes often charge for packaging, shade range, and brand positioning. The formula and finish matter more than the price tag.

How do I stop blush from settling into fine lines?

Use a cream or liquid formula, apply it in thin layers, and blend upward rather than downward. Avoid powder blushes with large shimmer particles, and do not over-apply. If you use powder, choose a finely milled, blurring formula and use a fluffy brush instead of a dense one. Hydrating the skin before makeup also helps.

What is the best drugstore blush for mature skin under $15?

Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Blush is the best all-round drugstore pick because it is creamy, blendable, and flattering on dry and normal mature skin. e.l.f. Camo Liquid Blush is the best budget liquid option, and e.l.f. Monochromatic Multi Stick is the best $5 stick for travel or a purse.

Can I use the same blush for cheeks and lips?

Yes, many cream, liquid, and stick blushes are designed for multi-use. ILIA Multi-Stick, Jones Road Miracle Balm, and Merit Flush Balm all work on lips as well as cheeks. Just be aware that the finish may be sheerer on the lips, and hygiene matters if you are applying directly from a stick to both areas.

What is the best blush brush for mature skin?

An airy dome or slightly angled synthetic brush with soft fibers diffuses pigment without dumping it in one spot. Dense brushes are harder to control on mature skin. BK Beauty and Hourglass make brushes specifically designed for diffused application, but a soft drugstore blush brush can work if you tap off the excess.