Likely one of your first makeup purchases as a fresh-faced teenager was concealer. It earned a spot in your makeup bag to cover up acne, but has continued to be a staple as our skin ages and presents different needs. Mature skin needs a concealer that helps with fine lines, sun spots, and dark circles, but won’t crease, settle into wrinkles, or fade as the day wears on.
The options vary widely when it comes to choosing the best concealer for mature skin—there are liquid and creamy formulas, full and light coverage options, oily, and dry skin versions, and products that target specific concerns like dark spots or the delicate under-eye area. Whether you prefer a minimalist look or need more buildable full coverage, there is one that will be just your blend. Professional makeup artist Penny Sadler says choosing the right concealer for your mature skin comes down to many factors like what you ate for dinner, how well you slept, and if you had a glass of wine. “So many factors affect how skin behaves. [Make sure you] moisturize the heck out of your skin, especially the delicate skin under the eyes. If you apply makeup to dry skin, every line will show and it won’t stay on. Additionally, as we age, our skin is affected by fluctuating hormone levels—it becomes dry, thin, and has less elasticity allowing fine lines, wrinkles, and loose skin to develop. Makeup is still important, maybe even more important than ever, but a less is more approach is needed. Use a concealer only where needed instead of trying to achieve maximum coverage with one product that covers everything.”
To come up with our list of the best concealers for mature skin, we spent hours researching products and considered factors like form, shades available, size, coverage type, and more. In addition to Sadler, we received expert insight on what to look for in a concealer for mature skin from professional makeup artist Ivy Boyd.
Sephora
Buildable coverage is the siren call of professional makeup artists, and Armani’s Luminous Silk Concealer delivers. With a weightless feel that offers 24 hours of hydration and medium coverage that can be layered, this concealer makes skin look radiant. Ingredients like glycerin seal the skin with lasting moisture to combat cakiness and creasing, while a dose of caffeine reduces under-eye puffiness and wakes up tired eyes.
The creamy texture and super-pigmented formula conceal a multitude of issues including, dark circles, discoloration, fine lines, and skin imperfections. And then there are those soft-focus pearls that reflect light and give skin a smooth, airbrushed look without looking heavy. But, you may find it needs a setting powder or spray to keep it from budging throughout the day.
At 0.4 ounces, this concealer is one of the largest on our list, only behind our pick for full coverage: RCMA Liquid Concealer. It also boasts 23 shades, making it an inclusive option for many different complexions. Professional makeup artist Penny Sadler turns to this product as an all-around great concealer. “It looks good on most people and comes in a wide range of colors,” she says.
The clincher for this concealer though is the applicator. The pointed tip offers extra precision in comparison to the usual rounded doe-foot most wands have, making all those nooks and crannies easy to camouflage. Mature skin that is hydrated, even-toned, with a flawless natural finish is a cinch with this formula.
Price at time of publish: $39
Form: Cream | Shades: 23 | Size: 0.4 ounces | Coverage Type: Medium
Ulta
If you’re looking for an economical, hard-working concealer for mature skin, the Colourpop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Creamy Concealer is the one for you. The 30 available shades mean there is something for everyone. And it doesn’t skimp on ingredients—coconut water delivers hydration in the form of super-soft skin, and hyaluronic acid (the magic stuff) draws water into the skin, adding to the healthy glow we’re always after with mature skin. Professional makeup artist Ivy Boyd cites hydration as a key to flawless coverage. Colourpop’s inclusion of hyaluronic acid and inclusive shade range make this a go-to budget pick for her.
The creamy, lightweight, highly-pigmented formula offers enviable full coverage that is super blendable and delivers a natural finish. If blemishes are a concern, this is a great choice as there is no added oil. The mousse-like texture of this concealer may lend itself to creasing with overapplication and would benefit from the addition of setting powder or spray to keep it in place. The 0.3-ounce size lands it squarely in the middle of our picks for the amount of product, a pretty good standing considering its bargain price.
Price at time of publish: $9
Form: Liquid | Shades: 30 | Size: 0.3 ounces | Coverage Type: Full
Nordstrom
It’s pricey, yes, but this concealer has been touted by makeup artists since it came on the scene. The creamy texture is surprising for a stick and it blends like a dream without drawing attention to imperfections. Versatility is one of its hallmarks—apply it under the eyes to cover dark circles without dryness, or camouflage a blemish that popped up overnight without further irritating it, and the super-concentrated formula provides long-lasting full coverage.
The infusion of hyaluronic acid and argan oil delivers that hydration mature skin craves, while the Skin-Empowering Illuminator contains antioxidants that help protect from environmental damage, and zingiber aromaticus extract works overtime to reduce hyperpigmentation. One of the major concerns of aging skin is sun damage, and the bonus SPF 27 included in this stick offers an added layer of protection when used in tandem with your usual facial sunscreen. The diminutive 0.17-ounce size is the second smallest on our list, but the full coverage and beautiful texture create a radiant, seamless complexion. Plus, you can do double-duty with this multitasker; use it as a highlighter, contour stick, or to prime your lids for eyeshadow—the stick form makes this seamless.
Price at time of publish: $75
Form: Stick | Shades: 12 | Size: 0.17 ounces | Coverage Type: Full
Dermstore
If you suffer from skin redness or need a product that doesn’t irritate already sensitive skin, Jane Iredale’s Circle/Delete Concealer fits the bill. The antioxidant-rich green tea and grape seed extracts protect your skin from environmental stressors while the algae extract (vitamin K) gives skin a natural detox that fades hyperpigmentation, repairs blood vessels, and diminishes darkness under the eye. The infusion of avocado and sunflower seed oils restores hydration to the skin, leaving a healthy, youthful glow.
The creamy, medium-coverage texture glides on leaving a silky finish. And the two colors in one offer the ultimate versatility in shade matching; blend the light and dark sides to achieve a perfect match, or use them on their own for highlighting and contouring. The buildable concealer melts into the skin and softens the appearance of fine lines while offering customizable coverage, though we do wish it came in more than four shade palettes, the least amount of shades among those on our list.
Price at time of publish: $36
Form: Cream | Shades: 4 | Size: 0.1 ounce | Coverage Type: Medium
Sephora
Light-diffusing mineral powder and botanicals, including magnolia bark extract, grape seed extract, and vitamin E, hydrate and firm skin while evening complexion tone and providing superior coverage for dark circles and blemishes for up to 16 hours.
The medium level of buildable coverage imparts a natural soft skin finish and can be tasked with highlighting, contouring, and color-correcting duties as well. There is no alcohol, parabens, or fragrance to irritate or dry out already parched mature skin. And it comes in an enviable 30 shades, making color-matching a breeze.
The 0.22-ounce size is ample, as it only takes a bit to get good coverage with Nars Radiant Cream Concealer—though you may see creasing if you go too heavy when applying. In fact, we wrote about the sin of over-correcting which actually brings more attention to imperfections. The radiant formula feels feather-light for such a pigmented, creamy concealer and delivers a dewy finish. Plus it comes in a mini-size if you want to give it a test run.
Price at time of publish: $32
Form: Cream | Shades: 30 | Size: 0.22 ounces | Coverage Type: Medium
Ulta
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It dries down rapidly.
If shininess is a persistent problem, the e.l.f. 16-hour Camo Concealer provides that perfect matte finish at a bargain basement price. The 25 shades available match myriad skin tones and undertones. And the 16-hour, long-wearing formula goes from a sweat sesh at the gym to work without missing a beat (or settling into fine lines).
The weightless finish has kaolin clay for long-lasting oil control, keeping shine at bay throughout the day so it won’t draw attention to discoloration or skin imperfections. The highly pigmented formula masks a lot of skin sins (like redness and blemishes), and blends effortlessly into the skin, but doesn’t look cakey or crease. Because of the oil-fighting formulation, it may dry down too quickly on less oily skin. Like others on the list, this versatile product can highlight, contour, and prime your eyelids for shadow, making it an incredible value.
Price at time of publish: $7
Form: Liquid | Shades: 25 | Size: 0.2 ounces | Coverage Type: Full with matte finish
Nordstrom
Let’s just be honest, we’re all out here looking for the magic concealer that camouflages all our imperfections for long periods of time while still looking natural and dewy-fresh. The Dior Forever Skin Correct does what other full-coverage concealers cannot—it does not dry out the skin in exchange for that airbrushed look. It looks like skin for 24 hours.
The MVP ingredient is wild pansy. It, along with hyaluronic acid, aids in smoothing, moisturizing, and improving skin health, and the 0.37-ounce size means you get that hydration for a while before needing a refill. The creamy formula does benefit from a setting powder or spray to keep creasing at bay (normal with ultra-hydrating products). Plus the 30 shades offer lots of options for color-matching.
The formula offers buildable coverage that blends like a dream, and finishes a natural, dewy semi-matte. In testing, we found it was love at first swipe because it didn’t dry out our skin, particularly under the eyes, or look too cakey to come off as natural. The one caution is for those with sensitive skin: The newest formulation has added fragrance (it’s extremely light) that may irritate.
Price at time of publish: $40
Form: Liquid | Shades: 30 | Size: 0.37 ounces | Coverage Type: Full
Ulta
You know the cult-fave tinted moisturizer, but Laura Mercier’s Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Concealer is worthy of some love as well. Designed to stay in place for 12 hours through humidity, sweat, and even tears, the polymers in the formula cling to the skin for a natural finish with buildable medium-to-full coverage that covers wrinkles like a champ. Though a liquid, the creamy formula contains blurring powders that minimize crows’ feet and dark circles, and diffuse light to lend a bright look to the skin.
The flexible wand makes precise application easy, and only a few dabs are necessary to mask imperfections. We put it to the test and found it to be easily blendable with stay-in-place coverage in enough shades to color match with ease. Because of the opaque nature of this liquid concealer, it’s doubly essential to prep skin with hydration and primer. But the 22 shades available offer lots of options for buildable coverage with precise color-matching.
Price at time of publish: $33
Form: Liquid | Shades: 22 | Size: 0.23 ounces | Coverage Type: Medium to full
Ulta
Our teenagers love the superb coverage the original Tarte Shape Tape concealer offers, but now there’s a creamy version that’s perfect for mature skin. The creamy, hydrating formula is a dream covering dark circles and fine lines around the eye area. And just like the original, this version features their exclusive “cushion-tape technology” to help smooth and reduce the look of wrinkles and pores, is still waterproof, and delivers highly pigmented camouflage.
This grown-up version features ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and avocado butter that act as a built-in eye cream for mature skin. The formula is velvety soft, blends seamlessly, and the inclusion of ultra-nourishing prickly pear delivers much-needed hydration to the delicate skin around the eyes, an especially dry area on mature skin.
A couple of other noteworthy ingredients are raspberry ketone which increases skin’s firmness, and meadowsweet which acts as an anti-inflammatory, keeping puffiness at bay. Be careful when applying, as the applicator delivers a large portion of product to the doe-foot applicator. With 37 shades and 0.33 ounces of product, this full-coverage concealer has something for everyone, and if you want to try it at a bargain price, opt for a mini.
Price at time of publish: $31
Form: Cream | Shades: 37 | Size: 0.33 ounces | Coverage Type: Full
Glossier
Known for its skincare-first focus, Glossier blended up a perfect storm of ingredients (like elastic micro-waxes) that move with your skin instead of caking on top while delivering easily blendable coverage for even the most stubborn redness and dark spots. The adaptable mineral pigments lend a brightening effect that looks radiant and natural at the same time. It is on the lighter coverage side, but that just means you can build what you need while still maintaining that skin-like look.
The small pot does pose a better chance for bacteria growth than our other tube options because of its wide surface area. And those with acne-prone skin beware there are oils added to the formula that may cause breakouts. It comes in 32 shades that blur and disappear dark spots, leaving a dewy finish.
Price at time of publish: $22
Form: Cream | Shades: 32 | Size: 0.17 ounces | Coverage Type: Medium
Beautylish
When a legendary Hollywood makeup artist like Vincent JR Kehoe develops a pro-loved concealer, it’s a pretty good indication that something good is going on. In fact, Boyd stocks RCMA Liquid Concealer in her freelance kit. “It’s super pigmented [50 percent more than any other brand on the list] and a tiny amount does what I need. It’s also more hydrating than most thanks to squalene and cocoa butter,” she says.
The full-coverage, liquid concealer has a creamy finish that doesn’t dry out mature skin. And though it masterfully covers dark circles, blemishes, and imperfections, it does not clog pores, (but the thick consistency may make makeup minimalists shy away). Bonus, the olive oil formula replenishes skin hydration without leaving skin oily, and the 0.5-ounce size is the largest on our list.
Price at time of publish: $29
Form: Liquid | Shades: 16 | Size: 0.5 ounces | Coverage Type: Full
Sephora
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The Hyaluronic AI Plant Complex, a blend of six powerful ingredients, delivers skincare benefits beyond the concealer.
A concealer packed with skincare benefits is music to mature skin’s pores. Milk Makeup Future Fluid Hydrating Concealer features Hyaluronic AI Plant Complex, a blend of six powerful ingredients: hyaluronic acid for hydration, soothing and smoothing aloe vera and arnica, skin barrier-restoring Defensil and Revivyl, and caffeine for brightness.
With all that hydration and liquid formula, you would think the coverage would slip, but not with this one. The lightweight, buildable concealer easily covers blemishes, dark circles, and pigmentation issues without caking or creasing, delivering a natural, smooth finish. Boyd agrees, “On myself, this is my favorite. I love its versatility and wide range of undertones. I use two shades, one as a concealer and one as all-over coverage. No matter how lazy I am with skin prep, it never enhances dryness. It looks better than it should, and blends like a dream.”
Like other lightweight, liquid formulas, a setting powder or spray will lock it in place all day. But with 30 available shades, a pretty generous size, and all that hydration, it strikes the perfect balance between customizable coverage and a skin-like finish.
Price at time of publish: $29
Form: Liquid | Shades: 30 | Size: 0.28 ounces | Coverage Type: Medium
The Bottom Line
If you are looking for a buildable concealer for mature skin that delivers long-lasting hydration, we recommend Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Concealer, because it has ingredients like glycerin that seals the skin with lasting moisture to combat cakiness and creasing, while a dose of caffeine reduces under-eye puffiness and wakes up tired eyes. Plus, the pointed tip offers extra precision in comparison to the rounded doe-foot wands.
If you want a more budget-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on coverage or hydrating ingredients, choose the Colourpop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Creamy Concealer. Its inclusion of hyaluronic acid and coconut water delivers a one-two punch of moisture while the highly-pigmented formula offers enviable full coverage that is super blendable and delivers a natural finish.
Tips for Choosing the Right Concealer for Mature Skin
Form
Liquid concealers tend to offer more hydration, but less coverage. Our budget pick from Colourpop has hyaluronic acid for ultimate hydration and long-lasting blendability. This form is typically suitable for normal, combination, oily, or sensitive skin. It’s also an excellent choice for pesky acne-prone skin, as it does not cake and poses little risk of aggravating pimples. It also offers versatile coverage because of its light formulation. If you want fuller coverage, you can build it with liquid concealers.
Cream concealers are longer-lasting and usually offer fuller coverage. The texture is thicker than their liquid counterparts which makes them great for covering up redness and other skin discolorations. Cream concealers, like Tarte Shape Tape Ultra Creamy Concealer, are also a great choice for the delicate skin under your eye as they don’t look cakey, but offer fuller coverage without drawing attention to fine lines.
Stick concealers have a texture like lipstick—they tend to be long-lasting, contain lots of pigment, and usually come in medium to full-coverage formulations. They generally offer crack-free coverage and work well on normal, dry, or sensitive skin. The heavier wax ingredients may aggravate blemishes, so be careful when using these.
Boyd offers this additional tip to keep your concealer in place, “Liquid and cream concealers have emollient properties to help them apply smoothly, but also need to be set with a setting powder and/or spray to prevent the concealer from traveling, slipping, and settling into lines. I like to spray a sponge or small brush with setting spray, dip it into loose powder, and press over the concealer to set. You can skip the setting spray but I think it gives it a nicer finish and more staying power.”
Coverage
Concealers are meant to cover and correct imperfections. Because of this, you won’t find coverage options less than medium. This is where concealers differ from foundation, which offers everything from sheer to light to full coverage. Often you want to look for formulas that can layer and build so that you can adjust depending on what is going on with your skin.
The common wisdom is to use less concealer than you think you need because you can always add more. Boyd adds, “Concealer is meant to cover darkness, redness, blemishes, etc. so why put it in places beyond that? This especially applies to the under-eye area. Apply the concealer only where you see darkness and shadow, feather it out, and call it a day.”
Finish
Generally, concealers are available in satin, radiant shimmer, or matte finishes. If you have oily skin, you probably want to go for a long-lasting matte finish. Satin tends to look more natural on drier skin, and radiant shimmer will offer a little highlight where you want it like under your eyes. Boyd cautions, “Everyone’s under eye skin is thinner and more delicate than other areas of the face, making it a bit more prone to dehydration. As we age, it gets even drier. Make sure the concealer you choose is hydrating, vs. ultra matte. While your 20-year-old daughter may be using Tarte Shape Tape, you are going to want to opt for their Shape Tape Ultra Creamy version.”
Benefits
Concealers cover a number of skin sins, especially as we age. It blurs fine lines, especially when used in tandem with foundation to achieve the appearance of smooth, even skin tone. Some options, like the Glossier Stretch Balm Concealer, camouflage those dark spots and areas of hyperpigmentation. Even though it seems counterintuitive to add something on top of a blemish, the right formula can hide and treat that frustrating acne.
We know it can refresh tired eyes, but it also makes a great primer for eyeshadow. It also helps prevent lipstick from bleeding when used as a primer or adding a touch above the lip line. Another lesser-known use is as a highlighter—swipe some over your cheekbones, brow, chin, and nose bridge for a luminous glow.
Boyd offers this guidance, “If you wear foundation, do that part then leave the under eye area blank. Apply your under-eye concealer after foundation. Since the under-eye area is so thin and prone to creasing and lines, we want as few products there as possible so no need to put foundation and concealer there. However, if you need to brighten up or further conceal other areas of your face after applying your foundation, feel free to go on top with concealer. I usually [hit] the corner of my nose and center of the chin.”
Questions and Answers
How do you know which shade of concealer to pick?
When selecting a shade of concealer, the thing you want to avoid is the dreaded reverse raccoon eyes, an indicator you have chosen too light of a shade. Boyd recommends “One, possibly two shades lighter than your foundation shade. You don’t want to do any lighter than two shades away as you’ll create a spotlight effect or reverse raccoon situation.” If you have significant darkness under your eyes (brown or blue tones), choose a color slightly peachier than what you wear on your face—it helps neutralize the darkness.”
Sadler provides this guidance, “There are a couple of ways to approach which color to use under the eyes. You can match the rest of your face or you can go a shade or two lighter which will brighten the eye a bit. Be careful not to go too light, lest you end up looking like you got a suntan with your glasses on.”
Should you wear concealer with or without foundation?
This question really comes down to the coverage you are looking for. Concealer’s job is to correct and spot-cover while the foundation enhances overall skin tone, providing fuller coverage. If you want a more minimal look, concealer can be applied to alleviate dark circles, discoloration, and skin imperfections—its job is spot coverage. According to Sadler, “You can wear concealer alone or with foundation. Minimalist types like to apply concealer only where needed. As long as there’s no line of demarcation, in other words, you cannot see where the concealer begins and ends, that’s a good approach. I do it all the time.”
Does setting spray help concealer from creasing?
Makeup sliding off and creasing as the day wears on can be alleviated with setting spray. It essentially fixes concealer and foundation in place. Boyd adds, “Setting spray is a must-have for anyone who feels that their makeup isn’t lasting as long as it should be, or those with oily skin. A trick I love to do to set under-eye concealer without over-powdering and making it look dry is to lightly spritz your brush or sponge with setting spray and press over the concealer. Just a tiny bit will do.”
Why Trust Southern Living
Carrie Honaker is a food and travel writer who is always on the lookout for makeup that doesn’t make her 50-year-old sensitive skin look crepey. As an avid traveler, she has carried-on many varieties of concealers from travel-sized to light coverage to spot correctors—she knows the importance of the right formula that hydrates and doesn’t accentuate fine lines. To compile this list, Carrie spent hours researching what to consider when shopping for concealers for mature skin, including form, shades available, coverage, and size. For expert tips on what to look for in concealers for mature skin, she spoke to professional makeup artists Penny Sadler and Ivy Boyd.
