We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Beauty Makeup Face Concealer The 17 Best Concealers for Mature Skin That Won’t Settle into Fine Lines A great crease-proof concealer can do just about anything. By Deanna Pai Deanna Pai Deanna Pai is a freelance beauty writer and editor currently based in New York. She has more than 10 years of experience writing about beauty and wellness. InStyle's editorial guidelines and Irene Richardson Irene Richardson Irene Richardson is a beauty + fashion commerce writer for Dotdash Meredith's beauty brands. She covers trends surrounding style, makeup, skincare, and more. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on April 19, 2024 @ 02:30PM In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews What to Keep in Mind Your Questions, Answered Why Shop With Us InStyle / Kristin Kempa Concealers are one of the few beauty staples you likely started using as a teen to cover up blemishes, and have remained in your makeup bag ever since. But as we age, what we need from our under-eye concealers and spot correctors has also changed. “Most people find that as their skin matures, it becomes drier,” says Sephora beauty director, David Razzano. “Because of that, I find most mature clients benefit from a hydrating natural or radiant finish in concealer for both face and under-eye.” In fact, concealers for mature skin need to check several boxes: They should adequately conceal everything from dark circles to sun spots without creasing or settling into fine lines and wrinkles. Instead of fading or worsening dryness, these concealers allow you to even out skin tone and instantly brighten your eyes, while providing non-cake-y coverage. The trick? Creamy formulas that are packed with full-coverage pigments and hydrating ingredients for a radiant, natural-looking finish. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Saie Slip Tint Radiant All-Over Concealer at Sephora ($28) Jump to Review Best Drugstore: NYX Professional Makeup Bare with Me Concealer Serum at Amazon ($11) Jump to Review Best for Dry Skin: Tower 28 Concealer at Sephora ($22) Jump to Review Best Color Corrector: Huda Beauty #FAUXFILTER Under Eye Color Corrector at Sephora ($30) Jump to Review Best Cream: Nars Soft Matte Concealer at Nordstrom ($28) Jump to Review Best Medium Coverage: e.l.f. Cosmetics 16HR Camo Concealer at Amazon ($6) Jump to Review Best for Under-Eye: Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Concealer at Sephora ($42) Jump to Review Best Stick: Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer at Nordstrom ($64) Jump to Review Best for Dark Spots: Ilia True Skin Serum Concealer at Nordstrom ($30) Jump to Review Best for Rosacea: Monika Blunder Blunder Cover at Amazon ($52) Jump to Review Best Overall Saie Slip Tint Radiant All-Over Concealer Sephora View On Sephora $28 View On Saiehello.com What We Love: Packed with hydrating ingredients, the formula conditions dry skin and effectively covers discoloration.What We Don’t Love: Oiler skin types may not like its additional radiance. Right from the jump we knew the Saie Slip Tint concealer was a winner because its formula is similar to the Slip Tint foundation, one of our favorite foundations for dry skin. Like that dewy dream come true, it also taps skin-forward ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and sunflower seed extract, affording it an impossibly smooth texture that applies evenly on wrinkled or bumpy skin. If some of these ingredients sound familiar, it's likely because you’ve seen them used in dark spot correctors — notably, niacinamide is a powerful agent for brightening and soothing areas with hyperpigmentation. Between its subtle radiance and medium coverage, the concealer is a super effective agent at combatting our dark under eyes. We especially appreciated how it didn’t start to look patchy throughout the day and covered this textured area around our eyes in one smooth blanket. Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, sunflower seed oil | Shades: 25 | Finish: Natural | Best for: Combination skin, discoloration | Size: 0.17 oz Best Drugstore NYX Professional Makeup Bare with Me Concealer Serum Amazon View On Amazon $11 View On Ulta $12 View On Nyxcosmetics.com What We Love: The serum consistency is hydrating yet lightweight.What We Don’t Love: The pump can make it tough to dispense the right amount of product. The skincare treatment, and makeup product hybrid offers the best of both worlds. It hydrates skin for up to 24 hours, thanks to a combination of soothing cica, plumping tremella mushroom, and antioxidant-packed green tea. The concealer’s medium coverage erases dark circles and zits alike, leaving skin looking natural with a finish that is neither too dewy, nor too matte. The serum format also lends itself to the silky, light texture, which is easy to buff and is especially comforting if you're dealing with dryness and redness. It also won't exacerbate dehydrated skin, which can be a bigger concern with age. Plus, it’s vegan and cruelty-free, making it a tough one to beat in the makeup aisle. Key Ingredients: Tremella mushroom, cica, green tea | Shades: 17 | Finish: Natural | Best for: Dry and sensitive skin | Size: 0.32 oz Best for Dry Skin Tower 28 Concealer Tower 28 View On Sephora $22 View On Tower28beauty.com View On Credo Beauty What We Love: It provides an impressive layer of coverage for such a lightweight formula.What We Don’t Love: The shades dry down about half a shade darker than their initial color. Call this the no haircut haircut of concealers. Translation: You’ll look like you haven’t changed a thing about yourself, yet it still sneakily addresses concerns. Here’s how: The Tower 28 Swipe Serum concealer relies on hyaluronic acid and glycerin to create a formula that seamlessly blends into the skin for a natural finish. While it has the fluid-like consistency of a serum, its slightly thicker viscosity allows you to manipulate the texture across problem areas without worrying about it slipping and sliding off textured skin or acne. Plus, our skin can breathe under its fragrance-free formula too, which we found surprising considering it covered our blemishes remarkably well. (We even fully concealed nasty bruises with one layer of product.) However, shade matching is a little tricky. Here’s our tip: If you prefer a brightening effect, go one or two shades lighter than your normal skin tone because we found the product dries down to a darker shade. Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica leaf extract, lysine | Shades: 20 | Finish: Natural | Best for: Dry and sensitive skin, full-coverage applications | Size: 0.22 oz Best Color Corrector Huda Beauty #FAUXFILTER Under Eye Color Corrector Sephora View On Sephora $30 View On Hudabeauty.com What We Love: It brightens, conceals, and color-corrects with one even, lightweight layer of coverage.What We Don’t Love: The shade range isn’t super expansive. While concealers can cover a lot, sometimes even the crème de la c rème aren’t powerful enough to conceal stubborn skin concerns such as hyperpigmentation and rosacea-induced redness. Huda Beauty found a workaround with its color corrector-concealer hybrid that balances uneven skin tones with lightening dark under-eye circles. And, it’s not just all surface-level results — the formula contains the proven brightening agents vitamin C and niacinamide to even out your natural complexion over time. Our one wish is that the brand would offer a few more colorways, but on the flip side Huda has added two new shades since it first released the product. Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, niacinamide | Shades: 7 | Finish: Natural | Best for: Brightening, acneic skin | Size: 0.3 oz Best Cream Nars Soft Matte Concealer Sephora View On Nordstrom $28 View On Nordstrom $32 View On Ulta $32 What We Love: It’s so pigmented that it’s a winner for spot-concealing.What We Don’t Love: The jar isn’t hygienic, and there’s no applicator. A concealer that actually supports the skin barrier? This is it. Another makeup artist favorite, this matte concealer takes skincare into account, too — which explains why it's packed with a blend of peptides (which actually target wrinkles), hyaluronic acid, and a defensive lineup of antioxidants. However, since it's oil-free, it won't feel heavy on skin, and it imparts a soft-focus finish that looks like your own skin, but with a filter. Along with the skincare perks, it's also infused with a powder that deploys light-diffusing spheres, which give it some brightness (but not shine — it has a matte finish). And since the cream offers full coverage, a little can cover a lot. Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamins A, C, and E | Shades: 30 | Finish: Matte | Best for: Oily skin, full-coverage applications | Size: 0.22 oz Best Medium Coverage e.l.f. Cosmetics 16HR Camo Concealer Ulta View On Amazon $6 View On Ulta $7 View On Walmart $7 What We Love: It’s the perfect balance of long-lasting wear time, plenty of coverage, and silky texture.What We Don’t Love: It dries down quickly. While long-wear concealers can eventually look cakey, that's not the case with this formula, which provides up to 16 hours of coverage. A single swipe of this liquid concealer offers medium coverage and imparts a matte finish, ensuring it won't inadvertently bring attention to discoloration or dark spots. It also offers a weightless finish with lasting oil control, making it especially helpful for those prone to shine throughout the day. Although the formula locks in place quickly, it’s easy to blend the lightweight cream into skin without creasing or flaking. You can also use it in a number of ways in addition to concealer — to highlight, to contour, or even as a base for your eyeshadow. Key Ingredients: Kaolin clay, avocado oil | Shades: 26 | Finish: Matte | Best for: Combination skin | Size: 0.2 oz Best for Under-Eye Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Concealer Sephora View On Sephora $42 View On Giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com View On Bloomingdales $42 What We Love: It has a skin-like finish that looks incredibly natural.What We Don’t Love: You might need to set it with powder for more staying power. Fans love the brand's Luminous Silk Foundation (it’s a great foundation for oily skin, FYI) for its buildable coverage and barely-there feel — and the same can be expected of this formula, which offers up to 24 hours of hydration and leaves skin looking radiant. Its rich, creamy texture delivers an airbrushed appearance, allowing it to camouflage everything from discoloration to wrinkles. Another bonus: It's infused with glycerin, vitamin E, and caffeine, the latter being able to boost microcirculation and help de-puff and brighten the eye area. The applicator deserves some recognition, too; instead of the usual rounded doe-foot found on many wands, it has a pointed tip for extra precision, making it ideal for nooks and crannies. Key Ingredients: Glycerin, caffeine, vitamin E | Shades: 23 | Finish: Radiant | Best for: Dark under eyes, old acne scars and discoloration | Size: 0.4 oz Best Stick Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer Nordstrom View On Nordstrom $64 View On Saks Fifth Avenue $75 View On Bloomingdales $75 What We Love: It can conceal any and every concern, from dark circles to breakouts.What We Don’t Love: Blending takes some effort. It’s an investment, yes, but this stick concealer has been a makeup artist-favorite for ages. “There’s a reason why it’s so coveted among makeup artists,” says celebrity makeup artist Nick Barose. “The state-of-the-art formula is very versatile, so you can use it under the eyes as well as over pimples.” To that end, it has a creamy texture that blends like a dream without highlighting uneven or rough texture, and the formula — which is infused with hyaluronic acid and argan oil — actually hydrates skin as it corrects. (An extra bonus is the SPF 27, which offers daily sun protection, although it shouldn’t be the only face sunscreen you use.) Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, argan oil | Shades: 13 | Finish: Radiant | Best for: Textured complexions, acne-prone skin | Size: 0.17 oz Best for Dark Spots Ilia True Skin Serum Concealer Dermstore View On Nordstrom $30 View On Sephora $32 View On Smallflower.com What We Love: It offers serious skincare benefits.What We Don’t Love: Its deeper shade offerings are relatively limited. What sets this clean, medium-coverage formula apart is the inclusion of vitamin C. Not only does the antioxidant repair and defend against sun damage — helping reduce future age spots from appearing and existing dark spots from intensifying — but it can also even out skin tone over time. In other words, this concealer delivers both instant coverage and long-term improvement. You can slather it on to get your desired level of coverage without it ever getting cakey, and it also resists settling or creasing within fine lines and wrinkles. With a long, flexible applicator, it’s easy to dot on and blend for a quick touch up. Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, aloe | Shades: 20 | Finish: Radiant | Best for: Spot correcting, dry skin | Size: 0.4 oz Best for Rosacea Monika Blunder Blunder Cover Monika-blunder-beauty View On Amazon $52 View On Nordstrom $52 View On Monikablunderbeauty.com What We Love: It’s endlessly versatile, making it a great one-and-done product.What We Don’t Love: The jar format isn’t the most hygienic and can be tough to clean. Rosacea can manifest as a patch or on the whole face, which is why it calls for a versatile concealer. To that end, “this all-in-one product can be used as a concealer, foundation, contour, or highlighter,” says celebrity makeup artist Courtney Hart. “It has a natural, skin-like finish and contains skin loving ingredients like arnica and edelweiss.” While the creamy formula goes on sheer, it’s very buildable, so you can layer more onto skin to adequately conceal dark circles and hyperpigmentation. While you can use your (clean) fingers for touch-ups, you'll get the most natural effect with a brush, which can buff it into skin for a realistic finish. Also, a little goes a long way — so a single jar will last you even with daily use. Key Ingredients: Arnica, edelweiss | Shades: 20 | Finish: Natural | Best for: Redness, sensitive skin | Size: 0.6 oz Best Crease-Proof Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Concealer Ulta View On Nordstrom $33 View On Ulta $33 View On Sephora $33 What We Love: It's designed to last, and can even hold up through tears.What We Don’t Love: It works best when prepped with a separate eye cream for hydration. The eponymous Laura Mercier might be best known for her tinted moisturizer (which effectively founded the category), but her concealers are worth a look, too. Case in point? This under-eye concealer, which is designed to stay put for up to 12 hours through sweat, humidity, and water — tears included. Its technology is rooted in polymers, which cling to and move with skin for a natural finish. Plus, the cream formula contains blurring powders, which diffuse light and, in doing so, help brighten skin overall. They also offer a soft-focus effect that minimizes the appearance of crows' feet. The only thing it’s missing are hydrating ingredients, so you won’t want to skip the eye cream before applying this. Key Ingredients: Silk powder, silica | Shades: 22 | Finish: Natural | Best for: Full-coverage application that lasts all day and night | Size: 0.3 oz Best for Wrinkles Macrene Actives High Performance Concealer Nordstrom View On Nordstrom $95 View On Saks Fifth Avenue $95 View On Neiman Marcus $95 What We Love: Its brightening effect is ideal for the eye area.What We Don’t Love: With just six shades, color-matching is tricky. No eye cream? No problem. The ingredient list for this silky concealer reads like a who's who of skincare ingredients, including peptides and hyaluronic acid. (The peptides work long-term, while hyaluronic acid can plump skin more quickly.) It also actively brightens skin with amino acids and arginine, and defends skin against environmental stressors — courtesy of a combo of antioxidants and titanium dioxide. Now, for the concealing part: The lightweight formula contains mineral-based pigments, which the brand claims will adjust to your own skin tone. So while it’s available in six shades, this advantage will help you find a match. The concealer’s creamy consistency glides right onto skin, and thanks to the formula’s army of hydrating ingredients, it won’t dry out the delicate skin under the eyes. Key Ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid, amino acids | Shades: 6 | Finish: Natural | Best for: Dry skin, brightening | Size: 0.27 oz Best Long-Lasting It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer Ulta View On Amazon $29 View On Nordstrom $12 View On Sephora $14 What We Love: It’s actually waterproof.What We Don’t Love: The consistency can feel tacky, making it tough to blend. If you're in the market for something that won't budge, consider your search over: Not only is this formula waterproof, but it also offers up to 24 hours of wear — taking you from day to night and then some. It's packed with pigment, offering a full coverage in a single swipe, and won't crack or cake throughout the day. In fact, the brand calls it “expression-proof,” meaning it won’t settle into laugh lines no matter how much you, well, laugh throughout the day. It offers benefits on a long-term basis, too; the formula is brewed with peptides to reduce the look of wrinkles, along with hydrolyzed collagen to support skin elasticity and hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin on the spot. Consider it an upgrade to your usual eye cream. Key Ingredients: Peptides, hydrolyzed collagen, hyaluronic acid | Shades: 24 | Finish: Natural | Best for: Full-coverage application that lasts all day and night | Size: 0.4 oz Best for Dark Circles Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat All-Over Brightening Concealer Pen Nordstrom View On Nordstrom $34 View On Sephora $40 What We Love: It’s incredibly hydrating.What We Don’t Love: The pen contains a lot less formula than other options. This handy pen is a staple in makeup-artist kits — mostly because there's nothing better for brightening the eyes. Instead of shimmer, the sheer formula deploys light-reflecting pigments to add radiance while smoothing the look of dark under eye circles. That said, it's more than just an under eye concealer. Although it doesn't offer enough pigment to tackle dark spots, it can still make quick work of blemishes and redness elsewhere on the face. And the click-to-dispense format makes it a dream for both packing and taking on the go for touch-ups. Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, calendula extract | Shades: 14 | Finish: Radiant | Best for: Dark under eyes, touch-ups | Size: 0.08 oz Best Hydrating Charlotte Tilbury Radiant Concealer Sephora View On Nordstrom $33 View On Sephora $33 View On Ulta What We Love: It comes in a wide range of diverse shades.What We Don’t Love: It can look shimmery, depending on the light. With her A-list clientele, “Charlotte Tilbury is known for creating amazing beauty products, and I love that she always has all ages in mind when developing these iconic formulas,” says Razzano. “This concealer is a perfect example of that depth of vision — while it can be great for a younger client, it is also perfectly suited for mature skin.” It leaves skin with a dewy finish, which is especially helpful if you’re tackling dark circles. Plus, “the coverage is versatile and can go from a light-medium to full,” says Razzano, adding that the inclusion of skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin C, sets the stage for smoother, plumper skin over time. Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C | Shades: 30 | Finish: Natural | Best for: Dry skin, dark circles | Size: 0.25 oz Best Full-Coverage Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer Sephora View On Nordstrom $40 View On Ulta $40 View On Sephora $40 What We Love: It blends evenly to give you the most natural finish possible.What We Don’t Love: The tube can get messy. While it's buildable, part of the magic of this concealer is that it offers full-coverage with a single application. For the same reason, a little goes a long way — and is clinically proven to last for 24 hours without fading. “It’s really rich so you won’t really need much; I sometimes even mix it with foundation to thin it out,” says Barose. “It's great if you also have discoloration under the eyes, which needs more coverage.” It’s also transfer-proof, giving yet another advantage to makeup artists.“I love that it’s long-wearing, so it stays and won’t crease,” he says. “And it sets to a nice, soft finish so you won’t need powder.” And although long-lasting formulas can often feel drying, this is the exception, providing 24 hours of hydration while you wear it, courtesy of the iris extract ingredient, which works to maintain the skin’s hydration levels. Key Ingredients: Iris and wild pansy extracts | Shades: 30 | Finish: Natural | Best for: Full-coverage, long-wear applications, dry skin | Size: 0.37 oz Best for Sensitive Skin Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Ulta View on Ulta View On Ulta $32 View On Tartecosmetics.com $32 What We Love: No matter how you do (or don't) prep the eye area, it won't settle into lines or creases.What We Don’t Love: It can feel heavy on skin, depending on how much you apply. This full-coverage formula blends like a dream and leaves behind a matte finish, making it especially helpful for hiding redness and dark spots. But what sets it apart from the competition is that it's also dermatologist-tested, vegan and cruelty-free, and formulated sans parabens, phthalates, or other common irritants, making it a great option for sensitive skin types. Just as notable is what is inside; shea and mango butters, for instance, help moisturize skin and fortify the skin's protective barrier. It's also proven to be crease-proof for up to 12 hours, which is essential for mature skin, and features proprietary technology that helps blur and smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles. The payoff: Your smoothest complexion yet. Key Ingredients: Shea butter, mango butter, licorice root | Shades: 34 | Finish: Matte | Best for: Full-coverage looks, sensitive skin | Size: 0.33 oz What to Keep in Mind Shade: Where you’re going to use your concealer will often determine the right shade. While matching your skin tone is a good place to start, it doesn’t stop there. Trying to brighten your under-eye area, for instance, requires some swatching — since the area often calls for a slightly lighter shade. “While it’s true in theory, if it’s too light, it draws attention to the area,” explains Barose. “It’s all about finding the right shade that brightens while blending into the cheek areas so it looks seamless.”For everything else, match your foundation. “If you’re looking to cover a blemish or other skin concerns, you want to match it as close to your skin tone as possible,” says Razzano. “If you choose a brighter shade for this purpose, you will actually bring the area ‘forward’ and into attention — rather than ‘concealing’ it.”Your Skin Type: Your skin type and concerns can ultimately determine the right formula. For instance, “a client with very oily skin should steer away from slippery, emollient formulas and lean towards lightweight, matte finishes — even for their under-eye,” says Razzano. The exception is if your under-eye area is very dry, in which case you might need two different formulas.Meanwhile, “if a client has very dry skin, I would suggest those creamy, hydrating formulas for both face and under-eye,” he says. “Dry skin can absorb all the moisture of a product, and this allows it to crack and eventually flake off the skin.” So your concealer should be able to withstand that process.Coverage: What you’re trying to cover will ultimately determine your level of coverage. For instance, if you just want to lightly even out your skin tone or conceal redness, light to medium coverage may do the trick. But “for dark spots, a more full-coverage, yet blendable formula would be ideal,” says Hart. “Look for something creamy and with a natural finish to not emphasize texture.” The same goes for breakouts, which can be more apparent no matter how much concealer you apply.The good news is that many concealer formulas these days are buildable, meaning you can increase the coverage with additional layers. And, since they’re designed not to get cake-y, you can take a medium-coverage concealer to full coverage with a few dabs.Finish: The finish describes the sheen — or lack thereof — of the concealer once it’s on your skin. Mature skin often benefits most from a more radiant finish since this skin type tends to be dry. However, there are exceptions to this: Namely, if your skin tends to remain oily, then a matte finish is ideal. “If your under-eye is also oily, then stick to natural over matte or radiant finish products, which will add a touch of brightness and hydration but won’t look too oily,” says Razzano. Your Questions, Answered How do you keep concealer from creasing on older skin? If you’re still trying to crack the code for how to keep concealer from settling into wrinkles, good news: “It’s all in the prepping,” says Barose, who recommends using an eye treatment that’s hydrating but not greasy. “Makeup can’t do everything, so when it comes to the under-eyes, the right tools to help depuff will also help the makeup,” he says. Once you dab on your concealer, follow up with a dusting of loose, translucent powder. “Apply your under-eye powder with a fluffy eyeshadow brush,” Razzano says. “It will allow you to strategically apply the right amount of powder only where needed without using too much.” Should you put concealer on before or after foundation for mature skin? While there’s no wrong way to do it, “I prefer to apply foundation — usually liquid — first, and go all the way up to the under-eyes,” says Barose. “This way, it helps diffuse the areas a bit, so you won’t need as much concealer as you thought.” Plus, he says, it prevents you from going overboard with your concealer and minimizes the risk of caking. “When you wake up looking tired and attack the under-eyes first with concealer, that’s when most people overdo it — and it will look cake-y,” he says. Why does my concealer make my under eyes look wrinkly? It’s not you — it’s your concealer. For starters (and to Barose’s earlier point) less is more. “The less product used means the less chance for it to move around and crease — so if you need a lot of coverage under the eye, then use a smaller amount of a higher-coverage concealer rather than trying to build up the coverage with more product,” says Razanno. Also, reconsider your eye cream. “If you like thick, emollient eye creams but find your concealer creasing, you may want to use a lightweight product during the day when wearing concealer,” he says. “This will drastically reduce creasing.” Why Shop With Us Deanna Pai is a freelance writer and editor who has been covering beauty, health, and wellness for more than a decade. She has extensive experience testing and using concealer to disguise dark circles, breakouts, and dark spots on a regular basis. For this story, she interviewed four pro makeup artists, including makeup artists Nick Barose, Courtney Hart, and David Razzano.