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Concealer will forever be one of those products that frustrates and delights shoppers. It can be so difficult to pinpoint one that works for your skin tone, and not just finding the right color but also texture, coverage preference, price point and so on. Then again, once you do find the perfect concealer it becomes like a grail, and there is no greater brand loyalty.
Finding the right shade is the key in the hunt for both foundation and concealer, and luckily, the sheer scope of brands, shades, and formulas that are available in 2024 is incredibly vast. There are more concealer types and tones now than ever before, and the growth in this category over the last few decades can’t be overstated—thanks Rihanna! Still, finding the right match for your face can be a simple matter of trial and error. One thing to keep in mind is noting your undertones just as much as your overall color.
Also, note what you most want to use concealer for, is it under eye bags? Acne? Discoloration and beauty spots? Redness? There are different formulas designed to target each one of these issues, so go in with an idea about what you most want coverage for. Here are some other factors to keep in mind when you’re shopping, so you don’t end up with a near-perfect formula that’s just not strong enough to become a permanent fixture in your makeup bag.
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Consider Your Skin Type
Even before it comes to skin tone, one of the most important aspects in selecting a concealer that works effectively for you is skin type. That means getting to know your skin if you’re not already familiar with its habits and tendencies, or learning about the different types, how makeup impacts them differently, and what category you fall into. Achieving optimal coverage and a natural finish comes down to how your skin behaves, so here’s a full breakdown of our picks for the best concealers for each skin type.
Dry Skin
Dry skin is characterized by a lack of moisture, which can lead to flakiness and fine lines, both of which will be accentuated by the wrong concealer instead of hidden. The wrong concealer could also potentially dry your skin out even more, so looking for one that’s designed for dry skin and includes hydrating ingredients is key. Look for formulas that include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or aloe vera, and avoid products with alcohol, as that only exacerbates dryness.
Sephora
Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer with Caffeine and Hyaluronic Acid
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Oily Skin
On the other side of the spectrum, oily skin is prone to too much moisture and slickness, which also means using the wrong makeup can easily lead to clogged pores and acne. If you have oily skin, odds are, you’re probably already well aware! In this case, it’s important to make sure a concealer is oil-free, and the phrase “non-comedogenic” (aka specifically formulated not to block pores) is also your friend. It can also be helpful to find a concealer with either salicylic acid or tea tree oil, as these are additives that help diminish oil production and also calm existing redness and acne.
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Combination Skin
Welcome to the most confusing skin type of all, combination skin! (Can you tell I have some personal experience with this one?) This means you struggle with both dryness and oil production, so grabbing a lightweight product that doesn’t go on too heavy is key. Water and gel-based products do a great job of skimming the surface of your skin, so dry patches don’t show up, and any excess oil won’t settle the product into creases. Ingredients to look out for if you have combination skin are niacinamide or vitamin C. These both help the skin balance out and they also reduce the appearance of pores.
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Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin is more about reactions and irritation that stem from using the wrong products than anything else, so if your skin is easily irritated, these suggestions are for you. Trying to avoid any and all fragrances is a must. Luckily, that’s usually pretty easy with concealer as this isn’t really a product that it makes sense to scent, but look out for that regardless. Also look for the “hypoallergenic” label as well as a marker that’s now included on a lot of labels: "suitable for sensitive skin.” Ingredients like chamomile or calendula are naturally soothing, so these can be great in formulations for those looking to keep everything calm while they cover up.
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Mature Skin
Once you start developing fine lines and wrinkles, suddenly the concealer game is a bit trickier. You still want some coverage, but you don’t want the formulas to settle into the lines and only make them more visible. That means looking for products that are focused on blurring and “airbrushing” the skin. Prioritizing ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, or peptides is a must, because those elements tend to improve elasticity and firmness, thus providing coverage and strengthening your skin at the same time. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin can also be beneficial for aging skin because they keep it hydrated and can make thinning areas appear fuller, so keep an eye out for those additives as well.
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Find Your Perfect Concealer Match
Although shopping through a packed product category like concealer can feel a bit daunting, all it takes is a little organization and a few rounds of testing to get to the perfect fit. Remember to know your undertones, your skin type, and what function you most want the concealer to fulfill. And if all this research for your ideal concealer gets you in the mood to do some more shopping, don’t forget to look through our range of beauty & skincare products for more inspiration, and possibly even discover some new quality brands you’ll fall in love with.
