There’s no shortage of concealers on the market, but not all of them will suit every skin type. Take maturing skin, for instance. Certain matte formulas may settle into fine lines and wrinkles or make skin look lackluster and dry. The right formulation makes a difference and can add more glow for women with mature skin.
Just like foundation, concealers work better when they are infused with hydrating, nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid or vitamin E. “Mature skin is characterized by reduced sebum production, which makes it prone to dryness,” explains Dr. Brendan Camp, a double board-certified dermatologist.
We tapped professional makeup artists and dermatologists for their top recommendations and which concealers reign supreme for mature skin. Additionally, we asked them what to look for (and avoid) when shopping on your own and a few application tips to get the best look.
Award-winning concealer$undefined$12.00
What makes concealer for mature skin different from other concealers?
Akin to foundation, it’s all about the consistency, finish and ingredients.
“The main difference between concealers for mature skin is the texture,” says Los Angeles-based makeup artist Chanel Temple. “They tend to be much more fluid and thin, making them ideal for textured or dry skin."
Makeup artist Elisa Flowers adds that concealers for mature skin tend to be crease-resistant, brightening, more moisturizing than your typical concealer and have "technology in them to be more skin-like."
Again, many will also contain ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol and vitamin E to help hydrate, nourish and brighten the skin for an overall fresher finish, Temple notes.
What should you be looking for in a concealer for mature skin?
Both Flowers and Temple recommend looking for traditional “skin care ingredients” such as the ones mentioned above in addition to jojoba oil, caffeine and other plant-based oils to provide moisture, plump the skin and help with dark circles.
Temple says these ingredients “allow the formula to blend evenly without any tugging on the skin.” She also recommends opting for lightweight, fluid textures. If you prefer a creamier consistency, just be sure not too choose something too thick.
Award-winning concealers
Writer Danielle Murphy likes this concealer because it instantly brightens her eye area. "It blends very well on the skin and lasts for a good amount of time. I don't think it plays well with eye cream because it seems to crease a bit on days that I apply any. It's a great option if you want something affordable and effective," she says.
As for social video producer Anita Chomenko, the concealer promised great results for her under-eye dark circles. "I was skeptical about this product because I went for a color-correcting shade (that did not look like my skin tone) but I was surprised! The color correcting helped with my dark under-eye circles. A little goes a long way. I only needed one dot under each eye. At only $12 this is gonna last awhile!"
This award-winning concealer won the best new launch during our third annual Shop TODAY Beauty Awards. I [Espinal] have been using this concealer for the past month, and I love how well it blends with my skin tint and CC cream (I apply it before my skin tint or any foundation). Also, the formula feels creamy and hydrating, thanks to the added hyaluronic acid. I haven’t noticed any creasing after wearing it for hours, and my eyes look brighter as well.
Writer Emma Stessman tested this concealer and says it’s very easy to blend without setting into fine lines. “This concealer was really great overall and I understand why so many people love it! It does a great job of covering up everything from under-eye circles to pimples and doesn’t set into creases and lines as quickly as other concealers. It’s super blendable and feels good on skin, as it’s lightweight and hydrating,” adds Stessman.
Best concealers for mature skin, according to makeup artists
A must-have for Temple, she adores how lightweight and long-lasting this formula is. “It provides incredible non-creasing coverage, lasts all day, and is so easy to use,” she says. According to the brand, it also contains glycerin to smooth and firm the skin and help support healthy collagen production.
“This concealer is excellent for mature skin because it’s really lightweight and smooth and gives medium-to-full coverage but never looks cakey or dry,” raves Flowers of this Shiseido formula. “It feels like a gel-like serum and is resistant to humidity and sweat, as well.” Shoppers also say this concealer doesn't cake around the eye areas, providing a smooth finish.
“This is my number one go-to concealer for mature skin,” Temple tells us matter-of-factly. “This super creamy, skin care-packed clean concealer makes the skin look fresh and healthy while providing natural coverage.”
She especially appreciates that it contains ingredients like caffeine and hyaluronic acid to aid in brightening and plumping the skin. Makeup artist Tyler Fields also recommends Kosas because is buildable and it looks light. "This one offers a glam look and doesn't look heavy when adding the foundation."
Makeup artist Jonet Williamson swears by this luxe formula, which contains caffeine to help reduce under-eye puffiness. “It’s hydrating, long-wearing, crease-proof and easy to blend,” she says. “It also has a natural radiant finish that requires less powder to set in place.” In conclusion, the formula offers a natural glowy finish and a slight boost thanks to the caffeine component.
A newer favorite, Temple loves how natural the finish of this concealer is. “The shade range is phenomenal and you need such a little amount of product for full coverage,” she raves. The formula can also be applied across the face and other areas to cover blemishes.
Flowers is a huge fan of this luxurious, iconic formula from Clé de Peau. “It’s a creamy, blurring concealer that smooths, brightens and won’t crease under mature eyes,” she says. “It comes in 12 colors ranging from Ivory to Espresso, has a natural satin finish and protects skin with sunscreen."
Shark Beauty CryoGlow Cooling + LED Face Mask
Winner: Most innovative skin tool
$349.99
Amazon
$349.99
Shark
$349.99
Ulta
E.l.f. Bright Icon Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Serum
Winner: Best antioxidant serum
$16.97
Amazon
$17.00
Ulta
$17.00
Target
Tula Skin Care Barrier Balance Ceramide Body Moisturizer
Winner: Most immediate results
$32.00
Tula
$25.60
$32.00
Amazon
$32.00
Ulta
Essie To The Rescue UV Gel Damage Repair
Winner: Best repair treatment
$7.55
$12.00
Amazon
$12.00
Essie
$11.99
Target
Versed Multi-Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
Winner: Best 2-in-1 tinted moisturizer
$19.99
Versed
$19.99
Target
$19.99
Ulta
Innisfree Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Brightening Toner Pads
Winner: Best value exfoliator pads
$28.00
Amazon
$28.00
Sephora
$28.00
Innisfree
Good Molecules 5% Niacinamide Serum with Ectoin
Winner: Best value serum
$8.00
Amazon
$8.00
Ulta
$8.00
Good Molecules
Almay Thickening & Tint Hypoallergenic Volume Mascara
Winner: Best value mascara
$10.38
Amazon
$10.38
Walmart
$10.49
Target
Beekman 1802 Micellar Milk Froth Cleansing Gel
Winner: Best 2-in-1 makeup remover
$29.00
Amazon
$29.00
Target
$29.00
Beekman 1802
The Mane Choice The Alpha Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner
Winner: Best leave-in conditioner for instant results
$13.97
$14.99
Amazon
$14.99
The Mane Choice
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Walmart
Elizabeth Arden Retinol + HPR Ceramide Capsules
Winner: Best overall retinol
$84.15
$99.00
Amazon
$99.00
Elizabeth Arden
Editor-favorite concealers
This one will give you a bang for your buck. When it comes to texture and consistency, this concealer doesn’t disappoint. I reach for this formula whenever I am doing a heavier makeup look, and it leaves my under eyes super smooth without a crease.
With 45 shades to choose from and a buttery texture, you’ll want to keep this close to your beauty bag.
According to editorial assistant Madison San Miguel, her mom loves this highly-praised concealer. “She’s entering her 50s and has developed dark sun spots over the years (genetic, and we live near the beach!). This concealer has never disappointed: It doesn’t settle in any fine lines, doesn’t look cake-y and covers her areas of concern well. It’s the best!”
This concealer is also a favorite of Fields because it's offered in numerous shades and blends well under eyes. "It's creamy and super radiant, and [it] has been a staple for years" she says.
Tips for applying concealer on mature skin
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
For best results, prepping the skin with hydrating products is paramount as it’ll help to plump the skin and reduce the risk of creasing and or looking cakey.
“[Apply] a lightweight eye cream such as Dieux Skin’s Auracle Eye Serum along the orbital bone,” says Temple. “This way the lightweight serum won’t affect the concealer texture but will still aid in the way it lays on the skin.”
Use a less-is-more approach
Temple and Williamson agree: less is more. “Conceal only where needed in areas of discoloration or to brighten, but using less product will lessen the chance that your concealer will crease throughout the day,” says Williamson.
Temple suggests starting off with just a small amount of concealer on the areas that require the most attention and then building it up as necessary.
“In many cases, clients tend to have the most concerns in the inner corner of the under-eye area,” she says. “Begin by applying the product directly to this specific area and then blend it outwards until you achieve even coverage. Then, I like to take any extra bit of concealer left on my brush to the outer portion of the eye to lift and pull the eye upward.”
Consider a color-correcting formula
“If you’re dealing with extra darkness under the eye like a bit of purple or blue, choose a concealer shade that has some peach in it,” says Temple. “This will act as a color corrector as well as concealer.”
Frequently asked questions
Both Flowers and Williamson agree that the best way to apply concealer on mature skin is via a damp sponge or brush.
“A Beautyblender will help soften the surface of the concealer so that it looks more skin-like,” explains Flowers.
Williamson adds that using a firm brush or beauty sponge to press your concealer into the skin helps lengthen wear time.
The experts agree that the number one thing you should avoid in concealers for mature skin is mattifying formulas. "These tend to setlle into fine lines and become patchy," explains Williamson.
"Mattifying products will strip any glow and moisture from the under-eye area and can even make the skin appear older than it actually is," Temple notes.
Similary, Flowers recommends avoiding powdered, heavy, thick or cakey formulas that look dry and chalky because they will crease and make wrinkles appear more prominent.
According to makeup artist Tyler Fields, it depends on the consistency of the concealer. "If you put the concealer first, you get more of a clean airbrush look — but if you put it after [the foundation], the concealer will stand out more. Some concealers are heavier than others and putting it first might look cake-y."
"If you wear foundation alternatives like skin tints or BB creams, you want to put the concealer first. But, it all depends on the look you're going for, " she adds.
How we chose
The experts we consulted recommended each of the concealers featured in this article, while considering key ingredients. Also, we added a few extra favorites from shoppers and editors, plus award-winning formulas to cover dark circles.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also ensure that all expert guidance and recommendations are provided independently and without any undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Chanel Temple is a professional makeup artist and is the brand events and education manager for Huda Beauty.
- Elisa Flowers is a professional makeup artist in New York City with more than two decades of experience. She has previously spoken to Shop TODAY about the best foundations for mature skin.
- Jonet Williamson is a professional makeup artist, content creator and beauty expert with more than 14 years of experience in the industry. She’s previously shared her expertise about the best foundations for mature skin, how to find the right color corrector and how to achieve a “no-makeup” makeup look.
- Dr. Brendan Camp is a double board-certified dermatologist in dermatology and dermatopathology at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery.
- Tyler Fields is a New York City-based makeup artist for the past 12 years and also specializes in hairstyles.
The Flat Lay Co. Flat Lay Makeup Bag
The Flat Lay Co. Flat Lay Makeup Bag