My under-eye area started becoming a concern last year, but with the help of concealer, I've [Espinal] been able to camouflage signs of sleepless nights and tired eyes. If the colder months put your skin through the wringer and your skin is still feeling parched, it might be time to opt for a hydrating concealer. This dry skin makeup must-have is a particularly practical option for the transition from cool to warm weather, but it’s also a beauty bag staple that many makeup artists swear by all year long.
Shop TODAY spoke with several industry pros and our own editors to find out about their favorite picks. From budget-friendly drugstore options to splurge-worthy finds, these are the top picks they can’t live without.
Why use a hydrating concealer?
“Using a hydrating concealer is one of the best ways to step up your makeup routine! Not only does it keep the under-eye area from looking cakey, but it helps with creasing and lasts longer,” celebrity makeup artist Beck Wainner tells us.
Celebrity makeup artist Markphong Tram is a big fan of hydrating concealers because they’re usually pretty easy to blend. “It’s good to use for the under-eye area,” he says.
Want to get the most out of your hydrating concealer? Makeup artist Robert Bryan offers up a pro tip: “Always start by using deep hydrating moisturizers and eye creams to retain hydration throughout the day,” he suggests.
Best concealers for dry skin, according to makeup artists
Tram knows that budget-friendly concealers can be just as effective as their high-end counterparts. He even cites this affordable find as a must-try, and it’s easy to see why.
The 5-in-1 concealer works overtime to hydrate, brighten and perfect skin tone, for up to 24 hours of coverage, according to the brand. Caffeine and vitamin C are just two of its multitasking ingredients, and the formula is also free of parabens, fragrance and mineral oil. It even comes with a built-in applicator sponge that prevents bacteria buildup.
Whenever New York City-based makeup artist Norah Salazar uses concealer on her clients, she always tries to achieve a balance between hydration and coverage. “A buildable formula is a must for me personally, as well as a nice finish that doesn’t need a ton of setting,” she explains.
Salazar digs this long-wear drugstore find from E.l.f. Cosmetics that provides crease-proof full coverage. “It has a satin finish that is very buildable and is great for combination to dry skin,” she says of the vegan and cruelty-free formula.
It might only cost $6, but don’t let the low price fool you. Salazar tells us that it offers pretty impressive results.
“It delivers a creamy, sheer formula that covers and conceals well,” she explains. The makeup artist also loves the plethora of shades that are available for a range of skin tones.
North Carolina-based makeup artist Caitlyn Dominic recommends this concealer for its long-lasting coverage and natural finish. The formula contains hyaluronic acid to deliver hydration, centella asiatica leaf extract for sensitive skin and lysine to support collagen production. A must-have if you need a soothing sensation while still covering dark circles.
"My biggest issue with concealers in the past has been makeup creasing under my eyes during the day or not blending in well with the rest of my makeup and I've yet to come across either of these issues with this option. It feels lightweight upon application, but it delivers enough coverage to hide my dark circles or blemishes," adds deputy managing editor Jess Bender.
Aside from having a cool name and rad packaging, KVD Beauty’s full-coverage concealer also helps hydrate and nourish skin with the help of raspberry stem cells. The formula is also free of parabens, phthalates and other harmful ingredients, so it’s no wonder that celebrity makeup artist Billie Gene couldn’t stop gushing about it when we asked him to share his favorite hydrating concealers.
“This concealer has great color pigments, which are great for correcting or brightening the under-eye with built-in apple extract that helps nourish the eye area. While most concealers that can provide this much coverage are heavy, this one is extremely lightweight,” he tells us.
Bryan recommends this creamy formula that doubles as an eye cream for anyone seeking medium-to-full coverage.
“It not only contains hyaluronic acid for moisture retention but also has peptides, which help plump for more supple, juicy-looking skin,” he says.
Wainner adores this popular creamy concealer from Nars that has over one million likes from Sephora shoppers. “This multipurpose concealer is so rich and creamy, yet can still be used to cover dark spots and color correct. It also wears up to 16 hours,” she says.
Clinique’s Beyond Perfecting Concealer has something for every skin tone, and it’s one of Gene’s go-tos. “It’s a favorite of mine because of its large doe wand that allows you to apply the concealer seamlessly right underneath your eye area while giving maximum coverage and providing hydration,” he says.
The oil-free, humidity-resistant formula works equally well on normal, dry, oily and combination skin, and doubles as a concealer and foundation. It also offers 24 hours of coverage, so you can be sure it’ll last the whole day, according to the brand.
Best concealers for dry skin, according to editors
Audience development writer Danielle Murphy says this concealer 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.
I just received this concealer and love how well it covers my under-eye bags without being cake-y or oversaturated. The formula blends easily and covers any imperfections gently without creasing. It contains eight superfoods like shitake mushroom, black rice and black tea to help deliver a luminous glow and a young-looking appearance — more like awakened eyes.
Associate editor Shannon Garlin loves this concealer for its full coverage and long-lasting effects. "This is the one that's currently in my rotation, and it's become my new favorite concealer. It offers full coverage and lasts all day," says Garlin. Aside from its long-lasting results, Garlin raves about how well it blends without "flaking or caking " on her dry skin.
Editor Vivien Moon likes this concealer for its natural-looking finish and hydrating ingredients like squalane and peptides. "When it comes to concealers, this one checks all the boxes. I prefer one that has this applicator, which provides the most control and less room for error," she says.
Basically, this non-messy concealer offers a buildable formula that blends well and contains skin care ingredients. "I have combination skin and it blends well into the dry areas and the oily spots," she adds.
Frequently asked questions
According to Los Angeles-based makeup artist Chanel Temple, the best concealers are those with hydrating ingredients. You want to look for products that contain ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol and vitamin E to "help hydrate, nourish and brighten the skin for an overall fresher finish."
"Apply a touch of concealer to your under eye area, a touch down the bridge of the nose, under the nostrils and chin if desired, using the applicator wand of a traditional concealer product. Then press and blend into your skin using gentle pushing motions and an angled concealer brush," shares Dominic.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY team spoke with makeup artists and asked for their top-recommended concealers for dry skin. We even requested that editors on our team share their most coveted concealers while taking into consideration hydrating ingredients.
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.
- Norah Salazar is a New York City-based makeup artist with experience in commercial, fashion, editorial and celebrity spaces.
- Markphong Tram is a New York-based celebrity makeup artist.
- Robert Bryan is a Los Angeles-based celebrity makeup artist.
- Billie Gene is a celebrity makeup artist.
- Beck Wainner is a Nashville-based makeup and hair artist with over a decade of experience in the beauty industry.
- Caitlyn Dominic is a Charlotte, North Carolina-based makeup artist.
- Chanel Temple is a professional makeup artist and is the brand events and education manager for Huda Beauty.
Drmtlgy Anti-Aging Tinted Moisturizer
Drmtlgy Anti-Aging Tinted Moisturizer