Many of us have used concealer since we started using makeup; but while we spent our teens and early 20s covering up acne flare-ups, we tend to expect a lot more from it as we age. It should cover everything from dark spots to under-eye circles—all while not settling into fine lines or emphasizing suddenly-much-drier skin. The best concealers for mature skin (like our top pick the Iconic London Radiant Concealer) last through the day without caking or creasing, have extensive shade options and also feature skin-benefitting ingredients.
The exercise of applying the wrong concealer can be frustrating, time-consuming and deflating. To help you choose the right one for your complexion needs, we’ve rounded up the best concealers for mature skin that cover hyperpigmentation, redness and dark circles—and brighten skin for a hydrated, youthful look.
Best Concealer For Mature Skin Overall: Iconic London Radiant Concealer And Brightening Crayon Duo
Best Drugstore Concealer For Mature Skin: NYX Bare With Me Concealer Serum
Best Under-Eye Concealer For Mature Skin: Armani Luminous Silk Face And Under-Eye Concealer
Best Cream Concealer For Mature Skin: Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
Best Concealer For Age Spots: Ilia True Skin Concealer
Best Hydrating Concealer For Mature Skin: Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer
Best Concealer Pen For Mature Skin: Jouer Essential High Coverage Concealer Pen
Best Full-Coverage Concealer For Mature Skin: Tula Radiant Skin Brightening Serum Concealer
Best Concealer For Mature Skin With Rosacea: Monika Blunder Cover
Best Lightweight Concealer For Mature Skin: RMS Beauty UnCoverup Concealer
Best Concealer For Mature Skin Overall
A Dual-Ended, Multitasking Concealer
Iconic London Radiant Concealer And Brightening Crayon Duo
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid (as sodium hyaluronate), caffeine | Shades: 18 | Size: 0.88 ounces | Cruelty-free: Yes
This moisturizing concealer shines because it takes skin from dull to radiant thanks to its use of sodium hyaluronate to hydrate and promote elasticity. The crayon side—which is infused with caffeine to minimize dark circles and reduce puffiness—illuminates with pearlized pigments that are intended to neutralize discoloration and give a brightened look around the eye. As a result, you’ll look rested and refreshed. The liquid concealer side offers medium to full buildable coverage, and you can use it both under the eyes and on other areas of your face.
What you’ll love:
- Convenient to stash in your handbag for on-the-go use
- Weightless feel
- Not cakey
Keep in mind:
- Use just the liquid side for a completely matte look
Best Drugstore Concealer For Mature Skin
A Skincare-Makeup Hybrid That Camouflages Dark Circles
MOST POPULAR
NYX Bare With Me Concealer Serum
Key ingredients: Green tea, cica, tremella mushroom | Shades: 17 | Size: 0.32 ounces | Cruelty-free: Yes
This wallet-friendly, medium coverage concealer blurs pores, imperfections and discoloration for a natural yet more even look. It contains tremella mushroom to hydrate and minimize inflammation, cica extract to soothe and improve collagen production and antioxidant green tea to depuff and moisturize. We especially like the hygienic pump, which is mess-free.
What you’ll love:
- Blendable
- No cakey texture
- Good for a no-makeup makeup look
Keep in mind:
- Some find it hard to find the right undertones
Best Under-Eye Concealer For Mature Skin
Conceals And Corrects With Added Brightening Benefits
Armani Luminous Silk Face And Under-Eye Concealer
Key ingredients: Vitamin E, caffeine, glycerin | Shades: 23 | Size: 0.4 ounces | Cruelty-free: No
When you have mature skin, applying concealer underneath your eyes without creating a dry-as-a-desert appearance can be difficult. This derm-approved, cult-favorite formula has hydrating glycerin, caffeine to de-puff eyes and vitamin E to brighten dark under-eye circles. Users love that the medium coverage doesn’t feel heavy and that it has a radiant finish, but note that you may need to combine it with a more full-coverage concealer for especially dark spots.
What you’ll love:
- Doesn’t crease
- Non-drying
- Luminous finish
Keep in mind:
- Expensive
Best Cream Concealer For Mature Skin
Smooths And Blurs For A Flawless Finish
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
Key ingredients: Grape seed extract, magnolia officinalis bark extract, silica | Shades: 30 | Size: 0.22 ounces | Cruelty-free: No
Creamy concealers are popular concealers because they typically blend well; this bestseller is a favorite of countless reviewers and dermatologist Dr. Leah Ansell. It has magnolia officinalis bark extract to increase skin hydration and elasticity; titanium dioxide, mica and tin oxide to optically correct skin imperfections; and silica to reduce the appearance of fine lines.
What you’ll love:
- Great coverage without feeling heavy
- Wide shade selection
- Beginner friendly
Keep in mind:
- Don’t forget to moisturize and prep skin before use
Best Concealer For Age Spots
A Top Pick For Discoloration And Dark Spots
Ilia True Skin Concealer
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, mastic | Shades: 20 | Size: 0.16 ounces | Cruelty-free: Yes
This highly rated Ilia concealer offers medium coverage, is easy to blend and has a non-greasy, satin finish. While it covers hyperpigmentation, it also has vitamin C, which improves the look of dark spots and brightens the appearance of skin over time. Other key ingredients include mastic, which tightens pores and is anti-inflammatory, and albizia julibrissin bark extract (from the Persian silk tree), which has antioxidant benefits.
What you’ll love:
- Clean ingredients
- Evens skin tone
- Fragrance-free
Keep in mind:
- Some users say it can get patchy late in the day
Best Hydrating Concealer For Mature Skin
A Long-Lasting, Moisture-Boosting Formula
Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer
Key ingredients: Floral extracts, glycerin | Shades: 30 | Size: 0.37 ounces | Cruelty-free: No
While some concealers can be drying the more they’re used, Dior’s concealer is popular for not only covering up imperfections, but improving your complexion over time. It contains iris extract to hydrate the skin, and wild pansy extract—also known as viola tricolor extract—to soothe. “It’s creamy, which helps hydrate and smooth drier, more mature skin,” says Miami-based dermatologist Dr. Loretta Ciraldo. “It lasts nearly all day—even though the manufacturer says 24 hours, I sometimes reapply before going out to dinner.”
What you’ll love:
- One of the largest shade selections available
- Easy to blend
- Natural look and overall lightweight feel
Keep in mind:
- Less coverage
Best Concealer Pen For Mature Skin
A Quick Fix Option For Hard-To-Reach Spots
Jouer Essential High Coverage Concealer Pen
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, meadowfoam seed oil, vitamin E | Shades: 20 | Size: 0.08 ounces | Cruelty-free: Yes
It can be tricky to apply concealer to certain areas of your face, but this tool has an angled triangle tip allowing for precise application on creases near the eyes or nose or for targeting small imperfections. Star ingredients include hyaluronic acid that hydrates and plumps, meadowfoam seed oil to fight dryness, antioxidant vitamin E to condition and resveratrol to neutralizes free radicals. When I tested this, I liked that it covered my undereye circles without feeling heavy or getting patchy over time, and it brightened the skin around my eyes.
What you’ll love:
- Buildable coverage
- Locks in moisture
- Great for on-the-go
Keep in mind:
- Less coverage
Best Full-Coverage Concealer For Mature Skin
Ample Coverage Without Creasing
Tula Radiant Skin Brightening Serum Concealer
Key ingredients: Prebiotic and probiotic extracts, caffeine, niacinamide, peptides | Shades: 20 | Size: 0.18 ounces | Cruelty-free: Yes
As someone with 40-something skin where new discoloration seems to pop up on my face daily, this concealer with skincare benefits was a game changer for me. It is easy to apply, it completely covers blemishes and circles without without giving a spackled, heavy look and it left my face brighter. It has a blend of prebiotic and probiotic extracts to soothe, balance and increase smoothness. The brand’s proprietary rainbow seabright elixir is intended to brighten and protect from the effects of blue light and pollution, and eye peptides and caffeine improves the appearance of dark circles and decrease puffiness.
What you’ll love:
- Transfer resistant
- A little goes a long way
Keep in mind:
- Can be less moisturizing
Best Concealer For Mature Skin With Rosacea
Buildable Coverage That Masks And Treats Irritated Skin
Monika Blunder Cover
Key ingredients: Arnica, edelweiss, aloe vera, sunflower extract | Shades: 20 | Size: 0.62 ounce | Cruelty-free: Yes
This calming foundation-concealer hybrid can be worn more sheer as a base or layered for full coverage. It contains natural botanicals including arnica, which soothes and prevents irritation, and anti-inflammatory and moisturizing edelweiss, making it ideal for those who become flushed easily or tend to have facial redness. It significantly toned down the pink flare-ups on my nose and cheeks, and I found that it didn’t transfer.
What you’ll love:
- Creamy texture that blends seamlessly
- Subtle luminosity
- Fragrance free
Keep in mind:
- Consistency on the thicker side
Best Lightweight Concealer For Mature Skin
Nourishing With A Natural Finish
RMS Beauty UnCoverup Concealer
Key ingredients: Jojoba oil, cocoa seed butter, coconut oil | Shades: 16 | Size: 0.20 ounces | Cruelty-free: Yes
Clean beauty brand RMS Beauty is beloved for its skin-nourishing ingredients. This superstar concealer offers buildable coverage so you can opt for a somewhat sheer application or layer it for more color. It contains antioxidant-rich jojoba oil, which creates a protective barrier against environmental stressors. Cocoa seed oil conditions skin and fights free radicals, while coconut oil softens and soothes. This formula also has natural minerals that auto-adjust to your skin and conceal with pigment so you don’t get a thick, cakey look. I love that this formula covers my blemishes and dark spots without appearing too “done” or heavy.
What you’ll love:
- Extremely moisturizing for dry skin
- Blurs pores
- Wears well over time
Keep in mind:
- Could be more shade options
MORE FROMFORBES VETTED
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted team knows that as skin matures and becomes more prone to dark spots, dryness and fine lines, applying concealer without creating telltale patches, cakiness or creases can be tricky. Veteran Forbes Vetted contributor Molly Calhoun has written about beauty, fashion and lifestyle for women’s magazines for 20 years, covering topics like foundations for dry skin and foundations for oily skin, neck-firming creams and sunscreens for sensitive skin. For this story, she consulted with dermatologist Dr. Leah Ansell of Treiber Dermatology Associates, Miami-based dermatologist and founder of eponymous skincare line Dr. Loretta Ciraldo and celebrity makeup artist Vincent Oquendo.
Finally, deputy editor Jane Sung edited this story. With more than a decade of experience covering beauty and grooming topics, she has rigorously tested and researched complexion products from established brands as well as newer standouts on the market.
How We Chose The Best Concealers For Mature Skin
To ensure we included the best of the best, we investigated proven concealer winners as well as lesser-known options. We tested many of the concealers on this list, paying careful attention to ease of application, coverage, length of wear and any creasing or patchiness. We also asked Ansell for advice on what to consider when choosing a concealer for mature skin, including must-have ingredients, go-to formulas and application tips for difficult areas.
How To Choose A Concealer For Mature Skin
As part of the natural aging process, there’s a natural decrease in collagen production, and skin changes occur from cumulative sun exposure, environmental stressors and hormonal changes, Ansell says. “This can manifest as wrinkles,’crepey skin, textural changes, pigmentary changes, hollows and volume loss as the contour of the face and skin changes,” she says. Paying careful attention when selecting a concealer is critical; here’s what to consider.
Shades
In general, the more shades a concealer comes in, the more likely you’ll be able to find a seamless color match, so look for brands that offer wide shade ranges. Many companies, like RMS Beauty, offer a “find my shade” feature on their websites that allow you to enter your foundation shade from a different brand to help you find the best match in their line. Ulta and Sephora offer this as well. Dior Beauty offers a virtual try-on of different shades.
When selecting your shade, also think about where you’ll be using concealer on your face because that may affect what you select. For instance, are you looking for an under-eye concealer, spot cover up or something that does it all? Typically, makeup artists will suggest testing a product on a few different areas, such as your forehead, jawline and nose. You may also want to take into account a slightly lighter shade for winter months, and one that’s somewhat deeper for the summer.
Ingredients
Skin at every stage requires careful attention to ingredients, but mature skin can be particularly complicated and it’s good to look for concealers that offer skin benefits. “Mature skin tends to be drier with more superficial fine lines and texture, therefore it's important to look for a concealer that has hydrating ingredients that allow for a smooth application,” says Dr. Ansell. Even the perfect shade can look meh when applied over parched skin. “Added ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin or shea butter can help avoid a cake-like appearance. A concealer with a creamy texture is easier to apply without appearing cakey. “
Formula
Concealer formulas typically offer medium or full coverage, and many are buildable, which means you can start with a more sheer application and add on layers until you’re happy with the level of coverage. You’ll also want to pay attention to a concealer’s finish. Do you prefer lighter, sheer coverage, something radiant and luminous, or a more matte finish? Each of these can work well for mature skin, but it all depends on if you want a more natural look, something a little bit reflective or something velvety.
How Do You Keep Concealer From Creasing On Older Skin?
Certain areas with more delicate skin—such as the under-eye area—are more difficult to apply concealer, so moisture is key. “First, use a hydrating eye cream prior to application of concealer,” says Ansell. “This helps to avoid a cake-like application.” Also, overdoing concealer on mature skin can quickly take a turn for the worse.
“In my opinion, the less you put under the eyes the better and more likely your makeup will last longer,” says celebrity makeup artist Vincent Oquendo. First, he suggests using BioEffect Imprinting Eye Masks to hydrate under the eyes. “I would then recommend blotting off excess,” he says. “You really want your concealer to hug your skin.” Next, he advises applying Tula Skincare Radiant Brightening Serum Concealer “lightly to the inner corner of your eyes and possibly a little under your brow bone to lift and brighten.” Lastly, lightly dust your favorite loose powder under eyes to set it and have it last longer.
What’s The Best Concealer To Cover Up Age Spots?
Our pick for the best concealer for age spots is Ilia’s True Skin Concealer because it effectively covers hyperpigmentation, and it contains vitamin C so it treats hyperpigmentation too, improving the appearance of dark spots and brightening skin over time. Ultimately, the best concealer to cover dark spots for you is one that has enough coverage to conceal what you want with a finish you like. When selecting a concealer, it’s a good idea to look for something with buildable coverage.
Should Concealer Go Over Or Under Foundation?
This is a source of constant debate amongst professionals and concealer users. In general, most makeup experts advise applying foundation first and then concealer. This is because foundation is typically thinner in consistency than concealer, and if you apply concealer first you may end up with patchy spots. However, when covering undereye circles, you usually want to apply concealer before foundation to get the skin benefits that many under-eye products address.