These Are Makeup Artists' Favorite Concealers For Mature Skin—And They Won't Accentuate Fine Lines And Creases (2024)

Both the makeup artists and dermatologists we spoke with agree: NARS' Radiant Creamy Concealer reigns supreme for mature skin. "It offers excellent coverage without settling into fine lines," says Dr. Chacon, noting the formula's creamy texture blends into skin like a dream. It gives you that coveted youthful, radiant finish, she says. Makeup artists, including Jenepher Reynolds, like that the formula is both hydrating and buildable. "It brightens and corrects while giving a subtle glow," she says.

Our testers were impressed by the formula's shade range, insisting they had no trouble finding the right match for their skin tone among the 30 available options. They were also impressed by the formula's long wear time. "At $32 a pop, this is no drugstore concealer. But, if you ask me, it's a worthy splurge," says contributor Brigitt Earley. "The formula comes in a whopping 30 shades, and finding my perfect match was a breeze, thanks to the brand's online shade finder. Plus, it not only expertly masked the dark circles under my eyes, but also made the area look instantly brighter and more radiant."

"I would gladly spend the money to buy another tube of this concealer once I've used every last drop—and believe me, I will," Earley continues. "I love that it has color-correcting capabilities, limiting the amount of products I need to use when doing my makeup every morning. I also appreciate the hydrating ingredients in the formula that make the consistency so silky. This was also a huge plus for me, since my skin skews dry and I have some signs of aging around the eyes (hi, crows feet!). Not to mention, I was very impressed by how bright and awake my eyes looked for hours on end. What more could you want?"

The one potential drawback uncovered in our extensive testing of the Radiant Concealer is that th formula might not be hydrating enough for people with very dry skin.

Read more: Best Foundations For Mature Skin

Just because you need something special for more experienced skin, doesn't mean you can't peruse the drugstore aisles. Reynolds specifically calls out Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind concealer, particularly for those with sensitive skin. "This fragrance and oil-free concealer is hydrating, lightweight, and affordable," she says. "While the applicator may be too big for under-eye use, I feel it provides excellent coverage and blends seamlessly into the skin."

Associate news editor, Charlotte Walsh, is also a fan of the sponge applicator. "It allows for a wide swath of product," she notes. "It's perfect for me, since I typically just wear concealer instead of foundation or tinted moisturizer. It also feels so weightless, like I'm not even wearing makeup!"

That said, even though the product did a great job of concealing fine lines, Walsh points out that she noticed the product texturize a bit when she applied powder over it. "It was also pretty light coverage, so I had to do multiple layers under my eyes, where my dark circles are more pronounced," she adds.

If you've spent any time researching concealer, you've probably heard of Tarte's Shape Tape—it's a perennial favorite for its stellar coverage, but it may be too drying for more mature skin. Enter the brand's answer: a newer version that's infused with hydrating ingredients to prevent the creasing and caking that's more prevalent as you get older. It's packed with maracuja, which moisturizes and makes skin look firmer, brighter, and smoother, as well as vitamins C and E. "It provides full coverage and has a long-lasting formula, so it's great for anyone planning to wear makeup for a full day," says Dr. Chacon. "This concealer does a great job hiding imperfections while also hydrating the skin so you get the best of both worlds."

WH assistant social media editor, Isabel McMahon, says that just one drop of the product was enough coverage for her, and the moisturizing formula kept her skin crease-free all day. "I also love that it’s infused with vitamin C and omega fatty acids, which help brighten and nourish my skin while I wear it," she says. "The finish is radiant and flawless! I’m even thinking of giving one to my mom."

Our second tester, commerce editor Jasmine Gomez, was happy that this concealer didn't bring attention to her fine lines. "I do like that the concealer blends in well and is truly creaseless," she says. "While some concealers accentuate my fine lines, this one doesn't."

This concealer is new, but worth a good look, says Lily Wohlner, associate fashion commerce editor for Women's Health. "The formula sits on the skin like a dream, thanks to hyaluronic acid, squalane, and vegan collagen that make the skin appear brighter and firmer," she says.

If you're looking for something brightening benefits, Wohlner promises this formula, available in 24 shades, is a 'game-changer.' It contains a proprietary blurring technology that leave skin with a luminous, soft-focus finish. "Sometimes I use this all over my face, as it sits so nicely on the skin and never falls into any fine lines or wrinkles on my face," Wohlner says.

This concealer is among the more expensive options we tested, but both makeup artists and WH contributors say it's a worthy spluge for a handful of reasons. For starters, it boasts SPF 30, which meets the minimum SPF recommendations set forth by the American Academy of Dermatology. This is particularly important for the delicate under-eye area, which is even more susceptible to damage from the sun's rays, dermatologists tell us. It's also a super hydrating and long-lasting option. "In my opinion this is the most durable of all the concealers," says celebrity makeup artist Vincent Oquendo. "It is very adaptable and it refreshes itself, so it does not crease easily."

And our testers agree: when put to the test, this concealer stayed put all day long. "This really lasted all day, and applied and blended super easily," says editorial assistant Olivia Luppino. "I used it to cover up blemishes and redness on my face, and it helped even out my skin tone while still keeping it moisturized."

Other testers say this even works on those with dry skin. "My skin is incredibly dry," says Earley. "This is one of the only formulas I've found—and it's my job to test all kinds of products!—that doesn't look cakey around my eyes."

For those who do want a full-coverage option, Carr says you can get it with this formula by LYS Beauty—no caking or creasing. It's all thanks to nourishing and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ashwagandha. It also boasts turmeric for brightening properties—important for any dark circles in the under-eye area. "This product is creamy and gives you full coverage, while at the same time brightening and nourishing the skin," explains Carr. "Perfect for those with dark spots or dark circles." Our editors love that the product is also formulated with clean ingredients and is vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free.

"I don't deal with dark circles too much, but I love using concealer to brighten my under-eye area," says senior beauty editor, Danielle Jackson. "This concealer was perfect for that, and the full-coverage formula doesn't crease or make me look cake-y or like I'm wearing too much makeup at all."

Dark circles aren't the only complaint we hear from mature women—many also complain about puffiness in the under-eye area. This concealer is unique, because it targets both, thanks to the addition of caffeine in the formula. It also contains vitamin E for moisture—another key element when it comes to mature skin.

For those blemishes and dark spots, Reynolds say "it offers a creamy, lightweight finish with a blurred, airbrushed effect that looks radiant and refreshed." If you're donning a full face of makeup, it pairs beautifully with the brand's signature foundation—our editor's top choice for aging skin.

Meet the Experts

• Brendan Camp, MD, is double-board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City.
• Anna Chacon, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Miami.
• Alexis Oakley is a celebrity makeup artist.
• Aimee Carr is a professional makeup artist and founder of Voodoo Makeup.
• Jenepher Reynolds is a professional makeup artist and founder of Jenn of Arch.
• Vincent Oquendo is a celebrity makeup artist in New York.

Do you put concealer on before or after foundation?

"It's generally recommended to apply concealer after foundation and then blend," says Dr. Chacon. "By applying foundation first, you can even out your overall skin tone and address most imperfections on the first step." This then allows you to use less concealer and use the concealer to make the final touches. And less product equals a more natural and less cake-y appearance, especially when it comes to aging skin, she says.

Shop more of our favorite products for mature skin

Primers for Mature Skin | Best Moisturizers for Mature Skin | Foundations for Mature Skin | Drugstore Foundations for Mature Skin