We recently reviewed the top makeup foundations for hyperpigmentation. Now it’s time to see which concealers best disguise blemishes, acne scars, and sun damage.
Some concealers are made to work together with a foundation, while others are good for a quick touch-up on their own. Let's take a brief look at the ones in our review today.
The top concealers for hyperpigmentation
| Product name | Features |
|---|---|
| Dermablend Quick-fix Concealer Stick | Full coverage and buildable Lasts up to 16 hours if set with powder 10 shades Hypo-allergenic, non-comedogenic, and fragrance-free |
| Dermablend Smooth Liquid Concealer | Medium to full coverage Lasts up to 16 hours if set with powder 5 shades Hypo-allergenic, non-comedogenic, and fragrance-free |
| Dermablend Smooth Indulgence Rednesss Green Concealer | Color-correcting, best at camouflaging redness Liquid formula lasts all day Hypo-allergenic, non-comedogenic, and fragrance-free |
| Physicians Formula Conceal RX Physicians Strength Concealer | Full coverage liquid Color-correcting, best at camouflaging redness Lasts up to 12 hours |
| Smashbox Studio Skin 24 Hour Concealer | Medium to full coverage Waterproof formula Vegan, made without parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, phthalates, & fragrances |
| Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer | Medium buildable coverage Lasts up to 15 hours Moisturizing |
| L'Oreal Paris Cosmetics Infallible Pro Glow Concealer | Buildable coverage Lasts up to 16 hours |
| Revlon Photoready Concealer | Full coverage Comes in 6 shades SPF 22 All day wear |
| It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Concealer | Full coverage, thick formula Waterproof Anti-aging ingredients erase imperfections over time with use |
| Maybelline New York Face Studio Master Conceal Makeup | Full coverage Lightweight formula lasts all day Doesn’t need powder to set |
Dermablend Quick-fix Concealer Stick
If you want guaranteed coverage, you want products from Dermablend. Their company started when a dermatologist and his wife, a makeup artist, began working together to help patients. Sometimes plastic surgery and dermabrasion just weren’t enough to correct blemishes. So they came up with full coverage foundation and concealer that hides hyperpigmentation without looking caked-on.
Their formulas are designed to be hypo-allergenic, non-comedogenic, and fragrance-free, so they are safe for use by those with sensitive skin. And if you want their makeup to last up to 16 hours without rubbing off, just set it with powder.
The Quick-Fix Concealer Stick from Dermablend offers SPF 30 protection against the sun. It comes in 10 shades, and its coverage is buildable. Pat it on to blend it in, then tap more on top if you desire more concealment.
One last note about Dermablend products: they have a comprehensive color chart to help you select the right shade for your skin, including your undertone.
Dermablend Smooth Liquid Concealer
If you prefer liquid concealer to a stick, try the Smooth Liquid Concealer from Dermablend. It comes in 5 shades and offers medium to full coverage.
Like other Dermablend products, this one is tested to be safe for sensitive skin. It’s fragrance-free and non-comedogenic. Again, if you want the concealer to last up to 16 hours, simply set it with powder.
Dermablend Smooth Indulgence Redness Green Concealer
Regular concealer is good for dark circles and the occasional pimple, but what if you have rosacea or a purple birthmark? Then you might want to use a color correcting concealer like Smooth Indulgence from Dermablend.
Putting green makeup on your face seems odd until you realize that it hides redness like no regular concealer can. This one has a matte finish and can be set with powder for all-day wear.
Physicians Formula Conceal RX Physicians Strength Concealer
Another popular full-coverage concealer is the Conceal RX from Physicians Formula. This one is also a color-correcting liquid like the Smooth Indulgence from Dermablend. You’ll only need a tiny dab to make redness and blotchiness disappear.
Users who have scars rave about the ability of the Conceal RX to make those blemishes fade away. You don’t even need to wear other makeup along with this concealer. Simply place a small dot on the affected area and blend. This thick pigmentation dries to a semi-matte finish that last up to 12 hours.
Smashbox Studio Skin 24 Hour Concealer
Smashbox’s Studio Skin 24-Hour Concealer has a secret weapon in its formula. It contains what they call “light-diffusing spheres” to reflect light and help disguise imperfections. Although the concealer has medium to full coverage, it doesn’t cause creasing or caking. Plus, the coverage is buildable and waterproof.
Yes, this is a waterproof formula—but only if you count sweat and weather-resistance as waterproof. Still, that means it won’t rub off during a long day so you don’t need to worry about doing touch-ups.
Like all of Smashbox’s products, this one is vegan and made without parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, phthalates, or fragrances.
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer
Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Concealer lasts up to 15 hours without needing a touch-up. It doesn’t cause creasing, and its medium buildable coverage hides dark circles and age spots perfectly. Users love its luminous finish that resists perspiration and rain, but still softens their skin while they wear it.
L'Oreal Paris Cosmetics Infallible Pro Glow Concealer
If you don’t want to spend a lot on a concealer, but still need buildable coverage, try L’Oreal’s Infallible Concealer. It lasts up to 16 hours, but blends so well that you look natural like you’re not even wearing makeup at all.
Revlon Photoready Concealer
Another less-expensive but powerful concealer is the Photoready from Revlon. It comes in 6 shades so you can find the perfect match for your skin. The full-coverage formula with photchromatic pigments hides dark circles, acne scars, and blotchiness. And it has SPF 22 protection, too.
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Concealer
It Cosmetics’s Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer is another product designed by plastic surgeons. The formula is waterproof and highly pigmented. It has full coverage to hide everything from under-eye bags to acne blemishes and broken capillaries.
But it’s not only a concealer. This product contains anti-aging ingredients to erase wrinkles and discolorations over time. Users say the texture is quite thick and it only takes a tiny amount to go a long way.
Maybelline New York Face Studio Master Conceal Makeup
Maybelline’s Studio Master Conceal Makeup feels lightweight on skin, but it has an ultra-concentrated formula for full coverage. Users report that it lasts all day without needing a touch-up and without needing powder to set it.
How to Choose and Apply Concealer
As you can see, there are many concealers to choose from in today’s market. You might decide to go with a brand you recognize, or maybe you’re ready to try something new. In any case, here are a few pointers that can make your choice easier.
Choosing the right color
Some brands like Dermablend have a comprehensive color chart to help you select the right shade for your skin. Of course, it’s not just your summer tan or winter paleness that matters. You also need to deal with your skin’s undertone. This may be warm, cool, or neutral.
Check the veins in your wrist when you’re outside in natural light. Do they look green, green-blue, or blue-purple? If they seem more greenish, you’re probably a warm tone. Purple or bluish-purple means you’re probably a cool tone. And if you’re something of a blend of green and blue, bet on neutral shades.
Once you know your tone, you need to decide if you should choose a lighter or darker concealer. If you’re primarily trying to conceal under-eye dark circles, plan on using a concealer that looks one or two shades lighter than your skin color. Otherwise, get one that’s as close as possible to your actual color.
If you want to camouflage rosacea or redness, try a green-tinted color-correcting concealer. And if you can test the concealer without makeup on your face (like with a free makeover), that’s the best way to discover the color you need.
Perfect application
When you’re ready to do your makeup, put on concealer first after you’ve washed and moisturized your skin. If you’re applying it under your eyes, always pat, never rub. Dab concealer on top of blemishes like pimples or scars, then blend it outwards.
If you need to cover a large area, use thin layers and blend well, especially on the edges. Apply foundation if you like. Then set it all with a powder to make it last longer.
Conclusion
Hyperpigmentation is a fact of life for some of us. Maybe it’s from acne scars or sun damage. Maybe it was caused by surgery. But no matter why our skin has uneven coloring, it can make us feel less confident. And not everyone has the resources to get dermatological treatments to erase the problem.
But there is hope. We reviewed the top concealers for hyperpigmentation to help you discover the perfect one for your needs.
If you’re new to using concealer to camouflage imperfections, just practice a bit. You’ll find that it’s pretty easy, especially when you’re using high quality makeup. Pretty soon you’ll be amazed when you look in the mirror!
Check back soon to see new reviews of the best products that enhance your beauty and your health.