Best Concealer for Every Concern: Dark Circles, Acne and Dark Spots

The best concealer matches the problem you want to hide and your skin tone: a light, creamy formula one shade lighter for dark circles, a thicker formula in your exact shade for spots, and a color corrector first for redness or very dark circles. Below: how to choose shade and type and how to apply it, with picks from Christine, Tarte and Maybelline New York.

Quick answer

• Concealer gives more coverage than foundation and is applied only to specific areas such as dark circles, spots and marks.
• Under-eye concealer should be one shade lighter than your skin; spot concealer should match your skin exactly.
• A peach corrector neutralizes blue or purple circles, and a green corrector tones down redness.
• If you get breakouts, choose a concealer labeled "non-comedogenic" or "oil-free" and tap it on instead of rubbing.
• A small amount set with a light layer of powder lasts longer than a thick layer.

What is the difference between concealer and foundation?

Foundation evens out the whole face, usually with light to medium coverage, while concealer is a thicker product applied in small amounts to specific areas, so it can be enough alone on mostly even skin.

Concealer usually goes on after foundation, and a color corrector before it. For the full order of steps, see our makeup basics for beginners.

How do you choose the right concealer shade?

Choose by area: one shade lighter under the eyes to brighten, and your exact shade on spots.

Mind the undertone

Undertone is the hue beneath the skin: warm (yellow or golden), cool (pink) or neutral. That is why some shades carry a letter, such as N in the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Concealer 150N from Fenty Beauty, or a description such as Medium Neutral in the LOCA Dreamy Under Eye Concealer 09 Biscotti.

How to test

1. Swatch two or three shades on your jawline or under the eye.
2. Check in daylight after two minutes, once the product has dried.
3. If you fall between two shades, take the lighter one for under-eyes and the closer one for spots.

Ranges with many shades make this easier, such as the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in 25, 10 and 30, and the Christine Full Coverage Concealer 04, 03 and 01.

What is the best concealer for dark circles?

The best concealer for dark circles is a light, hydrating cream that does not settle into fine lines, slightly lighter than your skin, paired with a peach corrector if the circles are deep.

Cleveland Clinic explains that dark circles can look blue, purple, brown or black depending on skin tone, can come from aging, genetics, lack of sleep, dehydration, sun exposure or rubbing the eyes, are usually a cosmetic concern, and can be covered with under-eye concealer. It advises seeing a doctor if a dark circle or swelling appears under only one eye, or swelling persists.

Picks for dark circles

• LOCA Dreamy Under Eye 09 Biscotti from Loca: medium to full coverage in a lightweight, crease-resistant formula that lasts up to 16 hours, according to its description.
• Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer in Cotton from Hourglass: a lightweight formula with a long-lasting natural finish.
• NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Medium 2 Ginger from NARS: buildable medium to full coverage with a radiant finish, also in Med/Deep 1 Biscuit.
• Bogenia Angelic 4 in 1 in Golden Sand from Bogenia: full coverage for circles and pigmentation with a hydrating formula.

When do you need a color corrector?

On deep blue or purple circles, concealer alone can look gray, so try a corrector such as the LOCA Dreamy Under Eye Corrector in Peach 01, designed to neutralize dark circles and discoloration, or the Hearts Corrector Concealer in Natural Mango from Hearts, which helps even out tone and reduce the look of circles. Apply a very thin layer to the darkest part only, then concealer on top.

What is the best concealer for acne, pigmentation and redness?

For spots and marks, choose a full-coverage concealer in your exact shade, ideally matte and oil-free.

• Tarte Shape Tape Concealer in 42S Tan Sand: full coverage with a matte finish, a creamy, easy-to-blend formula that does not crease or cake, with mango seed and shea butter according to its description.
• Bogenia Matte Velvet Concealer in Latte: smooth, long-lasting matte coverage.
• L.A. Girl Pro Concealer GC990 from L.A. Girl: a light, creamy texture with full coverage that hides marks and evens tone, in a flexible tube with a soft brush tip.
• Maybelline Fit Me: oil-free, covers redness and blemishes with natural coverage.

If your skin is acne-prone

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) lists concealer, foundation and blush among the products that can cause acne cosmetica, breakouts triggered by pore-clogging cosmetics. Look for "non-comedogenic," "oil-free" or "won't clog pores," stop any product that seems to cause breakouts, and do not share your tools.

Redness

In its rosacea skin care tips, the AAD notes that a green-tinted concealer can camouflage redness and that dermatologists often recommend water-based or powder makeup, which usually does not irritate. If redness is persistent or burns, see a dermatologist.

Which type is best: liquid, cream or stick?

Liquid suits larger areas and under the eyes, cream gives high coverage, and stick suits small spots.

• Liquid: light and easy to blend, good under the eyes and on dry skin. Examples: the Rimmel London Multi-Tasker Concealer in 050 Sand from Rimmel London, with creamy, long-lasting coverage, and the lightweight KATIA Breathable Concealer in Light from KATIA.
• Cream: thicker with higher coverage for visible spots and circles, such as the Loca Concealer 04 Croissant, a creamy shade for fair to medium skin.
• Stick: precise on small spots, heavier under the eyes.

Concealer has a relatively short life: Cleveland Clinic's guide to makeup expiration suggests replacing liquid concealer after about six months and powder after one to two years, and treats a change in smell or texture as a sign it has gone off.

How do you apply and set concealer without creasing?

Use a small amount on moisturized skin, tap it in, then set with a light layer of powder.

1. Moisturize the under-eye area and let it absorb. See our moisturizer guide.
2. Apply corrector, if needed, to the darkest area only.
3. Dot concealer at the inner corner and on the darkest part of the circle, not the whole area.
4. Tap to blend with your ring finger or a damp sponge from makeup tools and brushes.
5. On spots, place a tiny dot with a fine brush and blend only the edges.
6. Set with a thin layer of powder and dust off the excess.

Comparison of the best concealers available

How to choose the right concealer: a practical checklist

1. Name the problem: circles, breakouts, marks or redness.
2. Pick the shade by area: one shade lighter under the eyes, your exact shade on spots.
3. Pick the texture by skin type: light and hydrating for dry skin and under-eyes, matte for oily skin and breakouts.
4. Add a corrector if needed: peach for deep circles, green for redness.
5. Read the label: "non-comedogenic" or "oil-free" for acne-prone skin.
6. Buy from a trusted source: all Care Outlet products are original and come from the brands' official agents inside and outside Saudi Arabia.

Common concealer mistakes

• Too light on spots: it highlights the blemish instead of hiding it.
• Covering the whole under-eye: excess product settles into fine lines.
• Rubbing instead of tapping: it lifts product and irritates delicate skin.
• Too much powder: the eye area looks dry.
• Sleeping in makeup: remove it nightly; see our makeup remover guide and the makeup remover section.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best concealer?

No single concealer suits everyone; it depends on the problem and your skin type. For dark circles, a light, crease-resistant formula such as LOCA Dreamy or Hourglass Vanish works well; for spots, full matte coverage such as Tarte Shape Tape; and for light daily wear, the oil-free Maybelline Fit Me.

How do I find my concealer shade?

Under the eyes, go one shade lighter than your skin or foundation; on spots and marks, match your skin exactly. Test on your jawline in daylight and let it dry first. Pay attention to undertone too, because the right shade blends in without turning gray or orange on your skin.

Is Christine concealer good?

Christine Full Coverage Concealer is described as giving full coverage for circles and blemishes with a creamy, long-wearing, easy-to-blend formula, and it comes in several numbers such as 01, 03, 04 and 05, which makes it easier to match your skin. It suits anyone who needs high coverage; a little goes a long way.

What is the difference between Tarte Shape Tape and Hourglass concealer?

Based on each product's description in our store, Tarte Shape Tape offers full coverage with a matte finish and suits spots, pigmentation and contouring, while Hourglass Vanish Airbrush is a lightweight formula with a natural finish. Choose Tarte if coverage is your priority, and Hourglass if you prefer a lighter look under the eyes.

Does concealer go before or after foundation?

Usually after, because foundation already covers part of the discoloration, so you need less concealer. A color corrector, however, goes on before foundation. If you skip foundation, apply concealer after moisturizer and primer, then set it with a light dusting of powder so it stays in place.

Why does my concealer crease under my eyes?

Creasing usually comes from too much product, dry skin, a heavy formula or skipping powder. Moisturize first, dot concealer only on the darkest area, tap to blend, then set with a thin layer of powder. If it still creases, switch to a lighter formula designed for the under-eye area.

Shop original concealers

The face makeup section at Care Outlet has concealers from Christine, Maybelline, Loca, NARS and Tarte, plus color correctors, online or at our branches across Saudi Arabia. Also browse the makeup section.

Sources

• Cleveland Clinic: Dark Circles Under the Eyes
• American Academy of Dermatology (AAD): Can you wear makeup if you have acne?
• American Academy of Dermatology (AAD): 7 Rosacea Skin Care Tips
• Cleveland Clinic: Does Makeup Expire?