Concealers are one of the hardest workers in your makeup bag, especially for sleepy under eye areas. They're there to save you when your bags come out in full force, can come to the rescue when a pesky pimple makes a surprise appearance, and can help brighten your overall complexion in just a few swipes. Basically, they’re the multitasking wonders of the beauty world. But as skin changes with age, it can become more difficult to find the best under-eye concealer for mature skin that doesn't smudge or crease after you apply it—you just need to know what to look for.
According to board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, it's key to shop for concealers that hydrate, plump, and nourish mature skin, which tends to get drier and less bouncy as we get older. “It can also help to look for ingredients that help to brighten the under eye, such as antioxidants, and those that help to depuff, such as caffeine,” Dr. Garshick adds. “As a bonus, finding a concealer that also contains sun protection can provide added protection throughout the day.”
- Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist at Medical Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in New York
- Norah Salazar, Norah Salazar is a professional makeup artist based in New York.
- Tarryn Feldman, celebrity makeup and hair artist based in LA and Nashville.
The best under eye concealer for mature skin, at a glance:
- Best overall: IT Cosmetics, Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer, $29
- Best full coverage: Pat McGrath Labs, Sublime Perfection Concealer, $34
- Best budget: e.l.f., Hydrating Camo Concealer, $7
- Best splurge: Clé de Peau Beauté, Radiant Corrector for Eyes, $70
- Best drugstore option: L’Oréal Paris, True Match Radiant Serum Concealer, $16
- Best hybrid: Merit, The Minimalist Skin Perfecting Stick, $38
- Best for radiance: Charlotte Tilbury, Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer, $33
- Best creamy formulation: NARS, Radiant Creamy Concealer, $32
- Best shade range: Tarte, Shape Tape, $32
- Best de-puffing: Dior, Backstage Concealer, $32
What to look for in an under eye concealer for mature skin
One of the most important things to keep in mind when buying a concealer (no matter what age you are) is the formulation. But as you age this becomes even more important, as some formulas can settle into fine lines or look cakey instead of radiant.
Professional makeup artist Norah Salazar advises makeup wearers with more mature skin to look for formulations that are hydrating and creamy or liquid in texture. “A creamy, more emollient concealer is going to spread and blend more evenly under the eyes and not over-accentuate fine lines,” she says. Dr. Garshick agrees, adding that those creamy formulations can be more nourishing as well.
What to avoid
Keeping in mind that hydrating, plumping, and nourishing ingredients are must-haves in concealers for more mature skin, it’s no surprise that harsh ingredients should be avoided. That means avoiding “any concealers containing harsh active ingredients like exfoliating acids or drying alcohols,” according to Dr. Garshick.
10 of the best under eye concealers for mature skin
Key ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid, collagen
IT Cosmetics’ Bye Bye Under Eye concealer is one of the best on the market thanks to its hydrating, waterproof, and long-wearing formulation. Just a smidge of this concealer goes on creamy and smooth over fine lines without getting dry or cakey. Dr. Garshick praises its skin-friendly ingredients like, “peptides, vitamins, hydrolyzed collagen, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants that help to also treat the under-eye area.”
Coverage: Medium-Full
Available shades: 24
Pros:
- Long-wearing formula
- Waterproof
- Hydrating
- Reduces appearance of dark circles
Cons:
- Squeeze bottle can get messy
- Thicker consistency makes it easy to apply too much
Key ingredients: Vita-serum complex
This full-coverage concealer has earned its place as one of Sephora’s community favorites. It is supremely creamy and feels lightweight on the skin while providing a flawless, natural finish, even over hard-to-smooth areas like under-eyes. The liquid formula is great for all skin types, and the inclusion of the Vita-serum complex is perfect for moisturizing and fighting the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. There’s also a blend of light-diffusing pigments that blur the skin, creating a softer, more natural appearance.
Coverage: Full
Available shades: 33
Pros:
- Wide range of available shades
- Moisturizing
- Radiant-matte finish
- Light-diffusing pigments blur the skin
Cons:
- Can crease if you apply too much or don’t blend well
Key ingredients: Sodium hyaluronate, rose flower water
Salazar loves this option from e.l.f. because “it’s a great value and the formula is very hydrating and it is very buildable as well.” She adds that it doesn’t look heavy if you put it on with multiple applications, a bonus if you want fuller, more opaque coverage. The formula also includes hydrating properties like sodium hyaluronate and rose flower water, which can help soothe inflamed skin.
Coverage: Full
Available shades: 20
Pros:
- Affordable
- Hydrating ingredients to soothe skin
- Lightweight, natural finish
Cons:
- Some shoppers say it can get a little cakey over time
Key ingredients: Botanical extracts, pearl, Illuminating Complex EX
One of Feldman’s favorite concealers, this Clé de Peau formula is made specifically for masking (and treating) under-eye circles. The skin-makeup hybrid is infused with botanical extracts that work to brighten and depuff the fragile skin in the area, while pearl and the brand’s proprietary illuminating complex immediately wake tired under-eyes up. Its brush makes application super easy, no matter where you’re using it. Best of all, it’s derm- and ophthalmologist-approved
Coverage: Sheer-medium
Available shades: 11
Pros:
- Brightens
- De-puffs under eyes
- Easy application
Cons:
- Pricey
- Limited shade range
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, caffeine
L’Oréal’s latest concealer-serum hybrid is formulated with 1.5% hyaluronic acid and caffeine to help hydrate and plump thin under-eye skin. The lightweight formula effortlessly blends into skin, creating a natural, luminous finish that lasts all day. Its precise applicator ensures seamless application, allowing you to effortlessly camouflage blemishes and dark circles with just a few strokes. Best of all, it’s $16, making it an affordable option if you’re on a budget.
Coverage: Medium
Available shades: 24
Pros:
- Neutralizes dark circles
- Crease-resistant coverage
- All-day wear
- Affordable
Cons:
- The flat-tipped applicator takes time to get used to
- Contains Alcohol Denat, which can be irritating to some skin
Key ingredients: Fatty acids, sea daffodil extract
The perfect mix between a foundation and a concealer, this stick option is highly blendable and buildable, according to Feldman. With its convenient stick format and easy application, The Minimalist is perfect for on-the-go touch-ups or achieving a flawless base in minutes. It contains skin-loving ingredients, like sea daffodil extract (which helps diminish pigmentation and dark spots) and fatty acids (for long-lasting moisture) that are great for your complexion at any age.
Coverage: Light-medium
Available shades: 20
Pros:
- Easy to apply stick format
- Lightweight
- Multi-purpose
- Breathable
Cons:
- Not a fit for those looking for fuller coverage
- Moderately pricey
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C
For those looking to add some radiance to their under-eye area, this Charlotte Tilbury concealer is a great option. It’s formulated with ingredients typically found in skincare, including hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, and vegan collagen, to help improve skin’s appearance over time. Its light-reflecting particles effortlessly diffuse light, minimizing the appearance of fine lines, dark circles, and dullness, while imparting a natural, lit-from-within glow.
Coverage: Medium-full
Available shades: 30
Pros:
- Includes skincare ingredients
- Illuminates under eye area
- Buildable coverage
- Naturally radiant finish
Cons:
- Not for those looking for light coverage
- Slight shimmer might not be for everyone
Key ingredients: Hylaronic acid, grapeseed extract, vitamin E
Enriched with a blend of hydrating heroes, this concealer quenches your skin’s thirst while providing seamless coverage. Its creamy texture effortlessly melts into the skin, delivering buildable coverage that never settles into fine lines or emphasizes dry patches. The product comes in 30 shades so there’s a match to be found for most complexions and undertones. The luminous finish means you won’t be left feeling or looking dry.
Coverage: Medium
Available shades: 30
Pros:
- Feels lightweight on skin
- Good for dark circles and fine lines
- Wears for 16 hours
- Infused with hydrating ingredients
Cons:
- Can appear cakey if you don’t blend well
Key ingredients: Shea butter, mango butter, licorice root
This award-winning concealer deserves all of the acclaim it gets with its 16-hour wear. It’s crease-proof, helps smooth and brighten your skin, and works to blur the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Best of all, it comes in 36 radiant shades, so you’re sure to find your perfect match.
Coverage: Full
Available shades: 36
Pros:
- Extensive shade range
- Wears for 16 hours
- Blurs appearance of fine lines and helps eyes feel lifted
- Waterproof
Cons:
- Not for those who prefer lightweight concealers
- Contains fragrance
Key ingredients: Caffeine
Perfect for those early mornings or long days when your skin needs an extra boost, the Dior Backstage Flash Perfector Concealer is your secret weapon for achieving a bright, refreshed complexion. The micro pigments in this concealer from Dior help to visibly blur imperfections, according to Dr. Garshick. She also calls out its inclusion of caffeine as one of its standout elements. “This concealer works to help depuff the undereye area and helps to brighten the appearance of dark circles,” she says. Whether you’re prepping for a day at the office or a night out on the town, this versatile concealer ensures that your eyes look awake and luminous all day long.
Coverage: Full
Available shades: 22
Pros:
- Helps depuff under eye area and hide dark circles
- Waterproof
- Applicator has bristles similar to makeup brushes
Cons:
- Can crease if you over apply
FAQs
How do I know what shade of under eye concealer I need?
Rather than worrying about matching your *exact* shade, focus on finding a shade that will add radiance to your face. “Depending on the level of coverage needed, most concealers should be matched at least two shades lighter than one wears as a foundation or tinted moisturizer so the eyes will look brighter,” says Tarryn Feldman, a makeup artist based in Nashville and Los Angeles.
How do you prevent concealers from settling into wrinkles?
Equally important as the concealer you use is how you choose to apply it. According to Feldman, your concealer can crease, cake, or flake as a result of your body's natural oils coming to the surface of your skin. She explains this can happen if your concealer is too drying or if it's slathered too thick. To avoid this, hydrating your skin before you put your makeup on is key. "When prepping to put makeup on mature skin, it's important to keep your skin hydrated, properly moisturized, and primed," says Feldman.
If your skin is properly hydrated before you apply your concealer, it's less likely to feel tight or chapped, and your makeup will stay on better for longer. To boost the hydration even more, Salazar suggests “mixing concealer with a drop of moisturizer for extra dry skin.” She also suggests spraying a little bit of makeup setting spray on the back of your hand and then using your index finger to tap that spray on top of the concealer to give it extra staying power and keep it from creasing or smudging throughout the day.
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