A Dermal Therapist on the Best Concealers for Dark Circles, Pigmentation and Acne
Yads Cauchi is a Dermal Clinician, Nutritionist (BHSc, MSc) and Beauty Journalist. She's also a mum of four. Evidence based skin health and nutrition are her thing and she works from her own skin clinic based in Canberra - you can find her there, or on Instagram and TikTok @yadscauchiskin.
One of the best pro tips I’ve ever picked up during my time working in the beauty industry is that one concealer just isn’t enough to cover every skin concern on your face.
Makeup artists have told me we can need up to four - but for real-life purposes and to cover different skin concerns in clinic, I do like to say at least two different concealers on the go at the one time can be helpful.
Especially if you want to conceal concerns like acne, pigmentation or dark circles at the same time.
Honestly, think about it. The colour of your concealer matters, because one shade may not brighten up your dark circles and neutralise redness from a breakout simultaneously.
Ditto when it comes to covering up pigmentation. Could your brightening concealer for your under-eye work for both? And can the consistencies of one work under the eyes and on the face too? Probably not.
So what do you need to look for when shopping for a concealer to cover up a specific skin concern?
Let’s go through some tips and tricks for the best concealing products for different skin concerns below.
And thank you to Makeup Artist, Amelia Singson, for sharing your expertise with us on the best way to apply!
Let’s do this…
Best Concealers to Cover Dark Circles.
Firstly, skin prep under your eye is a must.
Yes a hydrating concealer helps, although an eye cream to prep is beneficial as the under-eye area always tends to be drier.
However, if dark circles are a concern it’s always best to start with a colour corrector - then use a concealer on top. This changed the game for me through postpartum when I was a sleep-deprived mess.
There are so many great colour correctors now, a peach one works well on my medium skin tone, although if your skin is lighter a pink tone might be better.
It just helps counteract the darkness and you will use less concealer which I personally love in my late 30s as too much just doesn’t work.
A concealer in a shade brighter for your under-eyes can also work but you just don’t want to go too bright.
Also, hydrating formulas are helpful if you know you’re prone to creasing and dehydration!
MUA tip for concealing dark circles:
“Apply concealer over foundation or a skin tint as that first layer cancels out some of the darkness. Then using a concealer one or two shades lighter than your foundation, do a few dots under the eyes and blend in using your finger or sponge. If you have obvious discolouration, a colour corrector should be applied directly on the pigment then follow with foundation and concealer.”
Try:
Bobbi Brown Skin Corrector Stick in the shade Peach.
So easy to blend and a super creamy, colour corrector to use!
Also a great under-eye concealer that is midweight, but still very hydrating.
This is a very heavy-duty covering concealer. The tiny tube will last you forever and will conceal everything. Better for oily/normal/combo skin.
Best Concealer to Cover Pigmentation.
Best concealers to help cover pigmentation aren’t spoken about enough, but this is a concern that pops up in clinic all the time.
Full and medium coverage works best here and thicker formulas designed to have lasting power will help cover discolouration well.
Colour-correcting concealers can also work to address skin concerns like redness and hyperpigmentation and green-based formulas can help minimise redness.
MUA tip for concealing pigmentation:
“Use a colour corrector first only on the pigment. Blend in then follow with concealer. Gently pat the concealer on rather than using a wiping motion, as it ensures the colour corrector doesn’t bleed out and change the colour of your concealer.”
This concealer will cover it all: pigment, uneven skin tone, discolouration, post-inflammatory erythema (PIE), post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) - and even tattoos.
It is heavy-duty and great at concealing what you need.
Best Concealer to Cover Acne.
Matte formulas are always going to be best if acne is a skin concern you’re trying to conceal.
If you want to cover acne, this is also where it’s best to use a concealer that is the closest shade to your complexion because you want it to blend into the skin easily so there’s no discolouration (hence why your brightening under-eye concealer might not be helping here!).
Anyway, colour matching directly to your complexion here will help you get that super natural-looking, skin-like finish - and concealer brushes can also be helpful!
MUA tip for concealing acne:
“Using a flat brush, take a small amount of concealer and pat around the blemish so you cover the redness. Leave it to set for a few minutes then pat the remaining concealer on the blemish then follow with translucent setting powder, dusted lightly then foundation then a final dusting of setting powder!”
This is both long wear, matte and full coverage.
It might be too much if your skin is drier, but it is great at concealing unwanted spots when you need!
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