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We always appreciate a concealer that covers our dark circles and blemishes. But when you have dry skin, you can easily go from looking smooth and snatched to flaky and cakey by the end of the day—which is why it's especially important to find the right concealer. To get you started, we asked editors and makeup artists to share the best concealers for dry skin, so you can say goodbye to creasing and dry patches.
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Best for Combination Skin
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We polled editors to share their favorite concealers for dry skin. They provided their honest inputs and highlighted the benefits (and downsides) of each product found on this list. We also tapped makeup artists, who shared the concealers they’ve used on their clients. After gathering all of the options, we checked each one against a specific criteria, including their ingredients, finishes and shade ranges. From budget-friendly picks to splurge-worthy finds, here are the 15 best concealers for dry skin.
1. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Multi-Use Concealer
This concealer has over 142,000 5-star reviews on Amazon—and no, you did not read that wrong. The best-seller works to hide dark circles, redness and blemishes using its signature sponge applicator. Infused with haloxyl (a peptide known to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness), shoppers say it’s easy to blend, super lightweight and has a semi-sheer finish.
As one reviewer shares, “It's not just a product for me; it's a game-changer. With its promise to not only conceal but also treat dark circles, I was intrigued but cautiously optimistic. Now, I can confidently say it has lived up to its claims [and has] become a staple in my daily beauty routine. The first thing I noticed was the unique applicator, which is incredibly user-friendly. It allows for precise application and a smooth blend, ensuring the concealer seamlessly integrates with my skin. This design minimizes waste and maximizes control, a combination I didn't know I needed until I experienced it.”
2. Fenty Beauty We’re Even Hydrating Concealer
This concealer is not joking around about hydrating and brightening the under eyes. Its blend of nourishing extracts (like prickly pear cactus and Persian silk tree) melts nicely and hydrates dry skin. The brand claims it hides dark circles and reduces puffiness for up to 12 hours—and I completely stand by it. I was in awe that it matched my complexion perfectly (there is 50 shades after all) and gave me a natural finish. It was also so lightweight that I forgot I had it on after a few hours. Overall, it didn’t crease, transfer or budge at all, so it’s definitely a winner in my book.
3. Tower 28 Beauty Swipe Serum Concealer
Whether you’re looking to hide dark circles, redness or blemishes, this concealer has you covered (pun intended). It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump the skin, as well as Centella Asiatica leaf extract to soothe sensitive skin and lysine to repair and prevent dryness. It’s already been a staple in my routine for the last couple of months and works well on my dry, sensitive skin. It blends well under the eyes and pairs nicely with the Tower 28 SunnyDays Tinted Sunscreen Foundation. I never have to worry about getting flaky dry patches or having any irritation for the entire day.
4. Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Concealer
This brand’s foundation has been everywhere on TikTok lately and their concealer is almost just as popular. The formula gets praised for its medium coverage, long-wear and hydrating ingredients. It uses Skin Fusion technology, which has a blend of flexible polymers to give you up to 16 hours of wear time. It also promises to be transfer-, sweat- and water-resistant. My favorite thing about it is the blurring effect it has, thanks to the paracress, green tea and cacao extracts. I don’t have to put much, if any, setting powder to set it in place.
Kosas’ concealer is a great option for combination skin. For one editor, she found it hydrated her skin and controlled shine. “It’s super creamy, so it applies and blends out like a dream. After taking Accutane in college, my skin changed a lot, so now I have combination skin that undergoes bouts of dry spells very easily,” says Stephanie Meraz, associate fashion commerce editor at PureWow. “Whenever I use this formula, it doesn’t cause my skin to wither up and crack like so many others do. In fact, it feels ultra-hydrating, most likely thanks to the hyaluronic acid and peptides in there. (And they recently added a handful of new shades, so there’s finally an option that matches the undertones in my skin.)”
6. Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer
This waterproof concealer is commended for its full coverage and long wear abilities that can last for up to 16 hours. Its formula works to blur and brighten, while making it easy to blend under the eyes or conceal any spots. It also gets high marks from two editors for minimizing the look of their pores and leaving a silky smooth finish. “I will never not recommend this concealer. It’s got such a creamy consistency and blends like a dream. The product is wonderful and offers full coverage, which is my jam,” says Olivia Dubyak, commerce editor at PureWow.
7. Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Concealer
This luxury find has a reputation for concealing and correcting your skin tone without creasing or looking caked on. Its blend of glycerin, caffeine and vitamin E promises to brighten under eyes, diminish the look of dark circles and cover any blemishes. But if the price seems a little steep, one editor assures it’s worth the splurge. “It’s quite expensive for a concealer (IMO), but the Armani Luminous Silk is just as good as the matching foundation. It’s blendable and buildable, and most importantly, doesn’t cling to dry patches like the ones that linger after a pimple goes away,” says Katherine Gillen, senior food editor at PureWow.
8. Iris&Romeo Best Skin Days Treatment Concealer
This Iris&Romeo concealer is our clean beauty staple. With skincare favorites like Kakadu plum (which is packed with vitamin C), niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, this concealer acts as a under-eye serum and a dark spot treatment rolled into one. It also melts into the skin and wears for an impressively long time without fading. “I love this concealer! It has a nice medium finish and a pretty good color selection. Plus, it features hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and licorice root extract, which plays nice with other products in my routine,” says Marissa Wu, associate SEO editor at PureWow.
9. Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer
A concealer that provides solid coverage, a radiant finish and it’s hydrating? Sign us up. This one by Charlotte Tilbury was recommended by an editor and a makeup artist to conceal and brighten up your face. The brand claims it can stay put for up to 16 hours of wear, which we can affirm after putting it to the test ourselves. “My under-eyes get so dry, especially during the winter months. This concealer offers great coverage and hydration without looking too dewy or shiny. It’s also a longwear formula that layers beautifully over my eye cream without slipping or creasing,” says Catrina Yohay, executive managing editor at PureWow.
10. Monika Blunder Blunder Cover Foundation
This 2-in-1 acts as a foundation and a concealer for smooth and even finish. Use it with a brush or tap it gently across the skin with your ring finger for a medium to full coverage. The creamy texture is also a favorite among makeup artists like Mellinger: “[This] is one of the best, even if clean and natural beauty isn’t your thing. Not only does it contain aloe vera, but it also contains edelweiss extract, which benefits dry and sensitive skin.”
11. It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer
This concealer claims to deliver full coverage for 24 hours, while improving the skin’s appearance. Formulated with collagen, hyaluronic acid and peptides, the blend improves skin elasticity, locks in moisture and smooths texture around the eyes. This explains why the concealer has a big following, including Mellinger, who says, “This full coverage waterproof concealer really packs a punch. Its emollient formula contains both hyaluronic acid and collagen, [making it more] wearable all day and prevent creasing.”
12. Kevyn Aucoin Beauty Sensual Skin Enhancer
This skin enhancer is coined a ‘magic eraser,’ as it works to cover, correct and conceal any uneven areas. Its creamy blend of jojoba oil, vitamin E and honey promises to moisturize and protect your skin. As Palijevic shares, “The concealer is versatile and can be used for sheer to full coverage. It also has a smooth texture that works well on dry skin without emphasizing dry patches. Overall, you can customize the coverage to make it suitable for various skin concerns.”
13. Glossier Stretch Concealer
Redditors recommend this creamy concealer for dry skin. The formula has beeswax, jojoba oil and avocado oil to make it glide seamlessly across the skin. But it's the mineral pigments that really stand out, as they have a brightening effect over dark circles. Fans say the concealer is great for sealing in moisture and minimizing dark areas. “It looks and feels fantastic when I’m going through a dry spell!” adds one redditor.
14. E.L.F Hydrating Camo Concealer
This budget-friendly find is loved for its full coverage and lightweight formula. It uses sodium hyaluronate and rose flower water to hydrate and soothe the skin. Fans praise the doe foot applicator, which makes covering up and highlighting the face easy peasy. “[This is my] day to day concealer! [It has] decent coverage, [it’s a] great price [and it’s] creamy. I have dry and pale skin and it doesn't look chalky at all,” says one customer.
15. Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer
This Dior concealer has a reputation for being easy to blend, offering buildable coverage and hiding any imperfections. Its blend of plant extracts (like iris, wild pansy and nasturtium) keeps your skin smooth and supple. As one redditor exclaims, “This is the only concealer I've ever used where I don't have to worry about doing excessive under eye prep before using it. It's so good for desert dry skin!”
According to the makeup artists, it boils down to personal preference. “Cream concealers are often better for dry skin, as they tend to be more emollient and provide a thicker, more moisturizing coverage,” says Paljevic. “However, liquid concealers can work well if they have a hydrating formula. They just need to be set with powder to avoid creasing on dry skin.”
It starts with prepping the area with a moisturizing eye cream. Mellinger suggests using a pea sized amount of product and giving it time to fully absorb into the skin before applying concealer on top. “I don’t recommend immediately going in with concealer after putting on eye cream. I like to let my skincare have some time to set, before doing my eye makeup,” says Mellinger. “You also don’t need to go overboard with eye cream. If you put too much on, that can cause the concealer to slip during the day and during the application [process].”
1. Hydrate before applying concealer. A pro-tip: “When you apply primer on your face, use what’s left on the fingers and swipe it around the eyes, wherever you see dryness the most,” says Jarfi.
2. Use your preferred tool. The makeup artists offered mixed responses, as some prefer a brush, while others use a beauty sponge or their fingertips. Regardless of what you use to blend your concealer, they all agree that you should be extra gentle and avoid tugging or rubbing on the skin (which can cause piling or flakes).
3. Apply a small amount of product. “Don’t apply too much concealer on dry skin, as it can accentuate fine lines and any texture caused by dryness. Apply it in light layers as needed,” says Mellinger. Plus, starting out with less gives you wiggle room to build more coverage.
4. Use translucent powder to set the concealer. “Set your concealer with a light powder and use a small amount of product desaturated on a brush, [applying it] only where you need it,” says Jafri. “For example, if your concealer separates or doesn’t last on the inner corners of the eyes, just set the concealer there to prolong the wear.”
