For most people, the right concealer depends on what you are covering and how your skin behaves. If you want blemishes gone and your skin runs oily, start with tarte shape tape : full coverage, a matte finish and a waterproof formula. If dark circles are the main job, Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind Eraser is the simplest to use, with medium coverage and a built-in sponge tip.

The other three picks cover different needs: a radiant all-rounder, full coverage for dry skin, and a silicone-free formula made for sensitive skin. Every coverage level, finish and wear claim below is the maker’s own. Concealers come in many shades, so each Amazon product link opens one shade, and you can switch to yours on the listing.

Picks at a glance

Concealer Coverage (maker) Finish (maker) Wear claim (maker) Skin type (maker)
tarte shape tape Full Natural matte 16-hour wear; waterproof Especially normal, combination, oily
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Medium Moisturizing Up to 12 hours; not waterproof All, especially dry
NARS Radiant Creamy (Amazon search) Medium, buildable Radiant 16-hour wear; water resistant All skin types
e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Full Satin “Long-lasting” (no hours given) Normal to dry
Kosas Revealer (Amazon search) Medium, buildable Radiant All day; 10 to 12+ hours if set Sensitive; all skin types

1. tarte shape tape: Best for blemishes and oily skin

Tarte describes Shape Tape as its full-coverage matte concealer for covering dark circles, blemishes and redness. It claims 16-hour wear, a 12-hour crease-proof finish and a waterproof formula, and says the natural matte finish makes it especially good for normal, combination and oily skin. Tarte lists shea butter, mango butter and olive oil to moisturize and condition skin, and licorice root to brighten it, and labels the concealer vegan, cruelty-free and dermatologist tested. A full-size tube is 0.33 fl oz (10 mL).

Tarte’s directions are to dot on a small amount, build only as needed, blend with a sponge or brush, and set lightly with powder. For brightening under the eyes, Tarte suggests a shade 1 to 2 shades lighter than your skin.

One detail for sensitive skin: every ingredient list on Tarte’s page, for each group of shades, includes fragrance/parfum.

Best for: Covering blemishes and redness on oily or combination skin, where a matte, waterproof formula holds up.

Skip it if: Your under-eyes are dry, or you avoid fragrance in makeup.

2. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser: Best for dark circles

Maybelline names the Eraser for dark circles, but calls it a multi-use concealer that conceals, color corrects, contours and highlights. It has medium coverage, a moisturizing finish and up to 12 hours of moisturizing wear, according to Maybelline, which says the crease-resistant formula doesn’t settle into fine lines. It is infused with Haloxyl, which Maybelline says helps combat the look of dark circles.

You twist the base until concealer shows on the built-in sponge tip, then apply it under the eye and blend outward. Maybelline lists 18 concealer shades plus 4 color-correcting shades. For very dark circles, its directions suggest a yellow color corrector under the concealer. It is labeled vegan, non-comedogenic, mineral oil-free, paraben-free and talc-free, and comes in a 0.2 fl oz tube.

Maybelline says it suits all skin types and is especially good for dry skin. Its FAQ also says it is not waterproof.

Best for: Dark circles, when you want a quick, all-in-one applicator.

Skip it if: You need full coverage over blemishes, or a waterproof formula.

3. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer: Best radiant all-rounder

NARS describes Radiant Creamy as a multi-purpose concealer that brightens, corrects and perfects. It gives medium, buildable coverage with a radiant finish. NARS claims 16-hour wear and says it is crease-resistant, sweat- and humidity-resistant, water resistant and transfer-resistant. It is made for all skin types and labeled non-acnegenic, so NARS says it won’t clog pores.

The formula includes what NARS calls a Multi-Active Botanical Blend of magnolia bark extract, grape seed extract and vitamin E, which the brand says helps hydrate skin and reduce the look of redness. You can apply it straight from the applicator, with your fingertips or with a brush. NARS also suggests a shade 1 to 3 shades lighter as a highlighter, and using it to contour. A tube is 0.22 oz (6 mL).

The Amazon link is a search, because Amazon’s NARS Radiant Creamy listings are sold by third-party sellers rather than by Amazon or NARS.

Best for: A natural, glowy finish that covers under-eyes and spots and doubles as highlight and contour.

Skip it if: You want a flat matte finish, or full coverage in a single layer.

4. e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Concealer: Best full coverage for dry skin

e.l.f. calls Hydrating Camo a long-lasting liquid concealer with crease-resistant full coverage and a satin finish. It is meant to cover blemishes and under-eye circles while adding hydration. e.l.f. says it is designed for normal to dry skin and contains sodium hyaluronate, which helps lock in moisture, and rose flower water, which helps soothe skin.

It comes in 25 shades with a large doe-foot applicator, and e.l.f. labels it non-comedogenic, vegan and cruelty-free. e.l.f. says it gives you more time to blend before it sets than its 16 Hr. Camo Concealer, and that it dries to the color you see in the tube. e.l.f.’s page doesn’t give an hour figure for wear.

Best for: Full coverage on normal to dry skin, especially if you prefer a satin finish to matte.

Skip it if: Your skin is very oily and you need a matte, waterproof formula.

5. Kosas Revealer: Best for sensitive skin

Kosas calls Revealer a skincare-packed concealer with medium, buildable coverage and a radiant finish. Kosas says the formula is silicone-free and built on an eye cream base with hyaluronic acid, peptides and caffeine. It is labeled dermatologically tested, safe for sensitive skin, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic.

Kosas says Revealer helps reduce the appearance of dark circles, hyperpigmentation, redness and blemishes. For wear, Kosas says “all day,” and recommends setting it with powder for 10 to 12+ hours.

The Amazon link is a search, because Amazon’s Revealer listings are sold by a third-party seller rather than by Amazon or Kosas.

Best for: Sensitive skin, or anyone avoiding silicones in their makeup.

Skip it if: You need full coverage without building it up in layers.

How to choose a concealer

Match the coverage to the job

Full coverage, as in Tarte Shape Tape and e.l.f. Hydrating Camo, hides blemishes, redness and dark spots in a thin layer. Medium, buildable coverage, as in NARS, Kosas and Maybelline’s Eraser, looks lighter on the under-eye and can be layered on the spots that need more.

Match the finish to your skin

Makers point their concealers at different skin types. Tarte says its matte finish is especially good for normal, combination and oily skin. e.l.f. designed Hydrating Camo for normal to dry skin, and Maybelline says its Eraser is especially good for dry skin. NARS and Kosas say theirs suit all skin types.

Pick the shade for where it goes

Tarte suggests going 1 to 2 shades lighter than your skin to brighten under the eyes. To cover a spot, Maybelline says to match the concealer to your skin tone. A lighter shade can highlight and a darker one can contour.

Check the label if you break out

The American Academy of Dermatology notes that foundations and concealers can worsen acne in some people. It advises checking labels for oil-free, won’t clog pores, or non-comedogenic, and removing makeup before bed. If you also need a foundation, see our foundation picks for acne-prone skin .

For keeping concealer and foundation in place on oily skin, see our guide to making oily skin makeup last longer . If you blend with a brush, our foundation brush picks include a flat brush for detailed concealer work. For lip color that lasts as long as your base, see our long-lasting lipstick picks .

FAQ

Should my concealer be lighter than my skin?

For brightening under the eyes, Tarte suggests going 1 to 2 shades lighter than your skin tone. To cover a blemish or spot, Maybelline says to match the concealer to your skin tone. A lighter shade can also highlight and a darker one can contour.

Which concealer is best for acne-prone skin?

The American Academy of Dermatology says to look for makeup labeled oil-free, won’t clog pores, or non-comedogenic. Maybelline, e.l.f. and Kosas describe their concealers here as non-comedogenic, and NARS calls Radiant Creamy non-acnegenic and says it won’t clog pores.

Is full coverage or medium coverage better?

Full coverage, like Tarte Shape Tape or e.l.f. Hydrating Camo, hides more in a thin layer. Medium, buildable coverage, like NARS Radiant Creamy, Kosas Revealer and Maybelline’s Eraser, looks lighter and can be layered where you need more.

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