For most of us, concealer is a must-have makeup product. A way of erasing blemishes and dark patches first thing in the morning and creating a more uniform look to the skin. "I love using concealers to spot-cover, color-correct, as a base for eyeshadow, and sometimes to highlight and contour the features," says makeup artist Nick Lujan. But if you have a particularly reactive complexion or sensitive eyes, you'll need to be a bit more choosy about the formula.
As dermatologist Diane Madfes, MD, explains, the eye area is delicate and sensitive, regardless of skin type. That's why, she says, "It's important to use products that have been specifically tested for tolerability and for use in the eye area."
But there are hundreds of concealers out there, so how do you know which ones are right for your sensitive skin? To help you make a considered choice, we’ve been hard at work testing out the best concealers for sensitive skin in our NYC lab. To do this, we evaluated each pick based on its formulations and ingredients, coverage level, finish, and how our skin felt while wearing it. We also sought the expertise of our two brilliant experts: Nick Lujan, a professional makeup artist, licensed esthetician and educator, and Diane Madfes, MD, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in dermatology and dermatologic surgery.
Best Overall
NYX Professional Makeup HD Photogenic Concealer
Lightweight consistency
Provides great high coverage
Comes in 22 different shades
For very full coverage, you may need to use it as a color corrector first, followed by a thicker concealer
This concealer wand from NYX Professional Makeup conceals and neutralizes in one simple swipe. We rated it highly during testing for its lightweight and watery texture that spreads super easily. We also found that it covered dark marks with ease, and as a little bit goes a long way, you don’t end up feeling cakey. The thin texture also didn’t create any creases, and we tested it rigorously! If you want full coverage, however, we suggest using this to correct any imperfections, redness, etc. first and following with a heavier concealer.
Who It's For
This is a great medium-to-natural coverage concealer that neutralizes redness and conceals imperfections. It can also be used for contouring along the cheeks and chin if you want to create extra definition.
Coverage Level: Natural to medium | Finish: Natural | Shades: 12 | Size: 0.11 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Reactive Skin
Dermablend Cover Care Full Coverage Concealer
Fragrance- and alcohol-free
Non-comedogenic
Allergy-tested
Formulated with hydrating glycerin
Contains PEGs
"If you have sensitive skin, you should avoid fragrance," says dermatologist Debra Jaliman, MD. That's one thing we love about Dermablend Cover Care—but certainly not the only thing. This gentle yet effective concealer flaunts a lightweight, creamy consistency that goes on smoothly and blends effortlessly.
Available in 16 shades ranging from deep brown to ivory, it offers buildable, full-coverage wear for up to 24 hours. Aside from fragrance, it's free of alcohol, phthalates, and parabens. While this concealer contains a teensy amount of sunflower oil, the non-comedogenic formula promises not to clog your pores.
Who It's For
This concealer is for anyone who wants the benefits of full-coverage makeup without worrying about it clogging their pores. It’s also for you if you dislike fragrance in cosmetics.
Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 16 | Size: 0.3 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Dark Circles
BareMinerals Original Liquid Mineral Concealer
Soothing ingredients
Fragrance-free
Not ideal for dry skin
This liquid concealer was awarded 4.5 out of 5 and was our favorite option for covering dark circles. Containing white water lily extract, the fragrance-free formula also works to soothe and hydrate stressed skin.
We found that this concealer also instantly covered imperfections while illuminating the entire area around our eyes. This created a more air-brushed effect and really made our eyes pop. While lightweight, it also offered plenty of coverage but was easy to layer up, too.
Who It's For
This concealer is excellent for masking the look of dark circles under the eyes, and it helps to brighten the area by canceling out any purple or blue undertones. It also comes in 18 shade options, so it’s a good option for a wide range of skin tones.
Coverage: Buildable | Finish: Luminous | Shades: 17 | Size: 0.2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Read Full Review: Reviewed: BareMinerals Original Liquid Mineral Concealer Lasts Me All Day
Best for Dark Circles, Runner-Up
Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer
Its super creamy texture
Works for targeting redness
Creates a lovely natural finish
Didn’t cover our blemishes as well as it did our dark circles
Offering 12 hours of coverage and hydration, we were excited to try Maybelline’s New York Instant Age Rewind Eraser. Our initial thoughts were that it was super creamy and easy to blend, and it didn’t feel heavy or tacky either. We also like the sponge applicator that delivers a solid medium coverage, which you could also build up if needed.
Likewise, we found that it performed well when covering dark circles and redness, but it wasn’t the best concealer we tried for covering blemishes. After setting with powder, we experienced minimal creasing and found that the creaminess of its formula lent itself best to drier skin types, earning it a great overall score.
Who It's For
The creamy texture of this concealer is ideal for drier skin types who want a medium coverage. It’s also very effective at covering dark circles, if that’s your main concern.
Coverage: Buildable medium | Finish: Natural | Shades: 19 | Size: 0.2 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best with SPF
Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy
Fragrance-free
Prevents irritation
Smooths and depuffs
Expensive
Limited shades
Sun protection is crucial for keeping sensitivity and inflammation at bay. With this in mind, Colorescience Total Eye safeguards your skin with SPF 35, then smooths, depuffs, and replenishes the skin barrier with peptides. And yes, it does a fine job concealing imperfections and correcting under-eye circles too.
During our own testing, we noticed some lid creasing after a couple of hours of wear, and it built up slightly in the creasing underneath our eyes. But other than that, it had long-lasting power and lasted all day. The texture makes it great for use as a primer since the slight stickiness of the product really grips onto eyeshadow.
Who It's For
This concealer is for anyone who is especially sensitive to fragrance but wants to protect the delicate eye area with SPF protection while depuffing and smoothing the skin. It’s also suitable for correcting under-eye circles and imperfections.
Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | Shades: 4 | Size: 0.2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Sheer
Saie Hydrabeam Under Eye Concealer
Blurs and brightens
Soothing
Fragrance-free
Not ideal for covering imperfections
An instant TikTok favorite following its 2022 launch, Saie Hydrabeam is a uniquely sheer concealer that blurs and brightens rather than fully covering your skin. The whipped gel-like texture blends beautifully, while skin-friendly ingredients like cucumber extract and squalane keep irritation at bay.
Who It's For
This concealer is ideal if you feel that the skin around your eyes appears dull and dry. Plus, the tomato and cucumber extracts blend together to soothe and even out your skin’s complexion. It is also suitable for people with sensitive eyes.
Coverage: Sheer | Finish: Radiant | Shades: 9 | Size: 0.2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Soothing
Huda Beauty The Overachiever Concealer
Prevents irritation
Excellent coverage
Diverse shade range
Soothing formulation with green tea ingredient
Contains fragrance
Huda's aptly named Overachiever Concealer contains green tea and probiotics, which help soothe stressed skin and prevent potential irritation. The highly pigmented formula offers full-coverage camouflaging and color-correcting, then leaves a stunning radiant finish in its wake.
Who It’s For
This concealer is ideal for very reactive, stressed skin that’s prone to irritation. The added green tea also helps to protect the skin from pigmentation, if this is something you are prone to.
Coverage: Full | Finish: Radiant | Shades: 20 | Size: 0.3 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Acne
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer
Lightweight and breathable
Fragrance free
Natural finish
Dark circles need two layers to cover them completely
If you have acne-prone skin and dislike makeup that makes your skin feel suffocated, you will love Maybelline's very lightweight, non-comedogenic concealer. It’s free from oil and wax and contains lightweight pigments to maintain a fresh, natural look on the skin. But while it is natural, it still offers great coverage that makes light work of our blemishes and imperfections.
How did it fare in our lab testing? First of all, we loved how easy it was to blend and the bright effect it brought to the undereyes. If you have very dark circles, you may need two layers as we did, and we’d recommend starting with a hydrating eye cream to avoid caking. All in all, this is a great choice that won’t break the bank.
Who It's For
This is suitable for all skin tones and comes in an extensive range, from pale ivory to dark coffee.
Coverage Level: Medium | Finish: Natural | Shades: 7; Light to Deep | Size: 0.23 ounces | Cruelty Free: No
Best for Blemishes
Neutrogena Blemish Concealer
Matte finish
Ideal for acne-prone skin
Feels comfortable and lightweight
Coverage not strong enough for dark circles
This SkinClearing Blemish concealer is formulated to help you treat and prevent breakouts while providing great coverage that doesn’t clog the skin. This is due to the salicylic acid added to the formula and Microclear technology, which helps treat, clear, eliminate, and prevent blemishes.
When applying it to our own skin, it felt comfortable and lightweight and covered our darker areas of pigmentation well. The spongey applicator works better on spots and pimples than it does on the eyes, but it blends well and after 30 minutes we experienced minimal fading.
Who It's For
This is for those with acne and blemish-prone skin who want a medium-coverage concealer that doesn’t clog the pores.
Coverage Level: Medium | Finish: Matte | Shades: 4 | Size: 0.05 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Longwear
Rimmel London Stay Matte Concealer
Flawless matte coverage
Glides on smoothly and blends well
Covers dark circles and blemishes flawlessly
The color/shade isn't on the container anywhere, so it's hard to know which one you're using
If you like your makeup to have more of a matte finish, this concealer from Rimmel London is a great drugstore pick. It offers full coverage and 24-hour wear, so it’s ideal if you need your makeup to stay put from morning meeting to evening dinner date.
When it comes to applying, we found that it glides on smoothly and blends well. It promises a matte finish, and it comes through brilliantly while drying quickly. It’s also easy to build if more coverage is needed. Plus,, it covers dark under-eyes and blemishes flawlessly, completely takes away that tired look and leaves behind a fresh, clean complexion.
Who It's For
This concealer is ideal for fatigued skin that needs a refresh and a full coverage finish. It’s also mask resistant so it's suitable for anyone whose job requires one.
Coverage Level: Medium | Finish: Matte | Shades: 4 | Size: 0.05 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Full Coverage
CoverGirl TruBlend Undercover Concealer
30 shade options
Keeps shine at bay
Feels weightless on the skin
Makes dark circles disappear
Packaging could be considered a bit gaudy
If you have an oily or combo skin type and like thick and creamy textures, you’ll love COVERGIRL’s TruBlend full-coverage concealer. We tested it in our lab and found the texture to be more or less perfect – while it is thick, it feels weightless after application.
Some of our testers hadn’t used a drugstore concealer in years, and they were so impressed at how effortlessly it made our dark circles disappear. We found that it looked so natural on our skin, too – as such, you only need a couple of small dots to cover dark circles and blemishes.
Who It’s For
If you have oily skin and are in need of a matte concealer that will hide your dark circles without fading or creasing, this is the product for you.
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 30 | Size: 0.33 fl oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Dark Skin Tones
Black Opal Brightening Concealer
Works well on acne and under-eye circles
It has a gorgeous peach undertone
Doesn’t crease or fade
We’d like a wider choice of medium shades
Black Opal’s Brightening concealer was awarded our best pick for darker skin tones due to its great range of deeper shades. Creamy and hydrating, it feels super comfortable on the skin (albeit slightly chalky), and it did an excellent job of covering our discoloration and hyperpigmentation.
It has a gorgeous peach undertone that blends in well without leaving any creasing, fading, or transfer. The formula also contains turmeric, cucumber extract, and vitamin C, which add a lovely brightening effect to the concealer. We tried the bisque shade and think the darker shades could also be used to create a bronzing effect. All in all, this is a great everyday concealer that can be used all over the face.
Who It's For
This concealer is suitable for medium to dark skin tones particularly those prone to hyperpigmentation and discoloration.
Coverage Level: Medium | Finish: Radiant | Shades: 9 | Size: 0.1 fl oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Clean Formula
Milani Conceal + Perfect Concealer
Long-lasting full coverage
A little goes a long way
Cruelty-free formula
Diverse array of Shades
We’re not huge fans of the scent
Top of our list for clean beauty is Milani, and we love its Conceal + Perfect longwear concealer. Why? Firstly, it offers a great high-coverage finish, and we found that a little bit of product goes a long way. This meant that it covered redness and blemishes effortlessly. It has quite a thick texture, so we found applying it with a sponge gave us the best finish and helped to reduce creasing. It also comes in 17 shades, so it’s inclusive as well as being cruelty-free. We’re obsessed!
Who It's For
This concealer is for anyone looking for a high-coverage concealer in a very wide range of shades. As it has a matte finish, it’s ideal for oily skin types and can be used to cover everything from dark circles to scars and marks, and acne.
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 17; Light to Deep | Size: 0.17 fl oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Multitasker
Physicians Formula Natural Defense Concealer
Contains SPF protection
Defends the skin from pollution and blue light
High buildable coverage
Sponge dispenser delivers a bit too much product
There’s lots to like about this easy-to-use concealer from Physicians Formula. It blurs and protects the skin with SPF protection and helps to defend the skin against blue light and pollution. It also has a clean, cruelty-free formula.
We put it to the test in our NYC lab and found that the coverage it provides is excellent. It covered our blemishes and pigmentation easily and had a brightening effect on the skin. It does have a thick texture, which may not be for everyone, but if you want true full coverage, this delivers. Our only complaint is that the applicator over-dispenses the concealer, so you may want to dab some on a brush or your finger for lighter coverage.
Who It's For
If you're on the go and need a full-coverage concealer that offers SPF protection, you'll love this brightening, cruelty-free pick.
Coverage Level: Medium to full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 3 | Size: 0.28 fl oz
Where We Stand
Our favorite overall concealer for sensitive skin is NYX Professional Makeup HD Photo Concealer Wand. Not only is it a great budget option, but it’s also infused with hydrators and skin conditioners to reduce irritation. It also provides great coverage and comes in 22 different shades. A very close runner-up is undoubtedly Dermablend Cover Care, a fragrance-free, full-coverage formula that doesn't clog pores or irritate reactive complexions.
How We Tested
Each concealer in this roundup faced extensive testing in our Manhattan-based lab and at our tester’s homes. Each tester had a different skin tone and need and used the product for several weeks. After application, each concealer was marked out of five based on its overall texture and how it felt on the skin, the level of coverage they provided, and the level of creasing they created (if any). We also noted how suitable they were for sensitive skin based on their formula and ingredients. Finally, we marked the concealers based on how well they stayed on throughout the day.
Attributes we evaluated each foundation on:
- Coverage capability
- Texture and feel on the skin
- How well it wore on the skin without creasing or fading
- The finish and overall look on the skin
What to Look For in a Concealer For Sensitive Skin
- Allergy Tested: When choosing a concealer for sensitive skin that's allergy-tested, prioritize those labeled as hypoallergenic and dermatologist-recommended. You’ll want to look for concealers with a fragrance-free formula and minimal ingredients to reduce the risk of irritation. Opt for products that are non-comedogenic, preventing pore blockages and potential breakouts. Choose concealers containing gentle, soothing ingredients like aloe vera or chamomile to calm sensitive skin. Before full application, conduct a patch test to ensure the product is safe and well-tolerated on your skin.
- Hydration: There are many moisturizing ingredients available in beauty products. Since dry skin could lead to further irritation, choosing a concealer that has hydrating ingredients is an ideal choice.
- Buildable Coverage: The idea behind a buildable coverage product is that it allows you to create a consistent and smooth finish, whether you're using a little or a lot of it in different areas. With sensitive skin, the less covered up it is the safer your chances of it not becoming irritated. By choosing a buildable coverage concealer, you can use exactly the amount you need in each area of your face.
Why Trust Byrdie
Catherine Hufton is a London-based lifestyle journalist and has been a contributing writer and editor for Byrdie since 2022. Her freelance career has given her the opportunity to work for some of the world’s biggest beauty brands and women’s titles and test hundreds of makeup and skincare products in the process. She digs deep into all things fashion and beauty to find the very best shopping must-haves using her own knowledge, expert advice, and detailed insights from Byrdie’s NYC testing lab.
Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer specializing in beauty. For this story, she compiled insights from two board-certified dermatologists and three makeup artists, who offered product recommendations and insight into potentially irritating formulations. She also referenced several peer-reviewed articles to cross-check ingredients before narrowing down the selections. Theresa has been contributing to Byrdie since 2020, where she covers color cosmetics, skincare, and lifestyle products.
To write this article, Team Byrdie worked with two experts for additional insight:
- Nick Lujan, a professional makeup artist, licensed esthetician and educator
- Diane Madfes, MD, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in dermatology and dermatologic surgery.