Some people think concealer is a one-size-fits-all product. They assume that, no matter which one they use, it will perfect the skin in a similar way—minimizing redness, disguising breakouts, and evening out discoloration, among other things. I wish that were true, but in reality, it's not that simple.
If you really want the best coverage and finish, you have to pay attention to the type of concealer you use. I'm talking about liquid versus cream concealers. While they might not seem all that different, makeup artists say that cream concealers are the best ones to invest in if you want to cover the most stubborn skin issues like breakouts, redness, acne scars, and dark spots. Keep scrolling to learn why, then shop the best makeup artist–recommended cream concealers.
The Top 5 Picks
- Best Overall: Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer
- Best for Acne: Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Correct and Brighten Concealer Duo Stick
- Best for Under-Eye Area: Glossier Stretch Concealer
- Best for Texture: LYS Beauty Triple Fix Brightening Concealer
- Best for Redness & Enlarged Pores: RMS Beauty UnCover-Up Concealer
Why You Should Use a Cream Concealer
According to makeup artists, cream concealers offer the best "do it all" coverage of any concealer type. "A cream concealer is usually denser in consistency and gives a fuller coverage than, say, a liquid concealer," says celebrity makeup artist Emma White Turle. Makeup artist Gita Bass agrees, adding that they're great for covering stubborn skin concerns like scars, dark spots, and blemishes since they tend to have more pigment and a thicker texture than liquid formulas. You can also sheer them out for natural-looking under-eye, cheekbone, and jawline coverage.
How to Apply Cream Concealer
Makeup artists recommend using a brush to apply cream concealer. "I like to apply cream concealers with a stiff brush, patting gently to cover the imperfection completely," says makeup artist Jamie Dorman. "If I need to blend the edges, I will use a small, fluffy eye brush. I like Rèphr Brush 21 and Rèphr Brush 13." Sometimes, if she needs to, White Turle will use the heat of her fingertips to melt the product into the skin to help it blend flawlessly into the foundation or bare skin.
If you're trying to spot-treat, Bass recommends dabbing the concealer directly onto the spot with a small brush. Then, use your finger or a Beautyblender to blend the edges for a seamless finish. "When applying cream concealer under the eyes or to highlight, apply it to the back of your hand first and warm it up with your fingers. This creates a more sheer consistency that won't crease or settle into lines," she adds.
The Best Cream Concealers
Best Overall: Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer SPF 27
Both Bass and White Turle recommend Clé de Peau's concealer. "Clé de Peau is the holy grail of cream concealers! It covers beautifully and stays put without drying out the skin," Bass says. "It has the perfect texture and works beautifully on both oily and dry skin types. It can be sheered out to create a lightweight concealer that works wonders for under-eye circles."
Coverage: Full | Finish: Satin | Shades: 12
Pros: Good coverage, natural-looking finish, works on all skin types
Cons: Pricey, limited shade selection
Customer review: "I've been using this concealer for months, and it's by far the best. Covers and stays put all day. Blends and looks perfectly natural."
Best for Acne: Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Correct and Brighten Concealer Duo Stick
"This concealer is very thick and requires little product but packs a punch," Dorman says. "After warming the product with fingers, use a flat brush to apply. Blend out with fingers or a small brush and set with a light powder. This is my favorite concealer for acne and scarring but is too thick for under the eyes."
Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte on one end, dewy on the other | Shades: 16
Pros: Good coverage, natural-looking finish, precise applicator, works well on acne
Cons: May look too heavy on the under-eye area, could crease when applied to dry skin
Customer review: "This product works great. The formula is lightweight but thick enough to deliver full coverage. The brightening side really does a lot to illuminate dark under eyes. Both sides were easily blended."
Best for Under-Eye Area: Glossier Stretch Balm Concealer
White Turle also likes Glossier's Stretch Balm Concealers. "They have a slightly illuminating effect, and this is perfect under the eyes to help brighten away any shadows," she says.
Coverage: Buildable | Finish: Dewy | Shades: 32
Pros: Good coverage, natural-looking finish, illuminating effect, works well for under-eye area
Cons: None
Customer review: "The coverage is natural but not very heavy. The formula is amazing. It blends so nicely out and feels really comfortable under my eyes. This would be great if you're going for something natural."
Best for Texture: LYS Beauty Triple Fix Brightening Concealer
Although it looks like a liquid formula, the LYS Beauty Triple Fix Brightening Concealer has a luxe, creamy texture. Dorman says it brightens, hydrates, and conceals, all at once—leaving a flawless finish on the skin.
Coverage: Full | Finish: Natural | Shades: 25
Pros: Good coverage, natural-looking finish, smoothing effect, works well on textured skin
Cons: Applicator sometimes gets stuck
Customer review: "I have very oily skin and strong smile lines that peek through my makeup. I used this concealer as my foundation, and I've never had my smile lines look almost invisible after a long day."
Best for Redness & Enlarged Pores: RMS Beauty UnCover-Up Concealer
This editor-loved concealer has the most natural-looking finish. It's lightweight and buildable and never settles into pores or lets redness peak through. Trust me—if you have rosacea, it might actually change your life.
Coverage: Buildable | Finish: Dewy | Shades: 16
Pros: Good coverage, natural-looking finish, blurring effect, works well on enlarged pores and redness-prone skin
Cons: Contains coconut oil, which could worsen breakouts
Customer review: "This concealer matches seamlessly to my skin. It is light reflecting and can be layered for more coverage. A morning 'go-to' that lasts all day."
Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick
This concealer stick can double as a foundation. As such, it has the most natural-looking finish. Seriously—editors love it for that very reason. It also has a silky, creamy texture that takes all of the work out of blending. It gets an A+.
Coverage: Buildable | Finish: Natural | Shades: 30
Pros: Good coverage, natural-looking finish, easily blendable
Cons: None
Customer review: "I truly love this stuff! I have a bit of a pale olive complexion and this is the first concealer/foundation that actually matches my skin tone, it blends very easily and it’s very creamy, I think a concealer brush or a sponge would be best for blending."
Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer
This full-coverage, oil-free concealer leaves a matte finish. It's also enriched with nourishing and protective ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants.
Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 30
Pros: Good coverage, matte finish, skin-benefiting formula, works well for spot-concealing
Cons: None
Customer review: "I wanted the most coverage possible for spot concealing. This has coverage but is still so blendable. And a little goes a long way, so it's going to last a long time."
Westmore Beauty Magic Effects Powder-to-Cream Concealer
"This has an incredibly light texture for a cream concealer," Dorman says. "As you work it into the skin, it emulsifies, then sets into the face for long wear. This product has a texture that works on the eye area as well as the rest of the face."
Coverage: Full | Finish: Natural | Shades: 4
Pros: Good coverage, natural-looking finish, lightweight
Cons: Limited shade selection
Customer review: "Love this product. It goes from powder to cream with blending and is so creamy. I also use it to hide blemishes and discoloration on my face, and it works so well."
Maybelline Dream Brightening Creamy Concealer
Maybelline's Dream Brightening Creamy Concealer comes in a crayon shape, so it's easy to apply in targeted and precise areas. It has a brightening effect, which makes it a good option for concealing dark circles.
Coverage: Buildable | Finish: Dewy | Shades: 6
Pros: Good coverage, natural-looking finish, brightening effect, works well for dark circles
Cons: Finish may be too shiny, limited shade selection
Customer review: "This concealer is very forgiving. It goes on smoothly. Stays on all day without settling into fine lines. Has a bit of a light reflective quality to it that brightens your eye."
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Radiant Brightening Cream Concealer
Neutrogena's Healthy Skin Radiant Brightening Cream Concealer will not only hide imperfections, but it will also nourish the skin with ingredients like peptides and vitamin E. It's also noncomedogenic, so it won't clog pores.
Coverage: Buildable | Finish: Dewy | Shades: 15
Pros: Good coverage, natural-looking finish, skin-benefiting formula
Cons: May not be thick enough to conceal breakouts and acne scars
Customer review: "I really like this concealer for its hydrating serum-like qualities. This blends out super easily with a natural healthy skin-like finish. I really enjoy using this concealer on days when I'm not wearing much makeup just to conceal some dark spots, etc."
Benefit Boi-ing Industrial Strength Full Coverage Cream Concealer
Benefit's full-coverage concealer pretty much does it all. Use it to hide dark circles, blemishes, discoloration… You name it. Thanks to a matte finish, it's long-wearing and nearly invisible on the skin.
Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 6
Pros: Good coverage, matte finish
Cons: Limited shade selection
Customer review: "This is the best concealer I've ever used. Great for doing cut crease looks. The colors really pop when applied on this concealer and stay put. It also tends to not crease."
Rituel de Fille The Ethereal Veil
Available in 12 shades, Rituel de Fille's cream concealer can be used to spot-conceal, brighten the under-eye area, and enhance the complexion. The natural-finish product is infused with jojoba oil, frankincense, castor oil, and lanolin, so it's moisturizing and nourishing too.
Coverage: Buildable | Finish: Natural | Shades: 12
Pros: Good coverage, natural-looking finish, skin-benefiting formula
Cons: May crease in lines
Customer review: "I was searching for a concealer that would provide full coverage but not look heavy, dry, or crease, and this is amazing! I don't even have to set it, and a little goes a long way. I feel like this is going to last a very long time! Definitely recommend it if you have fine lines!"
