Ask any make-up artist, and they’ll tell you that the best concealers for mature skin have one important feature in common: hydration. In fact, it is moisture-rich formulas that define the nature of all the very best make-up for mature women.
’s best concealers for mature skin at a glance:
“The best complexion products are those that will add hydration,” make-up artist Dominic Skinner confirms. He adds too that adjectives such as “glowing”, “radiant”, and even “serum” top his list of what to look for, as they grant a flattering finish on everything from age spots to under-eye bags and, crucially, don’t enhance fine lines (the same goes for the best foundations for mature skin, FYI). Radiance-boosting formulas help counter the dullness caused by skin’s sebum production slowing over time.
Then there’s the question of coverage. While you may prefer the feel of a lightweight or creamy formula, mature skin can often have more visible imperfections and dark spots, making a slightly richer, more pigmented formula a better choice. The key is to find a texture that offers enough coverage to conceal areas of concern without settling into fine lines and wrinkles or looking cakey beneath the eyes. Look out for formulas described as ‘airbrushed’ or ‘blurring’, as these often contain light-diffusing pigments that help soften the appearance of imperfections without resulting in a heavy finish. Medium coverage is generally a good starting point.
Whatever formula you choose, however, opt for one that can be built up in thin, natural-looking layers, allowing you to add extra coverage exactly where you need it.
Scroll on for our edit of the best concealers women over 40 can use, plus the tips pros swear by for a flawless application every time.
- Why it’s -approved: A great all-round concealer, this creamy formula helps disguise the look of everything from dark circles under the eyes to blemishes, broken veins and redness. While it is a thicker-than-average concealer, it’s very easy to blend with a brush, sponge or fingers, and it settles into skin well, with minimal buffing required. It’s also a hydrating formula so that skin never feels tight or like it’s caked in cover-up.
- Good to know: In addition to containing a decent dose of pigment, this formula also contains caffeine and pink algae to brighten skin, as well as peptides and hyaluronic acid to keep skin hydrated, which means you shouldn't get any flakiness, particularly around blemishes.
- Shade range: 39
- Why it’s -approved: Plenty of concealers come and go, but this award-winning formula has stood the test of time because it really is a brilliant product. Although there are lots of reasons to recommend it, one of the best things is the instant blurring effect it delivers, which helps create a more uniform tone to the skin. As well as cancelling out redness, hiding blemishes and dark spots and brightening the look of discolouration, the satin finish keeps skin looking fresh and luminous and not like you’re wearing a mask of make-up. Weightless on the skin and full of hydrating skincare, this NARS concealer is especially good for mature skin. With its radiant matte coverage, it easily covers dark circles and blemishes but retains a natural finish, making it ideal for use all over the face. What’s more, the formula is milled with blurring mineral powders that help it stay put for several hours of wear.
- Good to know: While some concealers only work well under the eye or for concealing spots, this has a crease-proof finish which means it won’t settle into fine lines around the eye area.
- Shade range: 30
- Why it’s -approved: If you favour lightweight formulas over something heavier but don’t want to compromise on coverage, this is a great, albeit expensive, option. That said, in addition to containing blurring pigments and good coverage, the smart formula also helps to improve skin tone and texture long-term. The calibrated dispenser and pen-like brush head make it very easy to apply just where you need it, and because it is so lightweight, it only needs a gentle tapping into the skin, which keeps things looking fresh and natural.
- Good to know: Developed with Agustinus Bader’s signature TFC8 technology, the formula helps reduce puffiness, fine lines and the appearance of pigmentation over time while it covers.
- Shade range: 19
- Why it’s -approved: This is a great concealer for those who struggle to keep theirs looking seamless over the top of fine lines and wrinkles. While the formula itself is creamy and fairly fluid, it’s infused with skincare ingredients and so glides onto skin with ease without feeling heavy or settling into creases. It also contains blurring pigments and firming ingredients to give the skin a more sculpted appearance.
- Good to know: Although the finish isn’t matte, it has a naturally blurred quality that self-sets, meaning you don’t need any extra powder on top to keep it in place.
- Shade range: 34
The Sensual Skin Enhancer Concealer
- Why it’s -approved: At first glance, the formula housed inside this little pot seems thick and overly rich, especially for more mature skin that might prefer something a little more lightweight. But what you can’t tell until you begin to apply it is just how far a tiny bit of this brilliant concealer goes. Even the tiniest amount on the top of a brush or on your fingertips is enough to hide all manner of spots, imperfections or redness, and the texture itself is silkier than it looks and so blends like a dream.
- Good to know: While it works perfectly on its own wherever you need it, you can also mix it with your favourite moisturiser for more buildability.
- Shade range: 15
e.l.f.
- Why it’s -approved: This medium coverage hydrating concealer really does belie its price point, offering buildable coverage and a creamy satin finish that both covers and enhances skin, and all for the price of a cup of coffee. Although it's suitable for virtually every skin type, the added hydrating skincare complex, which includes hyaluronic acid, works especially well for skin that's slightly dry or dehydrated.
- Good to know: Not only is this formula long-lasting it's also cake resistant, crease resistant and transfer resistant so will easily take you through from morning to night.
- Shade range: 33
- Why it’s -approved: This outstanding concealer uses advanced technology to create an almost filtered finish to skin. While it doesn’t completely erase pores (and the natural beauty of your own skin), it does blur, blend, smooth and hydrate skin all in one, so that you look like you. The formula is creamy and thick, so it may be suited for drier rather than oilier skin, but it has excellent staying power, so it won’t disappear or slide off skin halfway through the day – no matter what your skin type.
- Good to know: The Blur Airtech and Elastic Stretch technology are said to stay put for 24 hours, which means you can conceal and go without worrying about it creasing, caking or transferring.
- Shade range: 33
- Why it’s -approved: This newly launched Irish beauty brand has an impressive array of complexion products, but this creamy concealer is a bit of a standout star. Although the product goes on like a regular concealer, it dries down to a slightly powdery finish, which means it’s especially good for anyone who struggles with shine or excess oil. As well as mattifying powders, the formula contains ferulic acid and peptides, which help reduce redness and treat pigmentation over time.
- Good to know: While this is a great formula for everything, if you want to use it under your eyes, make sure to use it alongside an eye cream just to ensure the area is properly hydrated.
- Shade range: 8
- Why it’s -approved: While there is only so much a concealer can do, this full-coverage formula not only covers everything you need it to, but it brightens and somehow sculpts the face while it does so. That might be down to the caffeine and vitamin E but it’s also in part thanks to the natural radiance of the formula that helps everything just to look fresher and more lifted.
- Good to know: It’s worth noting that while it makes light work of spots, redness and imperfections, stubborn pigmentation or scarring may need a couple of extra layers, but given how silky the formula is, that shouldn’t pose a problem.
- Shade range: 18
- Why it’s -approved: The latest addition to the brand’s Skin Nova collection, this concealer helps make skin look polished and perfected. A medium-coverage formula that’s fluid, buildable, and easy to blend, it also delivers strong brightening and excellent staying power. The finish is also great for all skin types; neither too flat nor too matte, just a natural, fresh-looking complexion.
- Good to know: Although it’s not a particularly new packaging concept, the small portable tube and neat doe-foot applicator work really well with the formula, allowing you to easily touch up on the go and apply to any hard-to-reach areas or targeted spots.
- Shade range: 24
- Why it’s -approved: Fresh and naturally luminous skin is what you get with this newly launched concealer from industry powerhouse Sarah Creal. Infused with skincare additions like caffeine, aloe leaf and green tea to help soothe and condition skin while it’s on, the formula also contains flexible, crease-proof pigments that offer excellent coverage and move with your skin without caking.
- Good to know: The formula blends so beautifully into skin that it also works well in lieu of a foundation if you prefer to keep your base light. Simply apply in the areas you need most coverage and then use the residue left on your brush to blend into the rest of your face.
- Shade range: 21
Teint Idole Ultra Wear All Over Concealer
- Why it’s -approved: An excellent option for particularly dry skin, this is a rich, creamy concealer that feels hydrating on application and for a long time afterwards – up to 24 hours, according to the brand. Because it is a little thicker than other formulas, it’s particularly well suited to areas of stubborn discolouration or blemishes that need a little extra camouflage.
- Good to know: Although plenty of thicker concealers can make eye bags and dark circles look more pronounced, this is regularly praised for its ability to create a brighter, more uniform under-eye area.
- Shade range: 20
How do I stop my under-eye concealer creasing?
Dominic explains that the key to preventing products like concealer creasing is to “use lots of little layers” instead of a heavier application. And this doesn’t just apply to your concealer of choice – it includes your skincare and primers, too. “Most concealer creases under the eyes due to the heaviness of the eye cream that goes on beforehand,” he adds, advising that when it comes to choosing the best eye cream, you opt for one with a lighter texture, or opt for a hydrating concealer to ensure you get coverage that does not move.
According to Wayne, the placement of your concealer is equally crucial. “The area between your inner eye and nose does not crease. I suggest applying concealer here as it will not only open and brighten the eyes, but will never crease. Ever!” And Tracy concurs. “A trick I’ve learned for a smooth undereye on myself and older clients over the years is to never apply concealer directly beneath the waterline. Instead, try placing concealer by the lower orbital bone and feathering it upwards with the edges of a fluffy eye brush like Vieve’s 219. This gets you a thin layer of coverage that’s far less likely to settle obviously into fine lines or cake up with any powders you follow it with.”
How we chose the best concealers for mature skin
Every concealer you’ll find in our edit below comes tested, approved and trusted by editors and experts. We’ve assessed concealers on their ingredients, finish, coverage and staying power to land on a shortlist of options that shouldn’t separate, settle or strip your skin of moisture as the day goes on. Of course, it’s worth noting that skin texture is normal and expression lines are inevitable, so no one product will be a magic wand. But armed with quality formulas, the best tools for the job and our experts’ tips and tricks, you’re sure to find an option that works for you in our selection of the best concealers. Scroll on for ’s top picks.
Meet the experts