Best Concealer For Mature Skin That Won’t Sink Into Lines

Still searching for the best concealer for mature skin? We feel your pain. It’s borderline heartbreaking trying to tackle imperfections with a concealer only to watch it sink into your fine lines and wrinkles throughout the day. But don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many people with mature skin struggle to find a concealer that works with their skin rather than against it.

The good news is that there are concealers out there that are perfect for mature skin – you just need to know what to look for. Keep reading to discover what type of concealer is best for mature skin with product recommendations and tips from make-up artists Wendy Rowe and Wayne Goss.

 

Concealer for mature skin: What to look for?

The best concealers for dry, mature skin are the ones that nourish your skin while covering up imperfections. Here are some characteristics to look out for next time you shop:

Hydrating

Our skin tends to get thinner and less elastic as we age due to a decrease in collagen levels, making it prone to dehydration. It’s this dehydration that contributes to pesky wrinkles and fine lines appearing above the lip and around the eyes. So, when you’re applying concealer (or any other make-up), you must choose formulas containing hydrating, collagen-stimulating ingredients, like:

• Retinoids (vitamin A)
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
• Glycerine
• Hyaluronic acid
• Ceramides
• Squalene
• Lactic acid
• Aloe vera
• Quinoa

Protective

Unfortunately, your skin barrier tends to weaken as you age. A healthy skin barrier acts as a water-tight seal that keeps moisture in the outermost layers of the skin while fending off irritants, bacteria, and pollutants. If your name’s not moisture, you’re not getting in. Unfortunately, as this barrier gets weaker with age, it can lead to dehydrated and vulnerable skin. However, you can strengthen your skin barrier even if you can’t turn back the clock. Here are some skincare ingredients that can help do just that:

• Fatty acids
• Cholesterol
• Ceramides
• Hyaluronic acid

Liquid or cream

Even if powder and solid concealers may have worked wonders in the past, you’re better off swapping them for either cream or liquid concealers as you age. Concealers with a thinner consistency work better on mature skin because they’re more mobile and less likely to settle into creases and wrinkles. You can still choose from a dewy, satin, or matte finish; just make sure you select a hydrating liquid or cream formula.

Read Next: Foundations For Mature Skin: Everything You Need To Know

How to apply concealer to mature skin

It’s not just the type of concealer you use that’s important for mature skin; it’s the way that you apply it. Make-up artist Wayne Goss explains that one of the most common concealer mistakes people make is using it: “Under the lash line and down into a V-shape” (under the whole eye area). This can “accentuate lines and wrinkles, and make eyes appear smaller,” especially as the day goes on and skin becomes drier, and the constant movement from the muscles under the eye means make-up is guaranteed to move. To avoid this all-too-common error, Goss suggests the following technique to create the bright-eyed ‘baby effect’:

“Apply concealer underneath the inner corner of the eye – patting into the skin that doesn’t move when you smile. Then pat, press, and feather the concealer until the inner corner are visibly brightened.”

Make-up artist Wendy Rowe believes that “areas around the mouth and eye area should appear flat” for a youthful look. She advocates using sheer concealer to mask ‘dipped’ shadowy parts of the skin, e.g., smile lines:

“Any areas that dip down into the face will create a shadow, so [use concealer] to make them lighter, brighter and bring them back up to the surface.”

Further, flatten down with a little of your favourite setting powder.

To help you find your perfect match, we’ve listed some of the best concealers for mature skin below:

Best under-eye concealer for mature skin

Clarins Instant Concealer, £23

The cult-classic concealer instantly brightens while concealing imperfections and diminishing signs of fatigue all day long. Enriched with hydrating aloe vera and brightening caffeine, this liquid concealer is perfect for tackling dark undereye areas on mature skin with crease-free coverage.

 

Best full-coverage concealer for mature skin

Tarte Shape Tape™ Concealer, £27

If you’re looking for a full-coverage concealer dripping with moisture, Tarte has you covered. This concealer contains nourishing natural ingredients like shea butter and mango butter to keep your dry skin at bay.

 

 

Trinny London BFF Eye, £28

 

What would you get if a concealer had a baby with an eye serum? Trinny’s BFF Eye! This concealer nourishes under-eye skin with hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and peptides – ageing skin superheroes – while visibly improving dark circles.

 

 

 

Best concealer palette for mature skin

Ariane Poole Concealer Palette, £24

A concealer palette that does it all, this creamy number from Ariane Poole contains three shades of concealer that can be custom blended to suit your colouring and hide dark circles, blotchiness, age spots, thread veins, and other imperfections. Its unique creamy formulation glides on smoothly, leaving a demi-matte finish.

 

Best concealer brush for mature skin

Vieve 199 Conceal and Prime Brush, £24

A good all-rounder, this vegan concealer brush by Vieve has a flat side to buff concealer seamlessly into your skin with a tapered edge that’s perfect for shaping your brows.

Clarins Multi-Use Foundation Brush, £26

 

Super-soft and cruelty-free bristles make for blending foundation and concealer even easier – with the natural ‘second-skin’ pro-finish.

 

 

FAQs

Do you apply concealer before or after foundation?

Most make-up pros recommend that you apply foundation before using a concealer. The foundation will give you an even canvas to work with, with the concealer swooping in to polish any areas that need a little more coverage.

Charlotte McHale, Clarins Training Manager, adds: “It’s like skincare – you always apply the thickest consistency last. So you wouldn’t put cream on before serum, right? And concealer tends to be denser than foundation. Also, it’s got more coverage.”

 

Should concealer be a darker or lighter shade than foundation?

Neither! McHale recommends choosing a concealer shade that matches your skin perfectly: “Don’t go too light and never darker.”

How long should you wait before blending your concealer?

Some people like to allow their concealer to ‘bake’. However, before you empty your make-up bag contents onto a baking tray, it’s important to add that no oven is required for this beauty technique. The oven is your natural body heat. To ‘bake’ your concealer, you let it sit on your face for 10-20 minutes before blending, allowing it to melt into your skin and naturally adapt to your skin’s texture and colour.

Read Next: How Contouring Can Give Mature Skin A Lift