A concealer is your best friend when it comes to highlighting features of your face or masking any spots, dark circles, or hyperpigmentation you may have. However, it isn’t an easy task to look for one that works well with oily skin. You want to look for a concealer with just the right mix of lightweight feel and a strong staying power to ensure it won't melt out.
Luckily, we've done all the research for you, and below, we rounded up the 10 best concealers for oily skin. The first on the list is Nars' Soft Matte Complete Concealer for its oil-free and nourishing formula that will work well with oily skin. Keep scrolling to find out what else made it to our list. Then, if you need some pointers on what to look for, read through our buying guide reviewed by a professional makeup artist to get some guidance.
Quick List - Top Concealers For Oily Skin
Estée Lauder
Best Concealer for Oily and Sweaty Under-Eyes
Natalya is a professional makeup artist based in Los Angeles and has been trying new products to find what is best for each individual's skin tone and type. She is self-taught but wanted to further her education, and she went to a makeup school in Los Angeles to learn the ins and outs of makeup. She has tried many makeup brands and products and can proudly say she has found some of the best and longest-wearing products. As a freelance makeup artist, she wants her clients not to worry about their makeup not lasting as long as they need it to.
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There are a ton of concealers available, and choosing one can be a daunting task. So, here are some tips and information you should keep in mind before purchasing one.
Choosing the shade of concealer all depends on what you are trying to conceal. If you want to brighten or highlight points of your face, like your under-eye area, you should go for a shade that is a half or a full shade lighter than your foundation shade. This also works if you want to conceal dark circles.
However, if you have dark circles with a blue tint, go for an orange or yellow-based concealer. For brown shadows, peach, salmon, or orange shades will do the trick.
If you want to color correct blemishes and redness, green concealers can neutralize these. Likewise, you can use green concealers for red spots, rashes, and acne marks. You can also opt for concealers on the orange or peach side that will effectively conceal and cover any dark spots you have from acne, aging, sun damage, and even freckles.
You wouldn't apply the same concealers for areas of redness as you would for concealers that need to cover blue- or purple-tinted under-eye circles. Look at the color wheel to determine what undertone the concealer should have. For erasing dark spots, covering dark under-eye circles, or red spots, you need to pick the right shade of concealer.
For highlight under the eye, you want to pick a shade or two lighter than your foundation to brighten the under-eye area. From tiredness or natural under-eye circles, a natural-toned concealer won't do the job; you would have to find a shade that counteracts the colors in your skin tone. For dark spots, you can reach for a concealer with orange tones to prevent dark spots from peeking through your foundation.
For acne-prone skin, a regular natural concealer may not cover the best. Instead, reach for a green-toned concealer to counteract the redness. A color corrector concealing palette is great to have in your makeup kit for when stubborn acne comes along.
Concealers come in different forms like liquid, cream, or stick. The most versatile concealers are liquid ones. These work well on most skin types. Liquid concealers are easy to apply, buildable, and can help you achieve light to full coverage.
Liquid concealers also have different finishes like matte, dewy, and satin. The best finish to go for if you have oily skin is matte, as it will reduce shine on the face. Liquid concealers are also lighter and least likely to clog pores, which is important if you have oily skin.
You can also opt for a cream or stick concealer depending on its finish and ingredients. Cream concealers have a buildable formula that can give you medium to full coverage. You can choose between a creamy or satin finish with these. Stick concealers also have the same coverage, and they can set to a satin or matte finish. Plus, you can always set your concealer with powder for a more matte finish.
Some concealers are formulated with ingredients that can help with excess sebum production, acne, and moisturizing. When spot concealing, ingredients might be less of a concern, but if you use concealer more liberally, skin-nourishing ingredients like the following may be more important.
To help keep oil production at bay, you want to look out for oil-controlling ingredients. These ingredients will reduce excess sebum production, which causes greasy skin and sometimes even breakouts.
Some ingredients to look out for are antioxidants, which can help reduce sebum production and revitalize your skin. There are a great variety, and they come in the form of vitamins or plant-derived ingredients like green tea, niacinamide and aloe vera.
Although it may seem counterintuitive to put oil on top of your oily skin, some oils can help regulate excess sebum production, hydrate, and nourish your skin! Look for oils like jojoba, tea tree, and marula.
Other ingredients you might find in concealers to help with oily skin are clays like kaolin or bentonite. These can effectively absorb the excess oil you may have on your face. There are also ones with salicylic acid that help clear oil buildup and dissolve sebum.
If you are acne-prone on top of having oily skin, it’s helpful to look for concealers with anti-inflammatory ingredients. These will be great if you plan on spot concealing any pimples you might have.
Some of the ingredients previously mentioned, like tea tree oil and salicylic acid, as well as other exfoliants like AHA or BHA, have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help clear out pores and dry out pimples.
Other helpful ingredients include green tea extract, grapeseed oil, calendula extract, and vitamin C. These can also help clear clogged pores and brighten acne scars, blemishes, and redness you might have.
You don’t want to dry out your face too much with all these oil-absorbing and anti-inflammatory ingredients; that's why you should look for some light and non-greasy moisturizers.
Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and aloe vera are some of the most common lightweight moisturizers you can find in concealers. These ingredients can help in locking in moisture without clogging your pores.
You also don’t want to make your oily skin more greasy. It’s best to stay away from heavy moisturizers and oil-based ones like shea butter, cocoa butter, almond oil, and coconut oil.
These can be too heavy for oily skin and can clog pores, causing excess oil production and breakouts. Keep an eye out for products that are oil-free or non-comedogenic to avoid this.
If you have sensitive skin or allergies, or you just want to play it safe, avoid concealers that contain a lot of alcohol and fragrances. Go through the ingredients list to make sure those are at the bottom of the list. These can cause irritation and dryness, which can trigger more oil production and breakouts.
With many concealers, you can run the risk of looking dry and cakey. You want to make sure you look at the ingredients so you don't run into the problem of the concealer settling into fine lines and creasing.
Concealers can separate if the skin is too oily or if the concealer is too heavy on the skin. Pick the best concealer for you whether it be a liquid, cream, or stick. Cream and stick concealers are thicker and can look heavy on the skin if your skin type is too oily or the ingredients do not mix well for your skin type.
There are dozen of minerals, chemicals, vitamins, and ingredients that are used to produce a concealer. Find the most natural ingredient concealer to prevent any skin irritation and for the smoothest application.
Another important factor you should consider when choosing a concealer is the packaging and ease of application. Concealers can come in a wide range of packaging like pots, squeeze tubes, compacts, or bottles with a wand.
Those with oily skin are more prone to acne since the oil on the face can trap dirt and bacteria. Applicators such as wands and puffs in direct contact with your face when you apply the concealer and put it back in the tube or compact, meaning hygiene might be a concern.
So while concealers with applicator wands or puffs included mean you have one less applicating tool to buy, you need to make an effort to keep them clean. Although some concealer formulas have antibacterial properties, you should still practice good makeup hygiene by washing applicators frequently with a safe solution.
If this is a concern for you, you can go for concealers in pots or squeeze tubes and use another tool like a brush or a sponge to apply it. Remember to wash your hands before applying, replace or clean applicators frequently, or use disposable makeup applicators.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer | ![]() | Best for People With Acne-Prone Skin | |
2 | MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear Concealer | ![]() | Best Concealer for Combination Skin | |
3 | Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer | ![]() | Best Concealer for a Full Coverage and Matte Look | |
4 | Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer | ![]() | Best Concealer for Oily and Sweaty Under-Eyes | |
5 | bareMinerals Barepro 16 Hour Full Coverage Concealer | ![]() | Best Stick Concealer for Dark Circles and Redness | |
6 | Maybelline New York Fit Me Liquid Concealer Makeup | ![]() | Best for Concealing Pores and Acne | |
7 | Smashbox Studio Skin Flawless 24 Hour Concealer | ![]() | Best Under-Eye Concealer for Dark Circles and Puffiness | |
8 | Glo Skin Beauty Oil Free Camouflage Concealer | ![]() | Best Concealer for Acne Scars and Blemishes | |
9 | L'Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Concealer | ![]() | Best Lightweight Spot Concealer | |
10 | Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer | ![]() | Best Concealer With Botanicals and Antioxidants |
Pros:
Cons:
This full-coverage concealer will blur out imperfections and correct dark spots and discoloration you might have. It is great for people with acne-prone skin because it is formulated with peptides to reduce the appearance of pores, hyaluronic acid for light hydration, and antioxidants to fight off acne.
A few reviewers said the concealer creased up after just a few hours. Nevertheless, most reviewers said it was easy to apply and blend. They also liked how the matte finish helped control shine and cover acne.
Pros:
Cons:
If you have combination dry and oily skin, this long-wearing liquid concealer is for you. It is formulated with light moisturizers like glycerin and dimethicone that will hydrate your face without making it greasy and won't clog your pores. It has a matte finish with buildable coverage, so you can achieve natural to full coverage looks.
According to some people, the concealer settled in their fine lines and creased up. Even so, many of the reviewers happily shared that the concealer was long-lasting, had great coverage, and blended easily. They said that a little goes a long way.
Pros:
Cons:
Make Up For Ever's concealer promises full coverage and a matte finish that will keep your face shine-free for a long time. In addition to this, it has a waterproof formula for stronger staying power. It also has powder to control oil production and anti-inflammatory ingredients to help with acne.
Although some buyers complained about the concealer's heavy consistency, most were happy with its coverage. They said it effectively covered blemishes and acne scars without clogging their pores and triggering breakouts.
Pros:
Cons:
Can be difficult to blend
If you have oily skin and sweaty under-eyes, this lightweight, waterproof, and oil-free concealer will help you achieve a medium coverage, matte finish. It has a blendable and transfer-proof formula that gives the concealer extended staying power. It also contains glycerin and vitamin E to keep your skin nourished.
Some reviewers complained about how it creased and emphasized fine lines. But for the most part, customers were impressed with the concealer's coverage and long-lasting formula. A couple even said it remained in place despite their sweat and oily skin.
Pros:
Cons:
This concealer will effectively mask under-eye darkness and redness. It has natural moisturizers like raspberry seed oil, blackcurrant seed oil, and sea lavender that are light and won't clog your pores. The concealer also has bamboo stem extract to help reduce pores and fine lines.
Some reviewers were disappointed to note that the concealer was dry and chalky. Still, many buyers appreciated that it helped even out their skin tone and can be easily built up or down depending on the look they are trying to achieve. They also loved that it doesn't rub off easily, even on oily skin.
Pros:
Cons:
If you want something lightweight and breathable for everyday use, this concealer might be the one for you. It's oil-free, so it won't clog your pores, and it's also infused with chamomile, an antioxidant that soothes acne, tightens pores, and brightens blemishes.
According to a few users, the concealer had a runny consistency and was a bit too sheer for their liking. Nonetheless, most reviewers complimented the staying power of the concealer. They also liked that it was easy to blend and apply. Most reviewers with oily skin said it didn't add greasiness.
Pros:
Cons:
Smashbox's liquid concealer is formulated without oil and will help prevent buildup. It contains ingredients such as caffeine, which helps reduce inflammation and puffiness, and vitamin E, which protects the skin's moisture barrier. It has buildable coverage that will mask any dark circles, spots or redness you might have.
For some buyers, the concealer was too drying and creased after a while. Still, more reviewers loved that it was long-lasting and had great coverage. In addition, they said it was highly pigmented and concealed their blemishes and dark circles well.
Pros:
Cons:
This concealer is enriched with vitamins A, C and E to help control breakouts, brighten dark spots and nourish and soothe your skin. It also has green tea extract, which can help heal acne and reduce scars, and rosemary to reduce inflammation. In addition, this product won't clog your pores because of its lightweight and oil-free formula.
A few buyers said that the concealer's coverage was too light to mask their blemishes and dark spots completely. However, on a positive note, many reviewers were pleased that it wasn't greasy and stayed in place the whole day. They also liked how quick and easy it was to blend.
Pros:
Cons:
Shade range could be improved
L'Oreal's Infallible Concealer is excellent for concealing blemishes, correcting discoloration, and highlighting the face. This long-lasting concealer is lightweight, buildable, and easily blendable. In addition, it is formulated with moisturizing glycerin, and caffeine that helps with inflammation and puffiness.
Some buyers said the concealer looked orange on them, while others said the concealer had a runny consistency. Other than that, more reviewers loved that it had great coverage while being lightweight on the skin. They also liked that it didn't crease or cake up on their skin.
Pros:
Cons:
Hourglass' Vanish Airbrush Concealer has waterproof and buildable coverage that will stay in place the whole day without melting off your face. The concealer offers full coverage with a light and natural finish. In addition, it has an oil-free formula with a host of botanical extracts to reduce inflammation and calm irritated skin.
A few reviewers found the formula drying, while others said it creased after a few hours. Meanwhile, many praised how it effectively covered and neutralized any problem areas they had, like blemishes, dark circles, and uneven skin tone.
One concealer I always keep stocked up in my makeup kit is the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer. I am never afraid to apply this to someone's face, knowing that it will last all day and give natural coverage. This concealer is sweat-, heat-, water-, and crease-resistant.
It is alcohol-free so it is not drying under the eyes but creamy enough to give you a medium, buildable coverage. For oily skin, in particular, I love this product because it is non-comedogenic. One of my favorite concealers of all time!
In addition to reviewing and commenting on our buying guide, Natalya also took the time to answer some commonly-asked questions about concealers.
Natalya explains, "Start with a moisturizer that is oil-free to prep the skin. Cover the skin with a foundation first, including areas you will be applying concealer over. Applying a foundation first will help minimize any redness or dark circles that will be covered with concealer.
After that, apply a light layer of concealer under the eye, on top of any blemishes or dark spots, and gently pat the product into the skin with either a finger, sponge, or concealer brush. With oily skin, you want to set it right away with a loose powder to prevent it from creasing or melting throughout the day."
"Using concealer on oily skin is not a bad thing," Natalya says. "It will only help to achieve what look you are going for. Concealers for oily skin should be lightweight, matte, and oil-free. Find a concealer that you know will stay put and give you a matte finish to even out your skin tone."
Oily skin can be tough and frustrating to manage, but there are a ton of products that can help you with this. Here are a few you can try.
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary, as well as extra tips and advice. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
No. 1: NARS|Soft Matte Complete Concealer
No. 2: MAC Cosmetics|Pro Longwear Concealer
No. 3: Make Up For Ever|Full Cover Concealer
No. 4: Estée Lauder|Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer
No. 5: bareMinerals|Barepro 16 Hour Full Coverage Concealer
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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