Table of Contents
When choosing a concealer, owners of oily skin often face problems such as not long-lasting coverage, insufficient matte finish, the effect of a thick mask on the face, etc. However, there is good news! A competent product with a suitable formula can settle in your cosmetic bag for a long time (if not forever) and become a faithful assistant in your make-up routine.
For example, did you know Kevyn Aucoin concealer (review) is the most economical to use and one from Estee Lauder (review) has the most long-lasting coverage? We have found the top-6 concealers for oily skin at different price segments and are ready to share this treasure with you. Read the article till the end to discover all the pros and cons of each product!
Comparison table: 6 best concealers for oily skin
Model | |
The best mattifying full coverageClinique Beyond Perfecting Powder Foundation + Concealer | Capacity: 14.5 g Texture: Powdery Finish: Matte Applicator: The sponge SPF: None - The super lightweight powdery texture stays on until you take it off. - Gives great spot coverage without looking caked on. |
Best covers all skin imperfections Maybelline New York Fit Me Liquid Concealer | Capacity: 6.8 ml Texture: Buildable Finish: Matte Applicator: The wand SPF: 18 - Has buildable coverage: you can always add more to get more texture. - Covers without being heavy. - Prevents premature skin aging because of the SPF 18 (sun protection factor). |
The most economical to useKevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer | Capacity: 18 g Texture: Thick, but lightweight Finish: Natural second skin Applicator: None SPF: None - Can last you for several months even with daily use. - Has many use options: can be applied solo or mixed with your favorite skin moisturizer for a more flawless look. |
The most long-lasting coverageEstee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer | Capacity: 7 ml Texture: Creamy Finish: Smooth & buildable Applicator: The wand SPF: None - All-day wear with a flawless finish. - Will stay in place in hot or humid weather. - 14 hours without creasing. |
Best brightens the under-eye areaL'Oreal Paris Infallible Pro Glow Concealer | Capacity: 6.2 ml Texture: Ultra-blendable Finish: Glowing for up to 16 hours Applicator: The wand SPF: None - Gently blends on the soft under-eye zone. - The smooth texture with a glowing finish easily covers the dark circles. |
The easiest blending e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Concealer | Capacity: 6 ml Texture: Creamy & quite thick Finish: Satin Applicator: The wand SPF: None - Blends great with the skin via a moist sponge or just fingers. - Goes on smoothly with zero creasing. |
How did we choose
- First of all, we looked at the highest-rated concealers for oily skin in different price segments.
- Secondly, we took 10 top-rated products for a detailed review (excluded ones with fewer positive reviews and concealers that cannot be considered the best in any of the categories).
- After that, we analyzed more than 100 real customer reviews and eventually picked the top-6 concealers for oily skin.
This quality research helps us understand what is most important in concealer for oily skin owners. We were able to highlight the best criteria for each product. After comparing our results, we listed the top-6 concealers for this type of skin. You can see our calculation methodology in the picture below.
What to pay attention to when choosing the best concealer for oily skin
Here are the most important factors to consider when you are looking for a concealer for oily skin:
- The first factor is mattifying full coverage. Since in this article we focus on oily skin, one of the main criteria will be the matting ability of the concealer. It should not only matt the T-zone with high quality, but also stay on the skin for a long time. All the concealers from the list perfectly deal with this task but if your only goal is to mattify oily skin, then Clinique Beyond Perfecting Powder Foundation + Concealer (review) with its glowing, satin finish will be the best choice. Once beside oily skin, you would like to hide other skin imperfection, then read on.
- The next very important criterion is the perfectly balanced texture (not very thin and not very thick). The main advantage of any foundation is a perfectly balanced texture. What does it mean? The coverage should not be very thick to create a mask effect, but also should not be quite thin, because this type of too weightless coverage has every chance to “run away” from your face in a couple of hours.
The best in this criteria is e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Concealer (review). It effectively brightens the area under the eyes and covers all skin imperfections, without looking cakey, not creasing, and emphasizing fine lines. - The third important factor is covering all skin imperfections. A high-quality concealer is simply obliged to delicately mask rashes, age spots, and other features of the skin since this is its main function. Customers named the Maybelline New York Fit Me Liquid Concealer (review) as best in this criteria. Its convenient applicator allows you to apply concealer pointwise, while easy blending ensures full coverage.
- The best concealer for all types of skin including oily skin should naturally brighten the under-eye area. Since the concealer, unlike the foundation, is specially formulated to delicately neutralize dark circles under the eyes, this factor is also one of the main ones. Choose concealers that brighten this area without creasing or caking. The best for this criterion is L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro Glow Concealer (review).
- The last important criterion for concealer is staying in place. Since oily skin produces sebum quite actively, foundations and concealers often disappear after a few hours, so the product must stay in place for a long time. The Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer (review) has the most long-lasting coverage. It is all-day wear with a flawless finish that stays put in hot or humid weather for 14 hours without creasing.
Some additional features will also make your concealer experience more effective.
Additional factors to pay attention to
- Easy blending — helps concealer cover the face with a thin veil and combine well with other textures: base, foundation, etc.
- Long-lasting coverage — the concealer must last all day, as oily skin usually quickly “eats” cosmetic products.
- Economical to use — certainly nicer when concealer is more economical and requires a small amount for one coverage.
- Moisturizing — concealers can dry all types of skin (not only dry but also oily), that’s why moisturizing in such a product that interacts closely with the delicate area under the eyes is so important.
- Having no chemical smell — few people like harsh chemical odors in cosmetic products, especially if the product works near the eyes.
- Comfortable applicator — a lot depends on the applicator: whether it will be convenient to mask rashes pointwise, whether the product is suitable for contouring, etc.
- Suiting for aging skin — since aging skin has deeper wrinkles, it is very important that the concealer does not clog in them and does not emphasize them.
- Fitting for contouring — concealer is often used as a brightening agent on the protruding parts of the face when contouring. You know that it suits contouring if the concealer blends and mixes well with other textures: darker foundation, powder, etc.
- Waterproof — not all concealers are waterproof, but you must admit, it’s nice to know that if you suddenly get caught in the rain, your face will remain in place.
- Many use options — some types of concealers can be mixed with your favorite creams to balance the texture.
How to choose the right concealer tone?
Choosing the right concealer tone is a common problem, as it is rarely possible to guess your shade the first time from pictures on the Internet. Remember, that if you want to go with the contouring, the concealer should naturally be a shade or two lighter than your foundation to create the correct volume on the face. The protruding parts (T-zone) and the area under the eyes should be lightened, and the cheeks, forehead, and chin should be left a shade darker, thereby removing the volume.
The tone adjuster comes to the rescue when you need to smooth out the shade and bring it as close as possible to the natural skin tone. One of the most popular products in this category is NYX Professional Makeup Total Control Drop Foundation Hue Shifter. Customize your foundation color by simply adding a drop of the adjuster to your tone. Just squeeze the needed amount of product into the foundation and blend it. Different adjuster colors will affect your coverage in different ways: yellow product shifts warmer, red shifts cooler, white color shifts lighter, and black — darker.
NYX Professional Makeup Total Control Drop Foundation Hue Shifter
NYX Professional Makeup Total Control Drop Foundation Hue Shifter
– Customizes your foundation shade drop after drop
– Gives clean, buildable coverage
– Blends easily with both brushes and makeup sponges
A detailed review of each product
Clinique Beyond Perfecting Powder Foundation + Concealer — The best mattifying full coverage
Clinique Beyond Perfecting Powder Foundation + Concealer
Category winner:
The best mattifying full coverage
Capacity: Texture: Finish: Applicator: SPF: Benefits | 14.5 g Powdery Matte The sponge None - The super lightweight powdery texture stays on until you take it off. - Gives great spot coverage without looking caked on. |
Pros
- Has matte full-coverage finish with a “glowing skin” effect
- Has the dual-sided sponge for easy on-the-go application
- Similar to mineral powder but more long-lasting and gives a better skin tone match
- 100% free of fragrance and oil
- Is suitable for all skin types, including oily
Cons
- For a more natural look need to apply with a brush
Not all owners of oily skin are ready to experiment with glowing skin, and we understand them. A matte, smooth finish is a natural request for this skin type. The product that is considered the most classic and understandable from this point of view is Clinique Beyond Perfecting Powder Foundation + Concealer.
It is the best in matting, has a powdery texture that lasts all day, and comfy sponge for quick touch-up and on-the-go application. It is similar in texture to mineral powder, but it stays in place many times longer. Yes, we said that there is no shine here, but there is a very delicate effect as if the skin glows from the inside. The only caveat is that you can apply a lot of product at once if you don’t get used to the sponge, so for a more natural finish, we recommend blending it with a large brush for foundation.
Maybelline New York Fit Me Liquid Concealer — Best covers all skin imperfections
Maybelline New York Fit Me Liquid Concealer
Category winner:
Best covers all skin imperfections
Capacity: Texture: Finish: Applicator: SPF: Benefits | 6.8 ml Buildable Matte The wand 18 - Has buildable coverage: you can always add more to get more texture. - Covers without being heavy. - Prevents premature skin aging because of the SPF 18 (sun protection factor). |
Pros
- Covers red spots without flaking
- Has an extensive palette of shades
- Gives a natural-looking matte finish
- Does not irritate sensitive skin
- Does not crease
- Is perfect for quick touch-up after work
Cons
- May require adding concealer throughout the day
Covering all skin imperfections is one of the main reasons why we recommend buying concealer. The best in this matter according to customers with oily skin is Maybelline New York Fit Me Liquid Concealer. Maybelline concealer is famous for its super comfortable buildable coverage: it means, you can always add more product, if you need more texture. This convenient feature allows you to adjust the degree of application and not overdo it, also always keep it in your purse in case of a quick touch-up after work.
The product covers red spots without flaking or being heavy. It also has an impressive palette of shades, allowing a person of any skin color to become its fan, unlike its “brother in concern” L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro Glow Concealer (review) with the small shade range.
Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer — The most economical to use
Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer
Category winner:
The most economical to use
Capacity: Texture: Finish: Applicator: SPF: Benefits | 18 g Thick, but lightweight Natural second skin None None - Can last you for several months even with daily use. - Has many use options: can be applied solo or mixed with your favorite skin moisturizer for a more flawless look. |
Pros
- A super tiny pinhead size amount is needed to use it in full strength
- Waterproof coverage
- Has lightweight natural second-skin finish
- Suits aging skin, because does not flow into the wrinkles
- Makes skin fresh and healthy-looking without caked makeup
Cons
- You may need to bake it with a small amount of powder to prevent the texture from slipping
Now it is the turn of the most economical product on our list — meet Mr. Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer. Loved by concealer fans around the world for record economic consumption, it impresses with a natural second-skin finish. By purchasing this concealer you can be sure that a super tiny amount is needed to use for full coverage. In this matter, he can be caught up with the Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer (review) — the tube of Estee will last you a long time too.
Also, its multifunctionality is important. Since The Sensual Skin Enhancer has a quite thick coating (but also lightweight), some customers like to use it by mixing with a favorite skin moisturizer. This makes the coverage thinner, like a veil, and gives the skin a fresh and healthy glow. However, the most important thing is that no matter how you use it, this product mattes very naturally at any degree of coverage.
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer — The most long-lasting coverage
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer
Category winner:
The most long-lasting coverage
Capacity: Texture: Finish: Applicator: SPF: Benefits | 7 ml Creamy Smooth & buildable The wand None - All-day wear with a flawless finish. - Will stay in place in hot or humid weather. - 14 hours without creasing. |
Pros
- Its formula is pretty flexible so can be applied thin or thick
- Easily covers dark age spots
- Does not dry out or crack through the day
- The oil-free coverage offers medium coverage that doesn’t transfer
- The tube of Estee will last you a long time
Cons
- The above-average price
Since most of us leave home for the whole day, long-lasting is the important criterion for concealer. Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer has a creamy texture with a smooth finish and calmly stays in place for 14 hours.
If you are looking for a product that will not melt and disappear in hot or humid weather after rain, then you’ve come to the right place. The concealer doesn’t dry out or crack through the day, covers age spots with no harm, that’s why it suits the aging skin. This Estee Lauder baby will serve you for a long time and will delight you with its economic consumption, just like the number one in this question Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer (review).
L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro Glow Concealer — Best brightens the under-eye area
L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro Glow Concealer
Category winner:
Best brightens the under-eye area
Capacity: Texture: Finish: Applicator: SPF: Benefits | 6.2 ml Ultra-blendable Glowing for up to 16 hours The wand None - Gently blends on the soft under-eye zone. - The smooth texture with a glowing finish easily covers the dark circles. |
Pros
- Its flattering light coverage brightens up under the eyes
- The thin formula gives a skin-like finish
- Great for “no makeup” makeup days
- Easily applies with the wand applicator
- Does not sink into fine lines
Cons
- The small shade range, however color adjuster (review) will help
Whatever is the reason for the appearance of dark circles under the eyes, they can be covered and lightened with the right product. L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro Glow Concealer is just what you need: it is lightweight, blends beautifully, and holds up well. Never cakes or accentuates fine lines, just really flattering light coverage that brightens up under the eyes. It also has a bit of a glowing, skin-like finish, which is perfect for supernatural nude makeup.
The product blends gently, being like the e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Concealer (review) in this criteria. If you are someone with oily skin who never thought she/or he would like a luminous product, just try the L’Oreal Paris concealer.
e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Concealer — The easiest blending
e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Concealer
Category winner:
The easiest blending
Capacity: Texture: Finish: Applicator: SPF: Benefits | 6 ml Creamy & quite thick Satin The wand None - Blends great with the skin via a moist sponge or just fingers. - Goes on smoothly with zero creasing. |
Pros
- Has perfectly balanced texture (not very thin and not very thick)
- Fits for contouring
- Does not emphasize fine lines
- Has a light feeling coverage
- Moisturizes the under-eye zone
Cons
- It may have a little chemical odor for someone
If you’re looking for a wallet-friendly concealer for everyday use, check out this little one by e.l.f. The main advantage of Hydrating Camo Concealer is its super balanced texture, which has the easiest blending in our top. It has roughly similar coverage as ultra-blendable L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro Glow Concealer (review), however, a distinctive feature of the e.l.f. product is the ability to blend it with a sponge or even with your fingers — it covers the skin smoothly equally well, regardless of which method of application you choose.
The concealer moisturizes the delicate area under the eyes and this even though it perfectly mattifies. Despite its velvety matte finish, it doesn’t accentuate fine wrinkles. With a texture that blends easily with other products and quickly adjusts to natural skin tone, concealer is also ideal for contouring.
Accessories to make your make-up with concealer better
Beautyblender Makeup Sponge
Super convenient to apply concealers with a wet sponge — the Beautyblender “egg” is a legend in the sponge world. It is suitable not only for creamy but also for powdery textures, quickly applies, making the coverage smooth and satin.
Beautyblender Liquid Cleanser for Cleaning Sponges
The main stage in facial care is the cleansing of sponges and brushes, as they are a favorable environment for bacteria to grow. As oily skin is prone to acne, this step should be number one. This cleanser removes excess product, dirt, and oil from blenders and brushes for a clean makeup application.
Energy Concealer Brush
For the pointwise coverage, you will need a brush with a smaller diameter. Energy Concealer Brush is ideal for blending the product under the eyes, as well as for contouring — contouring the nose in particular, covering areas where small capillaries are visible, etc.
Concealer do’s and don’ts: number one rules and what should not be done in any case
To have a clean, healthy face with a flawless finish, you need to follow some important rules, as well as remember the things that are strictly forbidden to do with the concealer.
Do:
- Choose the type of concealer that works for your skin type. For example, it is logical that for oily skin it is best to choose oil-free concealers, but if you don’t mind the glowing effect and don’t want a dense matte finish, you can choose a product with moisturizing properties.
- Choose an under-eye concealer a tone or two lighter than your foundation and natural face tone. This will make your eye zone brighter, lighten dark circles and create the right volume on the face.
- Feel free to blend! The bolder you are in this matter, the more natural the coverage will look.
- First, we apply the foundation and then the concealer to avoid creasing and looking cakey. Applying your foundation first gives you a smooth, blendable base to work with before you get to cover blemishes, under-eye zone, etc.
- Set your concealer with powder to keep it in place all day long. This is not a necessary step for every day, but the powder is great if you need to increase the concealer’s long-lasting.
Don’t:
- Forget to clean all your concealer sponges and brushes. Cleanliness is the most important thing to remember in makeup, so in a hurry and everyday life, we may not have time to wash our cosmetics regularly. If you did not have time to wash the sponge or brush, but you need to do the makeup and quickly leave the house, it is better to apply the product with your fingers, having thoroughly washed them before that. BUT NEVER use dirty tools on your face, as instead of a satin finish, you can cover your face with bacteria, especially the oily skin which is prone to acne.
- Forget to use a green concealer, which neutralizes redness and is helpful with rosacea.
- Forget to moisturize your skin before applying concealer and makeup in general. As they say — in any incomprehensible situation, moisturize your skin! This will help the product go on smoothly and blend easily.
Summary
When looking for a concealer for oily skin, you must first determine what makeup needs you want to satisfy. Someone wants only a matte finish, and someone, on the other hand, is not against a glowing texture even though she/or he has oily skin. For some customers is highly important a sufficiently dense full coverage to cover all imperfections or rashes, while others, on the contrary, yearn for the most natural tone.
Whichever qualities of a concealer you would prioritize, we found the best in every role. Our top-6 concealers for oily skin from $5 to $50 are based on the most popular criteria for users and include the following products:
Clinique Beyond Perfecting Powder Foundation + Concealer
Category winner:
The best mattifying full coverage
Maybelline New York Fit Me Liquid Concealer
Category winner:
Best covers all skin imperfections
Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer
Category winner:
The most economical to use
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer
Category winner:
The most long-lasting coverage
L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro Glow Concealer
Category winner:
Best brightens the under-eye area
e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Concealer
Category winner:
The easiest blending
FAQs
🏅 What concealer is best for oily skin?
The best concealers for oily skin in 2021 include:
- e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Concealer has the easiest blending.
- Maybelline New York Fit Me Liquid Concealer best covers all skin imperfections.
- Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer is the most economical to use.
Read our article about top-6 concealers for oily skin to get more info.
🧚♀️ How do you apply concealer on oily skin?
Use the wand or a concealer brush to cover the dark circles, red spots, and other skin imperfections. For additional coverage and smoothness finish, apply a layer of liquid concealer, then set it up with the powder for increasing its long-lasting.
👌 Is Maybelline Fit Me concealer good for oily skin?
Yes! It has an oil-free formula that conceals redness, flaws, and blemishes. It is also the best in covering skin imperfections, comes with the SPF 18, and gives a natural-looking matte finish. Find detailed information about this product in our article.
🥰 Is liquid concealer good for oily skin?
Liquid concealers are usually best for oily skin because they have a buildable texture, which allows you to adjust the degree of application and not overdo it. You also can choose an oil-free and waterproof formula, which suits hot weather and provides long-lasting.
🙈 Can I use concealer without foundation?
You can totally wear concealer without foundation, the main thing is to choose a product that will ideally fit the needs of your skin. More information about the best concealers for oily skin can be found in our article.