Dry skin and concealer don't always mix—take it from someone who has combination skin that gets dry more often than not. Although it took me a while to find the right formulas that work for my skin type, I'm happy to report that there are more winners out there on the market than you think.
For starters, those with drier skin will want to look for formulas that provide long-lasting hydration, so no pesky cracks, creases or the dreaded flakes rear their ugly heads. Think hydrating concealers with added skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and shea butter can really help with dryness. You'll probably also want to avoid formulas that mattify since those are likely to make your skin even drier. And if you're looking for a good under-eye concealer, it's a good idea to look for a hydrating concealer for this area of your skin too.
Don't take my word for it, though. Makeup artists agree and have a few concealer recommendations for dry skin below. For all their picks and a few of my own favourites that I've tried and keep coming back to, keep scrolling. Then, head to the bottom for the best tips on how to apply them, from makeup artist Buster Knight.
The Best Concealers for Dry Skin
- Best Overall Concealer for Dry Skin: Dior Forever Skin Correct Full-Coverage Concealer (£34)
- Best Affordable Concealer for Dry Skin: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer (£10)
- Best Brightening Concealer for Dry Skin: Kosas Revealer Concealer (£28)
- Best Hydrating Concealer for Dry Skin: Beauty Pie Everyday Great Skin Hyaluronic Blur Concealer (£13)
- Best Blurring Concealer for Dry Skin: Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer (£36)
1. Dior Forever Skin Correct Full-Coverage Concealer
Key ingredients: Floral extracts, glycerin
Coverage: Full
Why we love it: Creamy, hydrating and lightweight on the skin, there are so many reasons to love Dior's Forever Skin Concealer. Alongside full-coverage pigment, it also contains glycerin, which works to hydrate dry skin while the rich formula melts in for a seamless finish.
Expert review: "This has a serum-like consistency that is perfect for dry skin. It provides lasting coverage and additional hydration, leaving a beautiful finish on the skin." —Sara Talias, editorial makeup artist
Pros
- Long-wearing
- Withstands heat and humidity
- Full coverage
Cons
- On the expensive side
- May be too heavy if you want sheer coverage
2. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer
Key ingredients: Goji berry, glycerin
Coverage: Light to medium
Why we love it: Maybelline's Instant Agre Rewind concealer has been a beauty editor favourite for longer than I can count; however, it's still one of the best concealers available, especially for its £10 price point. The formula is creamy and pigmented yet doesn't settle into fine lines or go cakey throughout the day. Plus, it's got glycerin again, making it perfect for dry skin types.
Expert review: "The Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer is a tried-and-true formula that creates a thin veil of coverage under the eyes. The light texture provides enough moisture for dry skin and lasts all day." —Talias
Pros
- Affordable
- Good for under-eyes
- Buildable coverage
Cons
- Hard to clean applicator
3. Kosas Revealer Concealer
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, caffeine
Coverage: Medium
Why we love it: If you're looking for an undereye concealer that won't crease or settle into fine lines, I'd highly recommend this one from Kosas. Alongside peptides, to plump and hydrate, you'll also find caffeine, which works to brighten dark circles as it conceals.
Expert review: "The Kosas Revealer Concealer is so dewy and creamy, creating a radiant finish for a dry under-eye area. I love the clean ingredients and the skincare elements. This is a great concealer to dot under eyes during the day." —Talias
Pros
- Extensive shade range
- Creamy formula melts into the skin
- Dewy, radiant finish
- Great underneath eyes
Cons
- Very dewy, so not the most long lasting
- My may too rich for oily skin types
4. Beauty Pie Everyday Great Skin Hyaluronic Blur Concealer
Price shown is member cost.
Key ingredients: Shea butter, olive fruits, hyaluronic acid
Coverage: Medium
Why we love it: A Who What Wear UK team favourite is Beauty Pie's Everyday Great Skin Hyaluronic Blur Concealer, which contains hydrating hyaluronic acid to moisturise and plump wherever you apply it. It has a creamy consistency that's so easy to blend before it dries down into a radiant matte finish that looks like your skin, but better.
Pros
- Contains hydrating hyaluronic acid
- Creamy texture
Cons
- Higher price for non Beauty Pie members
5. Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer
Key ingredients: Cica, chamomile
Coverage: Full
Why we love it: While all of the concealers on this list are expert when it comes to blurring and concealing blemishes, for a true blurring effect, I love this formula from Hourglass. The creamy texture turns almost powdery on the skin, leaving the skin looking perfectly blurred and blended with a soft-matte finish.
Expert review: "I love the Hourglass Airbrush Concealer. It is so creamy and hydrating for a dry under eye!" — Allison Kaye, celebrity makeup artist
Pros
- Highly pigmented
- Waterproof
- You only need a tiny amount
Cons
- May be too high coverage for some
- More expensive than others
6. Estée Lauder Double Wear Radiant Concealer
Key ingredients: Chia, camelina, and kukui nut oils
Coverage: Medium
Why we love it: You'll no doubt know how Estée Lauder's holy grail Double Wear foundation is one of the best long-wearing foundations out there, but if you're yet to try the concealer in the range, take this as your sign. It provides medium-to-full coverage and offers a radiant yet matte finish, making it ideal for both highlighting and concealing.
Pros
- Longlasting and hydrating
- Buildable coverage
- Transfer-resistant
- Radiant matte finish
Cons
- Some don't love the scent
7. Tarte Shape Tape Ultra Creamy Concealer
Key ingredients: Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, mango butter, prickly pear, avocado butter and shea butter
Coverage: Full
Why we love it: Tarte's cult-loved formula is my go-to everyday concealer. This particular version of the formula is great for dry skin because it provides the same amount of coverage with a few added hydration boosters like hyaluronic acid, mango butter, prickly pear, avocado butter and shea butter. I can also personally vouch for the fact that this formula never creases, cracks or flakes.
Pros
- Hydrating ingredients
- Easy to blend
- Full coverage yet lightweight
Cons
- Large applicator can be hard to use around the eyes
8. Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer
Key ingredients: Glycerin, rice extract, sunflower seed oil, lotus, white water lily and gardenia extracts
Coverage: Medium to full
Why we love it: Rare Beauty's Liquid Touch Foundation is one of my top formulas, and the concealer of the same name is equally as good. I love that it's so lightweight but locks in serious moisture with a blend of botanical ingredients like sunflower seed oil and lotus flower extract.
Pros
- Hydrating
- Brightening
- Medium to full coverage
- Long-wearing and sweat-resistant
Cons
- Frequently sold out
9. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
Key ingredients: Magnolia bark extract, grape seed extract
Coverage: Medium
Why we love it: A multi-active blend of magnolia bark extract, grape-seed extract and vitamin E in this formula helps to hydrate, firm and strengthen the skin barrier, making it a great option for dry, compromised skin. It's an iconic concealer that still stands the test of time, and the creamy formula is great underneath the eyes.
Pros
- 16 hours of wear
- Brightens under-eyes
Cons
- Not best for covering scarring and blemishes
10. Ilia True Skin Serum Concealer With Vitamin C
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, aloe leaf, mastic, albizia julibrissin bark extract
Coverage: Medium
Why we love it: If you're a fan of Ilia's cult-loved skin tint, the brand's serum concealer will also be right up your alley. It's infused with nourishing ingredients like vitamin C to brighten, aloe leaf juice and albizia julibrissin bark extract to promote smooth, supple skin. The creamy formula feels very hydrating and blends effortlessly.
Pros
- Weightless texture
- Hydrating
- Covers spots and scars
Cons
- Can crease under eyes
11. Milk Makeup Future Fluid All Over Medium Coverage Hydrating Concealer
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, caffeine, arnica
Coverage: Medium
Why we love it: Milk Makeup's Future Fluid is another creamy formula I love because I've never seen it crease once, and it smooths out the skin like no other. That's all thanks to powerhouse ingredients like hyaluronic acid, caffeine, aloe vera, and arnica in the formula that support and protect the skin barrier while adding a serious dose of hydration.
Pros
- Long-wearing
- Multitasking formula can be used all over
- Radiant finish
Cons
- Packaging is a little bulky
12. E.l.f Cosmetics Hydrating Camo Concealer
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, rose flower water
Coverage: Full
Why we love it: This full-coverage formula from E.l.f. hydrates and soothes the skin with hyaluronic acid and rose flower water. I've put this product to the test myself as well and really liked it for the price. It features a full coverage formula in a satin finish, which lends itself well to concealing your under eyes as well as blemishes.
Pros
- Affordable
- Extensive shade range
Cons
- Can oxidise slightly, so can appear warmer on skin
13. Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Face and Under-Eye Concealer
Key ingredients: Caffeine, vitamin E, glycerin
Coverage: Full
Why we love it: This is another favourite of mine, along with Armani's Luminous Silk Foundation. Both provide such a gorgeous finish on the skin. This concealer also provides up to 24 hours of hydration, so you can guarantee it won't crease or look crazy by the end of the night.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Hydrating
- Effortlessly blends into skin
- Great under the eyes
Cons
- On the more expensive side
14. Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra Longwear Concealer
Key ingredients: Green tea, cacao extract
Coverage: Light
Why we love it: Flawless Fusion provides up to 12 hours of crease-resistant wear and contains an exclusive blend of flexible, long-wearing polymers that are transfer-, sweat-, and humidity-resistant. Silk powder and silica also help create a smooth, light-diffusing film on skin that blurs the look of fine lines.
Pros
- Crease-proof
- 16 hour wear
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- Not for you if you want a full coverage concealer
15. Erborian Super BB Concealer
Key ingredients: Ginseng, niacinamide
Coverage: Full
Why we love it: A spin-off from Erborian's cult BB cream, this concealer brings together the skin-loving benefits of a serum with the coverage of a concealer. The medium-to-full coverage pigment is also packed with ginseng and niacinamide to calm the skin, making this ideal for use on breakouts or any pigmentation that may arise.
Expert review: "I'm obsessed with this concealer version of Erborian's best-selling BB cream—perfect for no makeup-makeup days. It works as well for brightening dark circles as it does concealing spots and scarring." —Grace Day, freelance beauty editor
Pros
- Long-wearing
- Contains SPF
Cons
- Limited shade range
16. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Liquid Concealer
Key ingredients: Glycine, Persian silk tree bark extract, wild indigo extract
Coverage: Medium
Why we love it: Makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury knows a thing or two about making products that work seriously hard in your makeup bag, and this concealer does exactly that. The hydrating formula is ideal for use on breakouts or undereyes; however, it can also be used to sculpt and contour, too — just choose your shade accordingly for your desired need.
Expert review: "If you like a concealer that multitasks as a skin-brightener and sculptor, look no further. This creamy formula is easy to blend, lasts all day (and night), and hydrates skin in the process." —Day
Pros
- Water-resistant
- Easy to use
Cons
- Small amount of product for the price
- Sponge is hard to clean
17. MAC Studio Radiance 24hr Luminous Lift Concealer
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and Vitamin C
Coverage: Medium
Why we love it: This MAC concealer is a skincare-makeup hybrid and is designed to work alongside their Studio Radiance Foundation, but it works perfectly with other bases, too. It is packed with nourishing ingredients that also brighten the skin over time, rather than just covering it up. It's very lightweight and has a radiant, luminous finish - there are pearlescent particles in there to reflect light.
Pros
- Great at brightening dark circles
- Makes eye area look more awake by adding a radiant luminosity.
Cons
- Not buildable, so if you want full-coverage, this is not the one for you
18. Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Concealer
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, gentian root, coffee leaf and licorice extracts
Coverage: Medium to full
Why we love it: Westman Atelier's concealer is lightweight and offers buildable medium-to-full coverage. It looks like real, dewy skin and doesn't require a powder to set it. This skincare-makeup hybrid plumps and firms the under-eye area, as well as offering superb coverage.
Pros
- Buildable
- Looks like real skin
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not that great a shade range
- More expensive than most concealers
19. Vieve Modern Radiance Concealer
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin
Coverage: Medium to full
Why we love it: Vieve's Modern Radiance Concealer was created by MUA founder Jamie Genevieve, so the formula is perfection. The coverage is buildable, and it does a great job of concealing dark circles and redness, as well as plumping and moisturising the skin. It has a natural skin finish.
Pros
- Good shade range, created by a makeup artist
Cons
- Has a thicker texture than many other concealers
What Are the Benefits of Using a Concealer?
"Concealer is basically your little magic eraser," explained makeup artist Buster Knight, "It helps brighten under-eyes, cover dark circles, hide blemishes, even out redness, and just makes the skin look more awake and polished. It lets you target the little areas foundation doesn’t fully fix, so the whole face looks smoother without having to pile on loads of product."
What Should Someone With Dry Skin Look for When Choosing a Concealer?
"If your skin leans dry, you want something that adds moisture, not steals it," says Knight, "Look for words like hydrating, creamy, radiant, or serum concealer. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane, or vitamin E are great — they help the concealer sit nicely instead of cracking. Avoid super matte, long-wear formulas because they can cling to dry patches."
What's the Best Way to Apply Concealer If You Have Dry Skin?
"Prep is everything," explains Knight. Here are his top tips for applying concealer on dry skin:
- Start with eye cream or a hydrating moisturiser — give the skin a drink first so the concealer glides on instead of grabbing.
- Use a small amount at a time — dry skin loves thin layers. Build slowly if you need more coverage.
- Blend with a damp sponge or your warm fingertips — the warmth or moisture helps melt the product into the skin so it looks fresh, not flaky.
- Go easy on the powder — if you do set it, use just a touch of a fine, hydrating powder.