Beauty editor Georgia Day has tested eight concealers on mature skin, covering everything from dark circles to blemishes, to find the formulas that really hold up.
As skin ages, it becomes drier, thinner and more prone to lines and wrinkles, which means a concealer needs to work harder. Day says she needs a concealer that can cope with worsening sleep habits causing deeper, darker circles in her increasingly fragile undereye area, more noticeable sunspots and a recurrence of hormonal spots.
How the concealers were tested
Each product was worn under the eyes and on any hotspot areas of discolouration such as around the nose, as well as on any spots and blemishes. Each one was tested on clean skin with no other base products, although an SPF was used under each. Day wore each product for varying lengths of time and applied each one with both fingers and a brush or sponge.
Day prefers a creamier texture that blends easily and doesn't sit too heavily in fine lines and creases. It also needs to be fluid enough so that it doesn't sit unnaturally atop blemishes and dry them out.
The top performers
Charlotte Tilbury's Airbrush Flawless Blur Concealer (£31, Selfridges.com) was named best overall for mature skin. Day described it as one of the best concealers she has tried, noting its creamy, hydrating texture that covers everything with very little effort and doesn't budge. It works well in lieu of a foundation for a lighter base layer.
Vieve Skin Nova Concealer (£28, Cultbeauty.co.uk) was best for dark circles, impressing Day with its brightening capabilities and fluid texture that blends out very well and lasts all day.
Poco Beauty Skintuition Concealer (£23, Selfridges.com) was best for blemishes, offering full coverage with a thick and creamy formula that dries down to an almost powder-type consistency.
Jones Road Wide Awake Brightening Concealer (£27, Libertylondon.co.uk) was best for discolouration, a creamy formula made specifically for the undereye area that feels featherlight on skin.
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Longwear Hydrating Gel Stick Concealer (£26, Cultbeauty.co.uk) was best for staying power, managing to be properly hydrating while providing good coverage and genuinely staying put all day.
Final verdict
Day was impressed with how modern all the concealers felt, with added skincare ingredients to ensure the product went on smoothly and supported skin health. She also praised the shade ranges and attention to undertones.
Two concealers stood out as ones she would unequivocally buy again and again. The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Blur Concealer is a game-changer, meaning she wears less base products like foundation and tinted moisturiser as a result. The Very Valentino Concealer (£31, Sephora.co.uk) was a revelation, leaving her skin looking radiant and fresh.
