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Culinary

How Do I Choose the Best Powder Concealer?

By B. Miller
Updated May 17, 2024
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In general, concealer is manufactured most often in a liquid or cream formula, but for people with especially oily or acne-prone skin, powder concealer can be a better choice. When choosing the best powder concealer, it is best to consider whether or not you want one that actually contains acne-fighting ingredients, as these are available now. Other powder concealers might also contain sunscreen, which can be beneficial to the skin as well. Of course, another important factor is your skin tone; experts generally recommend picking concealer that is a bit lighter than your skin tone, especially if you will be blending it with foundation.

Powder concealer is not designed to be applied over the entire face; it is much too dense of a product for this purpose, and will look like it is caked on. Instead, it is used to hide particular problem areas, such as blemishes or dark circles. Powder concealer generally works best when it is applied right after a daily moisturizer, because it is easier to blend into the skin that way. Some concealers contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, so when they are applied to a blemish, they don't just camouflage it, but actually work throughout the day to heal it.

If you spend a lot of time outdoors, choosing a powder concealer with sunscreen might be a good bet as well. Most of them have an SPF between 5 and 15, and just add a little bit of extra protection. It is generally a good idea to use a daily moisturizer that contains sunscreen as well, and not simply rely on makeup to provide the protection. Many different types of foundation also include sunscreen as well.

Choosing a powder concealer that matches your skin tone is important as well; generally, going a little bit lighter than your skin tone will help to conceal problem areas, blend in with your foundation, and brighten your face if it is used under the eyes. Certain types of concealer may have undertones designed for specific problems. For example, a concealer with a greenish undertone can be a good way to disguise redness, such as from acne or rosacea, whereas a concealer with yellowish undertones may be better at disguising darker, bluish areas on the face, such as dark circles under the eyes or bruises. Choose a concealer that is easy to apply with a makeup brush or sponge, and one that blends well into the skin without clogging the pores.

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Discussion Comments

By fify — On Mar 03, 2012

@turkay1-- Look for a powder concealer without talc. Talc can also make the product sit in lines as well. If you get one that is made with silica instead, you won't have that problem.

The other thing you should look into is the various undertones in the powder concealer. You mentioned that you have bluish lines under your eyes. In order to get the best coverage, you need to use a powder concealer with peach undertones. Peach will cancel out the bluish appearance in your skin.

Everyone needs to think about this before picking out concealer. Peach tones are good for covering up blue, green tones for red, yellow tones for purple and so forth.

By discographer — On Mar 02, 2012

@turkay1-- I use a powder concealer and I'm happy with it. I don't have very dark areas on my face though. I just get puffy eyes and I have a couple of small acne blemishes that I cover up.

I think if you use a good concealer brush, it will cover up imperfections well. The brush definitely makes a difference. Still, powder concealer doesn't provide as much coverage as liquid ones do. But I can't use them because they break me out. Powder concealer has never broken me out or clogged my pores.

You are absolutely right about cream and liquid concealers settling into fine lines. That used to happen to me too! It's very annoying! It happens because cream and liquid concealers have oil in them. The oil prevents the product from remaining still on your skin and will move and collect into lines.

That's the great part about powder concealer. It stays where it is applied, it doesn't clog pores and it doesn't require touch ups during the day.

By candyquilt — On Mar 02, 2012

I've never used a powder concealer before. I have used a cream concealer and now, I'm using a liquid one. I think they work well but they always settle in the fine lines under my eyes. I have bluish dark lines under my eyes and I need concealer to cover them up. But in just an hour of applying it, when I check on my makeup, I see lines of settled concealer under my eyes. I have to keep blending them in throughout the day which is a huge pain!

That's why I'm considering trying a powder concealer. I don't know if powder concealer will be able to cover up my dark lines though. I use powder foundation and that doesn't cover them.

Is anyone using a powder concealer and is happy with the results? Do I need to pay attention to the ingredients when I'm picking one out?

Waiting to hear your recommendations ladies!

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