To find the best concealer for men, I tried about 10 different concealing products. Some of the picks below were designed specifically for men, while others are traditionally marketed to women. Cosmetic products like tinted moisturizer or sunscreen can be used daily, while other concealers are made for emergency cover-ups. Let’s dive in.
The Best Concealer for Men, at a Glance:
Best Concealer for Men, Overall
Horace is a French skincare brand that uses as many natural ingredients as possible in its formulas. We’ve become big fans of this brand here at GQ, and the brand makes a discrete concealer with a matte finish. Unlike some of the other concealers we tried, the product doesn’t shine, providing a subtle camouflage for blemishes and dark circles. While you have seven different color options, it doesn’t come with an applicator, but you can blend the product with your finger or a Q-tip in a pinch.
Best Concealer for Dark Circles
GentleHomme’s concealer was a close runner-up for the best overall spot. It’s a unique product, with a concealer on one end and a fine-haired makeup brush on the other. We liked that the concealer is about the size of a penny. The wider diameter makes it easier to apply to dark circles in particular. The built-in brush here lives under a cap, and it quickly blends the concealer into the surrounding skin. Although we recommend this as the best concealer for dark circles, it did have a very slight shine upon close inspection, which is why it’s in the runner-up spot.
Best Concealer Stick
Concealer sticks are a great thing to keep on hand, since they’re practical tools for quick coverups. The Stryx pen was made for men’s skin, and it’s easy to use—even for cosmetic newbies.
Best Tinted Sunscreen
CeraVe’s the best, isn’t it? The brand makes skincare products that just work—and without the usual markup. This tinted sunscreen also works as a moisturizer and a foundation layer, if you’re going full glam. As a moisturizer, it contains niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and restore your skin. As a mineral sunscreen, it protects your skin, and as a tinted sunscreen, it subtly hides red spots, dark spots, acne, and more. CeraVe recently updated this product, so make sure you’re buying the right version and color for your skin tone.
Best Tinted Moisturizer
Makeup artists enthusiastically recommend tinted moisturizers, which even out your skin while providing extra hydration. When you have more than one blemish to hide, an all-over moisturizer like this adds just a little bit of color to your mug. In our testing, just a little of this product went a long way (use too much, and it will be slightly cakey), and it provides a natural look that doesn’t give away the game.
Best Blemish Concealer
Here’s a genius idea: An acne spot concealer that also contains salicylic acid to fight breakouts at the source. Neutrogena’s blemish concealer fights and hides embarrassing pimples. We also liked the built-in applicator sponge, which makes it easier to apply and blend this product, especially for guys still getting used to concealers.
Best Traditional Concealer
This concealer brush costs just $7, and it’s a good option for makeup beginners—e.l.f. is a brand that’s well known for its affordable and reliable beauty products. This concealer lives up to its name, providing all-day coverage that won’t require constant touchups, even if you start to sweat. You can also choose from over a dozen color options. The color will likely seem too light at first, but it blends surprisingly well once you spread it out. Crucially, it has a true matte finish.
How To Use Concealer for Men
Before we get into step-by-step instructions, let’s cover the basics. If you’ve never applied a cosmetic product like this before, don’t be intimidated: It just takes a little practice. You can also find a world of advice on YouTube and TikTok, or by asking your more makeup-savvy friends. First, as with any job, you need the right tools. Some concealers come with a brush built into the product; others require a makeup brush or sponge to properly apply. You’ll also need some type of cleansing balm or wipe to remove concealer at the end of the day, for the sake of your pores. Note: Since concealer is a waterproof product, regular facial cleansers won’t be enough.
Your first assignment—pick a concealer that matches your skin tone. Don’t just look at the skin on your face, either. Look at the color of your palms and the inside of your arms. If you’re covering up dark circles, you’ll want to err on the side of a lighter tone. Once your concealer arrives, gently pat or rub a small amount of the product to the desired area. Then, using a makeup brush or sponge, gently pat it into place. Keep going until the product blends into your skin. You can also use a tinted moisturizer or sunscreen instead of concealer. This provides an all-over coverup and evens out the skin tone of your entire face. Use a conservative amount of product at first, and build from there.