If I had to choose one makeup item as my all-time favorite, it would be concealer. I never leave the house without it. Much more than a product that covers dark circles and blemishes, it’s the backbone of my makeup routine. Because of that, I have several formulas on hand, but serum concealers are the ones I reach for most. These multitasking formulas disguise a sleepless night while infusing skin with ingredients that target concerns like dryness, fine lines and loss of firmness. They strike the perfect balance between makeup and skin care.
On days when you want a fresh, radiant finish over full glam, a lightweight, luminous formula can instantly brighten your complexion. Creamier, buildable textures, on the other hand, pair beautifully with full-coverage looks and still move naturally with the skin. To help you find the best formula for your needs, we tapped two celebrity makeup artists to break down the benefits of serum concealers and share their favorite picks.
Featured Experts
- Tayaba Jafri is a celebrity makeup artist and the global beauty director for Laura Mercier
- Kasey Spickard is a celebrity makeup artist
Serum Concealer Benefits
Serum concealers combine the coverage power of concealer with skin-loving ingredients. Put simply, they're hybrids. Not only do they cover dark circles and brighten the under-eye, but they also provide targeted care to the delicate area.
Many serum concealer formulas feature ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to hydrate and nourish, or peptides to help smooth fine lines and crow's feet. "Hydration is key under the eye and while a light eye cream smooths the area, these formulas blend easily and crease less," says Tayaba Jafri, a celebrity makeup artist and the global beauty director for Laura Mercier. Others include brightening ingredients like vitamin C and caffeine to invigorate the area.
These ingredients don't just benefit tired under-eyes—they're ideal for mature skin, too. "Serum concealers generally have a more fluid-like texture, are a bit more sheer and are more comfortable to wear than standard concealers," says celebrity makeup artist Kasey Spickard. The thin consistency makes them easy to apply and blend without tugging or settling into fine lines.
Serum Concealers to Try
1 / 7
"This concealer glides on like a serum while giving coverage that looks like skin. It has hyaluronic acid and Centella asiatica extract to keep the skin supple and calm redness. It's also non-comedogenic and silicone-free, making it a perfect concealer for sensitive and acne-prone skin," says Spickard.
BUY ON TOWER 28 - $24
BUY ON SEPHORA - $24
2 / 7
This formula is ideal for those who want a truly natural finish. It's creamy, not too watery, despite featuring a powerhouse mix of skin-care ingredients like botanical extracts and lipids. It's also designed to improve, not just cover, by addressing loose skin and dryness, and by protecting against environmental stressors.
BUY ON NORDSTROM - $33
BUY ON SEPHORA - $33
3 / 7
"This concealer uses a proprietary blend of vitamins, lipids and peptides that supports cellular renewal and helps reduce visible signs of aging," says Spickard. "It's packed full of hydrating ingredients like polyglutamic acid, squalane and hydrolyzed rice protein to improve elasticity and moisture. It also has great coverage and sits smoothly on the skin thanks to its super lightweight texture."
BUY ON VICTORIA BECKHAM BEAUTY - $68
BUY ON NORDSTROM - $68
4 / 7
L'Oréal rarely disappoints when it comes to drugstore makeup, and the brand's Radiant Serum Concealer is proof. It has a silky consistency that glides on and blends out easily. The finish lives up to its name, leaving your under-eyes radiant and lifted thanks to hyaluronic acid and caffeine.
BUY ON ULTA - $17
BUY ON AMAZON - $17
5 / 7
This formula has gained a cult-following for good reason. Not only does it cover without creasing, but it's formulated with stabilized vitamin C, like you'd find in an eye cream, and delivers just as impressive results. Think: brightening and evening tone, plus improving the look of fine lines.
BUY ON AMAZON - $32
BUY ON SEPHORA - $32
6 / 7
This caffeine-infused concealer instantly wakes up tired under-eyes while providing medium coverage. The cream flex technology also doesn't disappoint, as it hugs your skin without settling into lines. The resulting finish is natural but can easily be built up for a full-coverage look.
BUY NOW - $33
7 / 7
Lancôme's beloved concealer features an 81 percent serum base and ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, peptides and ceramides. The fluid-like texture applies like a dream and leaves your skin with a soft, yet natural glow. It even delivers a blurring effect when built up to full coverage.
BUY ON ULTA - $32
BUY ON SEPHORA - $32
