Maybe you ran out of concealer, forgot it somewhere, can’t afford one, or you are just curious. But there are creative ways to conceal imperfections without using a concealer. Concealer alternatives or concealer substitutes may require some testing or some getting used to. But they can help you out of a jam.
But it all depends on what you need them for. The good news is I’ve covered them all! If you simply want to know what you can use instead of a concealer for your eyes or for your face, I’ve listed different concealer substitutes.
If you’re looking for actual products to use instead of concealer, I’ve rounded up some of those, too. Either way, you won’t leave here empty-handed.
What to Use Instead of a Concealer
1. Foundation
First and foremost, if you have a foundation, you can absolutely use it as a concealer. To substitute your face concealer, take a small amount of foundation and gently dab it onto areas that need coverage, like blemishes, scars, or dark spots. Blend it well for a seamless finish.
For under-eyes, your foundation needs to be a bit lighter than your skin tone, since under-eye concealers are typically a shade or two lighter to help brighten the area. So, ideally, a lighter foundation works best as an under-eye concealer alternative.
If that’s not an option, your regular foundation may look too dark under the eyes. In that case, use a minimal amount and blend thoroughly. When in doubt, apply it all over the face to even things out instead of just under the eyes.
Keep in mind that some foundations, especially matte or full-coverage ones, can look heavy or cakey under the eyes. So apply only one light layer because anything more will settle into fine lines and guarantee creasing.
There’s a reason this foundation, Clinique Even Better Makeup SPF 15 in shade Alabaster, is among my all-time favorites! It’s a liquid formula with a light coverage, and the consistency is so versatile! Like, it gets dewy when I apply a radiance-boosting skincare underneath. Either way, a very thin layer of this will work like a medium-coverage under-eye concealer.
2. BB Cream, CC Cream, Tinted Moisturizer
Beauty balms (BB), color-correcting creams (CC), and tinted moisturizers are the most underrated makeup products. They’re the easiest way to up your base game.
The best thing about them is that they can be used all over the face. And you apply them just like you’d apply a moisturizer. Plus, they blend in seamlessly!
So, just like foundations, BB creams, CC creams, and tinted moisturizers can be used as a substitute for face and under-eye concealer. You can spot-conceal acne, pores, and dark spots. You can also use them to brighten up your under-eyes.
I like the Origins Tinted Moisturizer SPF 40 for this method because I can even out my skin tone with one single product! This is gym-friendly and suitable for everyday makeup. It’s got great staying power, too! It takes a few minutes for it to settle and show its color, probably because of the sunscreen in it. But once it settles, it looks super flattering!
3. Color Corrector
Even though the term CC is often used interchangeably, there’s actually a difference between color-correcting creams and color correctors. Color-correcting creams are usually skin-tinted, while color correctors come in bold shades like green, pink, and orange, and aren’t skin-toned.
Color correctors are available in various forms, such as cream, powder, liquid, or even pen. And they work by canceling out unwanted hues rather than covering them directly. So, they conceal without actually concealing.
This neutralizes discoloration and creates a more even base, making them an alternative to concealers, too! For example, green color corrects redness on the face, while peach and orange tones help disguise dark circles and hyperpigmentation.
Most people use color correctors as a first step, then layer foundation and/or concealer on top. But if you want to skip foundation and concealer altogether, try this: Apply a small amount of color corrector only to the areas you want to fix, then blend thoroughly until the colored tint disappears.
This is a purple-tinted color corrector, Erborian CC Dull Correct, suitable for use all over the face! I can just slather it on, including the under-eye area, and move on with my life! The tint helps with uneven skin tone and dullness, making concealer completely redundant!
4. Contour Kit
If you have a contour kit lying around, you might want to check it out for available shades. Personally, I have a couple of contour kits I bought, thinking that I’d be all over the trend. But I left them in my cabinet basically to expire.
But here’s the point, contour palettes have both lighter and darker shades to highlight and contour. For example, there’s always something yellowish or beige and something dark like bronzer.
And between those lighter shades, there’s a chance that one of them will work as a concealer for your complexion. And if you’re lucky, you can try the shades to see if you can use them under your eyes too.
Because those shades are amazing for concealing discolorations and dark circles under the eyes. But because you won’t be using a concealer, remember to go slow and apply in small amounts.
5. Powder
Powder foundations and concealers are there for a reason. They provide coverage, work especially well for oily skin, and can work as substitutes for concealer!
You can use a powder foundation as a concealer to cover up blemishes and pores on your face. The trick is to start very slowly and build.
Otherwise, the shade will look out of place, and you will need to do your whole face, which is a bummer if you’re going for a no-makeup makeup look.
But if you need something for your under-eye area, you can use a tinted powder or a translucent setting powder. The former will provide coverage if you have discolorations, and the latter will work like a skin-smoothing powder.
Remember to moisturize and use a hydrating under-eye cream in advance to avoid flakiness and patches. And wait for your eye cream to fully absorb before going in with your powder.
6. Spot Treatment
Tinted spot treatments are exceptionally great substitutes for a concealer when your end goal is to cover up acne. Because they not only help you treat the problem but also provide cosmetic benefits.
Obviously, the trick is the tint that looks like makeup. While skin-tinted spot treatments work like a regular concealer, green-tinted spot treatments work like color correctors!
Additionally, there are acne patches you can use to conceal pimples. But know that no matter what people say, it’s really difficult to make them look invisible, except for maybe when you’re on Zoom.
Your choices are pretty limited with this option, and the results may not be as flattering because most spot treatments are not formulated with cosmetic concerns. But still, keep this method in mind for when you need to get creative.
7. Tinted Eye Cream
Tinted eye creams are the best substitutes for under-eye concealers. They care for the eye area, but actually provide coverage too.
Most of them come in pink, peach undertones to cancel out under-eye circles. So they’re like color-correcting products with extra skincare benefits.
And if you’re trying to give up makeup altogether, a tinted eye cream is the best replacement for your concealer.
8. Tinted Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a skincare staple. But tinted sunscreens are next-level products. They literally make you less dependent on a foundation for makeup. So if you have one lying around, now is the perfect time to make it work double duty.
Because tinted sunscreens are not only excellent foundation alternatives but also excellent concealer alternatives. You can get a little bit of your product to spot-conceal areas on your face and blend it for an even base.
9. Lipstick
Last but not least, this can be a great hack when you’re in urgent need of some concealer but don’t actually have one. Creamy lipsticks, depending on the shade, can help you with both under-eye concerns and skin concerns.
A very light nude shade can brighten up your under-eye area, whereas deeper shades can be used to hide discolorations on the face.
Though they can’t give you coverage, they can reduce the look of discolorations. The same thing applies to lip liners, too!
So these are some of the best concealer substitutes that generally work very well. You might be tempted to do your DIY product and mix your moisturizer with powder. Well, I say no! That’s a terrible idea. We can’t even find the right product with the right texture with a thousand options to choose from. What makes you think that you’ll get it right with DIY? Plus, you’ll be wasting your products. So, as much as it sounds tempting, a DIY concealer almost always fails.
Some of these options are a bit experimental, and obviously, they won’t be as effective in providing coverage as using concealer. But if you ask me, your best bet is #2. Try a multi-purpose product like a tinted moisturizer, which can be used for anything and anywhere on the face.
Best Concealer Alternatives for Face
If you’re looking for a way to conceal without a concealer or just trying to replace your concealer with something lighter, more natural, and versatile, below are the best concealer alternatives you can use for your face.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Pro Pencil
This is a real makeup bag must-have. This pen comes in different shades and can be used practically all over the face. You can highlight the brow bone and the inner corners of your eyes. You can also use it as a concealer to shape eyebrows, just like an actual concealer! It’s super creamy and can be used to erase blemishes, spots, and red areas on the face.
Finish: Matte
Coverage: Full
Shades: 3
Size: 0.087 oz/2.4 gr
Good to Know: Paraben-free
Nudestix Nudies Tinted Blur Stick
This is a multi-purpose makeup stick you can use instead of a concealer. For our purposes, as long as you choose the right shade, it can work wonders on the skin and make you go (almost) completely makeup-free. You can use it to amplify the coverage of your foundation, spot conceal acne, blur out pores, and simply prime the face.
Finish: Natural
Coverage: Light
Shades: 11
Size: 0.2 oz/6.2 gr
Good to Know: Paraben-free, vegan, cruelty-free
Erborian CC Red Color Corrector
Before saying anything about this, know that if you’re looking for alternative products that multitask and don’t feel like makeup, Erborian is the brand to try! This is a green-tinted base product you can use as a foundation, color corrector, and light concealer! You can use it on your entire face or simply apply tiny dots to spot conceal. It adapts to your skin tone, provides light coverage, and looks incredibly skin-like!
Finish: Natural
Size: 1.5 oz/45 ml
Good to Know: Paraben-free
Best Under-Eye Concealer Alternatives
If you need something for the under-eye area, find below the best concealer alternatives for the eye area.
Tula Rose Glow & Get It Cooling & Brightening Eye Balm
If you’re looking for a substitute for a brightening under-eye concealer, this will do the trick. This is an under-eye balm to hydrate and moisturize. But it’s low-key pink-tinted and has a dewy finish. This helps you to look more awake and fresh, while the tint helps with minor discolorations. It’s packed with caffeine to help with dark circles, and hyaluronic acid and other humectants to plump up the eye area. And it can be used on both lighter skin tones and darker skin tones without the need for anything else.
Size: 0.35 oz/10 gr
Good to Know: Paraben-free
Smashbox X Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector
In case you didn’t know, Becca is out of business. It’s farewell to some of the best highlighters ever. However, Smashbox acquired two products from Becca. Because they were that good! And one of them is this under-eye brightener. It’s like a highlighter for the under-eye area. The shade Light simply brightens the eye area and color corrects minor discolorations. However, the pigments go deeper as you go from light to deep. And deeper shades will definitely require a concealer or another product. So get the lightest one to color correct without the need for concealer or foundation.
Finish: Radiant
Coverage: Full
Shades: 4
Size: 0.15 oz/4.5 gr
Good to Know: Vegan, cruelty-free
Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35
If you’re looking for a concealer alternative because you want to focus more on your skincare, swap it for this one! You don’t need to let go of coverage because this is insanely versatile! This is a tinted under-eye sunscreen. It provides mineral SPF and amazing coverage! It comes in different shades and cancels out discolorations under the eyes, so you don’t need to apply anything over it!
Shades: 4
Size: 0.23 oz/7 mL
Good to Know: Paraben-free, vegan, fragrance-free
Read Next: Best Drugstore Tinted Moisturizers
