Best Makeup And Concealer
To Cover
Hyperpigmentation & Melasma
HOW TO COVER MELASMA & HYPERPIGMENTATION?
It can be very challenging and frustrating finding makeup to cover melasma, hyperpigmentation, and dark spots, especially while trying to maintain a natural look. Over the years I’ve found that many makeups and concealers cause an unpleasant grayish hue to dark spots. I’ve aimed to provide effective melasma makeup tips as well as the best makeup and concealer for melasma I’ve found.
Covering hyperpigmentation with makeup can be cumbersome so the key is finding the right makeup product, as well as preparing your skin properly. Concealers that cover melasma well tend to be tones such as peach and pink. Knowing your skin undertone is also helpful in choosing your foundation match. Oddly enough the color of your veins can actually help determine your skin undertones. Peach tones tend to mask the appearance of melasma and highlighters over affected areas can also help hide melasma. Make sure you are using an exfoliator 2-3 times a week to help slough off hyperpigmented dead skins cells. A fresh faced canvas will allow for your products to absorb better and your makeup to go on smoother.
Best Makeup And Concealer For Melasma:
Best Melasma Makeup with SPF: It Cosmetics CC Cream, $47.00
Overall Best Melasma Coverage: Dermablend Smooth Liquid Foundation, $42.00
Best All-In-One with Highlighting Effect: It Cosmetics Illumination, $47.00
Best Drugstore: Loreal Infalliable, $13.98
Best Concealer-on the go: Colorscience Color Corrector Palette, $59.00
Overall Best Concealer For Melasma: It Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye, $29.00
Best Concealer For Melasma Runner Up: Dermablend Cover Care Concealer, $29.00
Best For Reapplying Sunscreen Over Makeup: Colorscience Sunforgettable Brush-On, $59.00
Best Splurge: Colorscience Even Up, $155.00
Remember, when trying to cover melasma and hyperpigmentation that often less is more. Rather than layering hyperpigmented areas with heavy foundation and powders, try a small pea sized amount of concealer, allow that to absorb and then use a small pea sized amount of foundation over top. You can always add a little more if you need to so try starting with a small amount of makeup first. If your makeup is balling up over top of your serum and moisturizer you may not be applying products correctly and make not be exfoliating enough throughout the week. Beauty expert from Vogue Dhara Vora Sabhnani breaks down how to blend skin care products with makeup.
Check Out Musely to help reduce hyperpigmentation so makeup coverage is even easier!
OVERALL BEST MAKEUP TO COVER MELASMA WITH MINERAL SPF 50
IT COSMETICS CC+ CREAM
WHY I LOVE:
It serves as a duo SPF and full coverage. It’s very hard to find a makeup for melasma that has a physical sunscreen (most of them use chemical sunscreens) so this is a go to of mine.
Some makeup gives melasma a grayish tint, this makeup covers melasma beautifully.
It has anti-aging properties built in including hyaluronic acid, vitamin c and niacinamide
It’s lightweight yet provides full coverage for melasma, hyperpigmentation
This holds up during my workouts. This is a great sweatproof makeup for melasma. I sweat pretty hard in zumba and body pump and it holds up very well. My melasma darkens during workouts due to the heat but this covers melasma through the heat and sweat. Other makeups I have used sweat right off of me
You can match makeup shades to your skin color on their site
OVERAL BEST MAKEUP TO COVER MELASMA
DERMABLEND Smooth Liquid Camo
WHY I LOVE:
I love that Dermablend built in a mineral sunscreen into this foundation. It’s very hard to find a makeup for melasma that has a physical sunscreen (most of them use chemical sunscreens) so this is great although it’s SFP 25
Some makeups give melasma a grayish tint, this makeup covers melasma beautifully, it also tone matches so well. Some makeups I have to combine to get a color match but this color matches well on its own.
It’s lightweight yet does fully cover melasma and hyperpigmentation
Non-comedogenic so it’s great for sensitive skin with melasma
This holds up during my workouts! It continues to cover melasma, even through the toughest workouts
Although it’s mineral based it’s SPF is 25 so I would wear a sunscreen underneath unless you won’t be out in the sun
Best All In One Melasma Makeup: It Cosmetics CC+ Illumination
WHY I LOVE:
It Cosmetics has taken the guessing game out with this one as it includes 7 products in 1. This is great if you don’t like to fuss with primer, concealers and moisturizers.
Full-coverage illuminating foundation. This is an excellent makeup to hide melasma. It creates a highlighting effect which not only does cover melasma but also creates a beautiful glow
SPF 50+ UVA/UVB broad-spectrum physical sunscreen
Brightening color corrector for hyperpigmentation
Hydrating serum
Poreless finish primer
Moisturizing day cream (Contains Hyaluronic Acid which locks in moisture, supports visible elasticity, and diminishes the look of fine lines and wrinkles). Having an overall glowy and dewy look can help distract and hide melasma.
BEST DRUG STORE MAKEUP FOR MELASMA:
Loreal Infalliable
WHY I LOVE:
This is the best drug store makeup for melasma I have found. It’s cost effective but does also cover melasma.
It’s lightweight yet provides medium to full coverage for melasma, hyperpigmentation
They have 40 shades so you should be able to easily find a good match for your skin tone
Tip:
You do need to wear mineral SPF under but my Colorscience SPF goes on smooth under this
This makeup will not fully cover melasma but it’s a great drugstore alternative for a budget and you can layer.
Overall Winner-Best Concealer For Melasma & Hyperpigmentation
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye
WHY I LOVE:
This is the best concealer for melasma, it truly provides complete coverage and lasts all day
Anti-aging: In addition to covering melasma and hyperpigmentation, it is formulated with peptides, ceramides, antioxidants and hyaluronic acid so you’re getting anti-aging benefits as well. Reduce wrinkles, protect against free radicals, protect skin barrier and help promote skin elasticity.
In addition to covering melasma it’s great for concealing dark, tired, puffy eyes
It only takes a small amount of this concealer to cover melasma so it truly does last me quite a long time so I’d say this is great bang for your buck!
“Delicate under eye skin can develop bags and dark circles for many reasons including aging and sleep deprivation. I love Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer because it doesn’t just cover. It contains peptides, collagen and hyaluronic acid and creates a long-lasting, protective moisture barrier. Plus, the full coverage of concealer addresses dark circles and discoloration all in one.”- Dr. Flora Levin, Plastic Surgeon
Best Melasma Concealer-Runner Up
Dermablend Cover Care Concealer
WHY I LOVE:
This concealer is phenomenal at covering melasma, hyperpigmentation, and dark spots so it’s a must in your melasma makeup bag!
Goes on seamlessly under my foundation and does cover melasma all day long.
Doesn’t crease in wrinkles like most drugstore concealers. My largest melasma spot is across my forehead so often concealers settle in my forehead wrinkles (thanks to my two beautiful daughters) but this doesn’t.
In addition to covering melasma it’s great for concealing dark, tired puffy eyes
BEST CONCEALER FOR MELASMA
& HYPERPIGMENTATION ON THE GO
COLORSCIENCE MINERAL CORRECTOR PALETTE SPF 20
WHY I LOVE:
Name says it all- Colorscience truly has mastered the science of color! This handy palette is my to go to cover melasma. It beautifully camouflages, conceals and blends any hyperpigmention, dark spots, age spots
It comes with 5 shades targeted to neutralize color
I’m no expert at doing makeup so I love how easy Colorscience has made this to use. It takes the guess work out of trying to cover melasma as they have chosen colors targeted to conceal hyperpigmentation
It doesn’t clog my pores and is easy on my sensitive skin
I love using this on my puffy under eye dark circles. It helps the appearance of tired eyes and doesn’t crease in my wrinkles
How to reapply sunscreen over makeup?
Colorscience Brush-On Mineral Sunscreen
WHY I LOVE:
Often times when trying to reapply sunscreen over makeup, products tend to clump up or can give a very heavy makeup look. This sunscreen brushes on over makeup so easily and doesn’t give a heavy, caked-on look. Their ‘glow’ color brush-on has a highlighting effect so it not only provides mineral SPF 50 coverage but also gives a fresh makeup look and the highlighting effects covers melasma well.
As with all their products, color pigment adapts to your skintone. I use medium and love to add their bronze or glow. The glow helps mask dark spots
It’s convenient to bring everywhere. I always have one in my purse.
Mineral based, SPF 50 and is water resistant for up to 80 minutes. When I go for walks outdoor or workout outside I like to this as it doesn’t sweat off easily
Tips for applying:
Make sure you flip it over, tap a few times and flick the brush (flick the bristles to ensure the powder is flowing) prior to application.
Titanium Dioxide: 22.5%
Zinc Oxide: 22.5%
Sunscreen with Iron Oxide: yes
Best Melasma Concealer Splurge
How long is makeup good for?
Expired cosmetics can cause infection and irritation which will irritate melasma so it’s important to know when it’s time to toss your makeup. Some cosmetic brands mark their makeup with a number followed by the letter ‘m’ to let you know how long past opening their product is good for. If it’s not marked some guidelines by experts recommend liquid foundation is good for year, blush is good for 6 months. American Academy of Dermatology gives great guidelines for when makeup expires. Remember to never leave your makeup out in the heat, particularly if you’re relying on its built in SPF.
How often should you clean your makeup brushes?
Most experts, including Dr. Annie Chiu, board certified dermatologist, recommend cleaning your makeup brush or makeup sponge every 7-10 days’. There are spray makeup cleanser you can spray directly on your brush, rinse after and lay out to dry. For a more economical approach gentle cleansers such as baby shampoo are great for cleaning brushes. Makeup brushes can harbor bacteria and can lead to irritation, skin infections and flareup skin conditions such as melasma if not cleaned properly and regularly. Because melasma coverage requires full coverage foundations and or products that contain mineral based sunscreens I find it’s necessary to clean your makeup brush/sponge every 5-7 days.
WHY I LOVE:
Colorscience has mastered the art of covering discoloration from melasma, hyperpigmentation, dark spots. This hides melasma without leaving the grayish hue that some color correctors do.
Can use as your primary melasma makeup or as a concealer under your foundation
I love it’s added 50 SFP mineral protection. Mineral SPF is essential for maintaining melasma.
Doesn’t crease in wrinkles and goes on flawlessly under foundation
It is a splurge at $155 but it lasts me close to a year if I’m using it as a concealer under foundation and easily 3 or more months if I’m using as my foundation, and the coverage it provides is worth it!
Colorscience Even Up Pigment Perfector with SFP 50
Look for this symbol on your makeup products. This for example tells you your makeup expires 6 months after you open it
How To Cover Melasma: Achieving flawless makeup for melasma can be challenging due to the risk of products leaving a grayish tint on the skin. To optimize your results, follow these expert makeup melasma tips:
Start with a Fresh Face:
Begin by cleansing your skin with a gentle cleanser to create a clean canvas, to be sure you’ve cleansed off lightening products and night creams from the night before. Best facewash for melasma.
Apply Vitamin C and Moisturizer:
Boost skin brightness and UV protection by applying vitamin C followed the best moisturizer for hyperpigmentation.
Defend against melasma, hyperpigmentation, dark spots by applying the best sunscreen for melasma, offering essential protection against harmful UV rays.
Tinted mineral sunscreens don’t leave a white cast and blend well under makeup
Apply Concealer to hide melasma:
Target melasma-affected areas with color concealer; peach and pink tones are particularly effective in providing coverage for melasma.
Apply Full Coverage Foundation:
Achieve a flawless finish by applying a full coverage foundation. Dampen a makeup sponge for those with dry skin or use a makeup brush for those with oilier skin. My favorite brush for application is by It Cosmetics.
Consider Setting Powder:
Optionally, consider using setting powder to enhance longevity. Some individuals may prefer this step for a polished look.
These comprehensive makeup application steps address the specific challenges of how to cover melasma, ensuring a radiant and even-toned complexion.
In conclusion, mastering the art of makeup and concealer to cover melasma involves a strategic combination of skincare and cosmetic techniques. By adhering to a cleansing routine, incorporating brightening agents like vitamin C, and utilizing mineral-based sunscreens, you lay the foundation for a radiant complexion. Tailoring your makeup application with color correctors, particularly in peach and pink tones, followed by a full coverage foundation, allows you to confidently camouflage melasma-affected areas.
Remember, the key is to embrace your unique beauty and explore what works best for your skin type. Experiment with different products, application methods, and shades until you find the perfect combination that makes you feel your most beautiful and confident self.
Stay informed about new products and techniques in the ever-evolving world of beauty. Armed with the right knowledge and products, you can face each day with radiance and grace, confidently showcasing the best version of yourself. I hope you’ve found these makeup melasma coverage tips helpful. Treating melasma takes patience and time so in the meantime find the right makeup and concealer to cover your melasma so you can embrace your confidence! You are so much more than a spot on your face, be confident and know your worth!