The invention of zit stickers has seen Zillennials across the globe confidently walk into public spaces with Victorian-style patches in various colours, shapes and designs ranging from kaleidoscopic stars to bright yellow smiley faces stuck on various areas of the face.
We’ve nothing against this rebellious act of reverse psychology, whereby one draws attention to an otherwise unseemly zit with a fun and funky distraction – but we personally prefer those simple, circular and almost invisible options.
We say almost invisible because, while highly effective, zit stickers don’t offer the same seamless camouflage that a premium concealer can. But an angry zit doesn’t want to be suffocated with harsh ingredients, or it will only get angrier. So where does that leave us?
Let us introduce you to the sensitive and acne-prone skin approved essential that is water-based concealer and foundation, which is far less likely to clog pores or cause any additional irritation unlike common silicone-based alternatives. While silicone-based makeup may offer longer-lasting results and a more blurred effect, water-based options provide a natural, hydrating, non-cakey and kind-to-skin approach to concealer.
What's the difference between water-based and silicone-based concealer?
“Water-based concealer has water as one of the main ingredients. Because water-based products generally feel lighter on the skin they are often the preferred option for those with acne prone or sensitive skin,” says Faith Hobson, buying director at makeup superstore Lookfantastic.
On the other hand, “Silicone-based makeup uses silicone as one of its main ingredients which gives it a silk-like texture. You'll often find a lot of 'pore vanishing' primers contain silicones as a key ingredient because of their ability to fill and smooth fine lines and pores,” Hobson explains.
How do I know if a concealer is water-based?
“With a bit of practice, you can quite easily tell by the difference in texture between the two,” says Hobson, “but one way to be sure is to check the ingredients list. For water-based products you'll find water/aqua as one of the first ingredients whereas for silicone-based products you'll need to look out for ingredient names with words ending in cone, conol, silane or siloxane.”
Can I use a water-based concealer with a silicone-based foundation?
“We'd recommend keeping your primer, foundation and concealer either all water-based or all silicone-based to reduce the impact of your makeup separating,” the expert suggests.
Without further ado, we’ve curated a selection of the best water-based concealers on the market below.
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Erborian Super BB Concealer-Serum
Leave skin-stressing, dryness-causing concealers behind, there are new formulations on the market that treat our complexions while working their concealing magic. Korean label Erborian is beloved for its skin-makeup hybrids and the new Super BB Concealer-Serum may overtake its CC Crème as your new favourite product.
As the name suggests, it was designed to act as a serum, brimming with potent ingredients like niacinamide and white ginseng complex to brighten and smooth skin as it imparts the tint. Apply on blemishes or dark circles and it nourishes without settling into fine lines. There is also SPF 25 for built-in protection.
Buy now £28.00, lookfantastic
Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer
LA-born label Kosas was founded by makeup artist Sheena Yaitanes to create cosmetics products that are kind to the complexion at the same time. The concealer applies with a light coverage effect to ensure that this is your skin - just clearer, brighter and plumper.
The ingredient line-up of caffeine, pink algae, arnica, peptides and good ‘ol hyaluronic acid work overtime to improve the quality of your complexion at the same time as offering the pigment power you’d hope for.
The creamy texture melts into the skin - even dry - without creasing, flaking or caking with a barely-there feel. No wonder it’s already had the seal of approval from Hailey Bieber to achieve her everyday makeup look.
There are 39 shades.
Buy now £25.00, Cult Beauty
Glossier Stretch Concealer
Applied onto dry skin, the creaminess of Glossier’s Stretch Concealer won’t cause your skin to crease or flake. Your first step in creating a light woke-up-like look, the texture can be blended with fingertips to the parts of your face that need it and you may even find your foundation resigned to the back of your dressing table. Layer up to create the amount of coverage required as it begins as being very light but this makes it infinitely wearable.
As with all makeup, good preparation is key so make sure you moisturise pre-application and set with powder to further the long-lasting results.
Choose from 32 shades.
Buy now £22.00, Glossier
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Concealer
Back in 2017, Rihanna changed the beauty space forever, unveiling 40 shades of her Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, one of the most diverse ranges on the market.
This was closely followed by concealer where she followed suit with a pleasingly inclusive selection of colourways. Like the foundations, it provides a full coverage - although has the miraculous ability not to crease or settle into fine lines, which is quite a feat.
As you would expect, it works hard to conceal the likes of blemishes or redness and is long-lasting to boot.
Buy now £23.00, Boots
Armani Luminous Silk Concealer
A favourite among makeup artists, the duo of Armani’s foundation and concealer is unstoppable. As the name suggests, it glides onto the skin with a silky smooth texture, sitting without settling and forming a veil over imperfections.
The base product even includes caffeine in the formula to energise the skin, which will come especially welcomed around the eyes after a sleepless night. There’s also vitamin E and glycerin to nourish and hydrate so that it appears natural on the skin, instead of cakey.
Buy now £30.40, lookfantastic
Rose Inc Softlight Luminous Hydrating Concealer
Another celebrity beauty brand but like Selena Gomez, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has paid special attention to the formulations so it cares for the skin, while still doing what it is intended to.
Working with your skin, it glides on, imparting the nourishing benefits of vitamin E and squalane to protect and hydrate as well as using colour-correcting botanicals to balance discolouration with a blurring effect. The formula doesn’t clog pores but instead looks luminous with soft coverage. Go easy on the amount that you use to prevent caking.
There are 20 shades.
Buy now £15.60, Space NK
Milk Makeup Sunshine Under Eye Tint + Brighten concealer 6ml
After the huge success of the Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint, the founders of Milk Makeup got to work creating a specialised formula for the delicate eye area that still offers the weightless light coverage and dewy finish of its full-face predecessor.
Choose one of the seven available shades and click to release a flow of product onto the antimicrobial glass rollerball applicator. This not only has a cooling effect when it comes into contact with the skin but also encourages the product to smooth on seamlessly with a second-skin texture.
The three in one product covers, hydrates and brightens for an all-natural finish - no caking here. Radiance-boosting vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and squalane are included in the formula as well as antioxidant-rich sea buckthorn berry oil and soothing golden turmeric.
As with the entire Milk Makeup range, this product is entirely vegan and cruelty and paraben free.
Buy now £26.00, Sephora
