Best Drugstore Acne Concealers

Medically reviewed by

on September 17, 2020

Do you want to camouflage your blemishes? You need a good acne concealer. Luckily, you don't have to look too hard or spend too much for a decent makeup concealer. In fact, you can find them at many discount chains, drug stores, even the grocery store. And since they're all usually available for under $10, they're a real bargain.

Some concealers even contain acne-fighting ingredients to help heal pimples as well as hide them. But if you are currently using any topical acne treatments, you should take care when using medicated concealers. Watch for dryness, peeling, flaking, or skin irritation. Scale back use or switch to a non-medicated brand if any of these symptoms develop.

Physicians Formula Concealer Twins

Positives: This concealer is two concealers in one. One side is a green color corrector to tone down the redness of active pimples and those red spots left by older blemishes. The other is a concealer to match your skin tone.

First, use the green color corrector. Pat to blend, then cover with the concealer.

This concealer is hypo-allergenic, fragrance-free, and noncomedogenic.

What needs improvement: This concealer duo is only available in fair or light shades. If your complexion is medium to dark, you may be out of luck with this brand.

Neutrogena SkinClearing Oil-Free Concealer

Neutrogena concealer — Photo from Amazon

Positives: This is another medicated concealer that contains 0.5 percent salicylic acid to help heal pimples while it conceals. It's also oil-free The soft pen-like applicator makes it easy to apply and blend the concealer.

What needs improvement: There aren't many color choices. If your complexion is medium to dark brown, you probably won't be able to find your perfect shade.

Almay Clear Complexion Concealer

Positives: It contains the highest percentage of salicylic acid of the bunch (1.0 percent), so it may heal pimples more quickly than the other medicated concealers. But the higher percentage salicylic acid means, for some people, this may make it too drying.

If your skin starts to peel or becomes irritated, try using the concealer less often, or choose a different concealer with a lower percentage of salicylic acid.

This concealer also has ingredients to help absorb excess oil, and chamomile and aloe to help reduce redness.

What needs improvement: Again, those with darker complexions won't find a good match for their skin. The darkest shade available is medium.

Rimmel Hide the Blemish Concealer

Positives: This is a non-medicated concealer stick, so if medicated concealers are just too drying or irritating for your skin, you'll be able to use this one without issues. It can be used under the eyes to conceal dark circles as well.

The tube makes it easy to apply either directly from the stick or, even better, a stiff makeup brush.

What needs improvement: The coverage is a little light, so it may not camouflage a very angry red pimple.

The color options are more varied than the concealers above but, yet again, those with darker complexions are left out. They have five shades from ivory to golden beige.