15 Best Makeup Products For Melasma, Hands Down
Melasma can be hard to deal with and especially hard to cover up. In this post, we rounded up the best makeup for melasma, including foundations, concealers and concealers that you should check out.
Those with melasma know exactly just how frustrating it can to search for makeup products that will conceal the brown and dark grey patches that look as if they’re trying to take over your face.
If you’re familiar with melasma, we’re so sorry you have to deal with it as we understand how disheartening it can be. For those who aren’t aware of what melasma is, it’s a type of hyperpigmentation that’s characterized by pesky dark patches or freckle-like spots. It occurs when your body overproduces the cells that make up the color of your beautiful skin – melanin.
Melasma can occur if it runs in your family, if you’re pregnant, if you’ve been exposed to too much UV radiation, hormonal therapy, or if you’ve been taking specific prescription medications.
Like many skin conditions, melasma likes to bother people who are genetically predisposed. It’s also more common in females than males, but at least there’s makeup to cover the patches.
When applying foundation and concealer to hide your melasma, be sure to start with a clean face and layer on sunscreen and primer first as this will make sure your makeup holds tightly onto your skin.
What To Look For In Foundations & Concealers
To cover melasma, you’ll most definitely need a product that’s more substantial than a light coverage concealer or foundation. Instead, choose a good foundation that provides full coverage, keeping in mind that you won’t need to apply the full coverage makeup all over your entire face, just over your dark patches.
Once you’ve selected a full-coverage foundation and concealer, use a beauty blender or sponge to apply it over your patches or your entire face, depending on your preference. Put a small amount of the foundation on the back of your hand and dip your sponge into it, then gently blot it onto your skin.
Depending on your type of skin and how bad your melasma is, you might need to add layers of liquid foundation for best results. Once the foundation is applied to your problem areas, you can layer on some good concealer if your skin isn’t looking even yet. Make sure that you blend your makeup well so that it looks natural before applying a powder if needed.
Melasma is very common and harmless, and it can resolve on its own or with the use of prescription hydroquinone. But in the meantime, there are several great makeup products at a reasonable price that can temporarily mask your patches, giving you the confidence needed to go about your day.
Without further ado, let’s get started with the best makeup for melasma.
The Best Makeup Products For Melasma: Foundations
1. Estée Lauder Double Wear
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The Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation ($43) is made with a full-coverage formula that won’t rub off or move around on your face until it’s washed off before bed. The foundation promises 24-hour, non-creasing, oil-free, matte wear, which means that it can handle any sweating or humid weather, making this one of the best foundations there is.
It’s dermatologist-tested so it won’t clog your pores or cause acne. Because it’s full-coverage, you might not need to apply multiple layers but if your melasma is very dark, you can easily layer this foundation.
For people with severe melasma, we recommend trying the Estée Lauder Double Wear Maximium Cover Camouflage Foundation which provides even more coverage.
This special foundation has been designed specifically for covering up tattoos, birthmarks, varicose veins, sunspots, and acne scars. It’s the real deal that can hide pretty much anything, and if you suffer from bad discoloration on your skin it’s definitely one of the best makeup products for melasma to check out. As a plus, it’s non-comedogenic too, meaning it won’t clog your pores.
2. Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Foundation
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This full-coverage foundation from Tarte comes in 46 colors so that everyone can have an even matte complexion, and so you can match your natural skin tone. The new formula has a whipped texture that can be easily blended to cover any imperfections or dark spots.
This foundation never creases or cakes and will minimize the appearance of pores, dark circles, fine lines, and wrinkles! Tarte’s foundation is made with sustainably sourced Amazonian clay, which provides lightweight coverage and a shine-free finish. It costs $39.
3. Too Faced Born This Way (Medium-to-Full Coverage)
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Not only do we love the name of this foundation but we love the buildable coverage that it offers. The oil-free foundation can be used for medium to full coverage that will stay on your face for 12 hours without smudging or fading.
When it comes to ingredients, the foundation formula contains hydrating coconut water, alpine rose to support the health of your skin, and hyaluronic acid to add moisture and give it a plump appearance. The foundation comes in 30 different shades and retails for $40.
4. Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer
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This 24-hour wear foundation provides makeup enthusiasts battling melasma with an oil-free, lightweight, full-coverage look. The Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation can double as a concealer as well. It doesn’t contain any fancy ingredients as its main purpose is to cover your dark spots, acne, and imperfections without budging over time.
So if you’re just looking for a foundation that will get the job done without any bells and whistles, this foundation is perfect for you. This product can be added to your makeup bag for $34.
5. Urban Decay All Nighter (Full Coverage)
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The All Nighter foundation from Urban Decay will provide your skin with a finish that’s matte, waterproof, and full-coverage.
The foundation is amazing when it comes to concealing scars, skin discolorations like melasma, and acne. The matte formula will work tirelessly to absorb any excess oil sitting on your skin so you don’t have to panic about blotting your face throughout the day. This product comes in 20 shades and retails for $40.
6. IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream with SPF 50+
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We love this foundation for several reasons. Not only does it provide long-lasting, color-correcting coverage but it also contains an SPF 50 mineral sunscreen that won’t leave your skin looking pale or feeling sticky, making this great for daily use. Melasma can worsen with unprotected exposure to the sun so an SPF is essential for ladies who are prone to it.
The IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ ($39.50) contains collagen for a smooth appearance, peptides to smooth fine lines, antioxidants to fight free-radicals, and more. Because this tinted moisturizer is so potent, all you need is one to two pumps for your entire face for a flawless look.
7. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless
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This full-coverage foundation is a cult favorite among makeup lovers as it’s weightless and long-lasting, which means it’ll survive your weekend nights spent bar-hopping. It’s also a hybrid between makeup and skin care for sensitive skin as it contains some of the brand’s unique ingredients that combat aging and hydrate your dry skin.
The longwearing, high coverage foundation has a matte finish that’s perfect for women who tend to have oily T-zones. The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Longwear Foundation comes in about a million different shades (well, almost!) and retails for $44.
The Best Concealers
1. Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Concealer
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What makes this concealer multi-use, you might ask? Well, it can be used to conceal, highlight, and contour. The concealer is weightless, full-coverage, and hydrating, which means that your skin won’t be feeling tight and dry after wearing it all day.
This concealer is known to even conceal tattoos so it will definitely handle your dark spots too, making this one of the best makeup products for melasma. When using this concealer to cover dark or hyperpigmented areas, gently blot it onto the skin until you achieve desired coverage. This cult-favorite only costs $30.
2. Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer
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The MAKE UP FOR EVER Full Cover Concealer is creamy, dreamy, and can be safely used on all skin types, especially those with dark spots and imperfections. This concealer is long-lasting and has a matte finish, which is perfect for people who are prone to looking a little shiny throughout their workday.
It’s waterproof, sweat-resistant, and oil-free so you won’t need to worry about it clogging your pores. The Full Cover Concealer costs $32.
3. bareMinerals BAREPRO 16-HR Full Coverage Concealer
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This concealer will cover up your skin’s imperfections for 16 hours—if only our hairstyles could last that long. The formula is waterproof, humidity resistant, and won’t crease into the fine lines you make with your facial expressions. Its ultra-creamy, plant-based formula will give you a natural and soft finish, concealing your dark spots and circles under your eyes.
In terms of ingredients, this concealer contains bamboo stem extract and antioxidants that will protect your delicate skin from free radicals and environmental damage. The formula is dermatologist-approved, won’t clog your pores, and has even been tested by ophthalmologists to ensure that it’s safe for use around your eyes. It costs $25.
4. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
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When shopping for the best concealer to cover your melasma, make sure you adjust the product filters to find products that specialize in covering dark spots. The NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer ($30) has an award-winning formula that will correct and contour any problem areas with results that will last up to 16 hours.
The product also has every shade available in a mini size so you can test it out before committing to the regular size. This is truly genius. The concealer provides an extremely natural finish and is suitable for all skin types.
5. E.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Camo Concealer
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If you’re saving up for a new car or trip to Hawaii, it might be best to opt for a concealer that won’t stress your bank account. This hydrating concealer by e.l.f. Cosmetics only costs $6 and will provide you with crease-proof full coverage.
The formula boasts a satin finish and successfully covers under-eye circles, dark spots, and other imperfections. The makeup brand is proud to be 100% cruelty-free and vegan so you can feel good about purchasing any of their products.
The Best Powders
1. IT Cosmetics CC+ Airbrush Perfecting Powder
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Not everyone feels comfortable wearing cream-based and liquid foundations, which is why makeup brands have branched out into creating powder foundations. The CC+ Airbrush Perfecting Powder from IT Cosmetics is full coverage and provides users with a natural, matte finish.
This buildable powder is free of talc and will even correct any dark or red colors on your face. The powder can be used to finish a look after applying concealer or foundation, or used as a buildable foundation. A jar of this Perfecting Powder costs $39.
2. MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
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This pressed powder foundation can provide you with a 12-hour matte finish while combating the greasy shine that can result in acne. Its long-lasting formula can reduce the appearance of pores, mattify oily skin, and will stay in your face for 12 whole hours without creasing, caking, or streaking.
Plus, this powder is resistant to sweat and humidity, making it perfect to bring along on tropical holidays or for wearing in the summer. Like other powders, it can be gently brushed over your foundation and concealer or worn as a stand-alone foundation. The MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation costs $35.
3. Wander Beauty Wanderlust Powder Foundation
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This pressed powder formula provides medium coverage and is suitable for all skin tones. Because it isn’t considered full-coverage, we suggest using this as a finishing powder or on days when your melasma is mild. The Wanderlust Powder Foundation is also made with a vegan formula that offers a matte finish.
For sheer coverage, apply this powder with a loose powder brush but for more intense coverage, we suggest patting it onto your face with a beauty blender or sponge. It comes in 11 different shades and depending on your skin tone, you can even purchase a few shades darker and use it as a mattifying bronzer that can be applied all over your face.
Don’t Forget This Tip
Investing in a beauty blender will make all of your makeup-applying experiences much more efficient and enjoyable. Before use, soak the sponge under cold water until it expands and then wring it out.
Once all the water is removed, you can dip it into your foundation, concealer, or pressed powder. But be mindful of how often you use your sponge and make sure that you wash it with antibacterial soap frequently to avoid transferring bacteria onto your face. A high-quality beauty blender costs around $20 but will last for months.
We hope you found this list of the best makeup products for melasma helpful! If you’re still looking for more beauty ideas, check the posts down below.
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Thank you for sharing best makeup products and surely I’m going to try it.