No nuance here. Green concealer is exactly as it sounds: a full-coverage makeup product with a green tint designed to neutralize and conceal redness. “Green concealer is ultimately used to counteract red tones in the skin using complementary color theory,” says Pelfrey, referring to the color wheel where red sits directly opposite to green. 

Green Concealer Benefits

Green color-correcting concealer works its magic by not only neutralizing red tones but helping to reduce the amount of concealer needed overall. “When you find it hard to camouflage a stubborn red blemish, the green will cancel the red tones, and you wont need to use as much regular concealer on top,” explains Pelfrey. While most use green concealer to help cover acne, it can also be used to counteract localized redness caused by rosacea, broken capillaries, psoriasis, or dermatitis. In some instances it can be helpful for under-eye circles if they appear predominantly red. However, most cases of dark circles will benefit from light pink or peach-toned concealers.  

As a bonus, many green concealers today contain additional ingredients that can help calm the inflammation that’s causing the redness in the first place—like the Shape Tape™ Corrector from TARTE COSMETICS, which boasts ginseng, licorice root, and Amazonian clay. Others are designed to make the color-correcting process as smooth as possible with matte or satin finishes to allow that extra layer of your regular concealer to weightlessly sit on top without looking cakey. For this, we love the KIMCHI CHIC BEAUTY The Most Concealer in 24 Green. 

How Does Green Concealer Work?

Because green and red are color opposites, the green pigments help negate redness and create the appearance of an even skin tone. Because of this color-correcting theory, green concealers are often found in concealer palettes that contain additional shades (like peach, yellow, or lavender) that help correct other skin discolorations like dark circles and dark spots, hyperpigmentation, or sallowness. Extra shades can aid color correction for a wider variety of undertones and skin types. 

Luckily, green concealers can easily be found in drugstores, online, and in higher-end cosmetics shops, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to get your hands on one that works for your needs. 

How to Apply Green Concealer

Applying green concealer is a little more involved than just swiping and going on your way, but with the right steps and techniques, you can quickly cover up those pesky red spots.

1. Prep Overnight

Consider this your extra-credit step. Sometimes we don’t have the luxury of knowing when or where redness might pop up, but overnight prep can make a world of difference when you’ve got inflammation that just won’t quit. 

As an example, Pelfrey recommends popping on a hydrocolloid patch to help heal and reduce swelling from pimples. Alternatively, you can incorporate targeted skincare treatments to help alleviate your particular cause of redness (like rosacea, eczema, or general sensitivity). 

2. Hydrate the Skin

One of the biggest risks of using green concealer is the potential for the multiple layers of product to appear caked on. I cleanse and hydrate the skin very well before layering on correctors and concealers,” Pelfrey tells us. “The step of hydration will prevent the blemish from appearing flaky.”

We prefer to use a moisturizer with redness-reducing properties, like the ELEMIS Superfood Cica Calm Hydration Juice that helps calm and prep the skin for smooth makeup application. 

3. Apply Foundation

Once your skin is fully plumped and prepped, you can go in with your usual foundation. Use a makeup sponge, fingers, or foundation brush to gently apply the foundation without tugging at the skin. This will help to create a more natural, skin-like finish.

4. Spot Correct with Green Concealer

Before you go straight in with your concealer, Pelfrey has a very important PSA to not apply the product directly from the tube if you’re covering a blemish. “If you dip into the product and apply directly to an active breakout you are spreading bacteria that could cause more breakouts. Instead, use the back of your hands or a pallet to get the product out, then apply with a brush.”

For this, Pelfrey prefers to use a liquid concealer formula with a precision brush to dab a small amount of product onto the red area and let it sit for a moment. “I like to use a liquid green color-corrector concealer, that way I can allow it to dry down before I blend it,” she explains. “They seem to layer nicely with concealer on top to match the rest of the complexion.”

Another Pelfrey pro tip? “Less is more when color correcting.” Maintain a light hand to use as little product as possible—and only use green concealer on the spots that need it.  

5. Layer a Skin-Tone Concealer

Opt for a liquid concealer that matches your foundation shade, then use a makeup sponge for a seamless cover. “I use a beauty sponge to gently tap that shade over the green and blend the edges into the surrounding area,” says Pelfrey. Again, keep a light hand to avoid disturbing or smudging the layer of green-colored concealer underneath. 

6. Set with Translucent Powder

After you’ve finished the rest of the beauty products in your makeup routine, like highlighter, bronzer, or blush, it’s time for setting powder. Take a fluffy powder brush to give a light dusting of translucent powder—this will help keep the concealer from slipping and sliding around, offering a longer-lasting makeup look. 

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