Unlike the famous beauty filters overused on social media, our skin is not an even-toned, spotless canvas. There is discoloration, blemishes, sallowness, pigmentation, and other skin woes that need to be color-corrected with the right products. Here's where the best drugstore color correctors step in. As per our practical experience, color-correctors are a great option for mitigating skin imperfections that might pose an uneven skin texture and complexion, or some kind of discoloration that may peak through the foundation. 

The art of optimally applying a color corrector lies in the principles of color theory. Opposite hues and shades cancel each other on the color wheel. Initially, the nitty-gritty might seem daunting; however, once you get the hang of the right colors based on your skin complexion and undertones, there’s no going back from flawless makeup. Here’s a lowdown based on our expertise: use a green color corrector to cancel any redness caused by rosacea and camouflage under eye darkness, for almost all skin tones. To brighten dullness in light skin tones, a pinkish-hued color will do the trick, while a yellow will work for light to medium skin tones. For neutralizing dark circles, dark spots, and unwanted blue discoloration for light to medium skin tone, a peachy-apricot is recommended. A slightly darker red-hued color works best for deeper skin tones. For concealing paleness and yellow tones, a lavender or purple shade will fit the bill. 

Read on to access our Editor’s favorite list of drugstore color correctors — from creamy palettes to liquid formula-based products, there is something for everyone.

• 1
  Best overall

  NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Color Correcting Palette

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Featuring six color-correcting concealers approved by makeup artists, NYX’s palette works efficiently to correct and conceal for a flawless base. The all-in-one palette offers six creamy blends that are highly pigmented, blendable, and buildable. From correcting discoloration to covering under eyes and blemishes and combating sallowness, there is a color concealer for each trouble spot on your skin. The formula camouflages any imperfections, allowing you to achieve an even complexion.

2

Best for Oily Skin

DERMABLEND CONTINUOUS CORRECTION CREAM

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Experience confidence in a tube with DERMABLEND’s Continuous Correction CC Cream. More than makeup, it’s your shield – this oil-free wonder offers full coverage and SPF 50+, harmonizing your skin tone seamlessly. Specially crafted for sensitive souls, it’s a gentle touch yet a powerhouse. Use makeup wipes designed for sensitive skin to cleanse, letting your skin breathe after a day of perfection. Dermablend is more than foundation; it's a canvas of confidence, and with sensitive-skin wipes, it's makeup freedom at your fingertips.

3

Best multi-tasking cream

Physicians Formula Super CC

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This multi-tasking tube by Physician’s Formula is the best drugstore find to pop in your bag. The multi-purpose CC cream has micro color-correcting pigments as well as high-tech anti-aging properties. Ideal for everyday use, you can apply this formula as a tinted moisturizer and an SPF. With light coverage, yet a buildable application, blend this CC cream into your skin for blurring imperfections, smoothing skin texture, and correcting blemishes, dark circles, redness, discoloration, and other skin woes. You can easily apply the lightweight cream with your fingertips and achieve that youthful-looking complexion.

4

Best combo pack

LATORICE One Step Color Corrector

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If you love a multi-purpose product as much as we do, then the LATORICE one-step color corrector might be the one for you. This is a three-in-one gel serum primer that is infused with a swirled, helix formula. Three color-correcting pigments work together to brighten, smoothen, and even out the skin complexion. Gently apply the emollient to create a natural-appearing, sunblock layer on the skin. Being devoid of harsh chemicals, this product is suitable for all skin types.

5

Best application

MAYBELLINE NEW YORK Master Camo

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The cult-favorite drugstore pick, Maybelline New York’s color-correcting pen is a targeted solution, available in six shades. The creamy corrector is imbued with pure-color pigments. Based on your skin’s needs, you can choose the particular corrector or stock up on multiple pen tubes. Whether you wish to brighten the skin complexion, combat sallowness, cancel out redness, neutralize dark spots, or blur any skin imperfections, there is a targeted pen to cater to the skin problem.

6

Best color range

it Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Illumination

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Treat your skin with IT Cosmetics’ illuminating, multi-purpose cream. On trying this product we found that it works like a full-coverage foundation, and is an ideal pick for creating a luminous base makeup. The formula is composed of ingredients that also make it an anti-aging serum and it offers sun protection with SPF 50+. The micronized light-reflecting pigments lend the skin a natural and dewy finish. Among its correcting and concealing features, the CC cream blurs the appearance of acne spot marks, blemishes, wrinkles, redness, and pores. The blend is enriched with hyaluronic acid, peptides, and hydrolyzed collagen to offer skincare goodness.

7

Best for Ease of use

e.l.f. Cosmetics Color Correcting Stick

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Another drugstore fan-favorite is this creamy formula by e.l.f. Cosmetics. Offering a seamless and blendable coverage, this stick works to neutralize any color skin perfections. From concealing dark circles and hyperpigmentation to balancing redness, sallowness, and dullness, this product is a one-stop solution. Give your skin the goodness of vitamin E and a boost of hydration while creating the perfect base for your makeup routine.

8

Best Lightweight formula

VASANTI Liquid VO2 Color Correcting Concealer

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If you are someone who is into liquid-based makeup and in search of a targeted dark-circle eraser, this correcting concealer by VASANTI will fit the bill. Offering natural coverage that is lightweight on the skin, this formula seamlessly camouflages any skin imperfections and concerns. Suitable for all skin types, the luxurious texture is easy to apply and blend and offers a buildable coverage. Use an application brush for a flawless and radiant finish and youthful-looking skin.

9

Best drugstore Choice

Hanskin Blemish Cover: Apricot

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Concealing and covering dark circles is one of those concerns that most girlies struggle with. Using the right red-toned corrector will aid in camouflaging the under eyes. Enter, the apricot blemish cover by Hanskin. This semi-matte, drugstore color corrector for dark circles has a creamy texture, offers full coverage, and profusely evens out skin complexion by concealing the under eyes and correcting any dark spots. The pink-toned effect is perfect for that flawless finish, while the high-moisture feature works to leave the skin feeling hydrated. The shade Apricot is ideal for medium skin tones and shade Rosy is recommended for lighter skin tones.

10

Best pigment

stila Correct And Perfect All In One Color Correcting Palette

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Another creamy palette under our radar is this great offering by Stila. The color-correcting, all-in-one pan has five velvety smooth emollients that work individually as well as combined to efficiently conceal any skin imperfections. Covering dark circles, brightening dull skin, neutralizing redness, and covering pigmentation are a few of the many things one can achieve with a buttery glide of these correctors. Peach, pink, yellow, green, and orange are the color shades that one can find in this palette. The compact also features two pressed powders — yellow and lavender. These two powders can be used to set correctors or applied all over for brightening or evening out the complexion.

11

Best with contour shades

UCANBE Exquisite Concealer Palette

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Color correcting meets contouring in this multi-purpose palette by UCANBE. Featuring eight blendable creamy colors, this palette offers all the shades a makeup junkie would need. Achieve a radiant and natural finish with this blendable and smooth formula that is suitable for almost every skin type. You can highlight your features or sculpt the countenance while also spot-correcting, concealing, and neutralizing any skin imperfections with these shades. The formula is lightweight and lasts long. 

Pro tip: Mix the shades to create your own customized skin shade.

12

OURN Correct and Perfect: Matcha

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Matcha, hibiscus, and seaweed? No, we aren’t listing your beverage ingredients! You will find a blend of these extracts in JOURN’s Correct And Perfect tube. This emollient is enriched with active skincare ingredients and vitamins to deliver soothing, sebum-balancing, and anti-aging benefits. This skincare-infused makeup in the shade Matcha is meant to regulate redness on the skin and conceal blemishes, while also working to improve the skin texture over time. For other skin concerns, you can choose from the five shades available in this range.

After learning about the vital role of color correctors in makeup, you might be up for grabbing one yourself. Before you click on the buy link, here are some tips to follow.

Color: There is one color based on your skin tone to cover, conceal, neutralize, and camouflage a particular skin problem. For instance, a red or orange shade works best to conceal dark circles, and so on. If you need a single corrector, there are such options available, whereas, if you need more than one, there are multi-purpose palettes offering a variety of useful creamy shades. As per our contributor Ghanima Abdullah, a renowned hair and beauty consultant color corrector can be slightly lighter than the skin tone, but it should never be darker or it might leave a muddy color.

Ingredients: Peruse the product labels in order to find the most suitable pick. Based on your skin’s texture and type, you need to figure out the right formula, finish, and ingredients for a color corrector. If you have sensitive skin, opt for products that are free from parabens, mineral oils, and harsh chemicals, and are hypoallergenic. Having an SPF spectrum in your product puts the cherry on top with skin protection. 

Talking about ingredients, our contributor Ghanima Abdullah, says, “As your color corrector will either go directly onto your skin or under the first layer of your foundation, you must make sure to have one that is moisturizing and non-sensitizing. Having moisturizing ingredients will help keep your skin from drying out under so many chemicals. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid can help. Ingredients like chamomile can help keep your skin from breaking out under the weight of different layers.”

Finish: Primarily there are creamy, liquid, powder, and gel-serum-based textures available in color correctors. Go for options that match your skin type and skin needs. Those with oily skin must go for oil-free and non-greasy formulas with a semi-matte finish. If you have dry skin, a hydrating and illuminating recipe will deliver the best results. 

The key to achieving flawless skin and a natural-looking finish is strategically using the right color corrector and applying it to targeted spots. The market is brimming with the best drugstore color correctors that deliver high-quality results. There is an effective fix for each skin imperfection that can be color-corrected and concealed with these vibrant makeup essentials. Remember that you need a little amount to blend and melt seamlessly with your skin and layers of concealer and foundation. The priming products are available in multiple formats with multi-purpose labels and incredible results. Based on your skin complexion and skin type, grab the right emollients for that porcelain-makeup effect.

Contributor: Ghanima Abdullah, Cosmetologist, The Right Hairstyles