What is the composition of an under-eye concealer?

The concealers are cosmetic products designed to conceal dark circles and imperfections. Their formulation combines covering agents, solvents, oils, emulsifiers, and sometimes active ingredients. Whatever their shade, these concealers are engineered to provide a smooth application, good staying power, and comfort on a particularly delicate area of the skin.

• Aqueous solvent and humectants.

  The base of a concealer is often an aqueous phase that acts as a solvent to combine the various ingredients and ease application. Water (INCI: Aqua / Water) is the main component, sometimes enriched with hydrosols or plant extracts known for their soothing properties, such as chamomile water (Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water) or cornflower water (Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water). Humectants, such as glycerin, are often added to retain moisture and to prevent the delicate eye contour from drying out.

• Oil phase and emollients.

  The oil phase plays a key role in concealer coverage and adhesion. It often contains plant-derived oils, such as jojoba oil (Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil), sweet almond oil (Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil) or the Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, which soften the skin, facilitate pigment application, and improve tactile feel. These emollients also help limit transepidermal water loss in this fragile area.

• Emulsifiers and stabilizers.

  To ensure the cohesion of the formulation and the stability of the emulsion, surfactants and stabilizing agents are incorporated. For example, glyceryl stearate (Glyceryl Stearate) or cetearyl olivate (Cetearyl Olivate) are included. These ingredients help maintain a uniform texture and prevent separation of the aqueous and oil phases.

• Pigments and opacifying agents.

  Pigments are essential for effectively camouflaging dark circles and evening out skin tone. Concealers mainly contain micronized mineral pigments, such as titanium dioxide (CI 77891) for opacity and light reflectance, and iron oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) to achieve various shades from beige to brown. In some cases, synthetic pigments or pearlescent particles may be added to correct bluish or purplish undertones of dark circles.

• Thickening and texturizing agents.

  To adjust consistency and facilitate application, thickening agents such as xanthan gum (Xanthan Gum) or magnesium aluminum silicate (Magnesium Aluminum Silicate) are incorporated. They allow the formulation to develop a creamy, easy-to-blend texture that remains in place without migrating into fine lines.

• Preservatives and antioxidants.
  Like all water-based cosmetics, concealers require preservatives to prevent microbial proliferation. Many exist, but for example one can mention phenoxyethanol (Phenoxyethanol), criticized for its potential irritancy, or potassium sorbate (Potassium Sorbate), generally better tolerated. Antioxidants such as vitamin E (Tocopherol) can also be added to protect oils and pigments from oxidation.

• Active ingredients.

  Some under-eye correctors combine immediate concealment with long-term treatment and incorporate active ingredients with hydrating, firming, depigmenting, or blood-circulation–stimulating effects. They may involve hyaluronic acid, peptides, retinoids or even plant extracts.

At Typology, we have formulated a tinted concealer that can be considered a hybrid between skincare and makeup. Indeed, this formula, containing 97% naturally derived ingredients, provides high coverage for immediate camouflage of dark circles and imperfections, while also including actives that help reduce long-term signs of fatigue. Typology's tinted concealer features three main active ingredients: the caffeine, a molecule known for its ability to stimulate microcirculation and thus reduce vascular dark circles, the niacinamide, which helps restore the skin's barrier function, and the cornflower hydrosol, offering a decongestant action to the eye contour.

The precise composition of Typology’s tinted concealer and the function of each ingredient are presented in the table below.