Color-Corrector Primers Counteract My Redness-Prone Skin—10 Top Buys for the Best Results
Makeup-artist approved.
I don't know about you, but it takes close to nothing for my sensitive skin to react to pretty much anything with redness. Whether I'm washing my face, putting on my favorite moisturizer, or getting a calming facial, my skin, nine out of 10 times, will be red by the end of it. There are also just some areas on my face that are pretty much always red no matter what (like around my nose for example). And although concealers and skin tints tend to do a good job at hiding it, I can still sometimes see it showing through.
Admittedly, it can be frustrating to deal with redness and other forms of discoloration like dark spots, dark circles, etc. The good news is that color-correcting products exist to make the process a lot easier. “Color corrector is what I reach for when concealer alone is not enough,” says celebrity makeup artist Reneé Loiz. “It neutralizes discoloration like dark circles, redness, or hyperpigmentation, so you can use less concealer and the skin still looks natural and even.”
These hero products are absolute lifesavers, but how you apply them is equally important (more on that below). First, read on for the top 10 makeup artist– and editor-approved color correctors that work for any skin type and tone.
The Best Color-Correcting Primers, at a Glance
- Best Overall: Dr. Jart+ Mini Cicapair Soothing Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30 With Centella Asiatica Extracts
- Runner-Up: Erborian CC Red Correct Green Color Corrector
- Best Powder: Givenchy Prisme Libre Blurring & Color-Correcting Matte Pressed Powder
- Best for Dark Circles: Nars Light Reflecting Eye Brightener
- Best Stick Formula: Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wearing Color Corrector Stick
The Best Color-Correcting Primers of 2026
Best Overall: Dr. Jart+ Mini Cicapair Soothing Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30 With Centella Asiatica Extracts
Our top pick takes the number one spot for several reasons. For starters, it's relatively budget-friendly at less than $30. Additionally, it doesn't just serve as a color corrector. This formula with centella asiatica and SPF 30 works primarily as a treatment to reduce redness. The fact that it can be worn under foundation as a primer is just the cherry on top of what it can do long-term.
Pros: A little goes a long way
Cons: A bit thick to some users
Key ingredients: Centella asiatica, SPF 30
Shade range: 1
Finish: Natural
Customer review: "I liked the texture and how it smells. It helps my skin a lot, and the ingredients are very good for treating my face."
Runner-Up: Erborian CC Red Correct Green Color Corrector
This is one of Loiz's top picks, and like the option from Dr. Jart+, it's also affordable. "This is one I like for overall redness rather than spot correcting," says Loiz. "It evens things out nicely and works well as a base before foundation when skin just needs calming." This one also contains SPF 30 to protect skin against damage from the sun.
Pros: Has SPF, reduces redness
Cons: Not as ideal for acne-prone skin
Key ingredients: Centella asiatica, SPF 25
Shade range: 1
Finish: Natural
Customer review: "Easy to apply, color matching is on point for my pale skin. Hides my rosacea without looking like I applied layers and layers of foundation. Really amazing product."
Best Powder: Givenchy Prisme Libre Blurring & Color-Correcting Matte Pressed Powder
If a powder is more your speed, you'll appreciate this pick from Givenchy. It's available in six different shades, with each one containing a mix of four shimmery shades that color correct while providing a medium matte finish. "This is great when you want subtle correction without adding more cream product," says Loiz. "It helps balance tone and brighten the complexion overall, especially when you want everything to look even but still very skin like."
Pros: Has a blurring effect
Cons: Expensive
Key ingredients: Mica
Shade range: 6
Finish: Matte
Customer review: "This pressed powder is worth every penny! This is my favorite product ever!! It gives your skin a smooth silk finish that is flawless."
Best for Dark Circles: Nars Light Reflecting Eye Brightener
If color-correcting your under-eyes is your main concern, consider this formula from Nars. "This is great when the under-eyes just need a little help rather than full correction," says Loiz. "It brightens and softens at the same time, so you often do not need much concealer afterward." The makeup-skincare hybrid contains key ingredients like chromatic pearls, bidens pilosa extract, and hyaluronic filling spheres.
Pros: Easy to layer
Cons: Can go on a bit thick
Key ingredients: Chromatic pearls, bidens pilosa extract, hyaluronic filling spheres
Shade range: 6
Finish: Natural
Customer review: "This will definitely be repurchased. Goes on smoothly and brightens my under eyes. I don't mind that it creases like other under eye products. Perfect for everyday use."
Best Stick Formula: Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wearing Color Corrector Stick
"Bobbi Brown has a huge range of shades, which makes finding the right match much easier," says Loiz. "This formula corrects without looking heavy, so it still feels very skin like once concealer is on." This is also great for anyone who lives an on-the-go lifestyle since the stick packaging is compact and great for travel.
Pros: Comes in many shades
Cons: May not sit as well on dry skin
Key ingredients: Coffee seed extract, salicornia
Shade range: 12
Finish: Natural
Customer review: "Always going to restock this product. I’m on my third stick, Goes on beautifully and stays put!"
Best Multipurpose: Live Tinted Huestick Color Corrector
I'm a big fan of Live Tinted and swear by the brand's Complexion Stick to cover my under-eye circles (you can find my full review here), but I'd be remiss to not mention the 4-in-1 Huestick Color Corrector. "This works beautifully on Southeast Asian skin, especially when there is deeper discoloration under the eyes or around the mouth," says Loiz. "I also love the crayon shape because it makes application fast, targeted, and easy to control." Bonus: You can use this on your lips, cheeks, and eyes for buildable color that lasts all day.
Pros: Easy to apply, multiuse
Cons: None
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid
Shade range: 4
Finish: Demi-matte
Customer review: "Using this for the first time as a color corrector. I will say, this has been amazing at covering my blemishes and helping my foundation to look MUCH BETTER! So far, so good."
Best Liquid Formula: Huda Beauty #fauxfilter Brightening Under Eye Color Corrector
"This is my go to because of the creamy texture and the color range," says Loiz. "It melts into the skin and dries down smoothly without getting streaky, which makes it really easy to layer concealer on top." Trust that this crease-, sweat-, and transfer-proof formula from Huda Beauty lasts all day.
Pros: Comes in many shades
Cons: On the pricier side
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, niacinamide
Shade range: 8
Finish: Natural
Customer review: "Really like this corrector. The texture is smooth, lightweight, and easy to blend. Cherry Light helps cancel darkness while still looking natural. My concealer applies more evenly and lasts longer. My favorite one!"
Best Palette: Stila Correct & Perfect All-in-One Color Correcting Palette
If you prefer a palette over buying a product that offers just one shade, you'll love this option from Stila. This one comes with five sheer-to-medium shades that are buildable and make color correcting easy. The bottom two panels are setting powders to even skin tone and set your cream.
Pros: Comes with several colors
Cons: Pricey
Key ingredients: Arclay Youth Revival Bio-Available Mineral Complex
Shade range: 1
Finish: Natural
Customer review: "Fabulous product. Doesn’t cake on mature skin. A little goes a long way. Easy to mix and blend. Staple in my makeup routine."
Best Natural Finish: Winky Lux Peeper Correct Peach Color Corrector
This cream corrector from Winky Lux comes in two shades. You can get this peach version for concealing dark spots or the green version for redness. The vitamin E soothes skin while the hyaluronic acid locks in moisture. It offers buildable coverage that lasts the whole day.
Pros: Affordable
Cons: Only comes in two shades
Key ingredients: Vitamin E and hyaluronic acid
Shade range: 2
Finish: Natural
Customer review: "Really works. The peach color conceals all spots and isn’t creasy when it dries. It’s worth the value for the money."
Best Budget: Bubble Under Cover Color Correcting Balm Dark Spot Fix
The majority of our list is relatively affordable, but if you want a real budget buy, look no further than this highly rated balm from Bubble. The formula conceals dark circles and general unevenness while promoting smoother, brighter skin. Plus, a little goes a long way.
Pros: Affordable, buildable
Cons: Can be messy to apply
Key ingredients: Allantoin, bakuchiol, alpha arbutin, niacinamide
Shade range: 1
Finish: Natural
Customer review: "I've used this a couple times now and it works amazing! It's easy to apply, spreads out nicely and all!!"
What to Look for
There are plenty of color-correcting products on the market. But before you make a purchase, Loiz emphasizes the importance understanding what color you actually need to cancel out. "Blue or purple darkness needs peach or orange, whereas redness needs green, and dullness usually needs something yellow or brightening," she says. If you have a darker skin tone or stronger hyperpigmentation, that's where deep orange comes in.
She also notes that the formula is equally important. "I always look for something creamy and flexible that blends easily and does not dry down too fast or feel heavy under concealer," says Loiz. The goal is to have something that's buildable but not cakey.
How to Apply Color Corrector
Once you buy your product of choice, you may be wondering about the best way to put it on. Here's a step-by-step from Loiz:
1. Start with hydrated skin to avoid corrector clinging to dry areas. Use a moisturizer and primer.
2. Use a very small amount of product, and apply it only where the discoloration actually is, not all over the face.
3. Gently tap it in with a finger or small brush until it melts into the skin and looks neutralized, not fully covered.
4. Apply concealer only where needed. This may be less than what you would use without correcting first.
5. Proceed with your makeup routine as usual.
How We Chose
As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best color corrector primers, we leaned heavily on expert insight and our knowledge as beauty experts. We also considered several factors, including key ingredients, shade range, and finish. We're aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so we made sure to list out all the helpful details. Of course, customer reviews were also kept in mind when creating this list.
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