Dermablend Review: Expert-Approved Makeup That Improves Your Skin
If you‘re tired of your makeup routine wreaking havoc on your complexion, allow me to introduce you to Dermablend. This dermatologist-created brand is on a mission to provide high-performance makeup that also helps improve the look and feel of your skin. Goodbye, pore-clogging ingredients. Hello, confidence!
Founded in 1981, Dermablend was born from a partnership between dermatologist Dr. Craig Roberts and professional makeup artist Flori Roberts. Their goal? To develop a line of makeup products that provide excellent coverage while still being good for your skin. By merging their expertise, they created an extensive range of foundations, concealers, powders and more that are suitable for all skin types and tones.
Whether you‘re struggling with acne, dark spots, redness, or dry patches, Dermablend likely has a solution for you. The brand has gained a devoted following over the years, with over 143,000 fans on Instagram and plenty of media buzz from top publications like Elle, Allure and Glamour.
But does Dermablend live up to the hype? I tried out several of the brand‘s bestsellers to give you the scoop. Plus, I dug deep into customer reviews and analyzed how it compares to other popular complexion brands. Keep reading for my in-depth Dermablend review!
Top Dermablend Makeup Products to Try
The expansive Dermablend lineup can be a little overwhelming at first glance. To help you narrow it down, here‘s a look at some of their most popular and top-rated offerings:
Dermablend Foundations
Dermablend‘s foundation range is all about customizable coverage. From sheer to full, matte to dewy, there‘s an option for every preference. Here are a few standouts:
Smooth Liquid Camo Foundation
Best for: Medium, buildable coverage with a natural finish
Coverage: Medium to full
Finish: Natural
Formulation: Liquid
Shades: 15
Key ingredients: Glycerin, sunscreen
Price: $39
If you have dry, dehydrated skin, the Smooth Liquid Camo Foundation is a dream. The silky liquid texture instantly quenches your skin and provides up to 24 hours of hydration. Glycerin, a superstar humectant, is to thank for the moisturizing benefits.
This buildable formula offers medium coverage that can be layered up to full if desired. The high-performance pigments disguise any redness, dark spots, and unevenness without looking cakey or heavy. It‘s also infused with SPF 25 for an added dose of sun protection. With 15 flexible shades, you can easily find your perfect match.
For comparison, the Smooth Liquid Camo Foundation provides slightly less coverage than the popular Estee Lauder Double Wear (which is also about $4 more expensive per ounce). However, the Dermablend option feels more hydrating and blends more seamlessly into the skin for a real-skin finish.
Flawless Creator Multi-Use Liquid Foundation
Best for: Buildable full coverage with a natural finish
Coverage: Full
Finish: Natural matte
Formulation: Liquid drops
Shades: 20
Key ingredients: High-performance pigments
Price: $40
For those who crave more coverage, the Flawless Creator Multi-Use Liquid Foundation is top notch. This unique dropper formula was inspired by the techniques of professional makeup artists. The weightless, ultra-fluid texture allows you to start sheer and build up to complete coverage without looking heavy or feeling suffocating on the skin.
Packed with high-performance pigments, a little goes a long way with this foundation. Just a few drops are all you need to even out your complexion and conceal any imperfections. It sets down to a natural matte finish that looks like real skin, not a flat mask.
With an inclusive range of 20 shades, the Flawless Creator has you covered (literally). It puts some other popular full-coverage foundations, like the Tarte Face Tape, to shame. The blendable formula is much more forgiving and skin-like on textured or dry skin.
Continuous Correction CC Cream SPF 50+
Best for: Sheer, skin-evening coverage with skincare benefits
Coverage: Sheer to medium
Finish: Natural radiance
Formulation: Lightweight cream
Shades: 16
Key ingredients: Niacinamide, baicalin, caffeine, vitamin E, sunscreen
Price: $39
For a your-skin-but-better effect, the Continuous Correction CC Cream is ideal. This skin-loving formula is infused with good-for-you ingredients like niacinamide to fade dark spots, baicalin to soothe, caffeine to energize, and vitamin E to protect. It provides sheer coverage that can be built up to medium if needed.
The texture is delightfully lightweight and melts into the skin for a healthy, radiant finish. Thanks to the high SPF 50, it protects your complexion from damaging UV rays to prevent future signs of aging and discoloration. It‘s perfect for everyday wear, especially in the summer months.
For those seeking more coverage than a traditional tinted moisturizer without the heaviness of foundation, this CC cream hits the sweet spot. It makes your skin look fresh, even, and naturally perfected. If you like the IT Cosmetics CC Cream, I think you‘ll love this one too.
Dermablend Concealers
Dermablend‘s concealers are the ultimate secret weapons for a flawless visage. These two are my personal favorites:
Cover Care Full Coverage Concealer
Best for: Full coverage with a smooth, seamless finish
Coverage: Full
Finish: Natural matte
Formulation: Liquid
Shades: 16
Key ingredients: Glycerin, sunscreen
Price: $28
When you need to go undercover, the Cover Care Full Coverage Concealer is your girl. This highly pigmented liquid blends effortlessly into the skin and provides impressive coverage with just one swipe. It instantly camouflages everything from deep under-eye circles to post-acne marks to sun spots.
The formula is infused with glycerin to provide comfortable hydration (a must for the delicate under-eye area). It sets down to a budge-proof matte finish that looks smooth and perfected, not dry or cakey. Plus, it has SPF 30 to shield any discolored areas from darkening in the sun.
With 16 shades that span from fair to rich deep, you‘ll have no trouble finding your perfect match. Pro tip: For the under eyes, go one to two shades lighter than your skin tone to brighten!
This concealer seriously raises the bar; it makes the classic NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer look like child‘s play. The coverage is unparalleled and it wears flawlessly throughout the day without settling into fine lines or fading.
Quick-Fix Concealer
Best for: Targeted spot concealing with a natural finish
Coverage: Full
Finish: Natural matte
Formulation: Cream stick
Shades: 10
Key ingredients: Emollients
Price: $26
For midday touch-ups and on-the-go complexion perfecting, nothing beats the Quick-Fix Concealer. This chubby stick has a creamy texture that glides over the skin and makes quick work of any imperfections. The full coverage is ideal for hiding blemishes, dark spots, and small areas of redness.
Thanks to the inclusion of nourishing emollients, this concealer stick never looks dry or chalky on the skin. It sets down to a natural matte finish that stays put without transferring onto your mask or sweating off. The compact component is perfect for tossing in your purse or travel bag.
This reminds me of a more pigmented version of the Glossier Stretch Concealer. It provides better, longer-lasting coverage while still looking like real skin. The stick format also makes it a breeze to apply precisely where you need it.
Dermablend Setting Powder
No makeup look is complete without a dusting of setting powder to lock everything in place. Dermablend offers both translucent and tinted options:
Loose Setting Powder
Best for: Extending makeup wear and controlling shine
Finish: Matte
Shades: 3 (translucent, cool beige, warm saffron)
Key ingredients: Silica
Price: $29
If you have oily skin or just prefer a shine-free finish, you‘ll love the Dermablend Loose Setting Powder. The superfine texture sets makeup without looking heavy or powdery on the skin. It helps blur the appearance of pores and keeps unwanted oil and shine at bay.
I‘m partial to the translucent shade for its versatility, but the two tinted options are great for adding a bit more coverage or subtle warmth to the skin. To apply, use a fluffy brush to pick up a small amount of product and dust it all over your face. For maximum oil control, let it sit for a few minutes before buffing off the excess.
This setting powder is leagues above the drugstore options I‘ve tried in the past. It mattifies without looking flat and never fills my pores. If you like the Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder, this is a fantastic alternative for about $10 less.
Dermablend Leg & Body Makeup
Dermablend doesn‘t stop at the face—they also offer body makeup to perfect the skin from head to toe.
Leg and Body Makeup Foundation
Best for: Concealing veins, scars, and discoloration on the body
Coverage: Full
Finish: Natural
Formulation: Liquid
Shades: 12
Key ingredients: Glycerin, sunscreen
Price: $37
If you‘re self-conscious about visible veins, scars, bruises, or uneven skin tone on your arms and legs, the Leg and Body Makeup Foundation is a godsend. This highly pigmented liquid covers it all while still looking completely natural.
The blendable formula is easy to apply with your hands or a dense brush. It provides serious coverage without any stickiness or heaviness. Once it sets, it‘s transfer-resistant, so you don‘t have to worry about it rubbing off on your clothes or sheets. The addition of SPF 25 is key for protecting any discolored or scarred skin from the sun.
With 12 adaptable shades, you can find your perfect match for a seamless look. I couldn‘t believe how well this covered up my keratosis pilaris and made my legs look airbrushed! It lasted through a full day of wear without budging or feeling uncomfortable.
For those who want to feel more confident rocking sundresses and sleeveless tops, this body foundation is a must-have. It puts Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs to shame in terms of coverage and finish.
What Customers Are Saying About Dermablend
My glowing Dermablend review is not the only one out there—thousands of customers have raved about the brand. On Ulta, the products consistently earn 4 to 5-star average ratings. At Macy‘s, Dermablend has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars across all products. And at Dermstore, the brand maintains a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars.
So what exactly are shoppers saying? Here are some key takeaways:
"I have very dry and sensitive skin and this is the only foundation that doesn‘t make me flaky but still covers my redness." – Mel, Ulta reviewer
"This is the best for people with textured skin! I‘ve tried so many foundations and they all cling to my dry patches, but this one blends seamlessly." – Liz, Ulta reviewer
"I love the shade range of these concealers. I have very fair skin and there are multiple options light enough for me." – Amy, Dermstore reviewer
"I have a lot of acne scars and hyperpigmentation and this foundation covers them better than anything I‘ve ever used. It stays put all day too." – Jasmine, Macy‘s reviewer
Of course, no product is perfect. A few complaints about Dermablend include:
- Some shades oxidizing throughout the day
- Liquid formulas accentuating dry patches if not prepped properly
- Difficulty finding a perfect undertone match
However, the vast majority of reviews are incredibly positive. Customers praise the brand for its skin-friendly formulas, impressive coverage, and long-lasting wear. Those with hard-to-match skin tones appreciate the extensive shade options.
Compared to other high-end complexion brands like Make Up For Ever and Lancôme, reviewers prefer Dermablend for its superior performance on a range of skin types and concerns. If you have mature, dry, oily, sensitive, or acne-prone skin, Dermablend is much less likely to exacerbate any issues.
Is Dermablend Worth Trying?
After testing many Dermablend products myself and analyzing hundreds of customer reviews, my answer is a resounding yes. Whether you‘re looking for an everyday foundation, a spot-concealing hero, or a body perfector, Dermablend has you covered (literally).
The brand‘s commitment to good-for-skin ingredients and undetectable full coverage is unrivaled. You can feel confident knowing that your makeup isn‘t going to clog your pores or cause breakouts. And with so many formulas to choose from, there‘s something for every skin type and concern.
Dermablend products are definitely pricier than drugstore brands—foundations range from $38 to $40 for one ounce. However, I believe the quality and performance justifies the cost. A little goes a long way, so each product lasts quite a while. For me, it‘s worth investing in base products that make my skin look and feel its best.
If you‘re on the fence, I recommend starting with one of the foundations or concealers. The Smooth Liquid Camo Foundation is an excellent choice for most skin types. For fuller coverage, you can‘t go wrong with the Cover Care Concealer. Dermablend also offers a shade match guarantee and will help you find your perfect hue.
The brand regularly runs promotions on their website, so keep an eye out for discounts. At the time of publishing, code SALEX will get you 20% off sitewide. Dermablend also has a rewards program that grants you points for purchases which can be redeemed for dollars off. It‘s free to join and you‘ll get perks like free samples and a birthday gift.
All in all, I give Dermablend a massive stamp of approval. No matter your age or skin type, these high-performance products can help you achieve a flawless complexion that still looks like you. If you want makeup that does more, give this derm-developed brand a go. Your skin will thank you!
