CC Cream

CC creams, or color correcting creams, are a makeup-skincare hybrid. These formulas are designed to improve the appearance of redness and discoloration with a blend of skincare ingredients and sheer- to full-coverage pigments. They can be used in place of a foundation and often contain SPF. 

The Difference Between BB Creams and CC Creams

BB creams, or beauty balms, are multitasking products that hydrate, perfect, protect with SPF and offer complexion coverage. While CC creams can be hydrating, often contain SPF and provide complexion coverage, their primary purpose is to correct skin concerns like redness, dark spots and uneven tone. Both are typically more lightweight than foundation. 

How to Apply CC Cream

Apply your CC cream in your foundation step, i.e. after moisturizer and sunscreen. If your  CC cream contains broad-spectrum SPF, you can apply it directly after moisturizer. If you’ll be spending a long time outdoors, however, it’s recommended to apply both sunscreen and a CC cream for maximum protection. 

Because CC creams are typically lightweight liquid formulas, you can use clean fingers to apply and blend the formula into skin. For a more controlled finish, use a beauty sponge. Apply your CC cream all over the face or as a spot treatment on areas of redness or discoloration. 

Editor Picks

For a full-coverage finish, try… Dermablend Continuous Correction CC Cream SPF 50+

Dermablend’s CC cream is breathable, full-coverage and stays put for up to 24 hours of wear. In addition to immediately correcting the look of redness and hyperpigmentation, it helps improve skin's radiance after four weeks of consistent use. We love that it comes in 16 shades, an expansive range in comparison to other products in the category. 

For a glowy, color-corrected complexion, try… IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Illumination SPF 50+

Get all of the benefits of the brand’s classic CC Cream plus a luminous glow, thanks to the inclusion of micronized light-reflecting pigments. In addition, the formula contains ingredients like hydrolyzed collagen, peptides, niacin and hyaluronic acid to address the appearance of wrinkles, large pores, acne scars and dry skin.

For a physical sunscreen-CC cream hybrid try… Lancôme UV Expert Mineral CC Cream SPF 50

With broad-spectrum physical sunscreen, 24-hour hydration and imperfection-camouflaging pigments, this CC cream can be used as a moisturizer, SPF and foundation in one. It provides a medium-coverage finish that’s non-greasy and wears well under makeup.