Best for sensitive skin
Sephora
Launched in 2019, Tower28 has quickly become popular as a beauty brand that is clean, vegan, and designed for sensitive skin. Founder Amy Liu explained to Allure that the brand “uses both a combination of the Credo Beauty no-no list for toxicity and we also use the National Eczema Association no-no list for irritation…They’re actually really different lists.” The thorough vetting of ingredients makes their Tinted Sunscreen a must-try for those with sensitive skin.
Although it’s not technically a CC cream, the product offers a variety of shades as well as benefits for someone who wants to simplify their routine. Equipped with SPF 30 to protect your skin against UVA/UVB damage, the tinted sunscreen also has prickly pear extract and white sage extract to neutralize free radical damage while soothing your skin. Around 70,000 people have favorited the product on Sephora, and many reviewers have come back to report great news. “I have very sensitive skin and was super impressed by this! The sun protection is excellent and it gives a really nice, natural looking coverage…10/10 would recommend, thank you, Tower28,” one customer said. Another declared that “this is my favorite product of the summer!!”
Price: The Tower28 SunnyDays Tinted Sunscreen Foundation retails for $30 on Sephora. Coverage and SPF: Light coverage and SPF 30 Standout Ingredients: Non-nano zinc oxide, white sage extract
Best for mature skin
Perbelle
Visible signs of aging — like fine lines and wrinkles — loosely define mature skin. Both are also signs you’re going to need to revamp your skincare and makeup. “In general, collagen production starts to drop off in our mid-20s, and by age 30 we’re losing about 1% of collagen per year,” Dr. Dendy Engelman told Ipsy. To counteract this loss, look for ingredients like adenosine in your products, as it has proven to be a collagen stimulant and anti-wrinkle agent (via Medical News Today).
The Skin Tone Adjusting CC cream from Perbelle has adenosine as well as antioxidant flower extracts that can help with skin elasticity. It also has hyaluronic acid to moisturize your skin, something that should be prioritized for mature complexions. “Hydrated skin is healthy skin, so to improve both appearance and function, it is important to stay hydrated. This is true at any age, but it is especially vital as our skin barrier matures and becomes vulnerable,” Dr. Engelman said. Over 12,000 reviewers have given the product a 4.7 out of 5 stars, and one said, “A natural skin toning product especially great for aging skin like mine. Smooths skin tones and covers age spots, diminishes wrinkles and lines beautifully and without looking like heavy makeup.”
Price: The Perbelle Skin Tone Adjusting CC Cream retails for $42 on Perbelle. Coverage and SPF: Medium coverage and SPF 43 Standout Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Adenosine
Best CC cream for under-eyes
Sephora
One of the more prominent areas that experience discoloration and need color correcting are our under eyes. “Eyelid skin is one of the areas where the skin is the thinnest in the body. So, essentially you have very thin delicate skin sitting over a hollow structure around the eyes where you have bone, blood vessels, fat pads, and muscles,” Melissa K. Levin, MD, told Byrdie. Whether it’s genetics or lack of sleep, covering these up requires color correction and moisture.
The Tarte Colored Clay CC Undereye Corrector is made specifically for this thin skin. A combination of rose, yellow, and purple clay minimizes the look of dark circles while caffeine reduces the appearance of puffiness and low circulation. The cream also has licorice extract to brighten your skin, and sodium hyaluronate and squalane to deliver moisture. A customer on Sephora left a raving review: “I’ve tried many under eye correctors, either they didn’t do anything for my dark circles (hereditary) or turned my concealer cakey. [Tarte CC Undereye Corrector) blends beautifully. Even without a concealer, it gives me very good coverage.” Price: The Tarte Colored Clay CC Undereye Corrector retails for $26 on Sephora.
Coverage and SPF: Full coverage and no SPF Standout Ingredients: Clay, Squalane
13 Best CC Creams You Can Buy In 2022
issaro prakalung/Shutterstock
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Every day, we’re susceptible to the ads and marketing abilities of the beauty industry; we’re ready to be convinced of adding yet another step to our routine. The market is saturated with a potent mix of bases, primers, and toners (as are our vanities). But when two products emerged that promised to cut down our rituals by at least 10 minutes, makeup and skincare lovers paid even more attention. The BB cream and CC cream are both multi-purpose base products that have primer, concealer, skincare ingredients, and sunscreen in them. However, CC cream (which stands for color correcting cream) takes it a step further.
“A CC cream is a multi-action sheer coverage formula designed specifically to color-correct,” Nick Lujan, the global director of artistry and education for Kevyn Aucoin Beauty, told Real Simple. “These formulas usually feature soothing ingredients to calm redness and even out blotchiness.” A CC cream can often be used as a spot concealer or a uniform base — this means that you should pick shades that are the closest to your skin or a shade darker, as lighter shades can highlight parts you want to cover. We’ve found some of the best CC creams in stores and on the net; find the one for your skin type and needs below.
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
“A CC cream is a multi-action sheer coverage formula designed specifically to color-correct,” Nick Lujan, the global director of artistry and education for Kevyn Aucoin Beauty, told Real Simple. “These formulas usually feature soothing ingredients to calm redness and even out blotchiness.” A CC cream can often be used as a spot concealer or a uniform base — this means that you should pick shades that are the closest to your skin or a shade darker, as lighter shades can highlight parts you want to cover.
We’ve found some of the best CC creams in stores and on the net; find the one for your skin type and needs below.
How we selected products
BearFotos/Shutterstock
Best overall
Coverage and SPF: Full-coverage and SPF 50
Standout Ingredients: Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid
Best drugstore
Coverage and SPF: Full-coverage and SPF 30
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide (sunblock)
Best budget
Coverage and SPF: Medium-full coverage and SPF 30
Standout Ingredients: Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid
Best moisturizing
Olay
Vitamin B3 is often known as niacinamide, which can promote the production of ceramides and increase skin elasticity (via Medicine Net). Both vitamins E and B5 help your skin retain moisture. One customer said of the Olay option, “I have been a fan of this product for years and always introducing it to others to try. It’s the first thing I use and it always feels like a fresh drink of water for my skin every morning.” Another customer used it for six weeks and saw remarkable results. “The hyper pigmentation has been reduced by about 50%, my pores are smaller, the fine lines that were threatening imminence are gone, even when I’m not wearing the product! I get compliments about my complexion now,” they stated.
Coverage and SPF: Light to medium coverage and SPF 15
Standout Ingredients: Niacinamide, Vitamin E
Best for acne-prone skin
Coverage and SPF: Full coverage and no SPF
Standout Ingredients: Niacinamide
Best for sensitive skin
Sephora
Launched in 2019, Tower28 has quickly become popular as a beauty brand that is clean, vegan, and designed for sensitive skin. Founder Amy Liu explained to Allure that the brand “uses both a combination of the Credo Beauty no-no list for toxicity and we also use the National Eczema Association no-no list for irritation…They’re actually really different lists.” The thorough vetting of ingredients makes their Tinted Sunscreen a must-try for those with sensitive skin.
Although it’s not technically a CC cream, the product offers a variety of shades as well as benefits for someone who wants to simplify their routine. Equipped with SPF 30 to protect your skin against UVA/UVB damage, the tinted sunscreen also has prickly pear extract and white sage extract to neutralize free radical damage while soothing your skin. Around 70,000 people have favorited the product on Sephora, and many reviewers have come back to report great news. “I have very sensitive skin and was super impressed by this! The sun protection is excellent and it gives a really nice, natural looking coverage…10/10 would recommend, thank you, Tower28,” one customer said. Another declared that “this is my favorite product of the summer!!”
Price: The Tower28 SunnyDays Tinted Sunscreen Foundation retails for $30 on Sephora. Coverage and SPF: Light coverage and SPF 30 Standout Ingredients: Non-nano zinc oxide, white sage extract
Although it’s not technically a CC cream, the product offers a variety of shades as well as benefits for someone who wants to simplify their routine. Equipped with SPF 30 to protect your skin against UVA/UVB damage, the tinted sunscreen also has prickly pear extract and white sage extract to neutralize free radical damage while soothing your skin. Around 70,000 people have favorited the product on Sephora, and many reviewers have come back to report great news. “I have very sensitive skin and was super impressed by this! The sun protection is excellent and it gives a really nice, natural looking coverage…10/10 would recommend, thank you, Tower28,” one customer said. Another declared that “this is my favorite product of the summer!!”
Price: The Tower28 SunnyDays Tinted Sunscreen Foundation retails for $30 on Sephora.
Coverage and SPF: Light coverage and SPF 30
Standout Ingredients: Non-nano zinc oxide, white sage extract
Best with SPF
Supergoop!
The mineral sunscreen in the CC cream, made with non-nano zinc oxide, is especially great for those with sensitive skin as it doesn’t absorb UV rays but reflects them. You’re also not really going to need another sunscreen since this CC cream clocks in at SPF 50. Additionally, the red seaweed and apple extract nourishes your skin with vitamins and antioxidants, as well as blurs pores.
A customer with sensitive skin raved about the product, “I’m in my late 30s with very oily skin, the occasional breakout, and eczema prone. This CC cream is my holy grail. It doesn’t break me out, the finish is natural, it is lightweight but buildable. plus SPF!!! So glad I found this.” Another said, “Super Yes!” and elaborated, “I find that this product stays all day and looks good after many hours. I was pleasantly surprised and I have already purchased a refill given that this will be in regular rotation.”
Coverage and SPF: Light coverage and SPF 50
Standout Ingredients: Non-nano zinc oxide, red seaweed
Best full coverage CC cream
Coverage and SPF: Full coverage and SPF 50
Standout Ingredients: Niacinamide, Caffeine, Vitamin E
Best with buildable coverage
Cle Cosmetics introduced another ‘C’ with their Color Control & Change Cream (CCC Cream), a multifunctional product that adapts to its wearer. A customer on the brand’s website described their first application: “Oh my goddddd.. it was like watching MAGIC happen before my eyes. The cream came out as white in the tube, and when I worked it into my skin, I saw the cream change from white to my skin tone. It was the PERFECT match. I have never been able to find anything that matched my skin so perfectly! On top of that, it looks amazing on my skin! I have very oily skin, and it left a matte finish… This cream is amazing and so worth the money!”
However, cosmetic chemist Perry Romanowski explained the magic to Allure: “As you rub the product on the skin, the capsules or beads break and the color changes.” Regardless, the color changing adds to the experience of wearing a lightweight formula with a dewy natural finish. A customer said, “The coverage was light but it left my skin looking glowy and more polished. I was able to build a little more coverage where I felt like I needed it and the product didn’t feel like it was just [slipping] off.” Price: The Cle Cosmetics Color Control & Change Cream (CCC Cream) retails for $38 on Cle. Coverage and SPF: Light coverage and SPF 50 Standout Ingredients: Niacinamide
However, cosmetic chemist Perry Romanowski explained the magic to Allure: “As you rub the product on the skin, the capsules or beads break and the color changes.” Regardless, the color changing adds to the experience of wearing a lightweight formula with a dewy natural finish. A customer said, “The coverage was light but it left my skin looking glowy and more polished. I was able to build a little more coverage where I felt like I needed it and the product didn’t feel like it was just [slipping] off.”
Price: The Cle Cosmetics Color Control & Change Cream (CCC Cream) retails for $38 on Cle.
Standout Ingredients: Niacinamide
Best blurring CC cream
The CC cream has a ‘second skin’ quality to it; you’d barely know you have it on. Using color changing technology, the white cream turns into a potion of soothing Centella Asiatica (or tiger grass) and luminous pigment when you put it on. It also has SPF 25, but we’d suggest layering on another sunscreen for extra protection.
Coverage and SPF: Light coverage and SPF 25
Standout Ingredients: Centella Asiatica
Best clean CC cream
According to the brand, its products are cruelty-free and certified by Peta. All of its ingredients are clean and are formulated without mineral oil, sulfate detergents, parabens, or phthalates. These ingredients can impact the environment as well as our own endocrine systems (via MDPI). The CC cream also uses physical sunscreen in the form of titanium dioxide, instead of chemicals like oxybenzone that are unsafe for coral reefs.
Coverage and SPF: Medium coverage and no SPF
Standout Ingredients: Honey, Squalene
Best for mature skin
Perbelle
Visible signs of aging — like fine lines and wrinkles — loosely define mature skin. Both are also signs you’re going to need to revamp your skincare and makeup. “In general, collagen production starts to drop off in our mid-20s, and by age 30 we’re losing about 1% of collagen per year,” Dr. Dendy Engelman told Ipsy. To counteract this loss, look for ingredients like adenosine in your products, as it has proven to be a collagen stimulant and anti-wrinkle agent (via Medical News Today).
The Skin Tone Adjusting CC cream from Perbelle has adenosine as well as antioxidant flower extracts that can help with skin elasticity. It also has hyaluronic acid to moisturize your skin, something that should be prioritized for mature complexions. “Hydrated skin is healthy skin, so to improve both appearance and function, it is important to stay hydrated. This is true at any age, but it is especially vital as our skin barrier matures and becomes vulnerable,” Dr. Engelman said. Over 12,000 reviewers have given the product a 4.7 out of 5 stars, and one said, “A natural skin toning product especially great for aging skin like mine. Smooths skin tones and covers age spots, diminishes wrinkles and lines beautifully and without looking like heavy makeup.”
Price: The Perbelle Skin Tone Adjusting CC Cream retails for $42 on Perbelle. Coverage and SPF: Medium coverage and SPF 43 Standout Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Adenosine
The Skin Tone Adjusting CC cream from Perbelle has adenosine as well as antioxidant flower extracts that can help with skin elasticity. It also has hyaluronic acid to moisturize your skin, something that should be prioritized for mature complexions. “Hydrated skin is healthy skin, so to improve both appearance and function, it is important to stay hydrated. This is true at any age, but it is especially vital as our skin barrier matures and becomes vulnerable,” Dr. Engelman said.
Over 12,000 reviewers have given the product a 4.7 out of 5 stars, and one said, “A natural skin toning product especially great for aging skin like mine. Smooths skin tones and covers age spots, diminishes wrinkles and lines beautifully and without looking like heavy makeup.”
Price: The Perbelle Skin Tone Adjusting CC Cream retails for $42 on Perbelle.
Coverage and SPF: Medium coverage and SPF 43
Standout Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Adenosine
Best CC cream for under-eyes
One of the more prominent areas that experience discoloration and need color correcting are our under eyes. “Eyelid skin is one of the areas where the skin is the thinnest in the body. So, essentially you have very thin delicate skin sitting over a hollow structure around the eyes where you have bone, blood vessels, fat pads, and muscles,” Melissa K. Levin, MD, told Byrdie. Whether it’s genetics or lack of sleep, covering these up requires color correction and moisture.
The Tarte Colored Clay CC Undereye Corrector is made specifically for this thin skin. A combination of rose, yellow, and purple clay minimizes the look of dark circles while caffeine reduces the appearance of puffiness and low circulation. The cream also has licorice extract to brighten your skin, and sodium hyaluronate and squalane to deliver moisture. A customer on Sephora left a raving review: “I’ve tried many under eye correctors, either they didn’t do anything for my dark circles (hereditary) or turned my concealer cakey. [Tarte CC Undereye Corrector) blends beautifully. Even without a concealer, it gives me very good coverage.” Price: The Tarte Colored Clay CC Undereye Corrector retails for $26 on Sephora.
Coverage and SPF: Full coverage and no SPF Standout Ingredients: Clay, Squalane
The Tarte Colored Clay CC Undereye Corrector is made specifically for this thin skin. A combination of rose, yellow, and purple clay minimizes the look of dark circles while caffeine reduces the appearance of puffiness and low circulation. The cream also has licorice extract to brighten your skin, and sodium hyaluronate and squalane to deliver moisture.
A customer on Sephora left a raving review: “I’ve tried many under eye correctors, either they didn’t do anything for my dark circles (hereditary) or turned my concealer cakey. [Tarte CC Undereye Corrector) blends beautifully. Even without a concealer, it gives me very good coverage.”
Price: The Tarte Colored Clay CC Undereye Corrector retails for $26 on Sephora.
Standout Ingredients: Clay, Squalane
