BB Cream vs. CC Cream vs. Foundation vs. Tinted Moisturizer: What are the Differences? Which to Choose?

• The Comparison
  

| BB Cream

A Korean beauty makeup staple, BB cream stands for "blemish balm" or "beauty balm," and it offers sheer coverage, so it’s best for concealing minor blemishes. The light finish also makes it ideal for “no makeup” makeup looks. Moreover, you'll get additional skin benefits when you use BB creams as they usually contain sunscreen, anti-aging, and nourishing components. Because of its hydrating abilities, BB cream is perfect for people with normal to dry skin who like a radiant finish and light coverage. Those with oily skin can use BB creams, but they may want to apply a mattifying product underneath to help absorb oil. 

The only downside with BB cream is the lack of a wider colour palette—most brands only have a few shades that are meant to span across a range of skin tones. Since the pay-off is sheer, this might not be a problem, but for those with very dark or light skin tones, BB creams can look ashy or too light.

| Product Recommendations

1. Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream 8-In-1 Skin Perfector

($6.69, up to 4% cashback at Walmart)

America's #1 BB cream, Dream BB Fresh is hydrating and lightweight and it has a titanium dioxide sunscreen with a broad spectrum SPF30. It comes in 5 shades – light, light/medium, medium, medium/dark, deep. The 8 benefits in this one tube are:  Blurs imperfections, Enhances, Brightens, Adjusts to skin tone, Smoothes, Hydrates, SPF30, 0% oils and other heavy ingredients. Suitable for all skin types, Dream BB Fresh suits a wide range of skin tones and is non-comedogenic.

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2. Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30

($40, up to 8% cashback at Clinique)

Most BB creams have the texture of tinted moisturizers, but this one by Clinique behaves more like a lightweight foundation. The Age Defense BB Cream contains caffeine to soften lines, and vitamin E and seaweed extract to control oil production, which will help your makeup stay on longer. It also offers SPF protection. 

For Very Fair to Moderately Fair complexions with golden undertones, choose Shade 02

For Moderately Fair to Medium complexions with golden undertones, choose Shade 03

| CC Cream

CC creams are aimed at making your makeup routine simpler and easier. CC cream is similar to BB cream, but it is more widely known as a color-correcting makeup product, hence the name CC cream which stands for color correcting cream. Beauty manufacturers often add skin-soothing ingredients to CC cream formulations, which can help reduce redness, itching, and blotchiness. They can also conceal dark spots and hyperpigmentation on the skin. Moreover, some CC creams on the market also come with sunscreen to protect the skin from oxidative damage.

Because CC creams tend to have more of a matte and medium-coverage finish, they're a great option for people who have oily skin. They're also ideal for mature skin types or anyone who follows an anti-aging skin care routine.

| BB Cream vs. CC Cream

What differentiates CC creams from BB creams is their texture. CC cream is lighter in texture than a BB cream and provides light coverage when used as a makeup base. Morever, CC creams don't have as many hydrating ingredients as a BB cream. They might have a few luminizing properties, but they're mostly about the mix of pigments to even out skin tone. So, CC cream is an excellent alternative for those who like BB creams but struggle with redness and uneven skin tone. 

| How to Use BB Cream and CC Cream

BB and CC creams are perfect for days or events when you aim to keep your makeup look minimal with a lightweight base. Just take out a small amount of BB or CC cream and dab it onto your cheeks, forehead, nose, chin, and neck just like you would apply your foundation and blend it into the skin using your fingertips, brush, or a wet sponge. If you have extra dry skin, you can benefit from applying a moisturizer underneath your BB or CC to give your skin an added boost of hydration.

CC cream can be used to even out skin tone and achieve light coverage, or it can be used before applying a foundation as a primer with color-correcting pigment. 

| Product Recommendations

1. It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream

($44, up to 5% cashback at Sephora)

This is a full-coverage foundation, SPF 50+ physical sunscreen, brightening color corrector, hydrating serum, poreless-finish primer, dark spot concealer, and moisturizing day cream all in one. It glides on like a dream, smoothing over dryness whilst giving your skin a healthy glow. The coverage is impressive and always leaves me looking even and perfected.  It has 12 shades, but there aren't many options for deeper skin tones. If you want that glowy finish, this dewy CC cream is ideal. 

2. E.l.f. Camo CC Cream

($15, up to 5% cashback at e.l.f. Cosmetics)

A medium- to full-coverage CC cream will conceal redness and blemishes while you wear it, but ideally, it should include active ingredients that address uneven skin tone as well. Niacinamide, or vitamin B3, brightens skin tone while also minimizing large pores. Look for peptides, too; these short chains of amino acids act as messengers that "tell" skin cells to build more collagen — which leaves your skin stronger and more resilient in the long run. 

Just doesn't make sense when the e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo CC Cream ($14) offers all of these things — excellent coverage, SPF 30, skin-loving ingredients, 20 beautiful shades — without the huge markup. Whether you're new to CC creams or your current CC is almost used up, consider this your opportunity to find a new complexion-perfecting fave.

| Foundation

When it comes to choosing the ideal ingredients for your skincare goals, you don't necessarily need to choose between niacinamide or azelaic acid for acne. In fact, azelaic acid and niacinamide may complement each other's effects, offering a winning combination that can help you make exceptional progress in supporting a clearer complexion while also reducing the appearance of dark spots and acne scarring. 

If you have extremely dry skin, you may find that niacinamide is better than azelaic acid due to its ability to support the skin's natural protective barrier (and thus, encourage moisture retention). But in general, these two ingredients make for a dynamic duo with a wide range of potential benefits to offer.

| How to Use Foundation

Foundation requires more precise application, especially if you're trying to spot-conceal redness, blemishes and dark circles. Start by dabbing the product in the center of the face or where you require the most coverage. You can blend in the product with a damp sponge for an airbrushed, full-coverage effect or buff it in with a foundation brush for slightly lighter coverage.

| BB Cream vs. CC cream vs. Foundation

If you only want one, a foundation may be the better choice since it's more versatile. Foundation offers amazing coverage and can even out your skin tone and hide blemishes. You'll be able to find one that matches your ideal finish and skin tone. 

If you want a very natural skin finish but are struggling with areas of discoloration from sun damage or scarring, apply a BB or CC cream on the entire face and focus a concealer on areas of concern.

| Product Recommendations

1. Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation

($15, up to 6% cashback at Estée Lauder)

Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup is a 24-hour liquid foundation that has a flawless, natural, and matte makeup that can make uneven skin tones and cover imperfections with buildable coverage. Waterproof and transfer-resistant, this oil-free, matte formula evens out skin tone and blurs imperfections to give you a flawless finish. It can be used in hot and humid weather and feels light and comfortable. It's the winner of the Allure Best of Beauty award.

Double Wear has 55 shades to choose from, including cool, neutral and warm tones to suit all skin tones. It won't look grey on deeper skintones. Cool (C) undertones: Bare skin has a rosy tone and burns easily in the sun. Neutral (N) undertones: Bare skin is more even toned, not too pink or golden. Warm (W) undertones: Bare skin has a golden or olive tone and tans easily in the sun.

2. NYX Can't Stop Won't Stop Full Coverage Foundation

($15, up to 8% cashback at NYX Professional Makeup)

NYX Professional Makeup's Can't Stop Won't Stop Full Coverage Foundation is Lightweight, waterproof and pigmented AF with no-transfer. Every creamy shade glides on smooth, delivering matte coverage and color that stays true for up to 24 hours. Control shine and mattify your complexion all-day long. Noncomedogenic and suitable for normal, oily, combination, and sensitive skin types. Covers acne scars, blemishes or other marks. This foundation for oily skin stops shine right in its tracks so you can go through your day worry free.

| Tinted Moisturizer

Tinted moisturizer, in essence, is exactly what it sounds like — a moisturizing cream that has a slight tint to it. They’re quickly becoming the product of choice for those looking for an alternative to their thick foundation. Putting it on is simple: Just use your fingertips to apply it, as you would a face lotion, or use a foundation brush for a more precise application. You can either use it with your daily moisturiser if you have extremely dry skin.

A tinted moisturiser works best for people with dry skin, who just want to even the skin out in a natural way. It comes with added SPF and has all the benefits of a moisturiser. Due to the lighter coverage, however, tinted moisturizer may not completely hide blemishes and imperfections.

| BB Cream vs. CC Cream vs. Tinted Moisturizer

BB creams, CC creams, and tinted moisturizers, although similar in description, can all be quite different. A tinted moisturizer is usually the lightest of the bunch, providing only a wash of coverage. Think of BB and CC creams as just a step or two heavier.

BB creams and tinted moisturizers are great for normal to dry skin types and are for those who want lighter coverage. CC creams work great on oily skin types and those with uneven skin tones.

| Product Recommendations

1. NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 

($45, up to 5% cashback at Nars)

This advanced, oil-free formula provides a translucent veil of color and sun protection while helping to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots in just four weeks. The advanced, oil-free formula provides a translucent veil of colour and gives a radiant, luminous finish in a spectrum of 12 versatile shades. Infused with natural botanicals and hydrating extracts, it grants a bright, natural-looking glow.

2. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 

($28, up to 6% cashback at First Aid Beauty)

A multitasker with SPF 30 protection that provides 12 hours of soothing hydration, imparts a natural, luminous finish and reduces the look of visible imperfections. It is formulated with vitamin E, colloidal oatmeal, and allantoin to help reduce redness, calm, and soothe sensitive skin. Natural mineral pigments and micro-pearls deliver clean, buildable coverage that enhances skin's natural radiance.

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