What Is A CC Cream?

A CC cream (also called color correcting cream) is a mixture of a full-coverage foundation and skin care. This whipped lightweight formula evens out the skin tone and conceals pigmentation, redness, and dark spots. Here is a list of the best drugstore CC creams that are great for any skin type.

15 Best Drugstore CC Creams (2022) For All Skin Types

1. Best Hypoallergenic:Aveeno Positively Radiant CC Cream

The Aveeno Positively Radiant CC Cream is a versatile and unique product that will help you correct, protect, and improve the appearance of your skin. The cream is formulated with an active natural total soy complex that helps even out the tone and texture of your skin. The CC cream also has SPF 30 and provides perfect sun protection to your skin. If you have a medium skin tone, this cream is perfect for you as it will improve your skin texture and tone and reduce any dullness. The cream is also oil-free and suits oily skin. It is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. Click here to check out this YouTuber’s unbiased review. Pros

SPF 30 Non-comedogenic Hypoallergenic Oil-free

Cons None

2. Best Cruelty-Free:Lune+Aster CC Cream

The Lune+Aster CC Cream is a multi-purpose CC cream that provides medium coverage to your skin. The CC cream comes with SPF 50 sun protection that helps protect your skin from the harmful UV rays. The cream evens out the skin tone and gives a dewy glow to your skin. It has a breathable formula that doesn’t clog your pores. The cream is formulated with vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and sea buckthorn. The vitamin E in the cream helps hydrate and protect your skin while hyaluronic acid helps in replenishing the skin. The sea buckthorn in the cream helps in protecting your skin from environmental stressors. This CC cream is vegan, cruelty-free, and free of harmful substances like parabens and phthalates. The product is dermatologist-tested. Here’s a personal review video to help you get a better understanding of the product. Pros

Paraben-free Phthalate-free Cruelty-free Vegan Dermatologist-tested

Cons None

3. Best Anti-Aging:Revlon Age Defying CC Cream

The Revlon Age Defying CC Cream helps you get coverage and fight the signs of aging. This CC cream helps hydrate your skin while smoothening and evening out your skin tone. The cream also helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and dark spots. It also protects your skin from sun damage and premature aging caused due to excess sun exposure. It also provides good coverage and gives your skin a perfect glow. The cream comes in 4 different shades. Click here to check out a detailed personal review of this product. Pros

Anti-aging properties Provides good coverage

Cons

Overpowering fragrance

4. Best Long-Lasting:IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream

The IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream is an award-winning product that provides full coverage to your skin. It is infused with an anti-aging serum that helps keep your skin hydrated and young. The cream helps reduce the appearance of acne scarring, wrinkles, redness, dark circles, and pores. The cream has a luminous and flawless finishing. It also contains SPF 50 that offers protection from harmful sun rays. The cream is long-lasting and doesn’t crease or crack on your skin. Pros

Provides full coverage Anti-aging properties Long-lasting

Cons None

5. Best Gluten-Free:Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses CC Cream

The Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses CC cream is a hydrating product that provides sheer coverage to your skin. The cream is formulated with rose stem cells that are great for all skin types, including sensitive skin. The cream provides broad spectrum sun protection to your skin. It also contains pomegranate and aloe vera that offer youthful vitality and hydration to your skin. The cream is made with organic ingredients and is cruelty-free. Pros

Provides sheer coverage Cruelty-free Non-GMO Gluten-free

Cons

May cause breakouts

6. Best Non-Comedogenic:Spdoo CC Cream

The Spdoo CC cream is great at hiding dark circles, uneven skin tone, pores, and fine lines. The cream helps brighten your skin tone. It comes with a sponge applicator that will help you apply the product evenly and smoothly all over your face. The cream has a breathable formula that will not clog your pores. The CC cream is moisturizing and reduces skin dryness. It also tightens your skin. Pros

Sponge air brush for easy application Non-comedogenic

Cons None

7. Best All Skin Types:Gerovital Mattifying CC Cream

The Gerovital Mattifying CC Cream helps cover blemishes and evens out the skin tone. It gives a matte finish to your face. Although the cream is perfect for all skin types, it is especially beneficial for people with oily skin. The CC cream is also great at reducing the appearance of acne and acne scars. The product is paraben-free and dermatologically-tested. Pros

Paraben-free Dermatologically-tested

Cons None

8. Best SPF:Almay Smart Shade CC Cream

The Almay Smart Shade CC cream has a lightweight formula that provides beautiful coverage to your face. The cream helps reduce any appearance of imperfections and discolorations on your face. It evens out your skin tone and gives your face a radiant complexion. The cream has SPF 35 that provides ample protection from harmful UV rays. The cream is dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic. It comes in 3 versatile shades for you to choose from. Pros

Hypoallergenic Dermatologist-tested

Cons

Watery texture

9. Best Lightweight:L’oreal Nude Magique CC Cream

The L’oreal Nude Magique CC Cream is great at neutralizing the appearance of redness. The cream works well with your natural skin tone. It has a lightweight and buildable coverage that is great for a nude makeup look. The cream has SPF 20 that protects your skin from any sun damage. The product doesn’t clog your pores and provides 24-hour hydration to your skin. Pros

Lightweight formula Non-comedogenic 24-hour hydration Buildable coverage

Cons None

10. Best Hydrating:Olay Total Effects CC Cream

The Olay Total Effects CC Cream is a nourishing and hydrating product that provides a healthy glow to your face. The CC cream has a lightweight formula that blends well into your skin and doesn’t make your face feel greasy. It moisturizes, evens skin tone, and smoothens out fine lines and wrinkles. The cream also minimizes the appearance of pores, restores skin firmness, and reduces the appearance of dark spots. The cream also contains SPF 15 that provides protection against harmful UV rays. Pros

Anti-aging properties Lightweight formula Blendable formula

Cons

May cause allergic reactions

11. Lumene CC Cream

The Lumene CC Cream is a moisturizing makeup product that has a creamy texture and buildable coverage. The cream helps correct discoloration and redness on your face and also helps even out the skin tone. The cream has SPF 20 that will provide protection against UV rays. The cream is formulated with pure arctic spring water and wild cloudberry seed extract that provides hydration and brightens your complexion. The CC cream has a long-lasting formulation and gives a semi-matte finish. Pros

Buildable coverage Long-lasting

Cons

May cause allergies in some

12. Physicians Formula CC Cream

The Physicians Formula CC Cream is formulated with color-correcting pigments and anti-aging ingredients. The cream has a gentle formula that is suitable for all skin types and minimizes redness on your skin. The cream is super hydrating and also provides sun protection. It is hypoallergenic and great for sensitive skin. The cream also reduces the appearance of age spots, dark circles, fine lines, and wrinkles while evening out your skin tone. Pros

Hypoallergenic Anti-aging properties Lightweight formula

Cons

Not easy to blend

13. Peak 10 Skin CC Cream

The Peak 10 Skin CC Cream is a moisturizing product. The cream contains SPF 30 that provides ample protection from the harmful sun rays. The cream is formulated with natural ingredients filled with antioxidants beneficial for your skin. It also contains natural oils that help moisturize your skin. The cream helps you achieve a healthy appearance by evening your skin tone and smoothening your complexion. Pros

Non-allergenic Non-irritant

Cons None

14. Max Factor CC Cream

The Max Factor CC Cream offers gorgeous and flawless coverage when applied. The cream helps in covering up imperfections and has a highly blendable formula. The CC cream is formulated with cucumber water, rosehip extract, and sea buckthorn that possess hydrating properties. The CC cream has a lightweight formula and has SPF 10 that protects against harmful sun rays. Pros

Lightweight formula Blendable

Cons None

15. Osmosis Skincare CC Cream

The Osmosis Skincare CC Cream is a lightweight formula that helps even out your skin tone. The cream is super hydrating and is formulated with true tone technology. This technology helps ensure that the shade matches your natural skin tone when applied. Pros

Lightweight formula Matches natural skin tone

Cons None These are the top 15 drugstore CC creams that suit all skin types. In the next section, we briefly look into the benefits of a CC cream.

What Are The Benefits Of A CC Cream?

It conceals dark spots and other skin imperfections. It is lightweight and not heavy like a foundation. It hydrates and nourishes the skin. It adds a youthful glow to the skin. Some CC creams have anti-aging ingredients to smoothen and reduce the signs of aging. It protects the skin from photodamage.

Before you make your purchase, here is what you need to look for in a CC cream. We have included a checklist in the next section for you.

What Should You Consider When Choosing A CC Cream?

Skin Type: Choose a CC cream that suits your skin type. Applying a CC cream that’s too oily on oily skin can cause breakouts and will make you look greasy and sweaty. Similarly, an oil-control CC cream on dry skin can make your skin flaky and lifeless.

SPF: A good CC cream should contain SPF, or sun protection factor, of at least 15. CC creams with broad-spectrum sunscreen help protect the skin from further damage by the harmful UV rays.

Coverage: Depending on your needs, the CC cream should have light to buildable full coverage. It should conceal dark spots, redness, pigmentation, and even out the skin tone.

Hydrating And Nourishing Properties: CC creams are not moisturizers. But they should be hydrating enough for your skin and must contain natural ingredients like vitamin E to keep your skin nourished and supple.

Skin Texture: CC creams are meant for all skin types, irrespective of age and sex. If you have mature skin, choose a CC cream that contains hyaluronic acid and other anti-aging ingredients to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines. If you have open pores, choose a CC cream with dimethicone to reduce the pores.

Lightweight: Choose a CC cream that is lightweight and has a smooth texture. It should not feel heavy and cakey.

Wondering how to apply a CC cream? We have discussed the steps in the next section.

How To Apply A CC Cream?

Step 1: Start by cleansing your face with a cleanser and apply your regular moisturizer all over your face.

Step 2: Take a small amount of the CC cream on the palm of your hand and apply the cream all over your face with your fingers. You can also use the cream on particular areas where you want maximum coverage.

Step 3: With the help of a beauty blender or brush, blend the product on your face.

Step 4: Apply more cream if you feel like some areas need more coverage.

Step 5: Go on with the rest of your makeup routine as usual. If you decide you need more coverage, you can also apply some foundation.

There are few things that you should keep in mind about a CC cream. We have discussed them below.

Things To Remember Before Buying A CC Cream

It’s not sunscreen. You will still need to apply a layer of sunscreen before applying a CC cream. Here is a list of sunscreens for acne-prone skin.

It may not add superior hydration. CC creams, in general, control oil. If you have dry skin, do not expect to get a super hydrating effect from a CC cream.

An anti-aging CC cream does not reverse aging. It certainly protects your skin from UV damage and premature skin aging. It also smooths out fine lines and wrinkles. But it does not reverse aging.

It is not a skin care solution for acne-prone skin. CC cream for acne-prone skin is NOT an acne treatment. You need to see a dermatologist and get the right acne treatment.

CC creams are different from BB or DD creams. All three look like any other tinted moisturizer. But they are not so. Here’s the difference between the three.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

The author, Oyendrila Kanjilal, is a certified skin care coach. She has compiled a list of the best CC creams you should have in your vanity. She goes by the motto, “having great skin shouldn’t break the bank.”. So, following an intensive review of every product review on the market, she assembled a comprehensive and detailed list of the top drugstore CC creams. These are suitable for all skin types, and they provide skin with moisture, combat environmental damage, and help even out skin tone. Do I need to use a moisturizer if I use a CC cream? Yes, you can use a moisturizer before you apply a CC cream. Although CC cream is a mix of moisturizer and foundation, using a moisturizer beforehand can only offer you more benefit. Do I need to wear a primer with CC cream? Yes, primer is a must if you want your makeup to last long. Hence, wearing a primer with a CC cream is often recommended. Can a CC cream be worn daily? Yes, a CC cream can be worn daily. Since the cream contains moisturizer and SPF, using it daily is advisable. Is it OK to use CC cream every day? Yes, it is ok to use CC cream daily as it has SPF and is lightweight and non-greasy. How do you apply CC cream perfectly? Use your fingertips, a brush, or a makeup sponge, to evenly blend the product into your skin.

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