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The best CC creams offer many of the same benefits as tinted moisturizers or foundations—but with a few standout differences: consistently excellent color correction (hence the acronym, CC), a featherlight feel compared to traditional full-coverage formulas, and skin-brightening ingredients. For those new to the world of CC creams, consider it a beauty essential if you’re dealing with uneven skin tone, texture, hyperpigmentation, or redness and want breathable coverage that won’t weigh your skin down.
If you want to streamline your beauty routine in favor of something quicker and more efficient, CC creams are true multitaskers. “A CC cream is a foundation-like product that helps to improve the overall tone of your skin,” explains makeup artist Valeria Ferreira. They offer sheer-to-medium coverage and contain color pigments that work to visibly even out the complexion. Depending on the finish you choose, CC creams can leave skin looking natural, luminous, or dewy—all while helping to reduce redness and conceal blemishes. “[They] can be used alone or under foundation, and most of them include SPF,” she adds. (Just don’t skip your daily sunscreen—these aren’t a full replacement.)
Vogue’s Guide to the Best CC Creams
- Best for Full Coverage: IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream, $47
- Best Long-wear: Dermablend Continuous Correction CC Cream SPF 50, $41
- Best for Redness: Erborian CC Cream SPF 50, $46
- Best Drugstore: e.l.f. Camo CC Cream, $15
- Best Concealer: Yensa Skin On Skin BC Concealer, $30
- Best for Light Coverage: Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream Hydrating Color Corrector, $44
In This Story:
- What is a CC cream?
- What makes a CC cream different from a BB cream?
- What’s the different between a CC cream and a skin tint?
- What to look for in a CC cream?
- How to apply a CC cream?
- Who is a CC cream best for?
- Meet the experts
When it comes to sun protection, pro makeup artist Carolina Dali recommends reaching for a CC cream with broad-spectrum coverage (i.e., protection from both UVA and UVB rays) so you can skip layering an additional SPF underneath. “Those [CC creams] give you a more complete protection from harmful sun rays,” she says—especially when compared to heavier foundations. Many formulas are also infused with skin-nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin C to hydrate and brighten, promoting healthier skin over time.
With standout options from It Cosmetics, Erborian, Clinique, e.l.f., and more, we’ve rounded up the best CC creams to suit every skin type and concern—with expert insights to guide your pick. Read on to discover our favorites.
Best for Full Coverage: It Cosmetics CC+ Cream
IT Cosmetics
Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream
- Why We Love It: It Cosmetics’s CC+ Cream was the first makeup product Vogue’s associate production manager Kylee McGuigan found to work the best on her sensitive, acne-prone skin. “It was introduced to me as having skin-care benefits thanks to the hyaluronic acid and niacinamide in the formula—so it wouldn’t make me break out any more than I already was—while still offering enough coverage to hide blemishes, dark spots, and imperfections,” says McGuigan. Plus, it’s cosigned as a go-to pick for editorial makeup artist Dani Guinsberg. “I’m obsessed with this CC cream,” Guinsberg tells Vogue. “The color range is superb, and skin never appears too shiny or greasy after use.”
- Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin E, SPF 50
- Finish: Natural
- Shades: 31
- Size: 1 oz
- Fragrance-Free: No
Best for Redness: Erborian CC Cream SPF 50
Erborian
Color Correcting CC Cream
- Why We Love It: If you’re looking to combat redness from everyday irritation, or even rosacea, then Erborian’s CC cream is for you. It’s packed with pigments that enhance your skin’s texture and quality, while the centella asiatica in the formula helps soothe skin while it’s on. The CC cream provides just enough coverage for a no-makeup-makeup look, while reducing the appearance of blemishes—so subtle, in fact, its Guinsberg’s grooming go-to. “This is the product I always reach for when doing men’s grooming,” she says, noting this formula boasts an incredibly natural finish “It has just enough color correction to even out discoloration, yet never looks like actual makeup on the skin.”
- Ingredients: Centella asiatica, glycerin
- Finish: Luminous
- Shades: 5
- Size: 15 mL, 45 mL
- Fragrance-Free: No
Best Multi-Use: Cle Cosmetics CCC Cream
Cle Cosmetics
CCC Cream
- Why We Love It: Cle Cosmetics’s CCC cream is a triple threat, acting as a primer, foundation, and sunscreen. When used as a primer, a pea-sized amount delivers a sheer veil of color correction, creating the perfect base for blush, powder, and beyond. As a lightweight foundation, its silky, blendable texture offers buildable coverage that can shift from barely-there to medium with just a pump or two. Beyond delivering a flawlessly even, radiant finish, it also boasts SPF 50 for daily sun protection. And thanks to skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin E, it floods dry skin with lasting hydration.
- Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, niacinamide, coconut oil, tocopheryl acetate, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Glycerin, rosemary leaf extract, jasmine flower water
- Finish: Satin
- Shades: 11
- Size: 1 fl oz
- Fragrance-Free: No, naturally derived
Best Long-wear: Dermablend Continuous Correction CC Cream SPF 50
Dermablend
Continuous Correction CC Cream
- Why We Love It: Dermablend’s CC cream is another go-to for those with acne-prone skin. It’s non-comedogenic and provides full coverage, which, together, prevents the skin from further breaking out and conceals any redness or imperfections. It’s fairly lightweight and promises a 24-hour color wear, which is ideal for those long days that turn into long nights. Plus, its high SPF helps protect against sun damage. Guinsberg suggests this cc cream option for looking to effectively conceal active breakouts or flare-ups. “This is a great choice for those with problematic skin, seeking to achieve a flawless, even toned appearance,” she explains, emphasizing its foundation-like covergae.
- Ingredients: Niacinamide, vitamin E, caffeine, SPF 50
- cFinish: Matte
- Shades: 16
- Size: 1 oz
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
Best for Light Coverage: Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream Hydrating Color Corrector Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Clinique
Moisture Surge CC Cream
- Why We Love It: A no-makeup makeup routine isn’t complete without Clinique’s Moisture Surge CC cream. It’s incredibly lightweight and provides a natural, medium finish, which is best for those hot summer days when a heavy foundation is not in the cards. The cream color-corrects various complexion concerns, while also protecting against the sun’s rays thanks to SPF 30. Best of all, this formula is dermatologist tested and safe for sensitive skin types.
- Ingredients: Caffeine, glycerin, SPF 30
- Finish: Natural
- Shades: 5
- Size: 1 oz
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
Best Drugstore: e.l.f. Camo CC Cream
e.l.f.
Camo CC Cream
- Why We Love It: For those in search of a drugstore CC cream that rivals its high-end counterparts, Ginsberg recommends looking no further than e.l.f.’s offering. “Camo Cream is one of the best affordable CC creams—it holds its own against any top-tier brand,” she says. “The undertone range is excellent, and the finish is so skin-like, you’d never guess someone was wearing makeup at all.”
- Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, dimethicone, tocopheryl acetate, sodium hyaluronate, niacinamide, panthenol, glycerin, carrot seed oil, sunflower seed oil
- Finish: Semi-matte
- Shades: 15
- Size: 1.1 oz
- Fragrance-Free: No, naturally derived
Best Tinted Moisturizer: PÜR Beauty 4-in-1 Tinted Moisturizer With SPF 20
Pür Beauty
4-in-1 Tinted Moisturizer With SPF 20
- Why We Love It: Another multi-use CC cream, Pür’s option, truly does the most—in the best way. SPF protection with the barely-there feel of a tinted moisturizer? Check. A two-in-one primer and foundation? Double check. Color-correcting coverage? Triple check. All that, plus a cocktail of hydrating ingredients like shea butter and hyaluronic acid, delivers a dewy, even-toned finish that feels as good as it looks.
- Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, shea butter, aloe leaf extract, vitamin E, lactic acid, sodium hyaluronate
- Finish: Radiant
- Shades: 12
- Size: 1.7 oz
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
Best Concealer: Yensa Skin On Skin BC Concealer
Yensa
Yensa Skin On Skin BC Concealer
- Why We Love It: Guinsberg considers this pick a go-to concealer for mature skin types—and yes, it’s inspired by both a BB and a CC cream–inspired formula specifically designed for undereye coverage. “It’s an amazing choice for my more mature clients who dislike the feel of heavy, full-coverage concealers but still want their under-eyes to look fresher and brighter,” she explains, noting that the skincare–makeup hybrid’s superfood- and antioxidant-rich formula makes it ideal for aging skin. Black sesame oil, black tea, shiitake mushroom, black seaweed, and chia seeds work to reduce oxidation and inflammation, deeply moisturize, and visibly brighten.
- Ingredients: Sesame seed oil, hyaluronic acid, shiitake mushroom extract, nettle extract, sesame seed extract, black tea extract, chia seed extract, blackberry fruit extract, black seaweed extract
- Finish: Natural
- Shades: 11
- Size: 0.27 oz
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
What is a CC cream?
“A CC cream stands for color correcting cream, which usually means the formula lies somewhere between a regular foundation and a BB cream, but with skin care benefits,” explains makeup artist Karina Milan. She adds that these creams typically help with evening out underlying colors that basic foundations cannot, and they come in various shades to address this specific concern—CC creams contain pigments that help to neutralize the skin’s undertones for a more even-looking complexion.
What makes a CC cream different from a BB cream?
While a CC cream is more lightweight than a BB cream, it provides more coverage. “CC creams feel more airy and comfortable on the skin than BB creams,” says Dali, adding, “they provide more skin care benefits and higher SPF than most foundations, too.”
What’s the different between a CC cream and a skin tint?
“The real difference between a CC cream and tinted moisturizer or skin tint is that a CC cream is formulated specifically to cancel out any redness in the skin or sallowness,” pro makeup artist Dani Guinsberg tells Vogue. “It is literally a magician’s wand that color corrects all skin tones leaving a perfect base to work on.”
What to look for in a CC cream?
Key ingredients in CC creams include hyaluronic acid, SPF, vitamin C, and peptides, among many others. Ferreira suggests that a CC cream with a smooth texture and hydrating formula is preferable—especially to ensure it covers your skin and balances any pigmentation concerns.
How to apply a CC cream?
CC creams can be applied in the same way that foundations are—with a sponge, brush, or even your fingers. “Some enjoy using a CC cream as a primer, then applying foundation over it,” says Ferriera. Though, she believes CC creams provide enough coverage on their own.
If you’re looking to enhance the appearance of the CC cream, Dali suggests adding some concealer and loose powder to any blemishes, on the folds of the mouth and nose, under the eyes, and on the center of the forehead. She notes that this application technique will provide a natural looking complexion that will leave skin feeling lightweight.
Who is a CC cream best for?
Any skin type, tone, or texture could benefit from a CC cream, however, those looking to address hyperpigmentation, acne-scarring, or rosacea flareups might find these more suitable than other coverage solutions.
Meet the Experts
- Carolina Dali is a New York-based makeup artist and mens groomer.
- Valeria Ferreira is a London-based fashion and celebrity makeup artist.
- Dani Guinsberg is a London based editorial makeup artist and mens groomer. Her work is regularly featured in British Vogue, GQ, Elle, and more.
- Karina Milan is a New York-based makeup artist.
