Looking for the best CC creams? We have a list for you! We scoured Google search data to identify the five most in-demand CC creams on the market today.
CC cream is a must-have for a flawless complexion. Not to be confused with BB creams, these complexion correctors are often made with light-diffusing pigments that create a beautiful, even, and luminous skin tone.
And, better than a standard foundation, CC creams contain SPF and minerals to protect your skin from the sun and reduce irritation. Most are appropriate for all skin types and conditions.
You can wear a CC cream underneath your foundation for IG-worthy coverage. But this season, one of the beauty trends that’s raging is the natural look. And you know what that means. It’s the perfect opportunity to wear CC cream by itself.
Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of CC creams, plus the CC creams beauty enthusiasts love most.
Why use a CC cream?
CC creams are an easy, convenient addition to your cosmetics routine. The right CC cream offers natural, buildable coverage for a fresh, even skin tone. You also get sun protection and hydration in the same application.
Lightweight coverage
Since CC creams are so lightweight, they don’t cake up or settle into lines like heavier foundations might. As a result, your skin looks naturally even and dewy.
Plus, CC cream is easy to apply and work into your skin. Add a small amount of CC cream to your fingertips or a makeup sponge, dab it over your face, and blend.
If you prefer heavier coverage, you can add your favorite foundation on top.
Sun protection
Most CC creams include an SPF factor to protect your skin from sun damage. Look for a formula with broad spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays. The higher the SPF, the better.
There’s an economic benefit here — as long as you reapply your CC cream as needed, you don’t have to invest in an extra sunblock for your face.
Moisturizing
CC creams usually contain anti-aging and moisturizing ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, adenosine, and vitamin E. Some additionally contain compounds that brighten your skin tone, like vitamin C and niacinamide.
If you have oily skin, you may enjoy wearing CC cream without an additional moisturizer. For dry skin, it’s appropriate to layer a CC cream on top of your favorite face lotion.
How is a CC cream different from a BB cream?
CC creams and BB creams are similar products. Both CCs and BBs have a light tint, moisturizing properties, and sun protection. So what’s the difference?
Think of CC cream as the version 2.0 of BB cream. CC creams even your skin tone and give you that dewy, healthy glow. CC creams also focus more on brightening your skin vs. BB creams — which is why you’ll often see brighteners like vitamin C and/or niacinamide on the ingredient list.
The five most popular CC creams
Now, let’s get to it — the five most popular CC creams.
1. Best overall: Perbelle CC cream
This one is my personal favorite. Perbelle CC cream provides the perfect combination of sun protection and skin nourishment for a healthy complexion. Formulated with SPF 43, it’s a creamy, lightweight, tone-adjusting formula that shields and nurtures your skin.
Perbelle CC cream also comes in only one color, which makes shopping much easier. The formula comes out of the bottle white, and then adjusts to your skin tone upon application. It’s like magic, really.
You can use Perbelle CC cream as a makeup base or as your only foundation. I prefer lighter coverage, so I usually wear it by itself. It conceals my darker, pigmented spots and provides a natural, but glowy, photo-worthy look.
I also like that Perbelle CC cream contains hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, two of my favorite anti-aging skincare ingredients.
The photos below are mildly embarrassing, but they show what a CC cream can do. Top left, that’s me, fresh out of the shower — no makeup. The lower left photo is after a fast blow-dry and the application of Perbelle CC cream, lipstick, and eyebrow pencil. You can see the more even tone, especially on my nose and chin. The right photo is later that day, outside in the sunlight. Perbelle CC cream really shows its worth outside, right?
You can buy Perbelle CC cream at perbellecosmetics.com for $44. Right now, there’s a special running: Buy two, save $6, and get free U.S. shipping.
Perbelle also makes mattifying primers, luminous foundations, lipsticks, and more.
2. Best with SPF: IT Cosmetics CC cream
Next on the list is IT Cosmetics CC cream. It’s got SPF 50 plus loads of moisturizing power. The IT Cosmetics formulation tackles those tough tone problems like redness, patchiness, and dark spots.
IT Cosmetics CC cream is available in three finishes: radiant, matte, and healthy glow. You must also select your shade, as in Fair Light, Light, Medium, Deep Neutral, etc.
Key ingredients are hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and green tea extract.
You can buy IT Cosmetics CC cream at itcosmetics.com for $44. This brand also offers a wide array of other beauty products like eyeshadows and mascaras.
3. Best for value: Elf CC cream
If your beauty budget is tight, try e.l.f. camo cream — a CC cream with SPF 30 and a price point of $15. The formula is infused with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides, and collagen. And, bonus, all e.l.f. products are vegan and cruelty-free.
You do have to choose your shade and undertone of the e.l.f. CC cream, but e.l.f.’s website has two tools to help you pick correctly. There’s a virtual try-on plus access to a beauty advisor via chat.
One small concern is that many of the shades are sold out on e.l.f.’s website. Hopefully this popular product is not being discontinued!
You can buy e.l.f. CC cream at elfcosmetics.com. While you’re there, check out the brand’s extensive makeup collection that includes primer, lipstick, shadows, and more.
4. Best luxury CC cream: Chanel CC cream
The Channel cc cream is an all-in-one formula that evens and protects your skin while delivering a glowing finish. Enriched with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C–rich murunga plum, the Chanel CC Cream is suitable for any skin type. Plus, its SPF 50+ offers superior protection against harmful UV rays.
You choose from one of seven shades. If you’re not sure which one fits you best, reach out to a Chanel beauty consultant via phone, email, or chat.
You can buy Chanel CC cream for $55 at Chanel.com. It’s not a bad price point for a notably luxurious brand. And if you’re feeling splurgy, you can also shop Chanel’s beauty collection for mascara, foundation, lip color, and more.
5. Best for sensitive skin: Supergoop CC cream
Supergoop CC cream is a clean formula made without known skin irritants, including D4 and D5 cyclical silicones, PEGs, talc, and phenoxyethanol. It’s also a 100% mineral formula with broad spectrum SPF 50 protection.
Use it to cover imperfections and add a healthy glow. You can also layer the Supergoop formula for more coverage. Or, wear it underneath a foundation.
You have your choice of 15 shades, ranging from 100C to 426W. You can use Supergoop’s “find my shade” feature online to pick just the right one.
Key ingredients include apple extract and Irish moss/red seaweed extract. Both smooth and brighten skin and minimize the signs of aging.
You can buy Supergoop CC cream for $44 at supergoop.com. The brand also sells moisturizers, sunblocks, serums, and makeup.
CC cream for a natural (but not too natural) look
The best CC creams are multi-action products that deliver hydration, coverage, and sun protection for every type of skin. These formulas feel as light as a moisturizer and blend seamlessly for an even, glowy finish.
For days when foundation feels like too much but tinted moisturizer isn’t enough, a CC cream is your answer. Simply blend, add lipstick and mascara, for the perfect natural beauty look.
