Traditional foundation is far from the only option for a makeup base. Not to be confused with BB cream (aka beauty balm), CC cream is all about color correcting—which is why it tends to have more coverage than the former. "CC cream specifically targets areas that are more problematic, such as redness or discoloration,'' explains celebrity makeup artist Nydia Figueroa. "It can also protect the skin from sun damage, fine lines, and age spots."
So, if you love multitasking products that benefit your skin while providing coverage, CC cream might be right up your alley. We researched top-rated products, checked our makeup drawers, and put dozens to the test to find the best CC creams based on coverage, buildability, finish, wear, and shade range.
Our Top Picks
Best Budget:
Best Multiuse:
Best Natural Finish:
Jason Wu Beauty Tinted Moisturizer Meets CC Cream at Target$20
Best With SPF:
Best Coverage:
Best Buildable:
What We Like
Lightweight yet creamy formula
Provides mineral SPF protection
Blurs hyperpigmentation
Natural-looking coverage
What to Consider
Shade range is limited
Oily skin may need to set with powder
Shades: 7 | Coverage: Light to medium | Finish: Luminous | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This CC cream from Honest is formulated with skin-loving ingredients like soothing allantoin and radiance-boosting vitamin C, plus mineral SPF protection. We loved how it moisturized our skin and evened out our complexions while offering light to medium coverage. The creamy, slightly watery texture is blendable and lightweight on the skin.
We also felt that the shade we used was pigmented enough to blur hyperpigmentation (dark spots) while still looking natural and skin-like. This makeup base wears nicely without getting greasy. You might want to set it with translucent powder if you have oily skin, but we still think it'll work for all skin types. That said, the shade range could undoubtedly be broader, which was our only gripe.
What We Like
Natural-looking, skin-like finish
Can be blended with fingers
Expansive shade range
What to Consider
May get cakey without proper blending
Shades: 30 | Coverage: Medium to full | Finish: Natural | Cruelty-Free: Yes
We tried e.l.f.'s Camo CC Cream and were totally impressed. The ultra-creamy, pigmented formula can be used like tinted moisturizer or as more of a foundation, depending on how much apply. You can add a little extra in spots you need more coverage, like your nose and chin.
We used our fingers for most of the applying and blending, but you might want to grab a damp makeup sponge to buff it out and prevent it from getting cakey. This CC cream's skin-like finish was virtually undetectable, and it stayed fresh and nongreasy throughout the day.
What We Like
Leaves skin dewy and hydrated
Light yet buildable coverage
Great for dry or balanced skin
What to Consider
Can get greasy throughout the day
Shades: 12 | Coverage: Light | Finish: Dewy | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This multiuse CC cream works as a moisturizer, primer, foundation, and SPF in one. It has a glowy finish that left our skin looking dewy while providing excellent color correction. The coverage leans more sheer, but we were able to add another layer or two to achieve medium coverage.
It applied nicely with our fingertips or a damp sponge, and we liked how comfortable and moisturizing it felt on our skin once applied. This tinted moisturizer did get a bit greasy after a few hours of wear, so we recommend setting it with powder if you have oily skin.
What We Like
Glowy yet natural finish
Sheer but buildable coverage
Contains hydrating ingredients
What to Consider
Not ideal for oily skin
Shades: 13 | Coverage: Light | Finish: Luminous | Cruelty-Free: Yes
The brand claims this product has sheer coverage, but we were pleasantly surprised by how well we could build it up to cover imperfections and create a more even-looking complexion. Beyond the light yet flexible coverage, it has an intensely glowy finish that looks radiant but still natural on the skin.
If you have oily skin, you might find the level of glow a bit much, especially around the T-zone. But we could see those with dry skin—and anyone going for a radiant look—falling in love with this one. We also appreciate that the inclusive shades range from dark to fair.
What We Like
Full, natural-looking coverage
Feels weightless and breathable on the skin
Good shade range
What to Consider
Transfers without setting spray
Limited dark shades
Shades: 14 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Despite being incredibly pigmented with full coverage, this CC cream blends into the skin without looking heavy or mask-like. Although it has a matte finish, we like that it's not a drying, flat finish.
The weightless, breathable formula felt good on our skin. It can transfer, though, so we suggest following with setting spray. Another reason this product stands out? It delivers SPF 50 protection.
Best Natural Finish
Jason Wu Beauty Tinted Moisturizer Meets CC Cream
What We Like
Good for no-makeup makeup
Leaves skin looking healthy and hydrated
Contains skincare ingredients
What to Consider
May settle into fine lines
Shades: 12 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If your main goal with CC cream is to look like you're not wearing makeup—or not much of it, at least—this one's for you. This product is a hybrid of CC cream and tinted moisturizer. It provides medium coverage and a natural-looking finish that looks like healthy, moisturized skin.
You may want to avoid multiple layers, though, as it might settle into fine lines. But a single layer should be plenty to achieve a fresh-looking complexion. We also like that this product contains skincare ingredients, including niacinamide (vitamin B3), vitamin E, and goji berry extract to reduce redness, even out your skin tone, and boost radiance.
What We Like
Airy, whipped-like texture
Natural-looking coverage
Camouflages redness and hyperpigmentation
What to Consider
Limited dark shades
Shades: 15 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural, luminous | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Formulated with 100% mineral SPF 50, Supergoop! CC Screen offers full-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays, not to mention ample hydration. We enjoyed how easily it blended, how weightless it felt once applied, and how well it covered redness and hyperpigmentation, all while maintaining a skin-like appearance.
This CC cream looked like a traditional liquid foundation when we squeezed it out of the tube, but the texture was much airier, so we couldn't feel it sitting on our skin. While a range of 15 shades is pretty good for a sunscreen brand, we wish there were more dark shades. But if you find a shade that works for you and prefer makeup with SPF protection, it's definitely worth buying.
What We Like
Comfortable feel on skin
SPF 50 sun protection
Great for all skin types
Excellent shade range
What to Consider
May not fully cover dark spots
Shades: 22 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Natural | Cruelty-Free: Yes
IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream is an ultra-popular product—and for good reason. Besides mineral SPF 50 protection, it offers buildable, full coverage with a finish that looks a lot like traditional foundation—without appearing dry or cakey. We like that it has a lightweight feel on the skin, making it a stellar choice for daily wear as well as glam looks.
Though it didn't fully cancel out our dark spots, we loved how this product blurred our complexions. It was extremely comfortable to wear, too—we often forgot we had makeup on. And unlike many other CC creams, this one comes in a diverse range of 22 shades.
What We Like
Resists creasing and cakey look
Light, mousse-like texture
Hydrating, calming ingredients
What to Consider
Low SPF
Shades: 21 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural/matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you're a fan of Tarte Shape Tape Concealer (um, hi), we're willing to bet the brand's Shape Tape Cloud Coverage will also win you over. This CC cream has a light-as-air, almost mousse-like texture that feels amazing on the skin while still offering considerable coverage. Best of all, you can build it up if you need extra coverage without worrying about it creasing or looking cakey.
It has SPF 15, but this is really low (not broad-spectrum), so we strongly suggest wearing facial sunscreen underneath. However, the formula contains several skincare ingredients to help your skin stay hydrated, calm, and radiant for hours on end—aloe, squalane, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and licorice root, to name just a few.
What We Like
Available in 34 shades
Great coverage with a small amount of product
Doesn't look or feel greasy
What to Consider
Can settle into lines and pores
Shades: 34 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte | Cruelty-Free: No
It's no secret that drugstore makeup has a history of lacking in the shade department, but this CC cream comes in 34 shades—and they're nicely dispersed across skin tones. It provides full coverage with a matte finish, plus it's fragrance-free (good for sensitive skin) and infused with niacinamide, which is known to help reduce dark spots.
While the product has a thick texture, just a little bit goes a long way. You can count on it to even out your skin tone and create a nice veil of coverage without looking or feeling greasy. It can settle into pores and fine lines, but applying a smoothing primer first should help prevent this.
What We Like
Nuanced, deep shades
Covers dark spots and under-eye circles
Buildable coverage
Moisturizing
What to Consider
Potentially too shiny for oily skin types
Shades: 12 | Coverage: Light to medium | Finish: Radiant | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This CC cream from The Lip Bar comes in 12 shades, including multiple nuanced shades with varying undertones that work with dark and very dark skin tones. While it has light coverage, we were impressed by its capacity to be built up to medium. What's more, it effectively covered our dark spots and color-corrected our under-eye circles.
Thanks to hyaluronic acid, rosewater, and Irish sea moss in the formula, this multipurpose product moisturizes your skin while enhancing your complexion. The radiant finish is a touch luminous. It might be too shiny for those with oilier skin, but this could be fixed by setting it with translucent powder.
Best for Acne-Prone Skin
Tower 28 SunnyDays Tinted Sunscreen
What We Like
Doesn't irritate skin or clog pores
Inclusive shade range
Contains mineral SPF 30
What to Consider
Not the most buildable
Shades: 17 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Tower 28 SunnyDays has a stamp of approval from the National Eczema Association, plus it's made without fragrance and is free from essential oils. Promising not to cause breakouts or clog pores, it's ideal for those with acne-prone skin and reactive complexions.
This sunscreen-makeup hybrid is a great option for no-makeup makeup days. It provides SPF 30 protection with mineral UV blockers, medium coverage, color correction, and a natural-looking finish. We also like that the shade options are more diverse than others, and the brand continues to add more to work with a broader range of skin tones.
Best for Mature Skin
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Hydrating Skin Tint SPF 15 with Hyaluronic Acid
What We Like
Doesn't settle into fine lines
Lightweight, natural-looking coverage
Moisturizes and protects
What to Consider
Low SPF
Shades: 18 | Coverage: Light | Finish: Natural | Cruelty-Free: No
If you ask us, this skin tint from Bobbi Brown is the best option for mature skin. It moisturizes while providing light, natural-looking coverage to ensure it blends seamlessly and doesn't settle into fine lines.
The lightweight, humidity-resistant formula won't crease when you smile, talk, or otherwise move your face throughout the day. And the color correction should hold up for at least 12 hours. We also like that it's blended with vitamins and antioxidants to protect from free radicals and create a radiant complexion.
What We Like
Easy to apply and blend with fingers or brush
Lightweight feel on face
Blurs pores and corrects uneven tone
What to Consider
Limited shades
May oxidize with extended wear
Shades: 4 | Coverage: Light | Finish: Radiant | Cruelty-Free: Yes
We tested this CC cream from the Korean beauty brand Eborian and have lots of good things to say about it. The lightweight texture makes it easy to apply and blend with your fingers or a makeup brush. And wearing it feels like there's barely anything on your face.
The shade range is really limited, but if one of the colors matches your skin tone, you can expect Eborian CC Crème to blur your pores and generate a more even-toned complexion. Unfortunately, it seemed to oxidize as the day wore on, which made the shade we tested appear slightly darker. But if you're looking for something with light coverage for quick outings, it's worth buying.
What We Like
Doesn't dry out and crease
Spreads easily and blends well
Hydrates and reduces redness
What to Consider
Won't last all day without setting spray
Shades: 10 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Semi-matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Lumene is a Finland-based makeup and skincare company. If you like the coverage and finish of regular foundation but not the dry feel and potential for creasing, the brand's CC cream has your name on it. The liquidy (but not too runny) formula spreads evenly and blends effortlessly without settling into your pores.
One of our favorite things about it is that it delivers a heaping dose of moisture to keep your skin hydrated. Not only that, but the medium coverage reduces redness without completely concealing your natural complexion. Just a heads up, it may not last all day unless you finish with setting spray.
What to Look for in a CC Cream
- Coverage: Some CC creams have light coverage and act like tinted moisturizers, while others can pass as traditional foundations. The level of coverage to look for depends on your preferences and how you intend to wear it. If the goal is to blur and color correct, light or medium coverage will do. But if you plan to use CC cream for glam looks, special occasions, or photos, you may want full or at least buildable coverage.
- Finish: Like foundation, CC creams have different finishes, including matte, semi-matte, natural, dewy, radiant, and luminous. This is also a matter of preference, but those with oily skin may prefer matte or semi-matte, and dryer skin types and mature complexions might like a natural or dewy finish.
- Shade Range: Since many CC creams have lighter coverage than traditional foundations, the shades are often somewhat flexible—like how tinted sunscreen can sometimes be a universal shade. However, if you get one too far off from your skin tone, it may not work for you. Look for an option that has a wide shade range, and flip through photos of models wearing the shades so you can get your match just right.
- Skincare Ingredients: CC creams often provide skin benefits in addition to coverage. Some have SPF sun protection, while others offer moisture or free radical protection with antioxidants. Some of the most common and widely beneficial skincare ingredients in this type of product include hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and niacinamide.
FAQ
What does CC cream do?
As a makeup-skincare hybrid, CC cream can do a lot. "A CC cream is a multitasking product that color corrects, covers, and can offer skincare and sun protection benefits all in one step," explains Figueroa.
How do you apply CC cream?
As with foundation, the right application method comes down to your preferences. If you like fuller coverage, use a brush or your fingertips. If you want lighter coverage, opt for a damp makeup sponge. Figueroa suggests applying a pea-sized amount to the center of your face and blending outward toward the perimeter.
What is the difference between BB and CC cream?
CC stands for color correction, and BB stands for beauty balm. A CC cream provides more coverage and color corrects, making it a better option if you're looking to conceal or blur specific areas, explains Figueroa. BB creams, on the other hand, provide sheerer coverage and an overall more radiant look to the skin, she says.
Meet Our Expert
To find out more information on the best CC creams available, we consulted with a makeup artist to learn more about what to look for when evaluating our tested picks.
- Nydia Figueroa is a celebrity makeup artist and beauty educator based on the East Coast.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer, editor, and product reviewer with substantial experience covering makeup and skincare. Alyssa Kaplan is an associate commerce editor, an experienced writer in the beauty industry, and a product tester specializing in cosmetics.