Key ingredients: avocado oil, mango butter, Japanese white rose stem cells | Finish: matte | Shades: 18
Best for Mature Skin: Clinique Age Defense BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Why it’s worth it: Most BB and CC creams have the texture of tinted moisturizers, but the Moisture Surge CC Cream by Clinique feels more like a lightweight foundation. This oil- and fragrance-free CC cream color-corrects redness, dullness, and sallowness with its mix of soothing aloe vera extract, anti-inflammatory caffeine, and moisturizing squalane. It’s basically a tinted cocktail that diminishes the look of fine lines and discoloration, which is why Pollara is a big fan. “This lightweight formula provides just enough coverage to mask any imperfections,” she says. “Formulated with antioxidants, this product protects the skin and prevents signs of aging and skin damage.”
Editor’s tip: For lighter coverage, Clinique suggests spot-applying the CC Cream where skin looks red or dull. For fuller coverage, wear it as a skin-blurring tinted primer under your usual foundation.
Key ingredients: octinoxate (7.5%), octisalate (5%), titanium dioxide (5.2%), zinc oxide (3.2%), aloe vera extract, caffeine, squalane | Finish: natural/semi-dewy | Shades: 4
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between BB creams and CC creams?
BB and CC creams have many similarities: radiant finishes, moisturizing ingredients, and often, broad-spectrum sun protection, but they’re two different products. According to makeup artists Neil Scibelli, Brianna Pollara, and Tomy Rivero, CC creams are designed to color-correct (CC stands for “color correct,” after all) discoloration, redness, and sallowness, while BB creams “are a form of a lighter-weight foundation with skin-care benefits, usually light in coverage for a barely-there, ‘no makeup’ look,” says Rivero. While BB creams are mainly for anyone who wants low-maintenance, dewy coverage, Scibelli says that CC creams are great for someone who’s looking to neutralize redness, cover sunspots, or smooth uneven skin tone. “CC creams typically contain more pigment for buildable coverage,” he says.
“A BB cream, which usually stands for a beauty balm, is a multiuse product that acts as a primer, foundation, moisturizer, and sunscreen,” explains Los Angeles-based makeup artist Brandy Allen. In addition to hydrating and evening skin tones, BB creams treat your skin to hydrating, brightening, blemish-eviscerating, and fine-line-filling ingredients like antioxidant vitamin C, according to Dorman.
How do I apply BB and CC creams?
As if BB creams and CC creams didn’t have enough benefits, both are also extremely easy to apply. Both Allen and Dorman agree that you can use just about any of your favorite tools to smooth these effortless formulas onto your skin—even if said tool is your hand. “You can use a sponge, foundation brush, or your fingers, and gently dab the product for a natural, skin-like finish,” says Allen.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
