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Get a natural and flawless look with the best CC cream

CC cream is a great substitute for foundation, especially if you want a natural look or if you don’t like to spend time on makeup. Shop yours here.

Published Nov 24, 2023
5 min. reading time
Image of 3 CC creams including glossier, it and elf

If you’re wondering what is cc cream, you’re in luck.

CC cream is a handy beauty product typically worn underneath your foundation. It’s aimed at color correcting and diminishing skin flaws like redness, dark spots and hyperpigmentation. 

But it does more than just color-correct. Some CC creams have skincare ingredients that can help with hydration and some even have SPF to protect your skin from UV rays. So how do you pick one that is right for you?

Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Whether you have acne-prone skin or you just want extra protection from the sun, we’ve researched and found the best CC creams that will suit all your skin needs.

Read more: Complete your look with the top drugstore mascaras

Check out our CC cream picks

Stacks of Honest CC cream in tubes
Best overall
Honest Beauty CCC Clean Corrective
Image of Typology CC cream in a bottle with different shades
Best for acne-prone skin
Typology Tinted Serum with Vitamin C
$42.90 at Typology
CC cream in silver tube packaging
Top choice for mature skin
IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream
$32.90 at Sephora
CC cream in pink tube
Best for sensitive skin
Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream
$33 at Ulta Beauty
Pros & Cons
  • Non-comedogenic

  • Vegan

  • Wide range of shades

  • Might be drying for certain skin types

  • Reports of product rubbing off on clothing

This CC cream from Honest Beauty is our favorite for several reasons. It’s a 6-in-1 product with vitamin C, allantoin and SPF 30 sunscreen to brighten soothe, moisturize, and protect your skin from the sun and blue light. 

This cruelty-free CC cream is created with 5% pigment to suit all skin types so you can glow even without heavy makeup. It’s also non-comedogenic which makes it the best correcting cream on our list.

Best for acne-prone skin

Pros & Cons
  • Silicone free

  • Lightweight

  • Buildable coverage

  • Limited shades available

  • Reports of issues with dropper

If you’re looking for the best cc cream for acne-prone skin, look no further than the Typology Tinted Serum. It’s a non-clogging, tinted moisturizer with Vitamin C, aloe vera and squalane that provides your skin with the glowing hydration it needs. 

Produced with 99% naturally derived ingredients, it’s safe for sensitive skin. And when it’s time to clean your makeup, it can easily be removed with micellar water.

Top choice for mature skin

CC cream in silver tube packaging
Photo: Sephora

IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream

You save $14.10 (30%)
$32.90$47
Pros & Cons
  • Full coverage

  • Free from parabens

  • Wide shade range

  • Product stains can be hard to remove

  • Can leave a cakey finish

This IT CC cream doesn’t just provide full coverage but it also protects against free radicals from UV rays with its high SPF50 sun protection. This makes it the best CC cream for mature skin.

Its creamy hyaluronic acid formula helps give a dewy and glowy finish. And because it comes in a wide range of shades, you can get the perfect no-makeup look no matter what your skin tone is.

Best for sensitive skin

CC cream in pink tube
Photo: Ulta Beauty
Pros & Cons
  • Fragrance-free

  • Allergy tested

  • Only provides medium coverage

Looking for the best cc cream for sensitive skin? This Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream is a great option. Its non-acnegenic, lightweight formula instantly resolves issues you may have with blemishes, dark circles and other complexion concerns. 

It provides an SPF 30 coverage and it also works best as a CC cream for redness. Plus, it’s dermatologist and allergy tested so you don’t have to worry about breaking out when wearing it.

Top pick with SPF

Pros & Cons
  • Cruelty-free

  • High SPF

  • Coverage is too light to wear on its own

Supergoop! is a brand that is well known for its high-quality sun protection products so it’s no wonder this CC cream gets our vote for best CC cream with SPF. Plus, your ​​makeup artist will thank you for the light coverage that won’t interfere with a full face of makeup.

It’s a vegan and cruelty-free product with a high SPF50 protection that not only evens out skin tones but will help protect you from free radicals caused by UV rays. It’s also got a wide range of shades to choose from so you’ll definitely find your perfect match.

Top value pick

Pros & Cons
  • Wide range of shades available

  • Provides medium to full coverage

  • Reports of product not blending well into skin

There are many reasons to love this product and its affordable price is just one of them. This e.l.f. Camo CC Cream is infused with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide — and it comes with SPF30 protection.From the best drugstore CC cream to one that provides sun protection, we’ve scoured our top list to help you achieve flawless results. Start browsing here.

There are more than 30 shades to choose from, and this cream provides medium to full coverage and a semi-matte finish ifyou who don’t like  looking oily at the end of the day. If those aren’t enough reasons to love it, the fact that  is also phthalate and paraben-free will.

For a matte finish

Pros & Cons
  • Transfer proof

  • Provides 24-hour hydration

  • Vegan

  • Doesn’t have high SPF

  • Formula may be sticky for some

Get a matte finish, with the Shape Tape Cloud CC Cream from tarte. It’s a buildable tinted moisturizer that blurs imperfections and hides skin concerns like dark spots and fine lines for glowing skin. 

It’s dermatologist-tested to provide up to 24 hours of hydration and crease-proof while protecting your skin from UV rays with its SPF15 sunscreen. It’s transfer proof too, so you can say goodbye to stained tops.

For a dewy look

Pros & Cons
  • Minimizes appearance of pores

  • Breathable formula

  • Labels peel off from bottle easily

This ultra-thin skin tint from Glossier is perfect if you prefer a more natural look but still want coverage for skin imperfections like redness and dark circles. It contains glycerin that acts as a moisturizer and diamond powder that minimizes the appearance of pores.

We love that a thin layer of this product is enough to give your face a dewy glow throughout the day. And because it’s light, you can pair it with your favorite foundation for a more complete makeup look.

What to know about CC creams

It’s always good to have all the necessary information before buying  a product that could impact your skin. Before you make your purchase, here are some of your burning questions, answered.

Is CC cream or BB cream better?

In general, they’re both aimed at creating a more flawless look with the addition of skincare ingredients that help soothe your skin. However, CC cream often offers more coverage than BB cream. 

BB creams are usually sheer and are mainly aimed at providing hydration whereas CC creams focus on color correcting have different shades.

How do I choose the right CC cream?

There are a few steps to take that can help you select the right cream for your skin. Firstly, identify your skin’s undertone (whether warm, cool or neutral) and skin tone shade (light, medium or dark). If you’re buying online, most makeup brands will have their program to assist you with finding the right shade.

If you’re testing the product, make sure the cream blends in with your skin after applying it to your jawline. Unsure about which color is suitable?It’s always best to go with a CC cream that has light coverage.

Our editor’s top pick for CC creams

We think all the CC creams on our list are good choices for different reasons. However, out of all the CC creams recommended, here are our top two picks:

  • Honest Beauty CCC Clean Corrective: Not only does it have many positive CC cream reviews, but it’s also vegan-friendly and affordable. What’s not to love?

  • tarte shape tape cloud CC cream: We love that it provides 25 hours of hydration and crease-proof wear. And because it’s transfer-proof, you can wear it without worrying about rubbing or staining your clothing.


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Prices updated on 11/17/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.

Afina Najib Professional Headshot
Written by
Afina Najib

A journalism graduate from Curtin University, Afina Najib specializes in writing tech, finance, automotive and wellness content. Now residing in Kuala Lumpur, Afina spends her weekends hitting the gym or watching Formula 1 races.

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