What Is CC Cream?

If you know anything about makeup or skin care products, then you’re likely already pretty familiar with BB cream. But are you equally as educated about CC cream? Like BB cream, the CC cream craze started in Korea (as so many of our favorite trends, including multi-masking with different face masks, have as well!). And like BB cream, CC cream is makeup that offers skin care benefits, such as minimizing the appearance of dark spots. Essentially, CC cream is a multitasking beauty product that’s right up there with some of our other favorites that do double-duty, like moisturizer with SPF and concealer that brightens as it hides imperfections. If you’re still searching for an answer to the question “what is CC cream?” we’re here to explain the answer in more detail below, along with tips on picking out the right CC cream for your skin and adding it to your makeup and skin care routine.

WHAT IS CC CREAM?

Let’s back up a minute. In order to understand what CC cream is, you first need to brush up on your BB cream knowledge. BB cream (the “BB” typically stands for beauty balm or blemish balm) is makeup that has skin care benefits. Those benefits could be anything from hydration to shine control to light coverage. CC creams take that concept a step further, offering more coverage than BB creams. Whereas BB creams tend to be lightweight and relatively sheer, CC creams often have thicker formulas to provide heavier coverage. So, it makes sense that the “CC” in CC cream’s name usually stands for color correcting.

HOW IS CC CREAM DIFFERENT THAN FOUNDATION OR CONCEALER?

Similar to foundation and concealer, CC cream offers coverage and can help to conceal spots you want to keep hidden. But unlike foundation and concealer, CC cream offers more than just traditional coverage—it has skin care benefits, too. Depending on which CC cream formula you reach for, it could help to brighten the appearance of your skin or reduce the appearance of dark spots, for example.

WHO CAN USE A CC CREAM?

Good news: CC cream is an awesome choice for just about anyone who wants to wear some cover-up! Have dark spots that you want to hide? Try a CC cream. Looking to perk up your complexion? Try a CC cream. Look for a CC cream formula that can help address your specific skin concerns or needs. If you have oily skin, you may want to consider using an oil-free CC cream formula, but if you have dry skin, you may want to think about opting for a more hydrating CC cream formula.

WHAT CC CREAM SHOULD YOU TRY?

Now that we’ve convinced you to hop on the CC cream bandwagon, it’s time to add one to your beauty routine! Try the L’Oréal Paris Visible Lift CC Cream, available in two shades: light/medium and medium/deep. This CC cream is formulated with color capsules infused in a weightless nourishing texture to correct dullness and even skin tone and texture. It’s also formulated with vitamin C and calcium, and over time it provides five age-correcting actions including reducing the appearance of dark spots, evening the look of skin tone, brightening the appearance of a dull complexion, smoothing skin’s texture, and firming skin.

HOW SHOULD YOU APPLY CC CREAM?

Like BB cream, tinted moisturizer, and liquid foundation, the easiest way to apply CC cream is with your fingers! You can also use a makeup blender, like the L’Oréal Paris Blend Artist Foundation Blender, which has rounded edge. Simply apply a small amount of CC cream onto your makeup blender (a dime-sized amount is all you need!) and use dabbing and rolling motions to blend the CC cream onto your skin for a uniform application.

WHAT MAKEUP SHOULD YOU USE ALONGSIDE CC CREAM?

When you use a CC cream to help perfect the look of your complexion, let your skin be the star and keep the rest of your makeup minimal. Apply a coat of volumizing mascara, draw on a thin line of black eyeliner on your upper lash line, and swipe on a matte lipstick for a low maintenance makeup look. Complete your face with the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara, L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner, and L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lipstick in Matte-Cademia.

Now, we’ve surely put to rest any questions you may have had on what CC cream is. Task accomplished! As for what’s next, it’s the perfect time to refresh your memory about BB creams. Read our article, The Best Times to Wear BB Cream and How to Use It.