skin care essentials What's The Difference Between BB Cream And CC Cream?

Whether you’re new to the world of makeup or a beauty aficionado who stays on the hottest and latest trends, you’ve likely heard of BB cream and CC cream. While both creams are awesome picks for days when you want to wear minimal makeup—they’re not quite the same. By understanding the difference between these face creams, you’ll be able to pick the right one for your skin care concerns. Below, we’re covering the differences between BB cream and CC cream and how to use them, so you can determine which is best to add to your skin care routine. 

What Is BB Cream?

BB cream, short for “beauty balm” or “blemish balm,” is a skin-first product, meaning it’s meant to hydrate, illuminate, protect, or mattify the skin. BB cream is basically a do-it-all skin care, makeup hybrid. It offers sheerer coverage than foundation, which is great for everyday use or for anyone who embraces skinimalism or loves that no-makeup, makeup look. 

When To Use BB Cream?

BB creams are super versatile and there are formulas out there for all different skin types. For an all-in-one BB cream, the L’Oréal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream is formulated with antioxidant vitamin E to smooth the skin’s texture, correct uneven complexion while, hydrating and hiding blemishes.

If your complexion looks red — whether from sun damage or acne — try the L’Oréal Paris Magic BB Anti-Redness (For All Skin Types). This BB cream has a green tint that transforms into a universal shade to help reduce the look of redness. Thanks to its multi-benefits, you can skip primer and moisturizer and just apply this one color-changing product.

If your complexion looks tired, try the L’Oréal Paris Magic BB Anti-Fatigue (For All Skin Types). This BB cream is formulated with color-transforming pigments infused in an ultra-light lotion to help revive the appearance of tired skin. It refreshes the look of tired skin, corrects the look of skin for an even-looking complexion, and hydrates for all-day moisture.

Editor’s Tip: To get the best results when using a BB cream, use a makeup blending sponge like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender, as this will provide a more natural, seamless finish, allowing your skin to look like skin. 

What Is CC Cream?

The “CC” in CC cream stands for color correcting or complexion corrector. It neutralizes the appearance of imperfections by utilizing colors opposite each other on the color wheel (for example green cancels out red). Instead of using a different color correcting concealer and foundation, you can take care of all your color-correcting, and coverage needs with one product. 

When To Use CC Cream 

On days you don’t want to wear a ton of makeup or are pressed for time CC cream comes in handy. Offering more coverage than BB creams, CC creams tend to have thicker, heavier formulas and can help to disguise any imperfections, such as dark spots or redness, you’re looking to keep undercover. Look for a CC cream that’s also formulated with broad-spectrum sunscreen so that you can cut out another step in your daily skin care routine. 

Blending is a crucial step to achieving a seamless finish, so whether you decide to apply CC cream with your fingers or a makeup blender, smooth it onto your face in circular motions and build coverage as needed.

Next: Tinted Moisturizer vs. BB Cream vs. Foundation: What's the Difference?

Edited by: Lauren Paige Richeson, Photo Credit: L’Oréal Paris