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Debating between BB cream and CC cream? Makeup artists explain the difference — plus 15 products to try

Take a break from your heavier foundation with these hydrating formulas.
Kara Birnbaum / TODAY

A flawless complexion is always the goal when you're applying makeup, but sometimes heavier foundations lack key ingredients that can benefit your skin. That's when BB and CC creams come in handy.

These creams are multitaskers in the way that they provide hydration and a lightweight texture — which is always a plus in our book. Instead of hiding your blemishes under cakey-looking makeup, BB and CC creams offer an even tone with skin-friendly benefits thanks to their all-in-one formulas.

We asked makeup artists to break down the building blocks of BB and CC creams, along with what makes them different from each other. Read on or use the links below for more information.

BB cream and CC cream | What is a tinted moisturizer? | Benefits of BB cream | Benefits of CC cream | How to apply BB and CC cream | Best BB creams | Best CC creams | FAQs | How we chose | Meet the experts

Best BB creams and CC creams

The main difference between both formulas lies in their coverage intensity and texture. BB creams are beauty balms that correct blemishes; CC creams are color correctors with lighter coverage than the former.

"BB cream is more hydrating and can provide a beautiful radiance to the skin, [which] is ideal for dry skin types. [Meanwhile], CC cream is lighter in coverage and is great for oily skin as it often comes in a matte formula," shares celebrity makeup artist Nydia Figueroa, who's based in Cedar Grove, New Jersey.

While BB and CC creams offer lighter, sheerer coverage compared with foundation, they can be easily paired with other beauty products to give your skin a smoother, even consistency.

For example, "concealers are great to pair with a BB cream or CC cream because you can target areas on the face that need more coverage," recommends Figueroa.

What is a tinted moisturizer?

Many retailers use the term "tinted moisturizer" interchangeably with BB creams and CC creams, which may get confusing. But while BB and CC creams offer some coverage, tinted moisturizers typically offer sheer to no coverage while providing hydration and a bit of sun protection. In other words, it's like adding a dose of pigment to your face that has a very light formulation. Tinted moisturizers are helpful if you want to give your face an easy summer glow without a cakey feeling.

What are the benefits of BB cream?

Aside from delivering additional hydration and radiance to your skin, BB cream works as a "multifunctional product that serves as a moisturizer, primer and foundation. This is a great option for someone who wants a quick and easy way to even out their complexion with minimal effort," says Figueroa.

In addition to its skinimalism-friendly properties, many BB creams contain antioxidants and offer some level of SPF that protects your skin from the sun and other environmental stressors. (Skinimalism, a portmanteau of "skin" and "minimalism," refers to a scaled-back approach to skin care that Pinterest once highlighted as a major beauty trend.) However, BB creams should be used alongside your favorite sunscreen because BB formulas typically contain lower SPF values that range from 10 to 45.

What are the benefits of CC cream?

CC creams are most commonly used for their undertones, which lend themselves to color-correcting. They're especially great if you're looking to combat hyperpigmentation and redness. Aside from neutralizing blemishes and under-eye circles, CC creams are often formulated with skin-friendly, anti-aging agents that decrease the appearance of spots and wrinkles.

For celebrity makeup artist Jeannia Robinette, who's based in Los Angeles, CC creams offer a more natural, matte finish to a barely-there makeup look, which is ideal for those who have oily or acne-prone skin.

"I love how natural it is and evens out your skin tone plus is a multitasker," she says. "The CC creams have a little bit more pigment than the BB. Also, it corrects your skin tone. I'm a fan of wearing as minimal foundation as possible [when wearing a CC cream]."

How to apply BB and CC cream

Like most makeup products, BB and CC creams can be applied with a brush. However, Robinette recommends applying them with your fingers.

"I prefer to use my fingers and warm up the CC cream before applying it on my skin," she says. "I treat it like a sunscreen and put it all over my neck, chest and face."

Robinette also recommends avoiding a beauty sponge for application to avoid the product being absorbed and wasted. For everyday makeup application, BB and CC creams are the way to go without adding a full mask on your face.

You should also make sure to "use a shade up and darker than you're used to," suggests Robinette. "The lighter color will highlight the areas that you want to cover, while the darker will offer coverage."

Best BB creams to shop

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream 8-In-1 Skin Perfector

What we like
  • Lightweight formula
  • Feels hydrating
Something to note
  • Provides "sheer" coverage

Available shades: 5 | SPF: 30 | Notable ingredients: Aloe barbadensis leaf extract

With 21,000-plus glowing (and verified) five-star ratings on Amazon, Maybelline’s hydrating, gel-like formula will give your skin a smooth feeling and sheer coverage. Customers note how much they love the non-cakey textures and how easily it blends into skin without clogging their pores.

In other words, this is a great cream if you’re going for a “no makeup” makeup look.

Amanda Fama, a commerce editor at Shop TODAY is also a fan of this product. She says that "it's lightweight" and that "it leaves her skin feeling moisturized."

L’Oréal Paris Makeup Magic Skin Beautifier Anti-Redness BB Cream Tinted Moisturizer

What we like
  • Feels lightweight on skin
  • Blends well
  • Isn't greasy
Something to note
  • Has an orange tint
  • Feels "cakey" for some

Available shades: 6 | SPF: N/A | Notable ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E

L’Oréal Paris’s BB cream once became a TikTok sensation, so it’s no surprise it’s been selling out left and right. The ultra-light formula neutralizes redness thanks to its green tint; plus, it hydrates, primes and perfects your complexion because of ingredients like vitamins C and E.

Lique Active Beauty Hydrating BB Cream

What we like
  • Blends well
  • Simple to apply
Something to note
  • Feels greasy for some

Available shades: 3 | SPF: N/A | Notable ingredients: White tea

This lightweight BB cream offers a blend of antioxidants like white and green tea, which are said to help reduce redness and inflammation while strengthening the skin’s collagen. The vegan formula not only provides a natural dewy finish while hydrating and smoothing fine lines, but it also supposedly adds full coverage without greasiness.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Aging Perfector

What we like
  • Feels moisturizing
  • Lightweight on skin
Something to note
  • Some had trouble with the cap

Available shades: 6 | SPF: 20 | Notable ingredients: Retinol

Nail the perfect glowy complexion with Neutrogena's anti-aging formula, which can help correct your skin imperfections. What makes it a shopper favorite is the added retinol and SPF 20 for a protective, natural-looking finish.

"This has just the right coverage for a light, natural look, but all the discoloration is evened out and lasts for several hours in the humidity," said one shopper who gave it five stars.

Pacifica Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream

What we like
  • Absorbs quickly
  • Looks natural
  • Feels moisturizing 
Something to note
  • Subtle coverage

Available shades: 3 | SPF: N/A | Notable ingredients: Coconut water, white tea extract

This multi-mineral cream will leave your skin looking smooth and hydrated. Its light, sheer formula provides a barely-there finish that covers up dark spots and undereye bags.

"My skin is very fair and constantly dry throughout the year, but this provides good hydrating coverage without any congestion," raved one customer.

One/Size Turn Up The Base Beauty Blur Balm Foundation

What we like
  • Provides great coverage
  • Has a matte finish
Something to note
  • Some experienced leaks

Available shades: 18 | SPF: N/A | Notable ingredients: Japanese white rose stem cells, avocado oil

Blur your blemishes like a boss with this breathable formula. The Japanese white rose in this BB foundation helps to improve the skin tone while controlling oil production and delivering all-day hydration.

Iris & Romeo Best Skin Days SPF 25

What we like
  • Lasts a long time
  • Has a "dewy" finish
  • Feels hydrating on skin
Something to note
  • None to note at this time

Available shades: 12 | SPF: 25 | Notable ingredients: Sunflower seed oil, apple extract, shea extract

If you’re someone who forgets about sunscreen the minute you walk out the door, this product is for you. Its five-in-one formula combines the benefits of a serum, a moisturizer, a sheer cover-up and a blue-light/pollution protector for a true glow-y finish. With a near-perfect average star rating, this product will become your best friend when you need a quick skin care-plus-makeup routine.

“It isn’t matte, but it isn’t overly shiny. It provides that perfect healthy skin glow,” gushed one buyer who gave it five stars.

Best CC creams to shop

e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo CC Cream

What we like
  • Provides smooth coverage
  • A little goes a long way
  • Blends nicely
Something to note
  • Has a "thick" formula

Available shades: 30 | SPF: 30 | Notable ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide

With 3,000-plus five-star ratings on both Ulta and the brand's website, e.l.f.'s popular CC cream comes in light and full coverage, and in 20 shades, to help cover lingering sun spots and imperfections. It's also made with anti-aging ingredients like niacinamide, peptides and hyaluronic acid to provide a smoother texture and more even tone.

Neutrogena Clear Coverage Flawless Matte CC Cream

What we like
  • Provides full coverage
  • Lasts a long time
Something to note
  • Some noted "thick" consistency 

Available shades: 34 | SPF: N/A | Notable ingredients: Niacinamide

If you're looking for perfectly matte coverage, Neutrogena's CC cream is the solution. It contains vitamin B3 and boasts a creamy texture that blurs discoloration and minimizes redness and the appearance of pores.

Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting CC Cream with Sunscreen SPF 15

What we like
  • Feels moisturizing on skin
  • Light, yet adequate coverage 
Something to note
  • Has an oily feel

Available shades: 3 | SPF: 15 | Notable ingredients: Niacinamide, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin E

Address your skin concerns with this multi-functional cream from Olay. Your skin will feel refreshed and moisturized thanks to the brand’s proprietary blend of several antioxidants and vitamin B3. This lotion is said to minimize the look of pores, hydrate your skin and even skin tone.

Over 4,000 Amazon reviewers have raved about how this cream buffs out any imperfections — yes, acne scars too!

Dermablend Continuous Correction Tone-Evening CC Cream SPF 50+

What we like
  • Creates a "glow"
  • High SPF
  • Doesn't feel "cakey"
Something to note
  • Not long-lasting, according to some

Available shades: 6 | SPF: 50 | Notable ingredients: Caffeine, vitamin E, niacinamide

For those looking to hide their dark spots, Dermablend’s formula is here to deliver full, long-lasting coverage. The combination of niacinamide, vitamin E, baicalin and caffeine will give you that “I woke up like this” look.

Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream Hydrating Colour Corrector

What we like
  • Feels hydrating
  • Lightweight coverage
  • Lasts a long time
Something to note
  • Thick formula, according to some

Available shades: 4 | SPF: 30 | Notable ingredients: Aloe barbadensis leaf water

Lighter than a foundation but heavier than a tinted moisturizer, Clinique’s hydrating, oil-free CC cream is meant for uneven skin tone to correct dullness, redness and sallowness. Touted as “one simple step for glowing skin” by the brand, reviewers adore how this formula stays on all day long.

Erborian CC Cream

What we like
  • Easy to blend
  • Lightweight feel
  • Formula isn't greay
Something to note
  • Some reviewers broke out

Available shades: 4 | SPF: 25 | Notable ingredients: Centella Asiatica

If you want to improve your skin’s texture, go for this CC cream. According to one verified reviewer, “the color match is absolutely perfect, the texture of my skin is soft, and the finish is very natural but still gives great coverage.”

The multipurpose formula is enriched with Centella Asiatica (aka “tiger grass,” a plant used in traditional Korean medicine), which helps to soothe skin. It’s also formulated with hyaluronic acid for hydration and SPF 25 for UV protection.

It leaves a natural look without weighing down your complexion. Plus, your skin will look soft while camouflaging any fine lines.

Perbelle Skin Tone Adjusting CC Cream SPF 43

What we like
  • Feels hydrating
  • Smooth, creamy texture
Something to note
  • On the pricier side

Available shades: 1 | SPF: 43 | Notable ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide

If winter has ripped your skin of hydration, this CC cream will help replenish it, all while boosting sun protection with its SPF 43 and evening out your complexion.

Its formula has hyaluronic acid, which hydrates your skin, and niacinamide to brighten your skin tone. Most customers love this base because it works like a foundation while leaving a flawless finish.

One reviewer said, "[It] layers very well, and I find that I don't use concealer when I wear Perbelle, even on my dark blue under-eye circles."

It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream SPF 50+

What we like
  • Goes on smoothly
  • Feels lightweight 
  • Helps moisturize skin
Something to note
  • Not long-lasting, per some reviewers

Available shades: 22 | SPF: 50+ | Notable ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E

Just like its name implies, this bestselling, award-winning CC cream offers full coverage without the heaviness, claims It Cosmetics. It provides long-term nourishment thanks to hydrating, skin-friendly ingredients like collagen, peptides and hyaluronic acid. The brand designed this tinted formula for every kind of imperfection on every skin type.

How we chose

We chose BB creams and CC creams based on advice given by experts regarding the benefits of each, from hydration to coverage. We also took specific ingredients into consideration that help with moisturizing, anti-aging and more.

Meet the experts

  • Nydia Figueroa is a celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert with over 15 years of experience working for the biggest names in beauty. Her work has been featured on television, NYFW, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, the Miss Universe Organization and more.
  • Jeannia Robinette is a makeup artist whose work began at the young age of 15. Her work has been featured in Allure, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, W and more.
  • Jose Corella is a professional makeup artist with a background in photography. His work has been featured on the red carpet, in advertising, in magazines and more.
  • Edelyn Collado is a licensed cosmetologist and esthetician with over 20 years of experience. She specializes in permanent makeup, lashes extensions and more.