Nowadays, we have so many types of foundations and replacements for foundations that it can be quite confusing when it comes to choosing the one that best suits you. For people who don’t want to use something as heavy as a foundation every single day, there’s always the option of choosing a BB or a CC cream that both provides coverage and moisturizes. The questions is, are you familiar with the differences between a BB and a CC cream? In order to choose the best option for your skin, you should be aware of which is which. That is why we thought we would provide you with a guide on CC cream vs BB cream. Let’s see what the differences are!
CC Cream Vs BB Cream: What Do They Mean?
BB Cream
We are going to start with what a BB cream is. That is because the BB cream was the one that first invaded the market in East Asia around 10 years ago. Originally, these creams were called Blemish Balms. This meant that they were designed to cover skin imperfections but also act like a balm that hydrates the skin. The moment BB creams arrived in the U.S., they were called Beauty Balms.
The name was not the only thing that was different about them. The original ones still have a thicker feel to them and more titanium dioxide and zinc oxide in order to protect from the sun and cover blemishes better. What we find as BB cream in the U.S. is similar to a moisturizing cream. However, it also has some tint to it in order to give the skin a sheer look. Both in the U.S. and Asia, BB creams are advertised as useful for sun protection and anti-aging properties that are beneficial for the skin.
CC Cream
If you are confused about the whole CC cream vs BB cream debate, you should know that CC cream came after BB cream was already a hit. Its name stands for Color Corrective, which means that you get a more intense coverage apart from sun protection. Some of them are really great for people who want to even out their skin tone and also brighten it in the process.
Unlike the BB cream, the CC cream comes closer to a liquid foundation. It provides plenty of coverage, especially if you don’t have that many blemishes or acne.
What Is the Difference Between BB Cream and CC Cream?
Now that we’ve established what a BB and CC cream is, let’s look a bit more in-depth at the differences between the two. That way, you can decide which one best suits your needs.
The first main difference that we want to mention when taking about CC cream vs BB cream is their texture and consistency. A BB cream is quite creamy and heavy, so we recommend you use it if you have dry skin. It really moisturizes the skin nicely. So if you are on the run and feel like you don’t have time to go through your entire beauty routine of applying a separate moisturizer and then a foundation, you can always use a BB cream. A CC cream on the other hand is lightweight and your skin will absorb it quite fast. If you are struggling with acne, this might be a better option for you.
However, don’t let the lightweight texture of the CC cream fool you. When it comes to coverage, the CC cream definitely trumps the BB one. This is the next difference between BB cream and CC cream that we would like to address. The CC cream offers a lot of coverage, aiming to blur existing imperfections and correct skin tone. You can use the BB cream to hydrate the skin and protect it from the sun. You also get a small amount of coverage, similar to a tinted moisturizer. Even so, it is important to remember that neither of them over the coverage of a foundation. Nor do they offer the same number of shades as regular foundations.
Another difference that we can easily identify by checking the packaging of most BB and CC creams is the fact that the CC creams have a higher SPF level. This is because CC creams are usually more focused on skin care. So the trick is to help slow the ageing process of the skin by using SPF.
Moreover, most CC creams are better for people who already have age lines and spots and want more coverage. If you don’t have those problems yet, try using a BB cream. BB creams also offer a more natural look, due to the fact that their coverage is not that high. Even though compared to foundations, neither BB creams nor CC creams really look unnatural, the more natural looking option is the BB cream.
If you’re thinking about CC cream vs BB cream in terms of skin sensitivity, we should let you know that BB creams are better for skin that is more sensitive. At the same time, if you are dealing with skin redness, the coverage and soothing properties of a CC cream are definitely something you can benefit from.
Best BB Cream Options
Our guide wouldn’t be complete without us recommending some BB and CC creams that seem to have gained popularity for being really good at what they claim to do. Let’s start with the BB cream options!
Dior Snow BB cream
Even if this is not your average drugstore brand, this BB cream is definitely worth the money. It has great coverage for a BB cream and SPF 10. Moreover, it comes with a formula that easily adapts to your skin tone, and it has hydrating properties. Although it is more suitable for people with a pink undertone, it is quite adaptable as well. So you can test it out even if you don’t fit the aforementioned category.
La Roche Posay Hydreane BB Cream
La Roche Posay is famous for their thermal spring water that they include in almost all of their products. This BB cream also has it, and you can definitely tell that it works wonders to soothe your skin and condition it. All the while, it provides really good coverage. This option is great for you if you have sensitive skin and you are looking for a creamy texture that is not too oily.
Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Daily All-In-One BB Blemish Balm Cream
This is one of the most popular choices in terms of BB creams, mainly because it is quite inexpensive. At the same time, it has SPF 15 and a decent coverage. Not to mention a nice finish due to the mineral pigments it contains. So if you are looking for an affordable BB cream to test out, we suggest you try this one.
Best CC Cream Options
Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream Hydrating Colour Corrector Broad Spectrum
The first CC cream option we would like to mention is the one coming from Clinique. This one is great for complexion correction. It offers an oil-free formula that acts really fast and helps your skin become healthier faster. If you are looking for that flawless skin look but don’t want to use a foundation, this Clinique CC cream is your safest bet. We should also mention that unlike other CC creams, this one has plenty of shades that you can choose from.
It Cosmetics Your Skin but Better CC Cream
We decided to include this It Cosmetics CC cream in our list of best CC cream options mainly because of its amazing coverage. Another great benefit of it is the fact that it has SPF 50+. It also comes with plenty of vitamins, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and other ingredients. They are all great for fighting against an aging skin.
Bobbi Brown CC Cream
Finally, the last CC cream option is the one coming from Bobbi Brown that has SPF 35. The formula is great at multitasking and provides coverage for all skin types. The color not only corrects any blemishes and imperfections, but it also gives you a sheer finish. The finish also provides extra brightness. However, you don’t have to worry about it being heavy, because it is actually extremely lightweight. That is even though the cream looks a lot like a foundation. We should mention that it also contains the so-called brightening botanicals. These work wonders for people who struggle with skin redness.
Summing Everything Up
Choosing between a BB cream and a CC cream can be a lot of work, especially when you are not entirely sure what they both mean. We hope that our CC cream vs BB cream guide has helped clear that out for you and make you understand which of the options is better for your skin. Remember that if you have a young-looking skin and you simply want to quickly moisturize and protect it from the sun while also providing it with a little bit of coverage and brightness, you should choose a BB cream. If you are looking to correct age spots and even out your skin tone while also benefiting from some SPF protection, look for some CC cream options.
