Yahoo Finance CC Creams Are the Secret to Flawless Skin in Under 5 Minutes
- 1/18
CC Creams Are the Secret to Flawless Skin in Under 5 Minutes
We updated this article in January 2023 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab, as well as additional expert insights from professional makeup artists.
Color-correcting creams, more widely known as CC creams, are a blend of foundation, moisturizer and often sunscreen in one bottle. These may sound similar to BB creams or tinted moisturizers, but CC creams offer more than just coverage. IT Cosmetics Director of Artistry Cynde Watson says they can transform your skin both "immediately and over time." CC creams also pack in other ingredients, such as anti-aging serums, antioxidants and additives to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. Like their name would suggest, they can help cover uneven skin tone, dark spots, redness and rosacea. Some even tackle other concerns such as dry, oily or acne-prone skin.
These multitaskers may sound too good to be true, which is why the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab scientists tested 26 CC creams to find out if they really work. They measured skin hydration levels, anti-aging effects, and coverage level and quality using high-tech machinery to take measurements. The products were also sent to a tester panel to give their feedback on using the CC cream at home.
The top picks here are a mix of GH Beauty Lab best-tested CC Creams, makeup artist and editor favorites, and popular ones online that have high ratings. Some are even backed by the Good Housekeeping Seal.
Our top picks:
You can read more about how we evaluate CC creams — plus everything you need to know to shop for the best one for your needs — at the end of this story. Looking for more ways to improve your skin? Check out our guides to the best concealers and the best anti-aging creams for your money.
courtesy - 2/18
1) Total Effects Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF 15
Olay
amazon.com
$26.67
This drugstore color-correcting cream from GH Seal star Olay clinched the top spot as the best hydrator in our Lab tests. We found that it boosted skin's moisture levels by 36% over six hours and reduced the look of brown spots and pores after four weeks, making it a great choice if you have dry skin. "My complexion was glowing," a tester commented. "I actually felt like my skin looked more natural and like I didn't even have any foundation on." One note: We recommend wearing SPF 30+ daily, so you'll want to layer another face sunscreen with SPF 30 or above under this product to fully stay protected.
Olay - 3/18
2) Super CC Color-Correction + Care CC Cream SPF 30
Physicians Formula
amazon.com
$12.89
Even though this Physicians Formula CC Cream packs primer, moisturizer, skin-perfecting benefits and SPF, it doesn't feel heavy and helps your skin look unblemished. Reviewers say that the CC cream feels super-lightweight, while still noticeably perfecting their skin. We like that it packs so many perks into one affordable product. One fan commented, "I'm super impressed with the coverage, and it lasts me all day."
Physicians Formula - 4/18
3) CC+ Cream SPF 50+
IT Cosmetics
sephora.com
$44.00
One of Los Angeles makeup artist Shadi Malek's favorite formulas, she says this best-selling IT Cosmetics CC cream delivers a full-coverage finish, boosted with powerful SPF 50 and antioxidants. "It’s definitely a heavier CC cream but I love the shade range," she says. "I’d wear it in more dry climates rather than humid!" The hydrating cream is ideal for those with mature or dry skin. "It wears well on my mature 58-year-old face without settling into wrinkles or exaggerating pores," says one reviewer.
IT Cosmetics - 5/18
4) CC+ Cream Oil-Free Matte SPF 40
IT Cosmetics
sephora.com
$44.00
IT Cosmetics original CC cream has a cult following, so it's no surprise this matte CC Cream formulation is a GH editor favorite. The non-greasy formula gives you a flawless matte finish, making it ideal for people with oily or combination skin. It's rich without feeling heavy on your skin, so you don't need to use a ton of product for full coverage. One reviewer raves, "I have very oily skin, and this keeps my skin looking great and fights oil all day!"
IT Cosmetics - 6/18
5) Continuous Correction Full Coverage CC Cream SPF 50+
Dermablend
amazon.com
$39.00
GH Beauty Lab Chemist Danusia Wnek calls this “a beast with coverage” and many testers echoed that saying it thoroughly covers red, brown and liver spots, veins and redness around the nose and made their skin look smooth. "It covered up every spot with one brush stroke," she marveled. "My skin tone was as even as it gets and the coverage lasted all day." You’ll want to watch out for how much you apply, though, as GH Beauty Lab testers found it can look and feel heavy if too much is applied. We advise starting small and layering more on as necessary since a little goes a long way.
Dermablend Professional - 7/18
6) CC+ Cream Illumination SPF 50+
It Cosmetics
amazon.com
$48.99
When you're looking to get that glowy look and have sensitive skin, try this illuminating CC Cream from IT Cosmetics. Light-reflecting pigments are put into the cream for a boost of radiance. Other added benefits include helping reduce the appearance of wrinkles, promoting a more even skin tone and combating hyperpigmentation thanks to the peptide and niacinamide ingredients. This CC cream also has over 8,800 reviews and a 4.5 rating on Amazon. "Buildable coverage, long-lasting and doesn't irritate my skin at all," says one reviewer who reports having sensitive skin. "In fact, I feel like my skin is looking better since I started using this."
IT Cosmetics - 8/18
7) CC Cream Super Active Correction Complete SPF 50
Chanel
nordstrom.com
$55.00
You may be wondering if this Chanel CC cream is worth the splurge, and GH Beauty Director April Franzino says this is one of her favorites and worth it. "The cream provides just the right amount of coverage to even skin tone with a natural, slightly glowy finish, yet has a high level of SPF for a makeup product for added skin protection," she says. It also has a rich texture and sophisticated fresh scent.
Chanel - 9/18
8) CC Cream Radiance Color Corrector SPF 25
Erborian
ulta.com
$45.00
From Korean beauty brand Erborian, this CC cream only comes in three shades because it claims it can blend in to match a wide range of skin tones. Reviewers swear that it blurs the appearance of imperfections while leaving a natural, dewy finish. "It almost gives you an airbrushed effect, like an Instagram filter in a tube," one reports.
Eborian - 10/18
9) Buildable Blur CC Cream SPF 35
Thrive Causemetics
thrivecausemetics.com
$38.00
The Thrive Causemetics CC Cream offers a good range of 18 shades for light and dark skin tones alike. Not sure which shade you are? Many reviewers say the brand's customer service was super-helpful when it came to picking a shade — or exchanging the wrong one. They also love how well it covers imperfections and smooths their skin tone and texture. "I have uneven skin and a few acne scars, and this seriously gives perfect coverage and doesn't make me look shiny," one reviewer says. Reviewers caution against using too much that can make the skin look cakey.
Thrive Causemetics - 11/18
10) Moisture Surge CC Cream SPF 30
Clinique
nordstrom.com
$40.00
Clinique's CC cream promises moderate coverage with a natural finish along with moisturizing benefits. It has over 1,100 reviews with a 4.3 star rating at Nordstrom, and shoppers like that it's lightweight but easy to build up coverage. You can mix it with your go-to face moisturizer for a super-sheer wash of color or wear it alone. "This CC cream hydrates the skin very well and really works at covering redness and sallow-looking skin," says one reviewer.
Clinique - 12/18
11) Color Control Cushion Compact SPF 50+
Amorepacific
amazon.com
$61.65
Amorepacific makes application of their CC cream a breeze by putting their CC Cream in a compact with a cushion applicator. It claims to hydrate while adding lightweight buildable coverage and SPF 50. GH editors who tested this at home praised it for smoothing out skin without being cakey. Amazon reviewers say it hides pores while giving skin a dewy glow, though a few say the scent may be bothersome.
Amorepacific - 13/18
12) CC+ Nude Glow SPF 40
IT Cosmetics
sephora.com
$44.00
IT Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow was rated highly among our testers, giving feedback they were highly satisfied with it. It had top scores for leaving skin feeling hydrated and smooth. It works well on combination skin with one self-proclaimed combination skin tester who said, "It gives a nice healthy finish and doesn't leave an oily mess on my skin." We also found it evened out skin tone well.
This is Watson's go-to choice for CC creams because it's made of 90% skincare and 10% foundation. "I also like that it's formulated with a clear sunscreen so there isn’t any white, ashy cast or flashback left on the skin," she says. This medium coverage CC cream claims to brighten skin and improve its texture with ingredients such as niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and green tea extract. It's available in 22 shades and has a soft glow without making skin look oily.
IT Cosmetics - 14/18
13) Tinted Moisturizer Meets CC Cream
Jason Wu Beauty
target.com
$19.99
If you want less shine than a dewy CC cream but want more radiance than a matte finish, this Jason Wu CC Cream is the perfect in-between with its satin finish. One tester commented they liked that it wasn't glowy on their skin, but it didn't exaggerate wrinkles and lines. In GH Beauty Lab testing, it had perfect scores for spreading and blending easily without feeling tacky. It's perfect for someone looking for natural coverage to enhance their skin rather than hide dark spots and blemishes. One thing to note: we found the coverage wasn't as long-lasting as others.
Jason Wu - 15/18
14) CC Red Correct Cream
Erborian
amazon.com
$45.00
Erborian's CC cream is tinted green to camouflage redness and help hide irritation while still helping to even your complexion. It only comes in one shade because it claims to work with a wide range of skin tones. Apply this after your moisturizer for extra hydration, or you can use it in lieu of your moisturizer. According to the brand, it's made with Centella Asiatica which is known for its soothing properties. One Amazon reviewer says it helped "soothe sensitive skin, moisturize and reduce the redness from rosacea."
Erborian - 16/18
15) CC Screen SPF 50
Supergoop!
amazon.com
$44.00
For those who spend a lot of time outside in the sun, Supergoop!'s CC cream is for you since this formula offers a high level of protection against both UVA and UVB rays. "I wear it to the beach or pool so I can get a little color correction without having a full face of makeup," says GH Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzhan. "It enhances my natural glow, and with the SPF level, I don’t have to worry about layering face sunscreen as well."
Supergoop! - 17/18
16) Clear Coverage Matte CC Cream
Neutrogena
target.com
$14.19
Neutrogena's CC cream is specifically formulated for acne-prone skin. The CC cream leaves a matte finish to dull down greasy complexions. It also contains niacinamide, which can help reduce inflammation and acne. “My skin loves this CC cream,” says one GH editor. “It blurs my imperfections and doesn’t cause breakouts.”
Neutrogena - 18/18
17) Clear Coverage Matte CC Cream
Neutrogena
amazon.com
$10.00
Formulated specifically for acne-prone skin, Neutrogena's CC cream imparts a matte finish on greasy complexions. It also contains niacinamide, which can help reduce inflammation and acne. “My skin loves this CC cream,” says one GH editor. “It blurs my imperfections and doesn’t cause breakouts.”
Neutrogena
