TL;DR
Our overall favorite, Honest Beauty CCC Tinted Moisturizer, is a standout for its lightweight skin-loving formula which provides mineral SPF protection and effectively blurs hyperpigmentation yet remains natural-looking. If you're looking for a CC cream that's amoisturizer, primer, foundation, and SPF in one, try PÜR Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20.
If innovation in the beauty industry has taught us anything over the last few years, it’s that traditional foundation isn’t the only thing we can use to even out our complexions and serve as a base for the rest of our makeup. There are tinted moisturizers, skin tints, serum foundations, BB creams, and, of course, CC creams.
Not to be confused with BB cream, also known as beauty balm, CC cream is all about color correcting, hence why it tends to have more coverage than the former. "CC cream specifically targets areas that are more problematic, such as redness or discoloration,'' explains celebrity makeup artist Nydia Figueroa.
In addition to providing coverage that evens out the complexion, CC cream formulations often contain skincare ingredients. "It can also be used to protect the skin from sun damage, fine lines, and age spots,” says Figueroa.
So, if you love multitasking products that benefit your skin while providing coverage, CC cream might be just what you’re looking for.We put dozens to the test, evaluating each one based on its formula, blendability, coverage, finish, and wear, and ahead, we're sharing which ones impressed us the most.
Our Top Picks
Best Multi-Use:
Best SPF Protection:
Best Coverage:
Best for Dark Skin Tones:
Best for Acne-Prone Skin:
What We Like
Lightweight formula
Provides mineral SPF protection
Natural-looking coverage
What to Consider
No broad shade range
Shade Range: 9 | Coverage: Light to medium | Finish: Luminous | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Formulated with skin-loving ingredients likeallantoinand vitamin C, this CC cream moisturizes the skin, provides protection from harmful UV rays, and evens the complexion.The texture feels like a middle ground between creamy and watery, making it blendable and lightweight on the skin. We also loved that the coverage was pigmented enough to blur hyperpigmentation yet remained natural-looking on.
It wears nicely without getting overly greasy-looking, and we appreciate that it's relatively affordable. We would've liked a broader range of shades. If you have oily skin you might want to set it with translucent powder, but we think there's a way for all skin types to wear it, making it one we highly recommend trying.
What We Like
Dewy finish
Light yet buildable coverage
Great for dry or balanced skin
What to Consider
Can get a bit greasy throughout the day
Shade Range: 16 | Coverage: Light | Finish: Luminous | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This multi-use CC cream works as a moisturizer, primer, foundation, and SPF in one. It has sheer, buildable coverage with a glowy finish.We loved how dewy it made the skin look while providing adequatecolor correction.
It started with semi-sheer coverage when we applied one layer, and we were able to yield about medium coverage with an additional layer or two. It applied nicely with fingertips or a damp sponge, and we liked how comfortable and moisturizing it felt on the skin once applied.
However, it did get a bit greasy after a few hours of wear, so be sure to set it with a powder if you have oily skin. We think this one is best for those with dry or balanced skin, though if you have oily skin and you don't mind reapplying powder periodically throughout the day, you might like it too.
Best Luminous
Huda Beauty GloWish Multidew Skin Tint Foundation
What We Like
Contains hydrating ingredients
Sheer but buildable coverage
Glowy yet natural finish
What to Consider
Not ideal for oily skin
Shade Range: 13 | Coverage: Light | Finish: Luminous | Cruelty-Free: Yes
The brand claims this product has sheer coverage, but we were pleasantly surprised by how well we could build it up to cover imperfections and create an overall more even-looking complexion. In addition to sheer yet flexible coverage, it has an intensely glowy finishthat looks radiant but natural on the skin.
If you have oily skin, you might find the level of glow to be a bit much, but we could see those with dry skin—or those who can’t get enough glow—falling in love with this one.We also appreciate that while there are only 13 flexible shades available, they range from fair to dark.
What We Like
Full, natural-looking coverage
Feels weightless and breathable on the skin
Good shade range
What to Consider
Transfers
Shade Range: 16 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you’re looking for a product with full coverage as well as SPF protection, this is a great option for you. Despite being incredibly pigmented, it blends into the skin without looking heavy or mask-like. We also love that while it has a matte finish, it’s not a drying, flat matte.
It felt weightless and breathable on the skin, and it dried down quickly, making it a great choice for when you’re tight on time.One thing to note is that it transfers quite a bit. While we didn't have a problem with the formula transferring, it's wise to set it in place with a makeup locking setting spray.
What We Like
Airy texture
Natural-looking coverage
Effectively camouflages redness and hyperpigmentation
What to Consider
Limited dark shades
Shade Range: 15 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural, luminous | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Formulated with 100 percent mineral SPF 50, this CC cream shields the skin from UVA and UVB rays while color correcting and providing hydration.We enjoyed how easily it blended into the skin, how weightless it felt once applied, and how well it covered redness and hyperpigmentation, all while maintaining a skin-like appearance. It looked like a traditional liquid foundation when we squeezed it out of the tube, but the texture was much airier, and therefore, we couldn’t feel it sitting on our skin.
While a range of 15 shades is certainly impressive for a sunscreen brand, we do wish that the brand would expand the dark shade options.However, if you do find a shade that works for you and you're looking for something with coverage and excellent sun protection, we think this is a nice option for all skin types.
What We Like
Comfortable feel on skin
SPF 50
Great for all skin types
Available in 22 shades
What to Consider
May not fully cover dark spots
Read Full Review: IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ Is Lightweight and Hydrating
Shade Range: 22 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Natural | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This CC cream is ultra-popular for good reason. In addition to having mineral SPF 50, it provides buildable, full coverage that resembles the appearance of a traditional foundation on the skin. If you’re looking for something with significant coverage that still maintains a lightweight feel on the skin, give this one a try. It’s a great option for daily wear as well as for more glam looks.
One tester said while it didn’t fully cancel out her dark spots, she loved how blurred her complexion looked and the fact that it was so comfortable to wear that, “it would be easy to forget that this CC cream is on your face at all.”
And because it's not drying or too oily, it's a fantastic option for all skin types. We also appreciate that it comes in 22 shades that range from fair to dark.
What We Like
Available in 34 shades
Great coverage
Non-greasy feel
Fragrance-free
What to Consider
Can settle into lines and pores
Shade Range: 34 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte | Cruelty-Free: No
It’s no secret that drugstore makeup has a history of lacking in the shade department, but this CC cream comes in 34 shades—and they’re nicely dispersed across skin tones. It provides full coverage with a matte finish, is fragrance-free, and is infused with niacinamide, which is known to help reduce dark spots.
While the product has a thick texture, using just a little bit goes a long way when evening out the skin and creating a nice veil of coverage.It settles into pores and fine lines, so if you tend to struggle with that, we recommend applying a smoothing primer first.
What We Like
Effectively covers dark spots and under-eye circles
Luminous finish
Nuanced deep shades
What to Consider
Can get a bit shiny for oily skin types
Shade Range: 8 | Coverage: Light to medium | Finish: Luminous | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Due to the inclusion of hyaluronic acid, rosewater, and Irish sea moss in the formula, this multipurpose product functions as a "complexion perfector and skin moisturizer," helping to even out skin tone while also providing hydrating benefits. While it has light coverage, we were impressed by its capacity to be built up.
We were able to get it to effectively cover dark spots and under-eye circles. It has a luminous (but not oily) finish, making it ideal for those with dry and balanced skin types, though we think people with oily skin will enjoy it if they set it with translucent powder.
We also appreciate that the shade range caters to deep skin tones and contains nuanced shades with varying undertones.
Best for Acne-Prone Skin
Tower 28 SunnyDays Tinted Sunscreen
What We Like
Inclusive shade range
Contains mineral SPF 30
Great for sensitive skin
What to Consider
Not a super buildable formula
Shade Range: 14 | Coverage: Light | Finish: Natural | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This SPF and makeup hybrid is a great option for no-makeup makeup days. It contains 100 percent mineral sunscreen and provides light to light-medium coverage. What makes it stand out from the pack is that it has a stamp of approval from theNational Eczema Association, meaning that it’s an excellent option for people with sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Although there are just 14 shades in the range, we appreciate that they span from very fair to very dark. We enjoyed how lightweight it felt on the skin but would prefer that it provided just a bit more coverage or the ability to be built up.
What to Look For in a CC Cream
- Coverage: As you can tell from our list, some CC creams have light coverage and act like tinted sunscreens, while others can pass as traditional foundations on the skin. The level of coverage you should look for totally depends on your preferences and how you intend to wear it. If you’re looking for something to just slightly blur and color-correct your skin, one with light coverage, like the Honest Beauty CCC Clean Corrective with Vitamin C Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30, is your best bet. But if you’re looking to use a CC cream for more glam looks—or you have skin concerns that you hope to cover—opt for one with medium to full, buildable coverage.The Dermablend Continuous Correction Tone-Evening CC Cream is a great option that offers tons of coverage.
- Ingredients: It’s always important to consider ingredients when choosing a complexion product—especially if you have sensitive skin. When it comes to CC cream, chances are you’re looking for some kind of skin benefit in addition to coverage. If you plan on using it as a form of sun protection, check out what type of SPF is included in the formula. If you’re looking for hydration or illuminating benefits, go for an option that contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, or niacinamide.
- Shade Range: Because many CC creams have lighter coverage than traditional foundations, the shades are often somewhat flexible. However, if you get one that’s far off from your skin tone, you likely won't be able to make it work for you. Look for an option that has a wide shade range so you can get your match just right.If you have deep or dark skin and struggle to find CC creams that match your skin tone, we recommend checking out The Lip Bar Just a Tint 3-in-1 Tinted Skin Conditioner.
FAQ
What does CC cream do?
In short, CC creams do a lot. “A CC cream is a multi-tasking product that color corrects, covers, and can offer skincare and sun protection benefits all in one step,” explains Figueroa.
How do you apply CC cream?
Like with foundation, the right application method comes down to your preferences. If you like fuller coverage, use a brush or your fingertips. If you want lighter coverage, opt for a damp makeup sponge. Figueroa suggests applying a pea-sized amount to the center of your face and blending outward toward the perimeter.
What’s the difference between BB and CC cream?
A CC cream provides more coverage and color corrects, making it a better option if you’re looking to cover specific areas, explains Figueroa. BB creams, on the other hand, provide more sheer coverage and an overall more radiant look to the skin, she says.
Why Trust Byrdie
Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and a product tester specializing in cosmetics. She has tested dozens of CC creams and complexion products—including several on this list. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.