erborian cc water cream

When it comes to achieving a flawless complexion, many beauty enthusiasts swear by CC creams. CC, or “color-correcting,” creams are a type of makeup product that provides both coverage and skincare benefits. Unlike traditional foundations, CC creams are formulated to correct uneven skin tone, cut the appearance of imperfections, and enhance natural radiance, all while providing hydration and sun protection.

With so many CC creams on the market, it can be overwhelming to find the perfect one for your skin type and concerns. That’s why we’ve done the research for you and compiled a list of the top 5 CC creams that deliver on their promises. From drugstore options to high-end formulations, there’s a CC cream for every budget and preference. So, without further ado, read on to learn more about the best CC creams.

Best Overall: Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting Face Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 15

The Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting Face Moisturizer with SPF 15 increases skin moisture levels by 36% over six hours and reduces the look of brown spots and pores after four weeks, making it a great choice for those with dry skin. The coverage is subtle, and testers commented that their complexion was glowing and looked more natural without foundation. As the product only has SPF 15, it”s recommended to layer another face sunscreen with SPF 30 or above underneath for full protection. 

Best Overall Runner-Up: Honest Beauty CCC Clean Corrective with Vitamin C Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30

This CC cream moisturizes the skin and evens out the complexion with natural-looking coverage. The texture is a perfect middle ground between creamy and watery, making it blendable and lightweight. The formula is also enriched with skin-loving ingredients like allantoin and vitamin C, which makes it even more effective in improving the skin’s appearance.

Best Value: e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo CC Cream

The e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo CC Cream is a great drugstore option for those seeking high coverage without breaking the bank. It’s a vegan and cruelty-free product that can offer buildable coverage, but it’s important to note that it may not work for all skin tones and could stress dry patches.

Best Multi-Use: PÜR 4-in-1 Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20

The multi-use CC cream provides sheer, buildable coverage with a glowy finish. It makes the skin look dewy and provides adequate color correction. It offers four benefits in one product: moisturizer, primer, foundation, and SPF protection. The product has a lightweight formula that blends easily and provides buildable coverage. It is also vegan, cruelty-free, and free of parabens, talc, and other harmful ingredients. 

Best Luminous: L’Oreal Paris Makeup True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer Lotion

The L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion is a popular tinted moisturizer that promises to enhance the skin’s natural glow while providing lightweight coverage. It is easy to apply and gives a subtle, radiant finish. Some reviewers mention that the formula can be too glittery for their liking and may not be suitable for those with oily skin. Overall, it is a great option for those looking for a natural-looking tinted moisturizer with a dewy finish.

Best Matte: Dermablend Continuous Correction Tone-Evening CC Cream

If you’re looking for a product with full coverage as well as SPF protection, this is a great option for you. The Dermablend Continuous Correction Tone-Evening CC Cream is a highly-rated product that promises to even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. It provides full coverage while feeling lightweight on the skin. The matte finish is also a plus for many users. The shade range is good, but some reviewers report that it may not work for all skin tones. One downside is that it contains PEGs. 

Best Coverage: Supergoop! Glowscreen – SPF 40 – Glowy Primer + Broad Spectrum Sunscreen

The Supergoop Glowscreen SPF 40 is a highly-rated tinted sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection while providing a radiant glow to the skin. It has a lightweight, breathable feel and is easy to apply without leaving a white cast on the skin. Many customers appreciate that it works well as a primer under makeup. Our tester loved how easily it blended into her skin and covered her redness and hyperpigmentation, all while maintaining a skin-like appearance. The texture was airier, making it feel weightless on the skin. But, we wish the brand would expand its dark shade options beyond the current 15 shades.

Best Lightweight: Erborian Color Correcting CC Cream With Centella Asiatica

Erborian’s CC cream is tinted green to camouflage redness and hide irritation while still evening out the complexion. It leaves a natural, dewy finish and blurs the appearance of imperfections. The product is made with Centella Asiatica, known for its soothing properties, and is suitable for sensitive skin. It can be used after moisturizer for extra hydration or in place of it. It blends well into the skin, has a lightweight feel, and helps with redness, blemishes, and uneven skin tone. It is a great option for those who want a natural-looking coverage and skin benefits, but may not be the best fit for those with darker skin tones.

Best Shade Range: Neutrogena Clear Coverage CC Cream

Neutrogena Clear Coverage CC Cream with Niacinamide and SPF 50 has received positive reviews for its full coverage, sun protection, and skin benefits. Customers appreciate its lightweight and natural finish, and it works well for sensitive skin. It is also fragrance-free and infused with niacinamide to help reduce dark spots. 

Best for Dark Skin Tones: NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer 

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 PA+++ is a great product for those looking for lightweight, natural-looking coverage with sun protection. It is suitable for people with sensitive skin and does not cause breakouts. Yet, those with more severe skin concerns may find that it does not provide enough coverage.

Best for Acne-Prone: CeraVe Tinted Sunscreen with SPF 30

What We Love:

Lightweight and non-greasy formula

Tinted coverage for even skin tone

Contains hyaluronic acid for hydration

What We Don’t Love:

Limited shade range

The CeraVe Tinted Sunscreen with SPF 30 provides a lightweight and non-greasy formula that also offers tinted coverage to even out skin tone. The added hyaluronic acid helps to keep the skin hydrated, making it a great choice for those with dry skin. The sheer tint provides a natural finish and the inclusion of ceramides helps to restore the skin barrier. This product is great for everyday use and may be suitable for those with sensitive skin. Yet, the limited shade range may not match all skin tones.

Best for Oily Skin: Wet n Wild Bare Focus Tinted Hydrator Matte Finish

The Wet n Wild Bare Focus Tinted Hydrator with Matte Finish is a buildable coverage tinted moisturizer that provides a long-lasting and matte finish. The product is also affordable, making it a great budget-friendly option. While the shade range may not work for all skin tones, the product contains hyaluronic acid and squalane to provide hydration to the skin.

Best for Sensitive Skin: It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC + Illumination Full Coverage Cream

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 silky cream leaves the skin with a natural, not-too-matte but not-too-dewy finish. Although it provides relatively high coverage, the It Cosmetics CC+ Cream might not cover all dark spots. 

Best for Dry Skin: Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream SPF 30

What We Love:

Lightweight and non-greasy formula

Buildable coverage

Moisturizing 

What We Don’t Love:

Consistency may be too thick for some

Limited shades

Clinique’s CC cream promises moderate coverage with a natural finish along with moisturizing benefits. Customers appreciate the lightweight and non-greasy formula, which leaves skin looking natural and radiant. Some reviewers report that the product can stress dry patches or settle into fine lines, but overall it is a popular choice for those seeking a hydrating and natural-looking CC cream with sun protection. Softens skin

Best for Combination Skin: Physicians Formula Super CC

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. It is a lightweight and affordable color-correcting product that promises to even out skin tone, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and provide sun protection. Customers like that it’s fragrance-free and non-irritating.

How to Choose the Perfect CC Cream?

To find the perfect CC cream for your skin and needs, consider the following factors:

✔️ Coverage and finish: CC creams come in different coverage levels and finishes such as matte, natural, and radiant. Choose a CC cream that matches your skin type and preferences.

✔️ Shade: Look for a CC cream with a large range of shades if you have trouble finding the perfect color match with traditional foundations. If skin redness is your primary concern, consider a CC cream with a sheer green shade to neutralize the red color.

✔️ Skincare ingredients: Seek out ingredients that target your specific skin concerns such as hyaluronic acid for dry skin and oil-absorbing ingredients like clay or tea tree extract for oily skin. Niacinamide can help brighten your complexion and minimize the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles.

✔️ Sun protection: Look for a CC cream with a broad-spectrum SPF value of at least 30 to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. If the CC cream doesn’t meet this standard, apply a separate sunscreen before your CC cream. Wear a separate sunscreen anyway, even if the CC cream meets the SPF value on the packaging, as many people do not apply enough CC cream to provide adequate sun protection.