BB & CC Creams: Benefits & Differences

Aayushi Mehra

When it comes to makeup, having a flawless base is important. For the same, scores of options are out there, such as tinted moisturizers and BB and CC creams. To get that perfect finish, knowing your skin shade is vital. But, to some, it can be tricky! Nevertheless, if you are a frequent makeup user, you must have come across BB and CC creams. These creams have become popular and provide a smooth makeup finish. Both BB and CC creams are multipurpose as they are equipped with skincare and makeup properties. But, what you may not know, there are differences between them-

Based on the ingredients type, BB and CC creams can be used for:

Concealing
Priming
Highlighting
Mattefication
Moisturization
Skin treatment

Besides, they save your time and money, especially for those who follow an on-the-go routine.

When it comes to choosing either BB or CC cream, you must know the key differences. These differences are based on factors like what look you want to achieve and your skin type.

Through this post, we will clearly define “what are bb and cc creams”, so that you opt for the most suitable product for your skin tone.

What is a BB cream?

A BB cream or blemish balm or beauty balm, whatever you want to call it, is a makeup product that offers sheer coverage to the skin. It works as a concealer to minimize blemishes while providing a light finish. Suitable for achieving a mild makeup look, it comprises skincare ingredients that lightly cover imperfections while taking care of the skin. Some of the ingredients you can find in BB creams are:

Vitamins and minerals for skin protection
Mineral SPF like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide
Moisturizing agents such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid
Firming agents like hydrolyzed collagen and peptides
Skin brighteners like licorice root and niacinamide

BB creams even out the skin tone and do not feel as heavy as a foundation on the skin. Since they also contain sunscreen, they help protect skin from free radicals and pollutants.

Unlike foundations, which come in plenty of shades, BB creams have only a handful of options to provide. But, still, this shade range is good enough to match different skin tones. For a perfect application of BB cream, take a little amount for your cheeks, forehead, nose and chin, and then with the help of a foundation brush or a wet sponge, blend it well to get a glowing, smooth and natural finish.

BB cream benefits:

The benefits of a BB cream are:

It hydrates skin due to its moisturizing properties and emollient texture.
It offers sun protection.
It feels light on the skin.

BB cream use:

If you are wondering what BB cream is used for, then let us tell you that it's the perfect solution to get a light and minimal makeup look while getting a bit more coverage than what you get from a tinted moisturizer.

What is a CC cream?

A CC cream or complexion corrector or color control cream is somewhat similar to a BB cream, but it provides more coverage. A CC cream is meant for color correction and to reduce the appearance of:

Dullness
Uneven skin tone
Redness
Acne scars
Under-eye circles
Hyperpigmentation

Unlike a BB cream, which offers foundation-like coverage, a CC cream has a light texture. It contains ingredients to combat redness and ensure radiance. A CC cream is a suitable choice for those who are suffering from skin concerns like redness and discoloration. It features color-correcting properties to balance the skin tone. However, CC creams also have only a few shades to offer, just like BB creams.

A CC cream is best used for priming the skin if you require more coverage. You can use it underneath your foundation to get even-toned skin while enjoying hydrating and anti-aging benefits. With a CC cream, you need a bit of a foundation to get a flawlessly airbrushed finish that stays throughout the day.

CC cream benefits:

The benefits of CC creams come from their ingredients:

Mineral-based SPF containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide
Skin protectants such as antioxidants and minerals
Skin brighteners like licorice root and niacinamide
Skin-soothing agents like shea butter, green tea and soy
Skin-firming agents such as hydrolyzed collagen and peptides

The focus of CC creams lies in their anti-aging properties, and most CC creams are blended with SPF including the ingredients that fade age spots and wrinkles. CC creams have light consistency and offer a matte, whipped and fluffy finish.

What is a CC cream used for?

A CC cream makes an ideal choice for those who are looking for a lightweight base to enhance their skin tone and conceal redness and discoloration.

BB cream vs CC cream:

If you are confused about whether a BB cream or a CC cream is an appropriate choice for you, read on.

When you need to make a choice between BB and CC creams, you need to consider your skin type.

For oily skin: If your skin is oily, CC is what you need. It has a matte texture and stays super light. Whereas, a BB cream is a bit moisturizing, which can feel heavy on oily skin. To select the most suitable CC cream for your oily skin, look for mattifying additives like charcoal, silica and colloidal clay.
For acne-prone skin: For acne-prone skin, again, a CC cream is recommended. It has a light and mattifying texture and is less likely to cause acne or breakouts. When choosing a CC cream for acne-prone skin, look for oil-free ingredients like salicylic acid, tea tree extract and colloidal clay.
For dry skin: For dry skin types, a BB cream makes for a better choice and it has a hydrating and emollient-rich formula. To take care of your dry skin, look for a BB cream with ingredients such as ceramides, glycerine, hyaluronic acid and panthenol.

BB and CC creams vs tinted moisturizers:

A moisturizing cream with a tint or skin-shade pigments is known as a tinted moisturizer. It helps in keeping the skin hydrated while offering sheer coverage. A tinted moisturizer is a less complex version of a BB cream that offers less coverage than a CC cream. However, it is still heavier on the skin due to its hydrating properties.

BB and CC creams vs foundation

Foundations are used to even out the skin by covering redness, discoloration and hyperpigmentation. This skin-colored makeup comes in many formats such as:

Cream
Mousse
Stick
Loose powder
Pressed powder
Cream

It ranges from dewey to matte finish and offers light to full coverage on the skin. As compared to BB and CC creams, foundations are heavy in texture and give more coverage. Foundations are not multipurpose and usually do not contain skin-friendly ingredients. After wearing foundation, you need to top it up with sunscreen and primer and moisturizer underneath. But, when you use BB or CC creams, none of the other products is needed.

Conclusion

If you are not comfortable wearing foundation on your skin, a BB or CC cream is what you need. Both BB and CC creams offer natural and sheer coverage to the skin while being multifunctional and simplifying your skin routine.

Where BB creams are ideal for dry skin due to their hydrating properties. CC creams are suitable for oily and acne-prone skin due to their mattifying, lightweight and anti-aging properties.