15 Best Drugstore CC Creams Of 2023 For All Skin Types
Protect your skin from environmental stress and achieve an even-toned look.
Oyendrila Kanjilal Certified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 2 years
Oyendrila holds a master's degree in English Literature from the University Of Calcutta, West Bengal, and is a certified skincare coach. As a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience, ... more
Having the best drugstore CC cream in your vanity kit can solve most of your makeup concerns. If you want to get that flawless makeup base, then try a color correcting cream. These creams are popular among makeup lovers and are suitable for all skin types. Drugstore CC creams have multiple benefits and help even out skin tone, moisturize it, and protect the skin from environmental stressors. Check our list of the 15 best drugstore CC creams suitable for all skin types. Scroll down for more information.
In This Article
What Is A CC Cream?
A CC cream (also called color correcting cream) is a mixture of a full-coverage foundation and skin care. This whipped lightweight formula evens out the skin tone and conceals pigmentation, redness, and dark spots.
Here is a list of the best drugstore CC creams that are great for any skin type.
15 Best Drugstore CC Creams (2023) For All Skin Types
1. Best Hypoallergenic:Aveeno Positively Radiant CC Cream
The Aveeno Positively Radiant CC Cream is a versatile and unique product that will help you correct, protect, and improve the appearance of your skin. The cream is formulated with an active natural total soy complex that helps even out the tone and texture of your skin. The CC cream also has SPF 30 and provides perfect sun protection to your skin. If you have a medium skin tone, this cream is perfect for you as it will improve your skin texture and tone and reduce any dullness. The cream is also oil-free and suits oily skin. It is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. Click here to check out this YouTuber’s unbiased review.
Pros
- SPF 30
- Non-comedogenic
- Hypoallergenic
- Oil-free
Cons
None
2. Best Cruelty-Free:Lune+Aster CC Cream
The Lune+Aster CC Cream is a multi-purpose CC cream that provides medium coverage to your skin. The CC cream comes with SPF 50 sun protection that helps protect your skin from the harmful UV rays. The cream evens out the skin tone and gives a dewy glow to your skin. It has a breathable formula that doesn’t clog your pores. The cream is formulated with vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and sea buckthorn. The vitamin E in the cream helps hydrate and protect your skin while hyaluronic acid helps in replenishing the skin. The sea buckthorn in the cream helps in protecting your skin from environmental stressors. This CC cream is vegan, cruelty-free, and free of harmful substances like parabens and phthalates. The product is dermatologist-tested. Here’s a personal review video to help you get a better understanding of the product.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Dermatologist-tested
Cons
None
3. Best Vegan:Pacifica Beauty Ultra CC Cream Radiant Foundation
Image: Pacifica Beauty The Pacifica Beauty Ultra CC Cream Radiant Foundation is a multi-tasking product that serves as a color-correcting cream, foundation, and sunscreen all in one. It is formulated with 100% physical SPF. This CC cream is designed to provide a natural-looking, radiant finish while also delivering skincare benefits. Its lightweight formula is infused with natural ingredients like coconut water, kelp extract, and ginseng to hydrate, nourish the skin and bring back a youthful glow. The cream is available in many shades to match various skin tones. Check out this personal video review to understand the product better.
Pros
- SPF protection
- Provides good coverage
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- SLS-free
- Mineral oil-free
Cons
- Overpowering fragrance
4. Best Long-Lasting:IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream
The IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream is an award-winning product that provides full coverage to your skin. It is infused with an anti-aging serum that helps keep your skin hydrated and young. The cream helps reduce the appearance of acne scarring, wrinkles, redness, dark circles, and pores. The cream has a luminous and flawless finishing. It also contains SPF 50 that offers protection from harmful sun rays. The cream is long-lasting and doesn’t crease or crack on your skin.
Pros
- Provides full coverage
- Anti-aging properties
- Long-lasting
Cons
None
5. Best Gluten-Free:FARMASi CC Color Control Cream
Image: Farmasi The FARMASi CC Color Control Cream is a versatile cosmetic product that is designed to enhance the complexion and provide a range of skincare benefits. It is a lightweight cream that is easy to apply and provides a natural look while hydrating and nourishing the skin. The multimineral-enhanced composition helps to make skin more resistant while giving excellent coverage. It also includes sun protection with an SPF of 25, which helps to prevent skin damage from UV rays. The cream is available in many shades to suit different skin tones. It can be used as a standalone product or as a base for other makeup products like concealer or foundation. Its lightweight formula can be worn comfortably all day, without feeling heavy or cakey on the skin.
Pros
- Anti-aging properties
- SPF 25
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben free
- Dermatologically tested
Cons
- Some may find no noticeable effects
6. Best Non-Comedogenic:Spdoo CC Cream
The Spdoo CC cream is great at hiding dark circles, uneven skin tone, pores, and fine lines. The cream helps brighten your skin tone. It comes with a sponge applicator that will help you apply the product evenly and smoothly all over your face. The cream has a breathable formula that will not clog your pores. The CC cream is moisturizing and reduces skin dryness. It also tightens your skin.
Pros
- Sponge air brush for easy application
- Non-comedogenic
Cons
None
7. Best All Skin Types:Gerovital Mattifying CC Cream
The Gerovital Mattifying CC Cream helps cover blemishes and evens out the skin tone. It gives a matte finish to your face. Although the cream is perfect for all skin types, it is especially beneficial for people with oily skin. The CC cream is also great at reducing the appearance of acne and acne scars. The product is paraben-free and dermatologically-tested.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Dermatologically-tested
Cons
None
8. Best With SPF:Honest Beauty CCC Clean Corrective Tinted Moisturizer
Image: Honest Beauty The Honest Beauty CCC Clean Corrective Tinted Moisturizer is an award-winning formula, which moisturizes, protects, and corrects the skin in one step. It has allantoin which helps soothe and moisturize skin and vitamin C which helps in improving the overall appearance of uneven skin tone. This formula also has mineral sunscreen with SPF30, which provides defense against blue light. This tinted moisturizer color corrects and diffuses the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes, and pores to give a smooth and radiant complexion. It is available in 9 different shades which can complement different skin tones.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Paraben-free
- Synthetic fragrance-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Blue light defense
- Dermatologically tested
Cons
- Not easy to blend
9. Best Illuminating Finish:Erborian Color Correcting CC Cream
Image: Erborian The Erborian Color Correcting CC Cream is a high-definition, skin-perfecting cream. It is packed with skincare heroes like honey, vitamin E, and Centella Asiatica extract, which boosts radiance and hydration and refines skin texture. This lightweight formula has encapsulated pigments that act as a high-definition illuminator and help in hiding fine lines and blemishes and enhance the skin tone and texture. It also has SPF 25 which gives UV protection to the skin. This multi-purpose Korean CC cream is available in 3 shades that adjust according to your skin tone.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Gluten-free
Cons
None
10. Best Hydrating:Olay Total Effects CC Cream
The Olay Total Effects CC Cream is a nourishing and hydrating product that provides a healthy glow to your face. The CC cream has a lightweight formula that blends well into your skin and doesn’t make your face feel greasy. It moisturizes, evens skin tone, and smoothens out fine lines and wrinkles. The cream also minimizes the appearance of pores, restores skin firmness, and reduces the appearance of dark spots. The cream also contains SPF 15 that provides protection against harmful UV rays.
Pros
- Anti-aging properties
- Lightweight formula
- Blendable formula
Cons
- May cause allergic reactions
11. Lumene CC Cream
The Lumene CC Cream is a moisturizing makeup product that has a creamy texture and buildable coverage. The cream helps correct discoloration and redness on your face and also helps even out the skin tone. The cream has SPF 20 that will provide protection against UV rays. The cream is formulated with pure arctic spring water and wild cloudberry seed extract that provides hydration and brightens your complexion. The CC cream has a long-lasting formulation and gives a semi-matte finish.
Pros
- Buildable coverage
- Long-lasting
Cons
- May cause allergies in some
12. Physicians Formula CC Cream
The Physicians Formula CC Cream is formulated with color-correcting pigments and anti-aging ingredients. The cream has a gentle formula that is suitable for all skin types and minimizes redness on your skin. The cream is super hydrating and also provides sun protection. It is hypoallergenic and great for sensitive skin. The cream also reduces the appearance of age spots, dark circles, fine lines, and wrinkles while evening out your skin tone.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Anti-aging properties
- Lightweight formula
Cons
- Not easy to blend
13. Mary Kay CC Cream
Image: Mary Kay The Mary Kay CC Cream is a multi-functional cosmetic product that is designed to provide coverage, hydration, and sun protection all in one. It is a lightweight cream that is easy to apply and provides natural-looking coverage while also being nourishing for the skin. The cream also helps to reduce the appearance of redness, dark spots, and other imperfections on the skin. It is suitable for all skin tones, skin types, and even acne-prone and sensitive skin.
Pros
- Lightweight
- SPF 15
- Good coverage
Cons
- May cause allergies in some
14. Neutrogena SkinClearing Complexion Perfector
Image: Neutrogena The Neutrogena SkinClearing Complexion Perfector is the perfect solution for achieving a flawless and clear complexion. It is fortified with salicylic acid that helps unclog pores and helps treat and prevent acne breakouts. This lightweight formula provides natural coverage and evens out the skin tone, reducing the appearance of blemishes. It blends well with the skin giving a natural matte finish that lasts all day.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Non-comedogenic
- Hypoallergenic
- Blends easily
Cons
None
15. Osmosis Skincare CC Cream
The Osmosis Skincare CC Cream is a lightweight formula that helps even out your skin tone. The cream is super hydrating and is formulated with true tone technology. This technology helps ensure that the shade matches your natural skin tone when applied.
Pros
- Lightweight formula
- Matches natural skin tone
Cons
None
These are the top 15 drugstore CC creams that suit all skin types. In the next section, we briefly look into the benefits of a CC cream.
What Are The Benefits Of A CC Cream?
- It conceals dark spots and other skin imperfections.
- It is lightweight and not heavy like a foundation.
- It hydrates and nourishes the skin.
- It adds a youthful glow to the skin.
- Some CC creams have anti-aging ingredients to smoothen and reduce the signs of aging.
- It protects the skin from photodamage.
Before you make your purchase, here is what you need to look for in a CC cream. We have included a checklist in the next section for you.
What Should You Consider When Choosing A CC Cream?
- Skin Type: Choose a CC cream that suits your skin type. Applying a CC cream that’s too oily on oily skin can cause breakouts and will make you look greasy and sweaty. Similarly, an oil-control CC cream on dry skin can make your skin flaky and lifeless.
- SPF: A good CC cream should contain SPF, or sun protection factor, of at least 15. CC creams with broad-spectrum sunscreen help protect the skin from further damage by the harmful UV rays.
- Coverage: Depending on your needs, the CC cream should have light to buildable full coverage. It should conceal dark spots, redness, pigmentation, and even out the skin tone.
- Hydrating And Nourishing Properties: CC creams are not moisturizers. But they should be hydrating enough for your skin and must contain natural ingredients like vitamin E to keep your skin nourished and supple.
- Skin Texture: CC creams are meant for all skin types, irrespective of age and sex. If you have mature skin, choose a CC cream that contains hyaluronic acid and other anti-aging ingredients to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines. If you have open pores, choose a CC cream with dimethicone to reduce the pores.
- Lightweight: Choose a CC cream that is lightweight and has a smooth texture. It should not feel heavy and cakey.
Wondering how to apply a CC cream? We have discussed the steps in the next section.
How To Apply A CC Cream?
- Step 1: Start by cleansing your face with a cleanser and apply your regular moisturizer all over your face.
- Step 2: Take a small amount of the CC cream on the palm of your hand and apply the cream all over your face with your fingers. You can also use the cream on particular areas where you want maximum coverage.
- Step 3: With the help of a beauty blender or brush, blend the product on your face.
- Step 4: Apply more cream if you feel like some areas need more coverage.
- Step 5: Go on with the rest of your makeup routine as usual. If you decide you need more coverage, you can also apply some foundation.
There are few things that you should keep in mind about a CC cream. We have discussed them below.
Things To Remember Before Buying A CC Cream
- It’s not sunscreen. You will still need to apply a layer of sunscreen before applying a CC cream. Here is a list of sunscreens for acne-prone skin.
- It may not add superior hydration. CC creams, in general, control oil. If you have dry skin, do not expect to get a super hydrating effect from a CC cream.
- An anti-aging CC cream does not reverse aging. It certainly protects your skin from UV damage and premature skin aging. It also smooths out fine lines and wrinkles. But it does not reverse aging.
- It is not a skin care solution for acne-prone skin. CC cream for acne-prone skin is NOT an acne treatment. You need to see a dermatologist and get the right acne treatment.
- CC creams are different from BB or DD creams. All three look like any other tinted moisturizer. But they are not so. Here’s the difference between the three.
Drugstore CC creams have good popularity among makeup enthusiasts! These CC creams provide maximum sun protection and help in improving skin texture. Drugstore CC creams are oil-free and hypoallergenic, which ensures users that they are perfect for sensitive skin types as well. CC creams with the tendency to hydrate your skin and rejuvenate the deeper layers of your skin are the best of the lot. CC creams providing a stunning glow to your face are additional advantages. Overall, it is better to avoid CC creams that don’t come with anti-aging properties.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Oyendrila Kanjilal, is a certified skin care coach. She has compiled a list of the best CC creams you should have in your vanity. She goes by the motto, “having great skin shouldn’t break the bank.”. So, following an intensive review of every product review on the market, she assembled a comprehensive and detailed list of the top drugstore CC creams. These are suitable for all skin types, and they provide skin with moisture, combat environmental damage, and help even out skin tone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to use a moisturizer if I use a CC cream?
Yes, you can use a moisturizer before you apply a CC cream. Although CC cream is a mix of moisturizer and foundation, using a moisturizer beforehand can only offer you more benefit.
Do I need to wear a primer with CC cream?
Yes, primer is a must if you want your makeup to last long. Hence, wearing a primer with a CC cream is often recommended.
Can a CC cream be worn daily?
Yes, a CC cream can be worn daily. Since the cream contains moisturizer and SPF, using it daily is advisable.
Is it OK to use CC cream every day?
Yes, it is ok to use CC cream daily as it has SPF and is lightweight and non-greasy.
How do you apply CC cream perfectly?
Use your fingertips, a brush, or a makeup sponge, to evenly blend the product into your skin.
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