BB Cream Vs. CC Cream: Which One Is The Best? Key Comparisons

What Is The Difference Between BB Cream And CC Cream?

Let us first learn the full forms of these acronyms – BB stands for ‘blemish balm,’ while CC stands for ‘color-correcting.’

• BB Cream: BB cream is essentially a makeup product with skin benefits. It was first recommended by dermatologists for its calming properties, as well as its ability to cover skin blemishes and imperfections (1).

BB creams are formulated to moisturize and soothe the skin, give it an even tone, and slow down the development of wrinkles (2). Additionally, they conceal minor blemishes and have a light tint that gives you a “no makeup” look.

Pro tip

The BB cream was first created in Germany by Dr. Christine Schrammek, and overtime gained immense popularity through South Korean skincare trends in Korea and East Asia.

• CC Cream: CC cream focuses more on correcting discoloration, like dark under-eye circles, redness, dullness, uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, and scars. It also helps blur wrinkles.

CC creams also contain soothing agents such as shea butter that have a deep moisturizing effect (3).

CC creams tend to have a slightly heavier consistency than BB creams (which have a whipped texture) and offer a matte finish.

In this YouTube tutorial, Michelle, a vlogger, discusses the differences between BB creams and CC creams. She mentions, “Typically, a BB cream has a sheer to light coverage, while a CC cream would have more of a medium to full coverage (i).”

Besides the differences between BB creams and CC creams, there are also some similarities.

Both BB and CC creams have SPF that helps protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Zinc oxide (ZnO), one of the active sunscreen agents that are commonly used in BB creams and other sunscreen products, offers effective UV protection (4).

How Do I Know Which One Is For Me?

This choice depends on a number of factors. These include your skin type, any skin conditions you may have, your age, and your beauty goals.

• For oily skin, CC cream works best, as it has a matte finish. On the other hand, BB creams are designed to have a hydrating, dewy effect, making them unsuitable for oily skin.

• BB creams work best on dry-to-normal skin types. Watch out for key ingredients such as dimethicone, glycerin, mineral oil, and hyaluronic acid that help retain moisture in the skin (5). These ingredients give CC creams a moisturizing effect and are especially recommended for dry skin.

• If your skin is prone to acne, then a CC cream is a more effective choice. This is because it has a lightweight, non-oily finish and light texture.

• Keep an eye out for ingredients such as salicylic acid in CC creams, as it is a key ingredient due to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and depigmenting properties (6).

Now, let’s talk about when you should use which product.

When Should You Use Which Product?

Whether you should use BB cream or CC cream completely depends on your skin, beauty needs, and lifestyle.

• For instance, if you are looking for a product with anti-aging properties, then a CC cream is a good bet as it claims to cover the signs of aging, like fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.

• If you are looking to conceal scars, pigmentation, and other marks, CC cream is again the best choice.

• If you have relatively blemish-free skin and are looking for a product with hydrating elements, use a BB cream as it has a lightweight consistency.

• How comfortable you are with a layer of makeup on your face also plays a role here. If you want something lightweight, then go for BB cream. If you are comfortable with something heavier and more long-lasting, then CC cream is a good bet.

• Typically, BB cream offers a more natural look and is good if you like the “no makeup” look. However, if you want a more glamorous look or need your makeup to really stand out more, CC cream is a better option.

But, can you use them together? Find out in the next section.

Can You Use A BB Cream And A CC Cream Together?

The combined use of BB cream and CC cream comes in handy if you have combination skin, which is a mix of oily and dry skin. It can also help when you have multiple skin conditions that you want to cover up.

Blending BB cream and CC cream is an art in itself. To do so, you can use a damp sponge or a makeup brush. While applying the creams, use gentle patting motions to blend them evenly and cover all areas of the skin, especially marks and blemishes.

Now, let’s check out how BB creams and CC creams compare to the foundation and tinted moisturizers.

How Do BB Cream And CC Cream Compare To Foundation?

Unlike BB cream and CC cream, which have various uses and therapeutic effects on problematic skin, the foundation is strictly for aesthetic use in your beauty regimen. Here are a few ways in which foundation is different from BB creams and CC creams.

• A foundation creates a base for the rest of your makeup and usually has a thicker consistency. It also contains ingredients that are effective for different skin types, such as oily, combination, and dry skin.

• A foundation can have an oil, water, or silicone base.

• Another unique quality of the foundation is that it comes in different forms and textures such as loose powder, liquid, cream, mousse, solid stick, or a pressed powder compact form. If you have oily skin, a powder foundation will work better than a liquid or cream foundation. On the other hand, those with dry skin are advised to use a liquid or cream-based foundation.

• Your foundation can give you a dewy, matte, or natural look based on the kind of finish you are looking for.

• Unlike BB creams and CC creams, it does not possess any therapeutic ingredients, and hence, is purely used for cosmetic and aesthetic reasons.

How Do BB Cream And CC Cream Compare To Tinted Moisturizers?

A tinted moisturizer is a moisturizer that has a hint of color. Its primary purpose is to hydrate the skin, but it may also have an SPF factor.

It moisturizes the skin and adds a glow but is not equipped to cover up redness, discoloration, marks, and scars. Additionally, it has a thicker consistency than BB cream and CC cream, as its main purpose is to keep your skin moisturized. However, the key reason people use it is that they are looking for lighter alternatives to a traditional foundation, which has a thicker consistency and fuller coverage.

Quick tip

You can create a tinted moisturizer by mixing your BB or CC cream with a milky moisturizer or face lotion.

Tinted moisturizers help the skin breathe easily. They also offer a “no makeup” look and are good for people with relatively clear skin with no blemishes or marks to cover up.

The difference between BB cream and CC cream can be confusing. BB cream helps cover blemishes and soothe the skin, while CC cream helps correct the skin tone, scars, and other discolorations. Though these products aim to correct different skin care issues, they contain SPF protecting your skin against harmful UV rays. To decide which one suits you the best, you may have to know more about your skin type and your issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use CC cream instead of foundation?

It depends on what you want from each product. Foundation delivers coverage and evens out the skin tone. A CC cream works best for those who want to cover up blemishes, dark circles, dark spots, redness, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles.

Do you need a primer for BB cream?

A BB cream does the work of a foundation, primer, and moisturizer. So, you do not need to use a primer with a BB cream.

Can I use both BB and CC cream?

Yes, you can use both creams together to even out your skin tone, cover up blemishes, and moisturize and prime your skin.

Is BB cream good for daily use?

Yes, you can use a BB cream every day.

Do you put moisturizer on before BB cream?

No, you don’t have to apply a moisturizer before a BB cream. BB creams have moisturizing properties.

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Jocelyn LyLicensed Cosmetologist & Hairstylist

     

Jocelyn Ly has been in the beauty and wellness industry for over 12 years. She studied Psychology at UC Davis to help people with their mental health. After graduating, she pursued a cosmetology license at Pasadena City College and received her California Cosmetology License. Her unique combination of psychology and cosmetology has helped her connect with clients to create a...more

Arshiya SyedaSenior Editor

 

Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She holds a bachelor's degree in literature and psychology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a post-graduate diploma in psychological...more

Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal. She also did a certificate course in dermatology offered by the Novosibirsk State University...more

Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends. Her passion for and understanding of all things related...more