CC (colour correcting) creams offer a moderate amount of coverage that will hide redness and dark circles without weighing your face down. They also often contain moisturising, SPF, and anti-ageing ingredients, providing an added bonus for your skin! Of course, we understand that you may be new to the world of CC creams, so let us guide you through what to look out for before you make that all-important purchase.
Then, browse our list of recommendations to buy at Amazon, John Lewis and Boots, from high-end brands like Clinique and Estée Lauder to budget-friendly options like Bourjois and Olay. Whether you have pale, dark, oily, acne-prone or dry skin, there's a product out there for you! Moreover, we have partnered with Makeup Artist Claire Higgins for reviewing and fact-checking the article so that we can deliver you the best information.
Quick List - Top CC Creams
A qualified Beauty Therapist and Makeup Artist. I provide professional makeup services for all occasions, whether it be for a bride on their wedding day or backstage at a photo shoot. I also enjoy teaching through hosting live talks on my social media, masterclass events, and 1-1 training. My favourite style of makeup is most definitely vibrant. I love a colourful eyeshadow palette... or 10!
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Claire is a qualified Beauty Therapist and Makeup Artist; she provides professional makeup services for all occasions from bridal to backstage at photo shoots. Claire also teaches masterclass events as well as 1-1 training, and when she gets the chance, enjoys sharing her expertise hosting live talks on her social media. She's a big fan of the vibrant style and loves a colourful palette... or 10!
Keep up-to-date with Claire through her Facebook and Instagram page where you can learn the latest tips and tricks when it comes to makeup application and also get inspired to try new looks!
First things first, what exactly is a CC cream? Essentially, they're a hybrid of a moisturiser and a foundation, but with an airy texture that doesn't feel heavy and won't clog your pores. Plus, they contain ingredients that even out your skin tone, minimise the appearance of pores and gently conceal imperfections. If you're looking for a hydrating beauty product that will conceal red spots and illuminate your face, a CC cream is perfect.
You may also have read about BB (blemish balm) creams which have become a popular alternative to foundation in recent years. So how does a CC cream differ from a BB cream? To put it simply, BB creams provide light coverage for blemishes whereas CC creams use colour-correcting technology to neutralise redness and brighten the skin tone.
Depending on your skin type, you'll want to keep an eye out for certain ingredients to make sure that a product will make your complexion look better, rather than causing irritation.
In comparison to foundations, the range of shades available for CC creams can be rather limited as many creams are tailored towards light or medium skin tones, which can make it complicated for you to find your perfect shade.
However, there are some formulas that start out white or grey and change to match your skin tone, which can be handy if you can't find exactly the right shade for your complexion. Though rare, there are a few products that are specially formulated to complement darker skin tones, which we've made sure to include in our recommendations.
Looking for a new favourite bronzer? Browse our best bronzers for pale, medium, and dark skin tones.
Another benefit of CC creams is that they usually offer SPF protection, which can vary from a light factor 10 coverage to as high as factor 50. As a frame of reference, a factor 30 will block 97% of the sun's rays.
Most of us should wear at least factor 15 on a daily basis, regardless of the weather. Although it is an added benefit that SPF can be built into a product, it is imperative that you are by no means replacing a suncream with a beauty product in your routine.
We encouraged you to wear adequate protection daily. If you are going on holiday or spending a lot of time outdoors in summer, you can always choose a higher factor or add sunscreen as needed.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | The Body Shop Instaglow CC Cream | ![]() | Affordable, Comfortable Coverage in a Range of Shades | |
2 | Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream | ![]() | Long-Lasting and Semi-Matte to Perfectly Conceal Imperfections | |
3 | Erborian CC Crème | ![]() | A Redness-Calming, Colour-Changing Cream From the Korean Experts | |
4 | Olay 7 in One CC Cream | ![]() | With Anti-Ageing Vitamins for Radiant-Looking Skin | |
5 | By Terry Cellularose Moisturising CC Cream | ![]() | A Luxurious Cult Favourite With Nourishing Botanical Extracts | |
6 | Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream | ![]() | Moisturises Without the Shine Thanks to an Oil-Free Formula | |
7 | Eveline Cosmetics Magic Skin CC Cream | ![]() | The Cheap and Cheerful Choice for Dry, Sensitive Skin | |
8 | Max Factor CC Colour Correcting Cream | ![]() | For a Dewy, Natural-Looking Glow Alone or Under Foundation | |
9 | Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense CC Cream | ![]() | Light and Airy With a Super-Protective SPF 50 | |
10 | Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme CC Creme | ![]() | Designed for Mature Skin With a Plumping Formula That Doesn't Sit in Creases |
This multi-tasking formula by The Body Shop contains glycerin and aloe vera which provide 24 hour moisture and comfort. It also reduces shine, minimises pores, and gives your skin an illuminating glow.
Best of all, it's one of the few CC creams on the market that caters to darker skin tones as well as light ones. The three shades available are "bright glow" for pale skin, "peachy glow" for light to medium skin, and "warm glow" for dark skin. Naturally, the range of shades and inexpensive price make it our top pick!
This semi-matte CC cream by Bourjois lasts up to 16 hours and is suitable for all skin types. It uses three colour correcting pigments: green to neutralise redness, white to conceal dark circles, and apricot to make your complexion look brighter.
As well as cotton flower extract, which hydrates your skin without making it greasy, this product contains SPF factor 10 protection against UVA and UVB rays. Plus, it's less than a tenner and comes in four shades, ranging from ivory to tan.
This clever formula by Korean-French brand Erborian is white at first but contains tiny pigment beads that burst and change the cream's colour to match your skin tone, so it perfectly complements your natural complexion while covering redness and fine lines.
A combination of skincare and makeup, this cream contains anti-inflammatory tiger grass (Centella Asiatica), vitamin B3 and healing honey extract that will leave your skin looking flawless. With an SPF of 25 too, it's suitable for all skin types and can match a range of tones.
This 7-in-1 CC cream by Olay not only moistures and brightens your skin, but ingredients like niacinamide reduce the appearance of wrinkles and help to restore elasticity. It's therefore ideal for those with mature skin or those wanting a product with anti-ageing properties.
The non-greasy and fast-absorbing formula make this product convenient if you only have a short time to get ready in the mornings. However, there is only one shade available which is for light to medium toned skin.
Cult favourite brand By Terry's rich CC cream contains intensely hydrating rose extract and skin-perfecting pigments which work fast to neutralise redness. Plus, it's non-oily and lightweight so is great for all skin types.
This product comes in four shades, ranging from nude to tan, and has a satin finish that will leave your complexion looking luminous! Although it's expensive, the formula is definitely luxurious enough to justify the price.
With hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, this formula by Clinique will boost moisture and soothe your skin, as well as hiding blemishes. Plus, it's oil-free so is ideal for those with an oily complexion and the high SPF will help to prevent the first signs of ageing.
It's a shame that this product only comes in three shades (light, light/medium, and medium), so won't be suitable for darker skin tones. But if you have a lighter skin tone and you're looking for something that provides a medium amount of coverage (without being as heavy as a foundation), it's a great choice.
This hyaluronic acid-infused formula by Eveline Cosmetics will smooth out your complexion in no time! It reduces discolouration, minimises pores and has an SPF factor of 15 to provide you with gentle protection from UV rays.
We love the fact that this product is specially designed for dry and sensitive skin and that it is very budget-friendly. The only downside is, once again, the disappointing lack of shades that are available.
This lightweight CC cream will give you flawless coverage with added ingredients to give you healthy skin. Unfortunately, it does only have an SPF of 10, so you may want to apply a separate SPF alongside it if you are concerned about the effects of UV rays.
This airy formula by Kiehl's instantly hydrates your skin and evens out your complexion. Plus, it contains lychee extract to give you a healthy-looking glow, whatever your skin type.
We love that this product is non-comedogenic (it doesn't block pores) and has an SPF factor of 50, which means it'll protect your skin from UV rays, environmental damage and early ageing. Sadly, though, it doesn't come cheap!
This revitalising cream by Estée Lauder contains plumping hyaluronic acid and pigment beads that adjust to your natural skin tone. It melts into skin nicely, providing a decent amount of coverage that doesn't feel too heavy.
However, the formula seems to be designed only with pale skin in mind, so it can make darker skin tones look dull rather than brightening them like a CC cream should! Nonetheless, 97% of women reported that their skin seemed brighter, healthier, and more beautiful immediately after using the product.
Written and researched by Nicola McClements
No. 1: The Body Shop|Instaglow CC Cream
No. 2: Bourjois|123 Perfect CC Cream
No. 3: Erborian|CC Crème
No. 4: Olay|7 in One CC Cream
No. 5: By Terry|Cellularose Moisturising CC Cream
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