We all know what concealers and foundations are. We also all know their roles in a makeup routine. But when it comes to BB cream and CC cream, most people are totally lost.
Both products have become the go-to alternatives to traditional foundation if you want a lighter, softer look. Not to mention that it basically knocks your routine down by like… 5 steps. But chances are you have NO idea how they’re actually different.
The goal isn’t to choose the “better product.” They do two totally different things, so they’re not even really in competition. The goal is to decide which works best based on your skin, your concerns, and the finish you’re after.
So let’s break it down. In this post, we’ll explain what each product actually does, how they compare, whether they can replace your foundation, and how to figure out which one belongs in your routine.
BB Cream vs CC Cream: A Quick Cheat Sheet
BB cream (blemish balm or beauty balm) hydrates, adds light coverage, and usually includes sun protection. CC cream (color correcting) is designed to color correct and address skin concerns like redness, dullness, and uneven skin tone.
BB cream is more skincare-meets-makeup. CC cream is definitely more of a complexion corrector. Both creams offer a lightweight alternative to foundation, but they do different things in a routine:
| BB Cream | CC Cream | |
| Coverage | Light to medium | Medium, more buildable on tone |
| Finish | Dewy, natural | Matte to natural |
| Best Skin Type | Normal to dry | Combination, redness-prone, uneven tone |
| Main Purpose | Hydrate + even out | Color corrected concerns |
| SPF | Often includes | Often includes |
If you want hydration and a healthy glow, reach for BB. If you’re targeting redness or discoloration, you’ll probably be happier with CC.
What Is BB Cream?
BB cream is designed to neutralize minor redness, offer light coverage, and give your skin a boost of hydration. It’s the product that’s right between skincare and makeup. Basically, it’s the tube you’re reaching for if it’s your no-makeup makeup day.
The first BB cream contained ingredients meant to soothe and protect the skin after in-office treatments. This was before it ever became super popular. Over time, it crossed over into everyday beauty as a way to even things out without putting on a thick foundation.
That’s what makes it so wearable. It feels more like a moisturizer/primer with a hint of color.
What Does BB Cream Do?
BB cream is a multitasker. Here’s what it generally does:
- Hydrates the skin while you wear it
- Offers light coverage for a more even, natural look
- Includes sun protection in many formulas
- Works as a moisturizer or primer to smooth and prep
- Evens out your overall complexion without heaviness
Great for no-makeup days, travel, or anytime you want to look awake without caking on a FULL face.
What Is CC Cream?
CC cream is designed to color correct, hence to double C’s. Where BB cream focuses on hydration and a natural finish, CC cream is designed to cover an uneven skin tone. And yes, that includes redness and dullness!
If BB cream is the glow-giver, CC cream is the complexion corrector working to neutralize what’s bothering you.
Not all CC creams are made equal. They can differ in coverage, finish, and ingredients. While some feel almost identical to a BB, others offer noticeably more correction and buildable coverage.
What Does CC Cream Do?
CC cream earns its place in a routine by targeting tone. Here’s what it typically does:
- Corrects skin redness and neutralizes blotchiness
- Brightens dullness for a more awake look
- Helps blur dark spots and discoloration
- Evens out uneven skin tone
- Includes anti-aging ingredients in some formulas
If you catch yourself always saying “my skin looks uneven” rather than “my skin feels dry,” CC cream is usually the product you’ll appreciate more.
Which One Should You Use: BB or CC Cream?
Still torn? Let’s walk through each option so you know exactly which product will fit into your routine better:
Coverage You Want
If you want sheer, barely-there coverage with a dewy finish, choose the BB cream. If you want more correction and a more even base, CC cream will offer the biggest benefits. Neither is going to replace a full-coverage foundation, so make sure you know that before going in with your makeup brush.
Your Skin Type
BB cream tends to work and look best on normal to dry skin because it’s hydrating. CC cream usually works better for combination or redness-prone skin because of its correcting formula and lighter finish. Basically, if you have oily and shiny skin, look for a CC cream with a matte finish.
And while we’re here, we’d definitely recommend our article, “Why Is My Face So Oily?” This can help you figure out the cause so you can find the right solution.
Redness and Dark Spots
If you’re already dealing with an uneven tone, we recommend CC cream every time. The color-correcting pigments help neutralize redness and blur discoloration in a way BB cream usually can’t.
Redness isn’t something you just have to “deal with.” For a deeper dive, read our post, “How to Reduce Redness on Face.” And if specifically worried about discoloration, our guide to hyperpigmentation around the mouth covers how to fade those spots over time.
Mature Skin and Anti-Aging Concerns
If you’re focused on aging prevention, CC cream wins this round. A lot of formulas incorporate anti-aging ingredients and brightening actives. That said, a hydrating BB cream can look just as beautiful on mature skin because it won’t settle into fine lines the way a heavier base might.
For more on this, our makeup tips for women over 40 break down what actually flatters mature skin.
Your Makeup Routine
Your everyday habits matter. If you have a pretty minimal routine and you prefer a bare-skin finish, BB cream can fit in perfectly. If you usually layer concealer and other products on top, CC cream gives you a corrected base to build on.
Going minimal? Our guide to how to get the no makeup look pairs perfectly with a light BB cream routine.
How Do BB and CC Creams Compare to Tinted Moisturizer?
A tinted moisturizer sits on one end of the spectrum, with a light, skincare-focused approach. It’s super hydrating and usually has the sheerest color. BB cream adds a little more coverage and sun protection on top of that hydration. CC cream sits on the opposite end of the spectrum because it targets tone and discoloration more than either BB cream or tinted moisturizer.
The good news? All three keep things light. None of them feel like a full face of makeup, making each product feel like a great alternative on your lighter, no-makeup look days.
Can BB or CC Cream Replace Sunscreen?
No skincare product should replace sunscreen.
Even when your BB or CC cream lists SPF as a main ingredient, it usually isn’t enough on its own. Plus, most of us usually don’t apply enough product to get the FULL SPF amount you see on the label. So if you’re just relying on your BB and CC cream for SPF, you’re getting a fraction of the protection you think you are.
Wear sunscreen underneath your BB or CC cream and treat the SPF in your makeup as a bonus. Our breakdown of moisturizer with SPF vs sunscreen explains why.
And because protection fades throughout the day, learn how to reapply sunscreen over makeup. Because, no, your foundation doesn’t protect your skin from the sun like you think it does.
How to Apply BB or CC Cream
The way you apply the product can make or break how it looks when you’re done. Consider this your get-it-right-every-time cheat sheet:
- Start with skincare and sunscreen. Treat clean, hydrated, protected skin as the base for everything.
- Use your fingers or a damp sponge. Fingers warm the product to help it melt into the skin; a damp sponge presses it in.
- Build in thin layers. Start light and add only where you need it. It’s easier to add than to remove.
- Spot conceal where needed. Dab concealer over any blemishes or dark spots after, rather than caking on more cream everywhere.
Not sure what goes where? Our guide to sunscreen before or after moisturizer sorts out the order so your BB or CC creams go on smooth without pilling.
Round Out Your Routine With Shop Skinny Confidential
Regardless of whether you choose BB cream or CC cream, a flawless application starts way before the makeup goes on. Prepped, depuffed, well-cared-for skin is what makes any product look its best.
That’s the whole approach behind The Skinny Confidential. Our founder, Lauryn Bosstick, built the brand around tools that make your skin look and feel better, with or without makeup.
So before you reach for your BB or CC cream, roll out the puffiness with the TSC Ice Roller, prep your face, and let your makeup products do the rest. Explore the full lineup, from the Ice Roller to Mouth Tape, over in the Shop Skinny Confidential store.
This post is informational only and not medical advice. For any specific skin concern, please consult a qualified, board-certified dermatologist.
XO, The Skinny Confidential team