11 best CC creams to keep redness and dark circles at bay
If you've not already tried them, let me convince you to add some CC creams (AKA colour correcting creams) to your makeup wishlist. Perfect for warmer months and lighter coverage, the humble CC cream is ideal for someone who wishes to ditch their foundation in favour of a more modern take on a skincare-infused base.
I've always been someone to reach for foundation; at school it was Dream Matte Mousse (don't judge me) and early into my beauty career, Queen Charlotte Tilbury was my go-to for a full coverage finish. And while I still opt for a heavier base on long day or nights out, my usual base du jour is a skin tint, tinted moisturiser or BB/CC cream. I find that they bring the most dewy, your-skin-but-better benefits and lightweight textures that actually benefit the skin in the long run. A layer of CC cream, some subtle, fluttering mascara and a hint of gloss and you're good to go, IMO.
Best CC creams at a glance – our top picks
- Best CC cream overall: Erborian CC Crème
- Best CC cream for full coverage: IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream
- Best hydrating CC cream: Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream
- Best affordable CC cream: L'Oréal Paris C'est Magic CC Cream
To help you choose a product that is best for you, the GLAMOUR team has put together a round-up of the very best CC creams available to match your budget, preference and skin type, regardless of whether you have normal skin, dry skin, oily skin or anything in-between. Below, you’ll find that we’ve cherry-picked the best formulas on the market as well as all the bestsellers, so you can rest assured that you'll definitely find one that ticks all the boxes.
Meet the expert
- Pauline Tisserand, Erborian global marketing team
SKIP TO: Our top picks | BB creams vs. CC creams - what are the differences? | How do CC creams work and how should I apply one?
BB creams vs. CC creams - what are the differences?
We get it, it all can be a little confusing – from BB (beauty or ‘blemish’ balm) creams to CC (colour corrector) creams and even DD (daily defence) creams, it's easy to get overwhelmed when trying to figure out what you need and what works for your skin.
What you do need to know, however, is that although BB creams and CC creams might appear very similar, they do have a few key differences. Essentially, the idea behind CC creams is that they contain pigments that help with color correcting, which is especially useful if you have areas of hyperpigmentation, acne scarring or dark circles. In fact, these products are specifically designed to conceal – and sometimes treat – redness or sensitivity.
But what exactly is the story of these innovative products? “The trend occurred in Western Europe more than a decade ago with the emergence on the market of BB creams, CC creams and tinted moisturisers,” says Pauline.
“BB creams and CC creams were a direct inspiration from Asian markets; South Korea in particular. There, BB and CC were a beauty hit, adored for their ability to transform skin easily and effortlessly. The trend then made its way to Europe.” And we're so glad that it did.
From tinted moisturisers to light-coverage foundations.
Scroll down for our full edit of all the best CC creams, from all the trending products and our own favourites…
Why we love it: Is there anything this Chanel CC cream can’t do? It’s great for unifying, moisturising, correcting, protecting and boosting your skin's glow with each use. The all in one formula is enriched with murunga plum extract for more complete correction. Perfect for minimising dark spots and redness, keeping skin hydrated for up to 12 hours, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while protecting you from environmental aggressors and UV rays. Oh, and if minis are your thing, this one is cute enough to pop in your hand luggage.
Enjoy more savings when shopping for the best CC cream with these Boots discount codes.
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream
Why we love it: A CC cream that provides full coverage and broad spectrum SPF, protects against UVA and UVB rays and provides a brightening and hydrating finish is definitely something we can get onboard with. Available in 14 different shades, the It Cosmetics CC cream has a formula that helps conceal dark spots and minimise the appearance of pores. The best part is that it contains a wide range of skincare ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, soy extract, collagen and essential oils.
Save big when shopping for the best CC creams using these LookFantastic discount codes.
Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream
Why we love it: This Clinique CC cream is ideal for rebalancing your skin tone, keeping it moisturised and well-protected from sun damage. It features Smart Colour Correcting Technology as part of its oil-free formula that ensures your face stays flawless by preventing its undertones from changing with time.
Make sure to bookmark these Sephora discount codes to save when you shop for the best CC creams.
Why we love it: Enriched with SPF25, this Korean CC cream has a formula that features colour controlling pigments that adjust to your skin’s natural look. It also contains centella asiatica, a botanical active ingredient that preserves and moisturises your skin while minimising the look of blemishes and imperfections. Did we mention that this CC cream SPF is suitable for all skin types and that you can even use it as a makeup primer?
L'Oréal Paris C'est Magic CC Cream Anti-Redness
Why we love it: This CC red correct cream is created to adapt to your natural skin tone, thanks to Smart Pigment Capsules that transform into a foundation once applied. This makes it perfect to use for a nude-skin makeup look, providing light coverage and buildable coverage thanks to a formula enriched with antioxidants, vitamin B5 and vitamin E. Perfect for strengthening your skin’s natural defences.
Why we love it: This affordable, vegan option from e.l.f. Cosmetics offers medium-to-full coverage that acts as a foundation with a natural finish. It’s formulated with a sun protection rating of SP30 and offers great skincare benefits, thanks to a range of hydrating ingredients that work to improve your skin’s texture and tone.
Check out these Sephora discount codes to save.
Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme Global Anti-Ageing CC Creme
Why we love it: Estee Lauder has done it again. Its age-defying CC cream comes in a universal shade that complements virtually any complexion and provides sheer coverage and leaves your skin looking dewy. It also features innovative technology that helps significantly reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles to ensure that your skin looks radiant, healthy and beautiful for longer.
Erborian CC Dull Correct Radiance Booster
For those who experience dullness as well as an uneven skin tone, you can't beat this option by Erborian. The brand's extensive CC line has only been elevated by this addition, which tackles tired, dull skin that needs a boost. While micro pearls reflect the light, Licorice brightens and protects with antioxidant properties.
It Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation + Glow Serum
It Cosmetics' newest CC cream is a dream for those who like to *glow*. As well as having all of the properties of the brand's original formula, it also noticeably brightens and add an illuminating tint to the complexion. The shade range is also impressive for a CC cream.
Save big when shopping for the best CC creams using these Cult Beauty discount codes.
KIKO Milano Skin Trainer CC Blur
For those that are after something that leaves that flawless blurring effect, you can't beat a bit of Kiko's Skin Trainer CC. As well as hydrating and colour correcting, this smoothes out skin for a seamless finish. We'd definitely like to see more shades of this in the future for a more expansive range.
Revolution Pro CC Cream Perfecting Foundation SPF30
A CC cream for under £5? Yes, you read that right. And with a buildable, long-lasting formula and fairly impressive shade range (for a CC cream), this one packs a punch. If you're always on the lookout for added skincare benefits within your makeup too, Revolution's has vitamin E, hyaluronic acid and collagen within that compact tube.
What are CC creams for?
As the name implies, color correcting creams are formulated to cancel out any redness, dark circles or other forms of discolouration so as to even out your skin tone. The pigments in the formula aim to neutralise a specific colour that is the opposite from the tint featured in the product. In a nutshell: green cancels out redness, orange counteracts blueness and lavender helps erase yellow tones. This means no matter what you're trying to counter, a CC cream will do the trick, usually better than any high-coverage foundation can.
CC creams have come such a long way too – and there are now dozens of options to choose from. You can pick one based on your preferred coverage level and finish, as well as your skin priorities. Lots of CC creams also double as a sunscreen, offering sun protection ratings of between SPF 15 and SPF 50. They also tend to feature a variety of skin-loving ingredients for every skincare need. Depending on the product, this can include niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C for a brightening effect. Pauline advises “targeting the most relevant ingredient for your skin and its needs, depending on your skin type and what you are looking for.”
Just remember that no matter which you use, be sure to follow through with your skincare journey by taking off your CC cream effectively with cleansers or makeup removers (followed by other serums, lotions and creams, ofc). Otherwise, the skincare benefits of your base won't really matter!
How do CC creams work and how should I apply one?
CC creams are perfect for neutralising unwanted shades from our skin tone by introducing a little makeup artist wizardry. You might know that shades that sit opposite each other on the colour wheel cancel each other out. So as we've mentioned earlier, green tackles red, orange takes care of the blue, and lavender cancels out the yellow.
CC creams work for many different skin types; they can be ideal for sensitive skin or acne-prone skin, for example, since many of them are specifically designed to camouflage the redness in spots. It's why they'll help to brighten up unwanted dullness too, regardless of whether you’re using something that provides a sheer or matte finish.
Plus, if you're giving your skin a much-deserved break from foundations, CC creams can be an ideal alternative, offering just enough coverage without feeling heavy on the skin or clogging up your pores.
All you need to do is blend your chosen CC into your skin with the help of your favourite makeup sponge (or hands), starting with the centre of the face or any areas of discolouration to provide a more even base, before adding a little concealer to specific areas as needed.
How we tested CC creams
Over the years, the GLAMOUR team has collectively tried dozens of CC cream formulations, having tested said formulas on a variety of skin types and age groups. When reviewing each formula, we've assessed the efficacy and whether it delivers lightweight coverage, colour correction and skin benefits, as well as value for money and how innovative it is compared to other options on the market.
Looking for more beauty products to upgrade your skincare routine? Check out our guides to the best moisturisers and face creams, eye creams, anti-ageing creams, night creams, hyaluronic acid serums and vitamin C serums.
For more makeup, skincare, hair care and wellness content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.
