Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between BB creams and CC creams?
“A BB cream, which usually stands for a beauty balm, is a multiuse product that acts as a primer, foundation, moisturizer, and sunscreen,” explains Los Angeles-based makeup artist Brandy Allen. In addition to hydrating and evening skin tones, BB creams treat your skin to hydrating, brightening, blemish-eviscerating, and fine-line-filling ingredients like antioxidant vitamin C, according to Dorman.
BB and CC creams are similar: Both have radiant finishes, moisturizing ingredients, and often, broad-spectrum sun protection—but they’re two different genres of product. According to our experts, CC creams are designed to color-correct (hence, CC = color correct) discoloration, redness, and sallowness, while BB creams “are a form of a lighter-weight foundation with skin-care benefits, usually light in coverage for a barely-there, ‘no-makeup’ look,” says makeup artist Tomy Rivero. BB creams are for low-maintenance, dewy coverage—in comparison, Scibelli says that CC creams are for neutralizing redness, covering sunspots, or smoothing uneven skin tone. “CC creams typically contain more pigment, for buildable coverage,” he adds.
How do I apply BB and CC creams?
As if BB creams and CC creams didn’t have enough benefits, both are also extremely easy to apply. Both Allen and Dorman agree that you can use just about any of your favorite tools to smooth these effortless formulas onto your skin—even your hands. “You can use a sponge, foundation brush, or your fingers, and gently dab the product for a natural, skin-like finish,” says Allen.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best BB and CC creams, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
