Hate the feeling of cakey makeup on your face? Try CC creams! With the hot and humid climate of the Philippines, wearing sunscreen, primer, foundation, and setting powder can feel too heavy on the skin. It might also add to the clogging of pores when combined with the pollution in the air around us—that is what CC creams are for.
CC creams are relatively new to the world of makeup, popularized by Korean brands like Etude House and The Face Shop. CC creams can be an all-in-one product to help you skip steps in your makeup routine while also giving you added skincare benefits. That said, let us help you find the perfect CC cream with our top 10 list and buying guide! We also asked for some tips and insights from beauty Elaine Ganuelas, a beauty professional!
Quick List - Top CC Creams
Elaine Ganuelas has been living and breathing the life of all things beauty since childhood. What once started as her passion became her career in 2006. Now she does makeup, hairstyling, image consultation (yes, makeovers), personal shopping, consumer research, and reviews.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
The CC in CC cream stands for “color correcting,” and it does what it says. It corrects and evens out your complexion and disguises blemishes like dark spots or redness. A good CC cream neutralizes the appearance of imperfections by utilizing colors opposite on the color wheel.
For instance, red cancels out bluish tones, and green cancels out reddish tones, and so on. CC creams offer heavier coverage than BB creams as well, so they tend to have thicker formulas. They are also often multi-taskers because they are self-priming, buildable, and usually have SPF, among other skincare benefits.
CC was once a marketing term for an all-in-one product that aimed to correct facial discoloration, as explained. Through the years and after several innovations and iterations, companies have blurred the lines of distinguishing CCs from BBs or even tinted moisturizers.
CC creams have a bunch of benefits and uses, which is why people like using them. However, there are different CC creams in the market and it may be hard to choose the right one for you. Thus, we're here to help you decide which one is the best for you! Just read through our buying guide below to know more.
The shade of your face makeup can make or break your look, so be sure to read below to find out more about how you can choose the shade appropriate for your skin and needs.
CC creams usually offer only light to medium shades, but some brands do offer a wider variety. Normally, you'd swatch the product over your jawline to see if it is a good fit, but if you're shopping online, some brands offer "virtual try-ons" or short quizzes to see if the shade would match your skin tone, so be on the lookout for that!
Lucky if you can shade match personally! If purchasing online, check for reviews or swatches of beauty bloggers or creators with the same or closest shade as yours before committing.
If you want to take the guesswork out of picking a matching shade, some brands also offer CC creams that only have one shade available. These start with a grayish or greenish tone that changes to match your skin tone after a while.
You can go for these kinds, especially during the summer months when you are alternating in-between shades and don’t want to buy the same product in different shades. It is also handy if your skin tone falls somewhere in-between shades.
This is my favorite type! It's also easy to tote around when traveling and a fave for men's grooming since it looks very natural and skin-like.
Each skin type requires different ingredients to nourish the skin. Just like BB creams, brands formulate CC creams with different nourishing ingredients that will improve the skin in many ways and address different skin issues. Read on to find out what some of the most common ingredients in CC creams are and what they do for the skin.
Hyaluronic acid not only draws moisture from the air to your skin but is also great at retaining that moisture, so your skin is hydrated and plump-looking throughout the day. It helps make the skin more resilient against pollutants, keeping it elastic and reducing the appearance of fine lines. Plus, it is suitable for all skin types, from dry to oily.
Glycerin is another humectant that hydrates skin and improves skin barrier function. It has emollient properties, so it can help keep your skin supple and soft. You also want to look for lily or white flower, as it is helpful for hydrating dry skin.
While I marvel at the benefits of plump, juicy, and hydrated skin brought about by hyaluronic acid, do layer on hydration underneath so it won't draw water from your skin.
Another great benefit of niacinamide is that it reduces redness and inflammation from eczema or acne. Furthermore, it makes the complexion brighter and more even. Because it helps with moisture retention, niacinamide is best for dry skin. However, since it also helps with oil regulation, it is also beneficial for those with oily skin.
This all-around hero ingredient may cause irritation or sensitivities in higher percentages, so make sure you read the label and fine print. The safest is around 2-5%, and it's best not to exceed 10%. After all, most products nowadays already contain niacinamide.
It also promotes cell regulation by removing dead skin cells and stimulating cell renewal. Through this process, your complexion is evened out, and fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots are diminished. Snail slime also protects the skin from UV damage, dryness, and infection, so it's highly effective for dry and acne-prone skin.
Also great for combination and dehydrated skin types, this ingredient helps achieve a smoother finish. A word of caution though, this ingredient can cause allergies or irritation if you have a known reaction to shellfish. As always, patch test first to be sure.
Centella Asiatica is an herb also known as Gotu Kola, Tiger Grass, or even madecassoside, which is a part of centella asiatica. This is an ingredient you might find in Korean skincare products as "cica." Because of its healing and anti-aging benefits, it is becoming more and more well-known as a skincare ingredient.
Centella Asiatica is best for use on irritated or sensitive skin since it helps reduce inflammation and promotes collagen production. Increased collagen in the skin helps lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a more youthful-looking skin.
Centella Asiatica is also known as cica, and it's a great hydrator that could keep your skincare-slash-makeup from drying you out and making you look cakey all throughout the day.
If you have acne-prone skin, then it would be helpful to look for CC creams that contain salicylic acid. This is known for containing anti-bacterial properties that fight against acne-causing bacteria. And it helps in regulating the skin’s production of sebum.
For this reason, it is great for those with oily skin. Now, should you find salicylic acid too potent, or if you have dry or sensitive skin, a milder ingredient would be honey. It also has anti-bacterial properties, and it provides a soothing effect as well.
Pick honey (or propolis) over salicylic acid if you plan to use the product daily. Salicylic acid is an exfoliant that can dry out the skin or cause irritation. Also check if you are layering the product with a vitamin C serum, glycolic acid, or retinol.
Aside from hydrating skin, it is also important we protect it from free radicals to prevent premature skin aging. In this regard, we recommend you look for CC creams that contain antioxidants, such as green tea and Edelweiss flower.
Green tea helps protect the skin from harmful UV rays to prevent skin cancer. It also has anti-aging benefits as well. On the other hand, it is said that the edelweiss flower has more antioxidants than vitamin C, and it is helpful for preventing premature wrinkles.
This could also be a "safer" alternative to an ascorbic acid-based vitamin C serum. It is less complicated to layer with other ingredients in your skincare routine and you'll have an extra helping of antioxidants.
Finding good products for sensitive skin might be challenging. That is why it is best to steer clear of creams with additives or harsh ingredients like alcohol, fragrances, artificial dyes, methylisothiazolinone, and even essential oils, as they can trigger irritation and other skin issues.
When choosing skincare products, it's best to go for those with minimal ingredients. Non-comedogenic products are also good picks so you can prevent getting clogged pores. Always check the ingredients list and consult your dermatologist if you're unsure about the ingredients in a certain product or its suitability for your skin type.
This is why it is important to read labels and ingredients carefully so the product won't cause problems along the way. When in doubt, seek the help of professionals, particularly a board-certified dermatologist, for any concerns.
If you know you're going to be out in the sun for a good portion of the day, it's best to go for a CC cream with a higher SPF protection. Better yet, apply sunscreen on top of your CC cream to ensure that you have adequate coverage all over your face.
Never rely on CC creams or any makeup product with SPF for complete sun protection. Always, always, always use a separate and dedicated sunscreen under CC creams or any makeup product. Also, do remember to reapply every 2-3 hours after sweating or exposure to water because SPF degrades over time.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Volume | Number of Shades | Color Adjusting | Skin Type | Beneficial Ingredients | Product Highlights | SPF | Coverage | |||||
1 | Supergoop! CC Screen | ![]() | A Gentle CC Cream Free of Potential Irritants With a Strong SPF | 47 mL | 15 | No | Combination Skin, Dry Skin, Normal Skin, Oily Skin | Anti-oxidants, BHAs/Salicylic Acid, Vitamins | Oil-free, 100% Mineral, Made without D4 and D5 cyclical silicones, PEGs, talc, phenoxyethanol or any potential skin sensitizers | 50 | Natural, Buildable | |
2 | it Cosmetics Your Skin But Better™ CC+™ Cream SPF 50 | ![]() | A CC Cream That Does the Job of Seven Products | 32 mL | 14 | No | Combination Skin, Dry Skin, Normal Skin, Oily Skin | AHAs / Glycolic Acid, Anti-oxidants, BHAs/Salicylic Acid, Collagen, Fragrance-free, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Peptides, Prebiotics and Probiotics, Retinoid, Turmeric, Vitamins | 7 products in 1 | 50 | Full, Sheer, Buildable | |
3 | Clinique Superdefense CC Cream | ![]() | A 3-in-1 CC Cream With Numerous Skincare Benefits | 40 mL | 3 | No | All Skin Type | Caffeine, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Antioxidants | Formulated without any fragrance, oil, parabens, or phthalates | 30 | Medium | |
4 | Banila Co It Radiant CC Cream | ![]() | Achieve Radiant Skin With a Flawless Texture | 30 mL | 1 | No | All Skin Type | Peach Biome, Niacinamide, White Flower Water, Eco Herb Water Complex | 3-in-1 CC Cream, Paraben Free, Sulfate Free, Alcohol Free, Mineral Oil Free | 17 | Dewy | |
5 | The Face Shop Face It Aura CC Cream | ![]() | For All-Day Sun Protection and Brightened Skin Tone | 20 g | 2 | No | Sensitive Skin, Acne-Prone Skin | Lily water | 3-in-1: Brightening + Anti-wrinkle + UV Protection, 12H Long-wearing, 12H Hydrating | 30 | Buildable, Natural to Full | |
6 | Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment | ![]() | Contains Centella for a Healthy and Less Irritated Skin | 15 mL, 50 mL | 1 | Yes | Sensitive Skin | Centella Asiatica | Moist green cream that adapts into your skintone, Mineral sunscreen | 22 | Natural | |
7 | Snailwhite CC Sunscreen SPF 50 PA+++ | ![]() | A Travel-Friendly CC Cream and Sunscreen in One | 6 mL | 1 | Yes | Normal Skin, Dry Skin, Oily Skin, Combination Skin | Snail Mucin, Alps Edelweiss Flower | Lightweight, Oil-free, Waterproof, Acts as a: sunscreen, primer, makeup base, skin tint, and nourishing and brightening cream | 50+ | Natural | |
8 | QUICKFX CC Cream | ![]() | A Blendable CC Cream That Conceals Blemishes | 10 g | 1 | Yes | All Skin Type | Sodium Hyaluronate, Zinc Oxide, Fruit Extracts, and V-Peptide | Encapsulated Pigment Technology to match any skin tone | None | Buildable | |
9 | Erborian CC Crème High Definition Radiance Cream | ![]() | Get Luminous Skin With Honey Extract and Vitamin E | 15 mL, 45 mL | 3 | Yes | All Skin Type | Centella Asiatica, Honey Extract, and Vitamin E | Contains CC capsules or encapsulated pigments | 25 | Natural, Flawless | |
10 | Cyber Colors Rosy Glow CC Cushion SPF 50 PA+++ | ![]() | A 3-Color CC Cushion That Contains Different Skincare Ingredients | 30 mL | 1 | Yes | Not Specified | Rose Centifolia Distilled Water, Snow Lotus, Chamomile, Hyaluronic Acid | 3-color spiral pattern cushion | 50 | Not Specified |
This CC cream has quite a cult following because of its clean formula and high SPF content. Packed with nourishing ingredients and made with 100% minerals, this product checks all the boxes when it comes to coverage, color correction, and sun protection. It's totally oil-free and covers imperfections while leaving your skin looking luminous.
It is notably made without harmful ingredients like silicones, parabens, fragrances, talc, and other potential skin irritants. It's also available in a wide range of shades, so you'll definitely find your match here! The coverage is buildable as well, and the breathable texture, even with multiple layers, makes this easy to wear all day.
Volume | 47 mL |
---|---|
Number of Shades | 15 |
Color Adjusting | No |
Skin Type | Combination Skin, Dry Skin, Normal Skin, Oily Skin |
Beneficial Ingredients | Anti-oxidants, BHAs/Salicylic Acid, Vitamins |
Product Highlights | Oil-free, 100% Mineral, Made without D4 and D5 cyclical silicones, PEGs, talc, phenoxyethanol or any potential skin sensitizers |
SPF | 50 |
Coverage | Natural, Buildable |
Just like the name says, this CC cream makes your skin look natural while giving flawless coverage. It has anti-aging benefits and is infused with different hydrating ingredients, antioxidants, and vitamins. It also has 14 shades, so you can really go as close to your skin tone as possible.
This CC cream gives you seven products all in one package. It is a poreless finish primer, foundation, brightening color corrector, hydrating and anti-aging serum, concealer, moisturizing cream, and sunscreen. Despite all of these functions, it feels lightweight and breathable. With all of these benefits, it's no wonder this product has earned much praise from loyal users!
Volume | 32 mL |
---|---|
Number of Shades | 14 |
Color Adjusting | No |
Skin Type | Combination Skin, Dry Skin, Normal Skin, Oily Skin |
Beneficial Ingredients | AHAs / Glycolic Acid, Anti-oxidants, BHAs/Salicylic Acid, Collagen, Fragrance-free, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Peptides, Prebiotics and Probiotics, Retinoid, Turmeric, Vitamins |
Product Highlights | 7 products in 1 |
SPF | 50 |
Coverage | Full, Sheer, Buildable |
Volume | 40 mL |
---|---|
Number of Shades | 3 |
Color Adjusting | No |
Skin Type | All Skin Type |
Beneficial Ingredients | Caffeine, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Antioxidants |
Product Highlights | Formulated without any fragrance, oil, parabens, or phthalates |
SPF | 30 |
Coverage | Medium |
This little tube from Banila Co is a powerhouse among CC creams and is an 11-time Beauty Award winner. With its niacinamide content and Eco Herb Water Complex content, it hydrates and lights up skin from within, giving you a natural and healthy glow. It corrects uneven skin tone and cancels out redness as well.
Its unique Micro Pixel Powder fills in gaps, enhancing texture for a flawless, smooth finish with a lasting dewy radiance, all in a water-based formula. Plus, enjoy added sun protection with its SPF content – a perfect all-in-one solution for luminous and protected skin.
Volume | 30 mL |
---|---|
Number of Shades | 1 |
Color Adjusting | No |
Skin Type | All Skin Type |
Beneficial Ingredients | Peach Biome, Niacinamide, White Flower Water, Eco Herb Water Complex |
Product Highlights | 3-in-1 CC Cream, Paraben Free, Sulfate Free, Alcohol Free, Mineral Oil Free |
SPF | 17 |
Coverage | Dewy |
If you want to brighten your skin up but don’t want to go through the motions of applying a full face of makeup, then consider the Face Shop’s CC cream. It has a spotlight makeup effect that instantly provides radiance and illumination to your skin, as if you were under a spotlight!
Its SPF-laden and long-wearing formula can last up to 12 hours, so it can see you through an entire workday or online class. Also, note that this CC cream comes in a cushion compact, so you can easily touch up your makeup anytime, anywhere. With this CC cream, you can look made up, without the makeup!
Volume | 20 g |
---|---|
Number of Shades | 2 |
Color Adjusting | No |
Skin Type | Sensitive Skin, Acne-Prone Skin |
Beneficial Ingredients | Lily water |
Product Highlights | 3-in-1: Brightening + Anti-wrinkle + UV Protection, 12H Long-wearing, 12H Hydrating |
SPF | 30 |
Coverage | Buildable, Natural to Full |
The Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment from Dr. Jart is a skincare treatment that also works as a CC cream, makeup base, and sunscreen. It has a greenish color to correct the skin's redness that eventually turns beige, adjusting to the user's skin color for a natural finish. It contains the Centella Asiatica complex, which calms troubled skin, soothes irritation, and lessens redness.
This product deeply moisturizes and nourishes the skin to prevent dryness. It also has mineral SPF, which is recommended for sensitive skin, to protect the skin from the sun's rays. Reviewers have noticed that it evens out skin tone and blurs discoloration.
Volume | 15 mL, 50 mL |
---|---|
Number of Shades | 1 |
Color Adjusting | Yes |
Skin Type | Sensitive Skin |
Beneficial Ingredients | Centella Asiatica |
Product Highlights | Moist green cream that adapts into your skintone, Mineral sunscreen |
SPF | 22 |
Coverage | Natural |
If you're new to using CC creams, fret not! The CC sunscreen of SNAILWHITE comes in a travel-friendly pack that can be your trial product. This versatile product color corrects, primes, acts as a makeup base or skin tint, and provides sun protection. Also, it comes in a universal shade that adapts to your skin tone, brightens your complexion, and blurs pores.
Volume | 6 mL |
---|---|
Number of Shades | 1 |
Color Adjusting | Yes |
Skin Type | Normal Skin, Dry Skin, Oily Skin, Combination Skin |
Beneficial Ingredients | Snail Mucin, Alps Edelweiss Flower |
Product Highlights | Lightweight, Oil-free, Waterproof, Acts as a: sunscreen, primer, makeup base, skin tint, and nourishing and brightening cream |
SPF | 50+ |
Coverage | Natural |
Volume | 10 g |
---|---|
Number of Shades | 1 |
Color Adjusting | Yes |
Skin Type | All Skin Type |
Beneficial Ingredients | Sodium Hyaluronate, Zinc Oxide, Fruit Extracts, and V-Peptide |
Product Highlights | Encapsulated Pigment Technology to match any skin tone |
SPF | None |
Coverage | Buildable |
This product from Erborian draws its strength from Centella Asiatica to calm down skin irritation and awaken your skin's natural radiance. Its formulation includes encapsulated pigments that melt upon contact with the skin and work to correct your skin tone and diminish imperfections.
Your skin will also look and feel younger because of the honey extract that softens and firms up your skin. The presence of vitamin E also helps to protect your skin from damage from the sun and free radicals. On top of all that, it has an all-natural formulation that's safe for people with sensitive skin and other skin issues.
Volume | 15 mL, 45 mL |
---|---|
Number of Shades | 3 |
Color Adjusting | Yes |
Skin Type | All Skin Type |
Beneficial Ingredients | Centella Asiatica, Honey Extract, and Vitamin E |
Product Highlights | Contains CC capsules or encapsulated pigments |
SPF | 25 |
Coverage | Natural, Flawless |
Volume | 30 mL |
---|---|
Number of Shades | 1 |
Color Adjusting | Yes |
Skin Type | Not Specified |
Beneficial Ingredients | Rose Centifolia Distilled Water, Snow Lotus, Chamomile, Hyaluronic Acid |
Product Highlights | 3-color spiral pattern cushion |
SPF | 50 |
Coverage | Not Specified |
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by Elaine Ganuelas.
Not to technically "replace," but it can be a temporary solution for situations where you are in a hurry. I wouldn't recommend skipping sunscreen, though.
It would actually depend on the ingredients that are included in the formula. Some may experience irritation to products because of a particular ingredient. Always patch test first to check if there would be any reaction.
This can be used on a daily basis in lieu of makeup bases to save time in the morning.
To ensure the most natural and blended finish:
Now that you've added CC cream to your beauty arsenal, it's time to check out other items to give you that glam and gorgeous look! Take a look at our other article reviews of beauty products that will go perfectly well with your CC cream.
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Author: Rie N.
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Supergoop!|CC Screen
No. 2: it Cosmetics|Your Skin But Better™ CC+™ Cream SPF 50
No. 3: Clinique|Superdefense CC Cream
No. 4: Banila Co|It Radiant CC Cream
No. 5: The Face Shop|Face It Aura CC Cream
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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