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!
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.
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
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 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 skin.
Glycerin is another humectant that hydrates skin as well as improves skin barrier function. And 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, which is why 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 a sunscreen on top of your CC cream to ensure that you have even and 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.
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. With this CC cream, you have 14 shades to choose from, 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, full coverage foundation, brightening color corrector, hydrating and anti-aging serum, dark spot concealer, moisturizing cream, and sunscreen. And yet, despite all of these functions, it feels lightweight and breathable on the skin!
Another plus is that it's buildable, so you can choose the level of coverage you want. Whether you're going for a natural or a full-on makeup look, this little tube can give you what you need. With all of these benefits, it's no wonder that this product has earned a lot of praise from loyal users, including professional makeup artists!
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.
Thanks to the unique Micro Pixel Powder in its formulation, this CC cream is able to fill in gaps in the skin and improve texture, leaving your skin feeling smooth and flawless. You'll also get a dose of sun protection with its SPF content. This product leaves a dewy finish since it's water-based.
This Dr. Jart+ CC cream is great for daily use for moisturizing and healing the skin. Packed with nourishing ingredients, it covers up redness and irritation while also promoting cell regrowth. It also offers anti-aging benefits, care of the Centella Asiatica in its formulation. You'll definitely see more youthful-looking skin with this product!
It's also free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and fragrances, so it's safe for people with sensitive skin. However, you might be surprised to find that it has a green color. But don't worry! It will change to beige after a while as it adjusts to correct any redness and even out skin tone. You'll also stay protected under the sun since this contains SPF.
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.
Infused with a good amount of snail secretion filtrate, this oil-free product has nourishing and anti-aging benefits, as well as a high amount of SPF protection. It also contains Alps Edelweiss flower extract, protecting skin against the sun's rays and environmental stressors. The effect is a natural radiance and a photo-ready complexion!
Although it comes in just one shade, this product goes surprisingly well with most skin tones, as it provides sheer coverage and produces more of the color-correcting effect. And despite the high level of SPF, it won't leave a gray or white cast on your skin. This is a great product to try if you prefer a fresh and natural look.
This CC cream is another multitasker that boasts 8 functions. It offers wrinkle care, stress care, hydration, UV protection, whitening, priming, makeup base, and skin volumizing. That's quite a mouthful, but longtime users attest to this product's effectiveness with regards to all its claims.
It is available in two variantsーSilky for a healthy, natural look and Glow for a transparent and glowing finish. While there is only a single shade available for each variant, it does the job of color-correcting because it changes color and adjusts to your skin tone after blending. It also offers great coverage while being lightweight.
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 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.
Luxe Ogranix’s CC cream is a great option if you are looking for a product that will easily fit into your budget. Consisting of centella asiatica leaf water, this product is great for restoring your skin’s barrier, giving you moisturized skin without feeling sticky or heavy.
Moreover, it also contains madecassoside, an ingredient that is helpful for calming down your skin’s inflammation, making it ideal for those dealing with dry, flaky, or troubled skin. And even though it only has one shade, don’t fret as the product is formulated to adapt to your skin tone!
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!
Pond's has always been a reliable brand for affordable skincare products. This BB + CC cream is just another example of their ability to create high-quality yet budget-friendly products. It gives you all the skincare benefits of a BB cream and the color correction powers of a CC cream.
Moreover, this cream gives you medium coverage with a rosy white glow and a long-lasting matte finish. It also has an SPF of 30 to keep you well-protected from the sun. This product is a hit with many users because even if there are only two available shades, they match a wide range of Filipina skin tones.
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.
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.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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