THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BB AND CC CREAM

BB cream and CC cream are makeup bag staples that offer a lighter alternative to traditional foundation. But what exactly is the difference between bb and cc cream, and how do you know which one is right for you? Maybelline is here to break down the benefits of each, helping you achieve a flawless, natural-looking complexion.


What Is BB Cream

BB Cream vs Foundation

When to Use BB Cream

Different BB Creams for Different Skin Needs

What is CC Cream?

CC Cream vs Foundation

When To Use CC Cream

WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOUR SKIN: BB CREAM VS CC CREAM?

Choosing between BB and CC cream depends on your individual skin needs and desired coverage. Both offer a range of benefits, but understanding their unique properties will help you make the best choice for your skin. BB cream is a lighter product with more skincare benefits, while CC cream is a fuller coverage product.
Chart comparing the difference between bb cream and cc cream.

WHAT IS BB CREAM?

BB cream, short for "beauty balm" or "blemish balm," is a multitasking product that combines the benefits of skincare and makeup. BB cream is super-lightweight with a more sheer coverage vs your average foundation. It covers, evens, and adds a glow, but doesn't necessarily hide blemishes and pigmentation— you'll need a concealer for that! The best part about BB cream is that it's a skin-first product packed with healthy benefits, which makes it great for everyday use.

BB cream is an especially good choice for summer’s sunshine, warm weather, and endless days outside. The downside to the season? Bright summertime light has a tendency to put a magnifying glass on makeup, showing off every false move and streaky swipe. And if going barefaced isn't an option, what's one to do? Enter, BB cream.

BB CREAM VS FOUNDATION

Compared to traditional foundation, BB cream provides lighter coverage. While foundations are designed to create a more even complexion and conceal imperfections, BB creams offer a more natural look by blurring minor blemishes and evening out skin tone. BB cream is typically designed to offer skincare benefits and often includes skincare ingredients and SPF. While foundations can include these ingredients, this is typically not their focus.

WHEN TO USE BB CREAM

BB cream is perfect for those days when you want a minimal makeup look but still want to enhance your complexion. It's ideal for:


  • Everyday wear: BB cream's lightweight formula makes it comfortable for daily use.
  • Quick makeup routines: If you're short on time, BB cream simplifies your routine by combining multiple products into one, serving as skincare, moisturizer, primer, a very light foundation, and even sunscreen, in cases such as Dream BB Fresh® BB Cream.
  • Achieving a natural look: BB cream enhances your skin without looking heavy or cakey.
  • Hot summer days: The lightweight formula of BB cream is perfect for days when you need lightweight coverage that doesn’t cake in harsh sun.

DIFFERENT BB CREAMS FOR DIFFERENT SKIN NEEDS

BB creams are formulated for various skin types and concerns by including different skincare ingredients. Check out which BB cream is best for your skin type.

 

BB CREAM FOR OILY SKIN OR ACNE CLEARING

If you're prone to oily skin or are looking for a BB cream to clear your acne, try Dream BB Pure® BB Cream. It's made with salicylic acid to clear acne, reduces redness, mattifies skin, conceals imperfections, minimizes the look of pores, cuts shine, and hydrates all while being oil-free as well as derm and allergy tested.
  • Dream BB Pure® BB Cream
    Deep
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BB CREAM FOR DRY OR MATURE SKIN

If you have dry or mature skin, there's another option. Dream BB Fresh® BB Cream hydrates, protects skin with SPF 30, brightens, smooths, and blurs imperfections. It's also oil-free, derm/allergy tested, and suitable for even the most sensitive types.

  • Dream BB Fresh® BB Cream
    Medium
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WHAT IS CC CREAM?

You might have heard about CC creams, which came around after BB creams and share a similar name, but don't mistake them for the same thing. They're very different! CC cream stands for "color correcting" cream or complexion corrector cream. These are thicker, heavier formulas than the light, airy BB creams. They are intended to fully hide dark spots or redness and neutralize the appearance of imperfections, but don't give all the many skin-loving benefits that bb creams do. They're best for true color-correcting skin issues, and are not a replacement for BB cream, foundations, or tinted moisturizer! CC creams typically contain light-diffusing particles and color-correcting pigments to neutralize redness, sallowness, or dark spots.

CC CREAM VS FOUNDATION

Like BB creams, CC creams offer lighter coverage than foundation. However, CC creams are specifically formulated to correct color imbalances, making them a great choice for those with concerns like redness or uneven skin tone.

WHEN TO USE CC CREAM

CC cream is a great option if you want to:


  • Even out your skin tone: CC cream's color-correcting properties help neutralize discoloration and create a more balanced complexion.
  • Reduce redness: If you struggle with rosacea or redness, a CC cream can help calm and conceal irritation.
  • Brighten dull skin: CC cream can add luminosity and radiance to the skin, making it look more vibrant.

CC CREAM ALTERNATIVES

If you find that CC cream is too light for your skin concerns, there is always the option to use foundation to even out the skin tone. Foundations are designed to create a more even complexion and conceal imperfections. If you are looking for the perfect base, Maybelline has a great range of liquid and powder foundations for you to choose from.

Another option for color correcting is using a color correcting concealer such as Instant Age Rewind® Eraser Color Correcting Concealer. To color correct your skin, use green to counteract redness, orange to cover up discoloration, yellow to neutralize blues and purples, and pink to brighten and correct.
  • New
    Instant Age Rewind® Eraser Color Correcting Concealer
    Green
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  • New
    Instant Age Rewind® Eraser Color Correcting Concealer
    Orange
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  • New
    Instant Age Rewind® Eraser Color Correcting Concealer
    Yellow
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  • New
    Instant Age Rewind® Eraser Color Correcting Concealer
    Pink
    Buy now

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