Ready to take a break from full-coverage foundations? The best BB and CC creams offer hydration and sheer, buildable coverage that still looks like, well, your skin. While there are differences between the two (BB creams, short for beauty/blemish balm, focus on hydration and light coverage, where CC creams, short for color correcting, are more about tone correction and coverage), both offer blemish-concealing coverage and have skin care-infused formulas (hi, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and SPF). It’s makeup that works smarter, not harder.
Though BB and CC creams have been around for decades, many of these makeup-skin care hybrids have found their way back to our desks recently. We tapped our team and makeup artists to help you find the best options for all the lit-from-within coverage that’ll have you skipping over your usual foundations. Happy blending!
Our Top BB Creams
- Best Overall: IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream SPF 50+, $47
- Best Shade Range: Kosas BB Burst Tinted Gel Cream, $38
- Best Coverage: Cle Cosmetics CCC Cream, $38
- Best for Dry Skin: Dr. Jart+ BB Premium Beauty Balm, $49
- Best for Redness: Erborian CC Red Correct, $46
- Best Stick: Anastasia Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint, $42
- Best Radiant: Purlisse Perfect Glow BB Cream, $36
- Best Drugstore: Maybelline New York Dream Fresh BB Cream, $10
Best Overall: IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream SPF 50+
Why it's worth it: Why it's worth it: We’re not surprised by the hype around IT Cosmetics' Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream—after all, it won a Readers' Choice Award three years in a row. Aside from a heaping serving of broad-spectrum SPF 50, the formula delivers nourishing additives that bridge the gap between skin tint and moisturizer. (Heads up: As with all SPF-spiked makeup, even if it's above SPF 30, we always recommend wearing a standalone sunscreen underneath.) Your skin gets a glow-boosting cocktail of collagen, peptides, hyaluronic acid, snail mucin, and antioxidant-rich vitamins A, B, C, and E, which work together to hydrate, plump, and improve skin texture over time.
It's no wonder that makeup artists like Neil Scibelli and Brielle Pollara consider this the gold standard. "The CC+ Full Coverage Cream truly corrects any uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, and redness, and also blurs pores—while still leaving a natural finish on the skin," says Scibelli. What more could you ask for?
Tester feedback from senior director or commerce audience & analytics Lexi Herrick
"The coverage of this CC cream cannot be matched. As someone who still fights active breakouts, this cream provides amazing coverage for all blemishes, dark spots, and scars. It brightens my whole face, lasts all day long, and the SPF is perfect for long summer days when you need coverage and extra protection." —Lexi Herrick, senior director of commerce audience & analytics
More to know
- Key ingredients: titanium dioxide (9%), zinc oxide (6.3%), niacinamide, collagen, peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E
- Finish: natural
- Shade count: 30
Best Shade Range: Kosas BB Burst Tinted Gel Cream
Why it's worth it: Why mix shades to create a perfect match when Kosas' BB Burst exists? A 24-shade lineup may seem mid-range compared to traditional foundations, but most BB creams on the market have around 10 shades or less, so color us impressed. Our editors love this BB cream for its smooth, barely-there feel, thanks to a hydrating duo of humectants: sodium PCA and saccharide isomerate, a hydrator derived from sugar molecules. To round out the formula, copper peptides promote skin elasticity, and zinc neutralizes redness.
Makeup artist Alexa Persico swears by BB Burst and says she uses it on clients who want something ultra-light and breathable. “It evens out the complexion while still feeling very skin-forward, which is ideal for anyone who doesn’t love the feeling of traditional foundation,” she attests.
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
"This formula is the definition of weightless—if I don't apply it using a mirror, I truly question whether I put it on or not. It can be a little tricky getting the undertones just so, but once you've found the perfect color, it's Second Skin City. Truly imperceptible coverage that blends easily and wears ridiculously comfortably. "—Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
More to know
- Key ingredients: copper peptides, zinc, sodium PCA, saccharide isomerate
- Finish: natural
- Shades: 24
Best Coverage: Cle Cosmetics CCC Cream
Why it's worth it: The CCC Cream from Cle Cosmetics combines the best aspects of BB and CC creams into one do-it-all formula (the three C’s stand for Color Control and Change). This broad-spectrum SPF 50 skin tint hydrates and nourishes with an impressive blend of hyaluronic acid and glycerin, a humectant that attracts and binds water to the skin. To even out your complexion, the cream contains microcapsulated pigments that burst and spread for buildable, medium coverage. Just make sure you spend enough time blending this formula out, as it comes out white, yellow, or olive straight from the tube.
Tester feedback from senior news editor Nicola Dall'Asen
"For the past five years, not a single complexion product has swayed me from Cle's CCC Cream, and I'll tell you why: It requires zero effort whatsoever. I can just squeeze a pea-size amount onto my fingers and slather it onto my face without care and still get a glowing, even, my-skin-but-better result. It sinks in like a skin-care product—and has the ingredients to match—so it never creases, smudges, or cakes." —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor
More to know
- Key ingredients: titanium dioxide (9.19%), octinoxate (7%), octisalate (3%), Micro Capsule Technology, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, vitamin E
- Finish: dewy
- Shades: 12
Best for Dry Skin: Dr. Jart+ BB Premium Beauty Balm
Why it's worth it: Dr. Jart+'s BB Premium Beauty Balm was one of the first Korean beauty products to hit Sephora’s shelves, and man, are we glad it did. Let’s review why: It's designed to help address hyperpigmentation—soy, licorice, vitamin C, niacinamide, and arbutin are the discoloration-fading show-stealers, and broad-spectrum SPF 40 helps prevent new dark spots from forming. Second, this formula makes skin look smoother with the help of adenosine, a sugar molecule that speeds up cell renewal—one of the main reasons NYC-based makeup artist Jamie Dorman loves it.
Tester feedback from commerce writer Lily Wohlner
“My friends say I’m a broken record with this one—I recommend it every time someone asks for a lightweight skin tint that actually hydrates and delivers real coverage. It’s packed with plumping ingredients, and you can feel the moisture the second it hits your skin. The finish is baby-soft—seriously. Coverage-wise, it leans closer to a foundation, evening out imperfections while still looking light and natural. It’s the kind of base you can wear with just a swipe of mascara and still look completely pulled together.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
More to know
- Key ingredients: octinoxate (6.8%), octisalate (4.5%), titanium dioxide (4.8%), zinc oxide (5%), niacinamide (2%), glycerin (5%), soy extract, licorice root extract, vitamin C, arubtin, adenosine
- Finish: natural
- Shades: 6
Best for Redness: Erborian CC Red Correct
Why it's worth it: The CC Red Correct, a moisturizing tint from Korean-French brand Erborian, is a creamy, redness-neutralizing option for days when you’re looking to cover acne or a rosacea flare-up. “It leaves your skin with a smooth, natural finish,” New York City–based makeup artist Amanda Gabbard says. “Fun fact: I was in Iceland last spring and asked the locals what their favorite product is, and they all said Erborian BB Cream!” And, given its Allure Best of Beauty Award win, it’s one of ours, too. When irritated skin strikes, this green-to-skin-tone formula provides light-to-medium, radiant coverage with the help of Centella asiatica extract, a soothing, redness-reducing ingredient. It’s your shortcut to an even, glowy base that won’t aggravate dry or sensitive skin.
Tester feedback from senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
“I've been burned in the past by super-thick green creams that take forever to blend in. When I first tried Erborian's CC cream, I was genuinely shocked by how lightweight and soft the formula felt going onto my skin. It melts in in seconds and doesn't leave a green or white cast behind. A little goes a long way, and the result is a beautifully even base that doesn't break up or get patchy throughout the day (even in my oily T-zone). I can confirm it covers breakouts and redness in seconds.” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
More to know
- Key ingredients: octinoxate (6%), octisalate (2%), titanium dioxide (2.34%), zinc oxide (3.84%), Centella asiatica extract
- Finish: radiant
- Shades: 1
Best Stick: Anastasia Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint
Why it's worth it: A 2024 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner, Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint makes achieving glowing skin incredibly easy. This stick glides on like makeup but feels like skin care, delivering a sheer tint that softens redness while letting your natural skin show through. Hyaluronic acid and peptides hydrate and boost glow, while coconut oil, shea butter, and antioxidant-rich marula oil soften dry patches and roughness. We especially love this one for on-the-go touch-ups: Just swipe it on and tap it in with your fingers, whether you’re in the car or at your desk.
Tester feedback from senior copy manager Leslie Lipton
“This hit it out of the park for me with a texture you can apply with your fingers, a brush, or right from the applicator for even, beautiful coverage." —Leslie Lipton, senior copy manager
More to know
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, coconut oil, shea butter, marula oil, peptides
- Finish: sheer
- Shades: 11
Best Radiant: Purlisse Perfect Glow BB Cream
Why it's worth it: A longtime fan of the brand’s Glow Revival Facial Oil, Gabbard says Purlisse is seriously underrated. Lately, she’s been just as impressed by the Perfect Glow BB Cream SPF 30, which comes in 11 shades with adaptable pigments that instantly brighten while helping skin look smoother over time. Infused with antioxidant-rich goji berry, hawthorn berry, and jasmine, the formula deeply hydrates, calms redness, and evens texture without feeling heavy. It has a luminous finish that’s never greasy, making it a solid pick for all skin types. There’s even a matching Perfect Glow BB Concealer for more targeted coverage under the eyes.
More to know
- Key ingredients: goji berry, hawthorn berry, jasmine
- Finish: glowy
- Shades: 11
Best Drugstore: Maybelline New York Dream Fresh BB Cream
Why it's worth it: Maybelline New York's Dream Fresh BB Cream is a certified drugstore diamond for Gabbard: “It’s hydrating, blurs and brightens, has SPF, and it’s good for all ages,” she says. For just 10 bucks, this lightweight, oil-free, and non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog your pores) formula delivers sheer coverage with just the right hit of hydration from glycerin. TL;DR: It’s affordable and effective. The only catch? A limited five-shade range that unfortunately tops out at a latte-like hue. (We’ll be on the lookout for an expansion, Maybelline!)
More to know
- Key ingredients: titanium dioxide (2.0%), glycerin
- Finish: natural
- Shades: 5
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
- Amanda Gabbard, a New York City-based makeup artist
- Brielle Pollara, a New York City-based makeup artist
- Brandy Allen, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist
- Jamie Dorman, a New York City-based makeup artist
- Neil Scibelli, a New York City-based makeup artist
- Tomy Rivero, a bi-coastal makeup artist
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.
Get back to basics with more of our favorite base makeup:
- 6 Best Blurring Primers to Give Skin a Soft-Focus Finish
- 8 Best Serum Concealers for Coverage That Still Looks Like Skin
- 6 Facial Self-Tanners We Trust for a Natural, Streak-Free Finish
Now, watch Stray Kids spill secrets after sipping the truth serum:
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