The current trend is to prioritize a healthy skin care regimen over applying layers of makeup, which is great. However, occasionally the situation demands a little more coverage. The ideal remedy is a color correcting (CC) cream.
CC creams are “intended to balance and correct unwanted discoloration such as redness, dullness, or hyperpigmented skin and often include SPF protection,” according to CNN hair and makeup artist Rickie Angel Bocanegra. Though some are buildable, their purpose is color correction rather than complete coverage, unlike foundations. For this reason, even when compared to foundations like the Jones Road, they are typically lighter and more breathable. My current favorite, the Foundation, promises a skin-like finish.
Speaking as a 40-something woman who hates wearing heavy makeup but has rosacea, CC creams are just what my sensitive skin needs, and they’re fantastic for mature skin in general. Because of their lightweight formula and potential sun protection, makeup artist Rachel Hoke, who works in film, television, and on the red carpet, suggests them for people over 50. They’re also very easy to apply for.
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The best CC creams for older skin
I spoke with five MUAs, and they all suggested this CC cream from IT Cosmetics. Five! That conveys a lot. Hoke recommends it for people with sensitive skin who are prone to breakouts because of its lovely, fresh finish and skin care ingredients, such as niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. Michelle Radow, a makeup artist who has been nominated for two Emmys, says that you “only have to use a tiny bit for great coverage, and the available colors mix well together to create a custom shade.”
According to makeup artists, the top 12 foundations for mature skin that reduce fine lines range from $22 at Nordstrom to $47, $39 at Amazon, $47 at Sephora, and $47 at Ulta Beauty.
Yensa Skin On Skin BB+CC Hyaluronic Foundation with SPF 40
Although Bocanegra adores the CC cream from IT Cosmetics, she also suggests Yensa’s BB and CC combo cream. (BB, which stands for “beauty balm,” combines skin care with a tint that resembles foundation.) She remarked, “This brand has masterfully combined makeup and skin care.” “With the nourishing power of skin care and color correction, this specific BB and CC formula gives you buildable full coverage.
E.L.F. Cosmetics Hydrating Camo CC Cream with SPF 30
Celebrity makeup artist Amanda Gabbard loves that this inexpensive drugstore option “is just as good as high-end formulas.” It has SPF 30 and a semimatte, natural-looking finish. Because of its low cost, she suggests wearing it every day. I can also attest to how simple it is to apply and how light it feels on the skin because I tested this CC cream myself.
Cle Cosmetics CCC Cream with SPF 50
This Cle Cosmetics product is my personal favorite. The product quickly blends in with your skin tone, even though the first application may feel strange because it is somewhat thicker and appears to leave a white cast. It covers up my rosacea on my 40-something skin so well that it still looks like I’m wearing no makeup at all. The “niacinamide, vitamin C, and other excellent skin-loving ingredients in the formula” are another reason why Radow adores it.
Erborian CC Cream SPF 25
This Korean CC cream, which Gabbard discovered while visiting Iceland, is another choice if you want that “I woke up like this” look. “This Korean beauty formula reduces inflammation while balancing out skin tone and neutralizing redness.” It’s lightweight and ideal for rosacea sufferers. Because it’s so hydrating, celebrity makeup artist Tanya Tello also adores it.
Buildable Blur CC Cream with SPF 40 from Thrive Causemetics
I discovered the Thrive Causemetics Buildable Blur CC Cream years ago while searching for a foundation substitute, and I’m pleased to say that, even after a few years of aging on my skin, the formula is just as good as I remember. You can experiment with the level of coverage that suits your needs because it’s very buildable and easy to apply.
Dermablend Tone-Evening CC Cream With SPF 50+
My mom, a Shiseido diehard, loved a long-discontinued CC cream from the brand because it made her look dewy. Although she’s still on the hunt for a worthy replacement, she likes the Dermablend Tone-Evening CC Cream because it’s affordable, makes her skin look more even and lasts all day.
Lumene CC Color Correcting Cream
Celebrity makeup artist Nydia Figueroa loves this one from Lumene for its radiant skinlike finish, great coverage, SPF 20 and inclusive shade range. “The formula also works beautifully on its own for everyday wear or layered under foundation if you want a bit more coverage,” she said.
Neutrogena Clear Coverage Matte CC Cream
Figueroa recommends this niacinamide-infused option for oily or acne-prone skin, as it’s gentle on the skin and still very effective at keeping your complexion fresh and even all day long. “The matte finish helps control shine without looking flat, and it gives full coverage while still feeling lightweight on the skin,” she said.
Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick
Senior hair and makeup artist Ximena Rolfe of the CNN Los Angeles Bureau adores this Merit complexion stick. If you’re searching for a lightweight, dual-purpose product that feels good on your skin, it’s a great substitute for your foundation and concealer. Merit is vegan and cruelty-free because it is a clean brand.
How to pick the best CC cream for skin that is mature
While anti-aging products like eye creams and line-smoothing serums do a great job of keeping mature skin healthy, a CC cream can be a very helpful and quick way to cover dark spots and redness in your skin. However, similar to foundation, you can’t simply pick the one that’s closest to you from the Sephora shelves.
Selecting the appropriate shade
At first, choosing the appropriate CC cream shade for your skin tone can seem overwhelming, particularly given the large range of shades available from CC cream brands.
It’s best to test the product before committing, according to Rolfe. “Avoid focusing on the names. Don’t focus on the color numbers,” she advised. “Try the product that complements the skin tone of your face right now.”
She suggests going to Sephora. They have a gadget that matches your skin tone. In order to appropriately color-match you, businesses are using the new technologies more effectively and creatively.
Bocanegra advised selecting two hues. The majority of people are aware of whether they are neutral, cool, or warm. Choose a CC cream that is one shade lighter than your skin tone and another that is one to two shades darker within the tone you live in. This eliminates the need for a foundation that is either too light or too dark and allows you to custom-blend throughout the year. The color of our skin varies throughout the year. You can access your winter shade, summer shade, and everything in between by using this technique.
Finish and coverage
Bocanegra stated that some CC creams have a more dewy formula, despite Hoke’s assertion that they typically “tend to carry more of a matte finish.” Therefore, be aware that you have options if you would rather look more naturally hydrated.
Additionally, some CC creams are buildable so you can increase coverage without looking cakey, even though they aren’t made to provide complete coverage.
CC cream or BB cream
According to Hoke, “the ingredients are the main difference between a BB cream and CC cream.” “A CC cream is more corrective, meaning it has a little more coverage but less moisture, whereas a BB cream tends to be more skin care-focused.”
Hoke suggests BB creams for people who enjoy skin care products and CC creams for people who don’t want to spend a lot of time on their makeup routine but still want some coverage and sun protection. But according to her, BB creams are a fantastic choice for older skin because they incorporate more skin care ingredients.
You can use both creams at the same time. For an even more exquisite finish, it is actually strongly advised to do so.
