Women from all over have their own beauty tricks to keep the skin looking healthy. With the plethora of choices available, finding the best products can be a bit challenging. Today we’ll be discussing CC foundations and why they’ve won over the hearts of many both as a skin care product and a makeup product. We also sorted through hundreds of choices to find the best drugstore CC foundations that you can buy.
Table of Contents
- BB Cream vs CC Cream vs Foundation
- Best Drugstore CC Foundations: Reviews
- Ultimate Pick: Physicians Formula Super CC Cream
- 1. Pacifica Ultra CC Cream Radiant Foundation
- 2. Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting CC Cream
- 3. L’Oreal Paris Visible Lift CC Cream
- 4. CoverGirl Queen Collection CC Cream
- 5. Physicians Formula Super CC Cream
- Buyer’s Guide
BB Cream vs CC Cream vs Foundation
To get things started, let’s begin with what “CC” stands for. There may be several products in your huge makeup bag that you confuse with this. What is the difference between BB cream and CC cream?
Not to be mistaken for cushion foundations or the more popular BB creams, “CC” means “color-correcting”. This entails that this type of foundation is meant for evening out skin tone. If you have problems with redness, dark spots, or uneven tones on your face, this product is there for you.
Don’t confuse this with good tinted moisturizers either, as these products are different in function. (If you’re looking for how to use tinted moisturizer, click the link!)
CC creams are also more whipped and fluffy in consistency. These have heavier coverage than the more popular BB creams. CC foundations are also usually geared towards more mature skin, as the heavier formula performs better over fine lines.
RELATED: Tinted Moisturizer vs BB Cream
Best Drugstore CC Foundations: Reviews
It may not be easy to find a CC foundation that fits the type of skin that you have; it’s not very wise to simply go for the first choice you see on the shelf.
If you want to be a bit meticulous when searching for a CC foundation, you can start by checking out this guide.
Have a look at some of the best options we found, to see what suits you and your needs.
The CC creams that we’ve chosen here are very well-loved by women everywhere, so they’re definitely a great place to start if you want to try them yourself!
Ultimate Pick: Physicians Formula Super CC Cream
Among the CC creams that we have tried and tested for ourselves, for us, the best option is the Physicians Formula Super CC Cream. Why? The brand itself is known to provide safe and healthy skincare products, and this CC cream offers complete coverage. It is definitely the best that you can use when it comes to CC creams.
Then again, what works for us may not be the perfect choice for you. Make sure that you check out the product for yourself.
Don’t forget to try it on your arm first to ensure that it won’t cause any unfavorable effects!
1. Pacifica Ultra CC Cream Radiant Foundation
Pacifica is a very popular brand when it comes to skincare products. This is because their products are mostly cruelty-free and vegan. What this means is that they are very safe for your skin, and they don’t contain any harmful substances.
Product Highlights
The Pacifica Ultra CC Cream Radiant Foundation promises to help you achieve glowing skin.
It provides sheer to medium coverage, so if you’re not into using full-coverage foundations, this is the best product to use.
Some of its main features:
- 100% vegan and cruelty-free
- Has SPF 17 UVB/UVA protection
- Includes multi-action natural beneficials
- Can adapt to different skin tones
- Lightweight and super moisturizing
What to Like About It
We love that the Pacifica Ultra CC Cream Radiant Foundation provides sheer coverage. Although it only has medium coverage, it can already be used to cover skin imperfections.
This will give you a natural makeup look, all while giving you protection from the sun’s harmful rays with its SPF 17 protection.
We were also thrilled that the ingredients include coconut water. This made the foundation creamy and moisturizing.
This CC foundation is also scented but not too much that it will sting the eyes nor have any impact on the perfume that you are wearing.
What Not to Like About It
The only problem we had with the Pacifica Ultra CC Cream Radiant Foundation is that it may turn your skin oily after a while.
This means that you will have to blot. It’s not a big problem, but it is a bit inconvenient to check every time your face becomes too oily.
Pros
- Lasts for a long time
- Can moisturize the skin
- May be used to cover imperfections
- Comes in two shades
Cons
- Your face would become oily after a while
2. Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting CC Cream
Olay is one of the most prestigious skincare lines in the world. It’s an American company that’s considered as one of the best providers of skincare products around the globe.
The Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting CC Cream is just one among its many amazing skincare products introduced to the market.
Product Highlights
The Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting CC Cream is extremely popular because it is considered as a seven-in-one product. It’s made to moisturize your skin, and it provides protection at the same time.
Here are some of the other features of this CC cream:
- Broad-Spectrum SPF 15 Protection
- Seven skin benefits in one product
- Multi-tasking moisturizer
- All-in-one moisturizer
What to Like About It
The best thing about the Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting CC Cream is its seven-in-one benefits.
It can help replenish the moisture in your skin, address uneven skin tone, enhance the skin for brightness, smoothen wrinkles and fine lines, minimize the look of your pores, reduce dark spots, and restore firmness.
The Broad Spectrum SPF 15 is also amazing because it can help protect you from signs of aging, which are often caused by the harmful rays of the sun.
The all-in-one moisturizer is also a must if you want to look for a CC cream. It can help moisturize your skin and provide sheer coverage while providing many other skincare benefits.
What Not to Like About It
One problem we had with this CC cream is that its color might turn your skin a bit orangey.
It will not be a good choice if you have a deeper skin tone because it might not match you very well.
Pros
- Moisturizes the skin
- Can help deal with the signs of aging
- Provides sheer coverage
- Can be used daily
Cons
- Can make your skin orangey
3. L’Oreal Paris Visible Lift CC Cream
L’Oreal Paris is yet another popular skincare provider that offers its products throughout the globe. This brand has been in the industry for many years. The L’Oreal Paris Visible Lift CC Cream is one of its proud creations, but does it offer enough benefits to be the best choice for you? Let’s find out.
Product Highlights
If you want something that would step up your normal skincare routine, this is the best choice for you.
This CC cream can help even your skin tone, and it will also brighten your complexion.
Here are the other benefits that it promises:
- Helps reduce dark spots
- Corrects your skin tone
- Brightens your complexion
- Nourishes your skin
- Has SPF 20 protection
What to Like About It
The best thing about this CC cream is that it can hydrate your skin without making it heavy or greasy. This means that your skin will have a natural feel after using this product while also moisturizing it.
The L’Oreal Paris Visible Lift CC Cream also includes color capsules that will help correct and even your skin tone as well as provide you with a brighter complexion.
The most important thing that you won’t want to miss is the correcting features this can provide. This CC cream contains Vitamin C and calcium, which are known to help reduce the appearance of dark spots, nourish your skin and more.
What Not to Like About It
This CC cream has a fresh floral scent and may likely irritate sensitive skin.
Although not a lot of people experienced irritation, some would react negatively to the floral scent. It’s not too much of a big deal, but it might cause problems for some.
Hence, before using this product (or any other product for that matter), we suggest that you perform patch testing first.
Pros
- Has age-defying features
- Moisturizes your skin
- Very lightweight
Cons
- Not for people with sensitive skin
4. CoverGirl Queen Collection CC Cream
For our deeper-toned ladies looking for the best drugstore CC foundations for you, you might want to check out the CoverGirl Queen Collection CC Cream.
It’s currently one of the best in the market because it’s preferred by a lot of women.
Product Highlights
The CoverGirl Queen Collection CC Cream is considered a lightweight CC cream. It’s made for people with deeper skin tones.
It can give you a natural and flawless look while providing skincare benefits at the same time.
Here are the other features that you need to know:
- Has a lightweight formula
- Hydrates your skin
- Does not contain oil
- Won’t clog your pores
What to Like About It
If you’re looking for a CC cream for dark skin, the CoverGirl Queen Collection CC Cream is your best bet.
This product is designed to help improve complexion and even skin tone. It can provide flawless skin while offering the best skincare benefits. If you want the best protection you can get yet also achieve healthy skin, this is your most ideal option.
The best thing about this is that the CC cream is oil-free.
What’s more, it will not clog your pores, so it is definitely a great choice.
It also includes hydrating ingredients and will give you a natural glow.
Another awesome thing about this CC cream is that it is available in six different shades. You won’t find this in most other CC creams on the market, making this a favorite among many.
What Not to Like About It
The cream is not oily, but it gets sticky once it sets on your skin.
It is not a big problem, but this is what most people are complaining about.
Pros
- Made for people with dark skin
- Paraben-free
- Fragrance-free
- Wears well
Con
- Gets sticky when it sets on the skin
5. Physicians Formula Super CC Cream
Physicians Formula is known for its healthy skincare products.
All of their products are tried and tested to be safe for use. Each product also doesn’t have any harsh ingredients that can cause harm to your skin.
Product Highlights
The Physicians Formula Super CC Cream is known as one of the best drugstore CC foundation creams in the market right now, mainly because of its multitasking features.
It provides a wide range of skincare benefits in one product.
Here are the other features of this product:
- Hydration and correcting features
- Sensitive skincare
- All-in-one makeup
- Natural ingredients
What to Like About It
The Physicians Formula Super CC Cream is one of the best in the market because it is a complete CC cream. This product alone can already be considered as a foundation and a skin-care regimen at the same time. It provides anti-aging treatments, can also moisturize your skin, and boasts SPF protection.
This CC cream can be used as a foundation to hide any imperfections you’d want covered up.
The product itself is also made from ingredients that will not cause harm to your skin. As a matter of fact, this is specially formulated for people with sensitive skin.
What Not to Like About It
The issue with this is that the shades may not be an exact match, even for lighter skin tones.
It also settles into fine lines and pores. You will have to add in more product to make sure it works the way you want it to.
Pros
- Moisturizes your skin
- Provides natural-looking coverage
- Fragrance-free
- Wears well
Cons
- Settles into fine lines and pores
- Only comes in two shades
Buyer’s Guide
Even with all these picks, it’s understandably still quite a quest to go finding the best CC foundations for you.
We’ve compiled a list of even more tips to help you determine which is the best choice for your specific needs.
Here are some considerations to keep in mind:
1. Check the Ingredients
You need to look for CC creams that are made from natural ingredients. Your skin is delicate.
Even if you don’t have sensitive skin, it is not a good idea to let harmful chemicals enter your pores.
2. Test the Coverage
When it comes to CC creams, you’ll need to figure out the coverage of the product.
Before buying, you have to check if it provides full or sheer coverage.
Full coverage will hide any blemishes you want covered, while sheer coverage will provide a more natural look to your skin.
3. Check the Color
You have to check the color very carefully. Make sure that it will match your skin tone.
If it is too light or too dark, it will not look good on your skin. Test out the product before you buy.
4. Check the Anti-Aging Benefits
Indeed, you should not rely on your CC cream for anti-aging needs, but it is better to find one that provides this among many other benefits.
Not everyone has a complete skincare regimen, so getting anti-aging benefits from your CC cream can be a good idea.
5. Check the SPF
You need to determine if the SPF is not enough to protect your skin when you are outside.
If you are always subjected to the harmful rays of the sun, you need to look for something that provides complete protection, such as these picks for sunscreen for acne prone skin.
RELATED:
- Cream to powder foundation
- How to Apply Cream Foundations
- Foundation That Doesn’t Settle Into Wrinkles
Was this guide helpful? Do you have any suggestions for picking out the best drugstore CC foundations? Let us know!
How was your experience with Clinique? We’d love to know.
And we definitely love CC foundation ourselves!
Oooh! There are a lot of nice cc foundations! I love that there are a lot of different options out there. Thanks for sharing all of these options! I have used one from Clinique before and it worked out well.
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me