CC cream stands for "color correcting" and is a cosmetic product that is advertised to work as a sunscreen, foundation, and moisturizer all-in-one. CC cream makers claim there’s an added benefit of “color-correcting” your skin, hence the name “CC.” CC cream is supposed to target discolored areas of your skin, eventually evening out your skin’s dark spots or red patches. CC cream is often compared to similar creams that came to market around the same time, such as BB creams, which are basically all different types of tinted moisturizers with sunscreen.
Every brand’s CC cream formula is different, but almost all of these products have a few things in common. Active SPF ingredients protect your skin from sun damage, and anti-aging ingredients — such as vitamin C, peptides, and antioxidants — are often infused into the mix. CC cream is a beauty product meant to moisturize your skin, protect from sun damage, and even out your complexion.
One example of a CC cream is IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream, which is formulated with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin E, and physical SPF 50+ to protect skin. It is a full-coverage foundation, hydrating and anti-aging serum, and broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen all in one. It is infused with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin E, which provide hydration while instantly camouflaging the look of skin imperfections like acne scarring, wrinkles, redness on skin, dark circles under eyes, large pores, and uneven skin tone for flawless-looking natural coverage.
Another example is FARMASI CC Color Control Cream, which is enriched with multimineral and SPF 25+ and provides a natural and flawless finish. It is suitable for all skin types and provides all-day hold.
Ingredients for CC creams vary by brand, but they often include the following:
Positive:
- Active SPF ingredients
- Anti-aging ingredients such as vitamin C, peptides, and antioxidants
- Hyaluronic acid
- Niacinamide
- Vitamin E
- Multimineral
Negative:
- Some CC creams contain oxybenzone, an ingredient linked to hormone disruption, and vitamin A derivatives, linked to skin cancer.
Ingredients or materials:
- Aqua
- Cyclopentasiloxane
- Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
- Propylene Glycol
- Gluconolactone
- Sodium Chloride
- Glycerin
- Dimethicone
- Titanium Dioxide
- Iron Oxides
- Perfuming
- Cell-communicating ingredient
- Skin brightening
- Anti-acne
- Moisturizer/humectant
- Emollient
- Antioxidant
- Preservative
- Colorant
It is important to read labels carefully and use resources such as EWG’s Skin Deep Database to ensure that the ingredients in CC creams are safe.