Regardless of our skin type or color we all face issues when it comes to finding the perfect way to make our face skin look flawless. For years I have been joggling between the miracle moisturizers, primers, liquid foundations, mineral powders, concealers, primers, you name it! At first, to mask my acne, then hyper-pigmentation and now the fine lines too… The sad truth is, that the way our skin reacts to certain products very much depends on the external factors such as hot/cold weather, humidity or dry air. So when it comes to finding the product that will match your skin type and give you the result you want, it could be a long journey before you actually find the one…or two…or maybe even three products that will finally get you closer the picture-perfect skin we all see in magazines.
However, lately what I have seen in magazines and cosmetic stores such as Sephora or Ulta are the new miracle-creams that have several products in one working together to make your skin look and feel (yay!) healthier. You probably seen those BB and CC creams all over the store shelves or on the back covers of magazines. Perhaps some of you even tried them. Well, I would like to take a closer look at what the BB and CC creams actually are and what are the differences between them.
Let’s start with the BB Cream. BB creams became popular several years ago in Asian markets and came to US about two years ago. BB stands for “Beauty Balm” and usually comes in a tube as a liquid balm. By its texture the usual BB cream lays somewhere between the regular full-coverage foundation and a tinted moisturizer. Therefore it does give a semi-sheer coverage and has some added ingredients that benefit the skin. Those ingredients vary from brand to brand, and might include an anti-aging serums, anti-oxidants, acne treatments and SPF.
Whereas CC Cream is like an updated version of BB Cream and stands for “Color Correcting”. CC Creams are usually much lighter in their texture and provide more sheer coverage than BB does. However, it is infused with the light reflecting particles which create more even skin color and helps mask the hyper-pigmentation (yay!), large pores, fine lines, and redness. CC Cream, just like BB Cream is packed with various skin-benefiting ingredients such as SPF, moisturizers, and serums, all depending on the brand.
Now that many skincare and cosmetic companies offer both BB and CC creams, it must be hard to pick the one that s right for you. However, most cosmetic stores offer free samples, which you can try before making a purchase, that is how I discover most skin care products! You can also use this great list by Allure to see which BB or CC creams are best for your skin type.
After trying about a dozen of both BB and CC creams I found the one I am absolutely obsessed with. It’s the AMORE PACIFIC CC Cushion Compact , and it has officially stole my heart…and a big chunk of my wallet, but it was totally worth it! It comes in a compact just like a press-powder, but instead has this sponge-like base and an antibacterial applicator, which goes on very smoothly and gives my skin an amazing glow. It has the SPF of 50 and the formula has an anti-inflammatory properties, which saves my acne-prone skin. It is also ultra hydrating and stays put all day. The compact does come with the refill, so it is supposed to last longer than an average CC cream, and is also very convenient to carry around with, since it has a mirror. I definitely recommend to try it!
What’s your favorite BB or CC Cream?
