15 Best Drugstore CC Cream of 2024 For Any Skin Type [Review & Guide]

Ladies and gents, allow me to introduce the stealthy ninja of the cosmetics world: the best drugstore CC creams. It slipped into the market as quietly as a whisper on the wind, but don’t be fooled.

This undercover beauty hero is swiftly becoming the belle of the ball. Ideal for those ‘no-makeup-makeup’ days, it delivers an even, radiant glow without the tell-tale heaviness of foundation.

Short on time? Here are 2024’s best drugstore CC creams:

1. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Aging Perfector
2. Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting CC Cream with SPF 15
3. Physicians Formula Super CC Color-Correction + Care
4. Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses CC Color + Correct SPF 30
5. Pacifica Beauty Ultra CC Cream Radiant Foundation
6. Lumene CC Color Correcting Cream
7. purlisse Youth Glow Vitamin C CC Cream SPF 50
8. IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream
9. e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo CC Cream
10. Neutrogena Clear Coverage CC Cream

What is CC cream?

‘CC’ stands for color-correcting. CC cream is lighter than foundation but has a little extra coverage than BB cream – and is aimed at evening out redness or sallowness.

It’s also great for mature skin, as it can target age spots and wrinkles.

Have you ever wondered how the best drugstore CC creams work their magic?

They use opposing colors from the color wheel to neutralize imperfections – like how green cancels out red.

The goal is to handle all your skin coverage needs with just one product so you can say goodbye to separate color-correcting concealers and foundations!

You’ll even find some CC creams that brighten your skin and offer SPF protection. And guess what?

Many options exist, from fancy brands like Chanel and Estee Lauder to wallet-friendly alternatives like Olay and Neutrogena.

The best part is that drugstore CC creams can be just as effective without breaking the bank!

Benefits of CC cream

• Lighter than a foundation for a more natural look that allows your skin to breathe 
• Cancels out unwanted tones or blemishes 
• Built-in SPF 
• Can target signs of aging and prevent wrinkles
• It has multiple purposes: It speeds up your beauty routine by eliminating needing a separate SPF, foundation, or concealer.

So, let’s look at some of the best drugstore CC creams on the market…

Top Picks For Best Drugstore CC Cream

1. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Aging Perfector 

This classic Neutrogena product will be ideal if you’re looking for a CC cream targeting aging skin.

It offers a sheer, blendable foundation coverage that evens and smooths skin tone while providing SPF20 to protect the skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays.

This cream also contains retinol, antioxidants, and vitamins, which help make the skin appear younger-looking and healthier with a natural dewy finish.

It’s also oil-free, so it won’t make you shiny, and it’s non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog up your pores. 

Last update on 2024-04-19 at 03:01 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

2. Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting CC Cream with SPF 15

Olay Total Effects Moisturizer + Serum Duo CC cream has a built-in Broad Spectrum SPF 15 for UV protection and boasts seven benefits in 1 handy cream.

It will even out your skin tone and replenish moisture, enhance your natural glow, smooth wrinkles, minimize pores, restore firmness, and visibly reduce dark spots. 

This CC cream will give you light foundation coverage whilst nourishing your skin and protecting it from sun damage. It has a non-greasy, lightweight feel and absorbs quickly, making it perfect for your morning routine.

Olay has packed 7 vitamins and antioxidants formula for a major moisture boost, including VitaNiacin Complex II and Vitamin B3 for healthy, nourished skin. 

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3. Physicians Formula Super CC Color-Correction + Care 

This multi-tasking CC cream from Physicians Formula contains micro color-correcting pigments and high-tech anti-aging ingredients to roll the benefits of anti-aging treatment, moisturizer, foundation, and SPF into one highly effective cream.

This formula is gentle and hydrating and will minimize redness, brighten sallow skin, and provide light coverage for blemishes.

It also has built-in SPF 30, making it great for the summer months or for skin that generally needs a little extra protection. Oh, and it’s cruelty-free and kind to sensitive skin. 

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4. Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses CC Color + Correct SPF 30

This CC cream from Andalou is packed with natural ingredients such as alpine rose stem cells for ultimate hydration, which is delicate even on dry and sensitive skin.

This formula provides a sheer, mineral coverage and broad-spectrum SPF 30 for a radiant and flawless complexion. 

The great thing about Andalou is that they only use organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, sustainably sourced, and cruelty-free ingredients, meaning you can rest assured that you’re using a product with good quality ingredients that are responsibly and ethically sourced. 

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5. Pacifica Beauty Ultra CC Cream Radiant Foundation

This award-winning CC cream from Pacifica combines a creamy foundation with SPF 17 moisturizer for light coverage and a radiant complexion.

With natural ingredients such as coconut, kelp, and ginseng, this formula hydrates skin, corrects color, and gives you a visible, youthful glow. 

It illuminates and perfects skin with specially adapted color-correcting reflective minerals that adjust to your skin’s unique shade, so you needn’t worry about the stress of selecting a foundation tone.

It’s also formulated without nasty parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, and petroleum, and it’s 100% vegan and cruelty-free. 

Last update on 2024-04-19 at 02:42 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

6. Lumene CC Color Correcting Cream

Nordic Chic CC cream from Lumene creates a creamy, buildable coverage that instantly corrects discolorations and redness while rebalancing and illuminating the skin tone.

It features SPF 20 to protect against UVA and UVB rays and offers long-wear coverage that will last all day. 

The Lumeme CC Correcting Cream also includes a range of natural ingredients, such as Pure Arctic Spring Water to hydrate and Wild Cloudberry Seed Extract to brighten the complexion. This formula feels air-light but gives a matte finish to eliminate oiliness. 

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7. purlisse Youth Glow Vitamin C CC Cream SPF 50

We’re about to embark on a journey to the land of glow, courtesy of purlisse Youth Glow Vitamin C CC Cream SPF 50.

This multitasking maestro doesn’t just protect and color-correct; it’s on a mission to turn your skin into a beacon of youthful radiance (I see you SPF 50!).

This purlisse Youth Glow Vitamin C CC Cream is best for anyone seeking a holy grail CC cream that slaps a layer of SPF 50 protection on your skin and drenches it in hydration, leaving it smoother than a jazz saxophone solo.

Its impressive color-correcting prowess makes it a champion for anyone with redness, dark circles, or age spots.

Last update on 2024-04-19 at 11:21 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

8. IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream

Ready to play the Game of Thrones with your skin? Enter the realm of IT Cosmetics’ CC+ Cream Full Coverage Foundation, your loyal ally in the battle against redness, uneven skin tones, and dark spots.

This chivalrous knight isn’t your typical CC cream; it’s the Jon Snow of CC creams – honorable, reliable, and somewhat magical. I seriously mean it!

This advanced CC cream is perfect for those in quest of full coverage, SPF protection, and hydration all rolled into one.

If you’ve got sensitive skin that turns red at the mere mention of sunlight or an uneven skin tone that’s a patchwork quilt of color, this CC cream is your new best friend.

And if you’re like me in your battle against dark spots or fine lines, you’ll appreciate its key players: hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin E, and mineral SPF 50+.

However, IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream is a high-end drugstore product, so it’s slightly pricier than most of the CC creams I’ve highlighted in this article.

Pros:

• Full coverage in a jiffy: Say goodbye to that concealer, foundation, moisturizer, and sunscreen cocktail. This CC cream is a 4-in-1 powerhouse that does it all in one go.
• Sun protection: With SPF 50+, you can march into the sunny battlefield without fear.
• Hydrating and plumping: Hyaluronic acid ensures your skin stays hydrated, keeping those fine lines at bay.
• No white cast: The six deepest shades ensure there’s no white cast left behind – a common casualty of many other sunscreens and creams.

Cons:

• Limited shade range: Though the brand attempted to cater to all skin tones, some may find the shade range somewhat limited. I found my shade, but my dark chocolate sister was out of luck.
• Price: This product is a little steep if you’re on a tight budget. However, given the multitasking nature of this product, it’s still a good bang for your buck.

Last update on 2024-04-19 at 12:01 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

9. e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo CC Cream

This medium-to-full coverage color-correcting foundation isn’t just a pretty face; it’s packing some serious SPF 30 protection and skincare benefits that would make even the top dermatologists swoon.

When I compare this drugstore CC cream to the others in this list, it’s not a stretch to say that this product is perfect for natural finish aficionados who crave a bit of coverage but aren’t keen on the “caked-on” look.

One feature I appreciate about the Camo CC Cream is that it increases skin tone and hydrates and smooths the complexion.

If your skin is as thirsty as a cactus in the desert, the hyaluronic acid will quench that right up!

The e.l.f. Camo CC Cream is like finding a $100 bill in a clearance rack – it delivers high-end results without the high-end price tag.

You can typically snag this multitasking sensation for around $15. Now, that’s what I call a steal!

Pros:

• Coverage and finish: Achieve that elusive natural-looking complexion with medium-to-full coverage – it’s like your skin but on its absolute best day.
• Sun protection: SPF 30 protects you from those sneaky sun rays that try to crash your skin party.
• Skincare benefits: With niacinamide, peptides, and collagen, this cream isn’t just playing dress-up; it’s improving your skin as it works.
• Shade Match Guarantee: Buy without fear! e.l.f.’s guarantee takes the guesswork out of online shopping.

Cons:

• Coverage may vary: While it promises medium-to-full coverage, you might need to build it up a bit if you’re looking to cover more stubborn spots.
• Limited SPF: SPF 30 is good, but if you plan to spend the whole day in the sun, you might need additional protection.

Last update on 2024-04-19 at 11:21 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

10. Neutrogena Clear Coverage CC Cream

Making its grand entrance is the Neutrogena Clear Coverage Flawless Matte CC Cream.

With its blend of skin-loving ingredients and a trophy shelf boasting the 2021 People Beauty Awards Winner for Best CC Cream, it’s probably one of the best drugstore CC creams on the market.

This cream is best for those playing the chess game of life with acne-prone skin. Neutrogena knows a thing or two when it comes to acne.

Side note: The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Cleanser has helped me keep acne at bay!

Formulated with dermatologists, Neutrogena Clear Coverage Flawless Matte CC Cream offers full coverage without triggering a checkmate from your acne.

Plus, it’s laced with niacinamide and free from oils, fragrances, parabens, SLS/SLES sulfates, and phthalates, making it a favorite for sensitive skin.

Sitting pretty in the mid-range of drugstore pricing, you can generally bag this beauty gem for around $15 to $20.

If you ask me, I’d say that’s a small price to pay for the flawless matte finish that’ll have you feeling like you’ve just stepped off the red carpet.

Pros:

• Acne-friendly: Developed with dermatologists, it won’t throw a surprise acne party on your face.
• Clean formula: Free from all the naughty list ingredients – oil, fragrance, parabens, SLS/SLES sulfates, and phthalates.
• Matte finish: Provides a flawless matte finish that lasts.
• Award-winning: It’s the People Beauty Awards Winner for Best CC Cream 2021. If that’s not a seal of approval, I don’t know what is.

Cons:

• Not for dry skin: The matte finish may not be ideal for dry skin, as it could potentially emphasize dry patches or flakiness. If your skin craves more hydration, you might want to layer this with a moisturizer or opt for a more dewy-finish CC cream.

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11. Honest Beauty CCC Clean Corrective with Vitamin C Tinted Moisturizer

Right next is the 6-in-1 skincare-hybrid tinted moisturizer infused with Vitamin C: the Honest Beauty CCC Clean Corrective with Vitamin C Tinted Moisturizer.

This multi-tasking product offers chemical-free SPF 30, moisturizes, and blurs imperfections. You can kiss your uneven skin tone and lines goodbye with this beauty!

It is also made without harmful ingredients (Parabens, Phthalates, Talc, Synthetic Fragrances, Chemical Sunscreens), ensuring your skin will love this color-correction cream.

And as I’ve said, it has SPF 50, which protects your skin from UVA and UVB rays. It also offers medium coverage with a natural, flawless finish.

pros:

• Antioxidant-rich formula: This CC cream has antioxidant properties that help in protecting cells.
• Sun protection: It has SPF 50 to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
• Adds radiance and evens skin tone: Its luminous finish gives your face a glowy, natural finish.
• Cruelty-free: Sugargoop has been officially cruelty-free since January 2023.

Cons:

• Limited shades: There are only 15 shades available.

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14. Huda Beauty GloWish Multidew Vegan Skin Tint Foundation

Another CC cream that gives you that ✨glow✨ is the Huda Beauty GloWish Multidew Vegan Skin Tint Foundation.

This cream has sheer coverage. You can use it with your foundation to give it a dewy boost or a natural, radiant highlight for your cheeks.

Get this: it is compatible with all skin types and is free from fragrance, parabens, sulphates, and mineral oil. And with 100% recyclable packaging, Mother Earth will surely love you for purchasing.

Pros:

• Skin type: This skin tint is suitable for all skin types.
• 100% recyclable packaging: It helps keep the environment clean and green.
• Cruelty-free and vegan: You can feel confident buying this product, knowing it doesn’t harm any animals in the making.

Cons:

• Limited shades: It only has 13 shades.

Last update on 2024-04-19 at 07:01 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

15. Erborian CC Cream SPF 25

Last but definitely not least is this CC cream with SPF 25 from the Korean brand Erborian. And we all know Korean brands are top-notch in beauty products.

It provides light coverage but can even out your skin tone and blur imperfections. Check this out: this CC cream only has 3 shades because its initial white pigment transforms to match your skin tone. Sounds like magic, am I right?

Say hello to an Instagram filter-like appearance with this color corrector!

Pros:

• Centella Asiatica-infused: Centella Asiatica is great for collagen production and has anti-aging properties.
• Sun protection: It has SPF 25, which helps protect the skin from harmful sun rays.
• Clean ingredients: It is formulated free from Phthalates, Sulfates, and Parabens.
• Blurs imperfections: It lets you achieve that “beauty filter” appearance with a seamless shade match.
• Cruelty-free: They test on real people, not animals, for real results.

Cons:

• Limited shade: It only has 3 shades.
• Pricey: This CC cream is quite expensive.

Last update on 2024-04-19 at 06:51 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Best Drugstore CC Cream Buying Guide

We’ve shown you some of the best CC creams on the market, but you may still struggle to pick the best one.

To simplify things, we’ve compiled a buyer’s guide with all the factors you need to consider before clicking “buy.” 

Coverage 

CC cream isn’t meant to provide as much coverage as a foundation, so bear this in mind before buying. It may not be for you if you are after a thicker coverage. 

On the other hand, CC cream is still designed to give more coverage than BB cream, as it’s focused on concealing imperfections and correcting redness, sallowness, and dark spots.

 You can also get CC creams that focus more on heavy coverage, as well as creams that are sheerer and more mineral-based.

Color correction 

This was, of course, the main reason why CC cream was invented – to correct redness caused by rosacea, dark spots, undereye circles, and sallowness that can make us look washed-out and tired.

CC cream utilizes opposing colors on the color wheel to eliminate unwanted tones.

For example, to target dark, under-eye circles and veins, you’d go for peach or orange CC cream, and redness, sunburn, or acne can be neutralized by a green CC cream.

Purple or lilac CC creams are great for dull, sallow skin as they brighten the complexion. 

Don’t be put off by the appearance of these colored creams – they will adapt to your skin tone once blended. 

SPF 

SPF – or sun protection factor – is key to CC cream. It saves you from applying a separate sunscreen and rolls the benefits of a moisturizer, foundation, and SPF into one product.

Dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks 97 percent of the sun’s UVB rays.

Anti-aging 

Most CC creams target mature skin, as many incorporate anti-aging treatments and a dash of foundation for coverage. 

If you’re looking for a CC cream that targets wrinkles, look out for vitamins B and E to boost your skin’s natural glow and strengthen the skin’s defense against moisture loss, as well as Niacinamide to reduce the look of wrinkles. 

Our skin loses moisture as we age, so looking for a moisture-rich CC cream instead of prioritizing color correction and coverage is important for mature skin. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is best: CC cream or BB cream? 

The answer to this question largely depends on what kind of coverage you seek. CC stands for “color correcting” or “complexion correcting,” whereas BB stands for “beauty balm” or “blemish balm.” 

They’re both focused on different things. CC creams are designed to conceal blemishes and dark spots by correcting color and tone, whereas BB cream is more for everyday skin maintenance and aims to prevent breakouts and blemishes. 

If you have clear skin with few “imperfections,” BB cream might be enough for you, giving you sheer coverage while illuminating your skin.

On the other hand, if you have dark spots, acne, or red or sallow skin, CC cream will target these issues better while adding more moisture and SPF than foundation – they’ll also look more natural. 

Can CC cream be worn daily? 

CC cream can replace the foundation in your beauty regime. It’s great when you’re in a rush as it rolls the benefits of multiple products into one cream, speeding up your morning routine. 

However, you can also wear it on days when you want a little less coverage than foundation and switch to foundation when you want a more polished look. Allowing your skin to breathe a little more will start to show in its condition and appearance. 

How do I apply CC cream? 

After washing and toning your face, apply a moisturizer, as CC cream is designed to substitute foundation, not a moisturizer. When the moisturizer is absorbed, you can then apply your CC cream.

 You can apply it with your fingertips for a natural look, putting a dot of CC cream on your forehead, nose, chin, and one on each cheek. 

For lighter coverage, just put it in the areas you want to target, like the sides of your nose.  

You can blend the cream with clean fingers, a makeup brush, or a beauty blender.