BB Cream vs. Foundation: What’s the Difference?
If you take a walk down any makeup aisle, it’s clear there are so many complexion products to choose from. There’s something for every skin type (read: oily, dry, mature) and an endless amount of finishes (think: dewy, matte, velvet). The sheer number of BB creams, CC creams and foundations can be overwhelming. To help you find your perfect match, we spoke to two professionals, board-certified dermatologist Marina Peredo, MD, and celebrity makeup artist Stephanie Flor. Ahead, learn the difference between BB cream, CC cream and foundation — and tips for applying each.
What Is BB Cream?
BB cream is an all-in-one makeup product. It traditionally has good-for-your-skin ingredients like SPF and sufficient coverage to still even out redness and smooth rough texture. BB creams range anywhere from a barely-there tint to medium coverage. What’s more, BB creams also have the added benefit of helping breakout-prone skin. "If you're acne-prone, using a BB cream that’s oil-free is a good way to go,” says Flor. We recommend the Maybelline New York Dream BB Pure, which is formulated with salicylic acid to address acne.
What Is Foundation?
Foundation is a classic go-to option for makeup artists and beauty lovers who want to create a flawless canvas and have superior skin coverage. If you want something that's going to last all day and give you airbrushed-looking skin, foundation is the right choice, says Flor. Foundations are also available in a wide range of coverage options. While the coverage is buildable, we love the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation for a lightweight, sheer option. For medium to full coverage, we like the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation and the Lancôme Rénergie Lift Makeup Foundation.
What Is CC Cream?
Cut from the same cloth as a BB cream, a CC cream, or color correcting cream, is an all-in-one product intended to address redness, darkness and sallowness. It blends skin care with light-diffusing properties to give you a smoother complexion, but it doesn’t give the same amount of coverage as a BB cream. Try IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream Oil-Free Matte with SPF 40.
How to Apply BB Cream and CC Cream
BB creams and CC creams are a true time-saver in the morning and impossible to mess up. “Anything that combines sunscreen, skin-care ingredients, antioxidants and light coverage is ideal for the busy woman who doesn't have time for a more in-depth regimen,” says Dr. Peredo. Just rub a pea-sized or dime-size amount between your hands to warm it up and apply to bare, freshly cleansed skin. You can use a sponge or brush for application, too. Just note, if you have extra dry skin, you can benefit from applying a moisturizer underneath your BB or CC to give your skin an added boost of hydration.
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