What's the difference between BB cream, CC cream and foundation?

What’s the difference between BB cream, CC cream and foundation?

MF editorial team

14 Aug 2016

updated the 15 August 2016 à 15:09

1/5
Vichy
Dermablend Makeup Fluid Concealer 16H, approx. SGD26
How it works: Its ultra lightweight texture allows for a “bare skin sensation” while also delivering very high coverage. It also hides many imperfections like dark circles, redness, uneven skin tone, blemishes, rosacea, scars and burns. Its formula is resistant to sebum and perspiration thanks to a concentration of inorganic pigments coated with amino acids. It also protects the skin from damaging UV with SPF35.
2/5
La Roche-Posay
Hydreane BB Cream, approx. SGD25
How it works: Enriched with soothing thermal water, this BB cream is the best ally of sensitive skin. The nourishing formula is thick but not greasy, and can be used both as a moisturiser and a makeup base. Its formula contains UVA-UVB filter systems, as well as vitamin E to protect the skin from external aggressors. Its mineral pigments matches and adapts to the skin’s colour for natural coverage.
3/5
Vichy
Idéalia BB Cream, approx. SGD32
How it works: Utilising pink mineral pigments to blur imperfections on the skin’s surface, as well as kombucha to detoxify, this BB cream prevents protein glycation, which is a process responsible for the loss of skin suppleness and a dull complexion. The formula decreases dark olive tones of the skin and brightens it with a pink healthy glow. Its 6-in-1 formula refines, brightens the complexion, reduces spots, moisturises for 24 hours, smooths fine lines, and protects against UVB and UVA.
4/5
Vichy
Normaderm Clear BB Cream, approx. SGD31
How it works: Designed for oily skin and imperfections, this BB cream controls excess oil with a mattifying agent (airlicium) associated with absorptive powders (kaolin, silica). In addition to providing coverage, its formula contains a cocktail of 2% salicylic acid, zinc and antibacterial sebo-regulators to reduce imperfections in the long term.
5/5
La Roche-Posay
Rosaliac CC Daily Care Cream, approx. SGD30
How it works: This CC cream provides soothing ingredients and antioxidants to act against redness and defects of the skin as well as to prevent them. Its formula of waxes, oils and shea butter aims to protect and moisturise the skin so as to undo the damage caused by external aggressors.

A little confused about your makeup? Keep calm, we’ll explain everything you need to know in our coverage guide.

With the huge variety of makeup hitting the shelves lately, it can definitely be very hard to pick a favourite. When it comes to the perfect coverage, should you be choosing a foundation, CC cream or BB cream? It really all depends on how you want your skin to look, and whether you’re more of a natural complexion type of person, or a perfectionist.

YOU WANT TO HYDRATE YOUR SKIN AND SMOOTHEN OUT YOUR COMPLEXION

The prescription: A BB cream
The “Blemish Balm” was initially invented by German dermatologists as a post-operation skincare formula to cover redness. It was then refined in the late 90s by the Koreans, who used BB creams to provide an “all in one” formula designed to moisturise, protect and smoothen out the skin. Most BB creams these days have some level of sun protection, as well as highly moisturising ingredients, and are subtly tinted to provide some coverage.

YOU WANT PERFECT COVERAGE AND YOU NEED TO HIDE IMPERFECTIONS

The prescription: A foundation
Foundation is a cosmetic product that does not have the primary function of nourishing the skin. It is therefore imperative that you first apply a moisturiser underneath to prepare your face. Foundation requires a little more time to apply compared to a BB cream, but foundation is much better at creating a smooth and even canvas, and it is heavy-duty enough to cover small skin blemishes and imperfections. The right foundation can make your skin look ultimately flawless. Just be sure to choose a shade that matches your skin tone.

YOU WANT TO CORRECT LONG-TERM REDNESS AND CAMOUFLAGE DISCOLOURATION

The prescription: A CC cream
Like the “Blemish Balm”, CC cream stands for a specific term: Color Control cream. Its role is primarily to correct and treat discolouration and blemishes (redness, spots, etc) through encapsulated pigments in the formula. CC creams come in different shades, for example, a cream tinted slightly green is able to combat skin redness, while a cream tinted purple fights against dull skin. CC creams are usually very moisturising, and are more of a treatment than makeup.

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