Last updated: March 2026
What Is CC Cream?
CC cream (color-correcting cream) is a tinted base product that evens out skin tone, reduces redness, and provides light-to-medium coverage with skincare benefits like SPF and hydration.
CC creams evolved from BB creams but focus specifically on color correction rather than blemish coverage. They typically contain pigments that neutralize redness, sallowness, or uneven tone, plus skincare actives like niacinamide, vitamin C, or SPF. The coverage is usually slightly more than a BB cream and significantly less than a traditional foundation. CC creams are popular as everyday base products for people who want to even out their skin without a heavy or made-up look. They work well alone for good-skin days or as a base layer under concealer for more targeted coverage. The texture is usually creamy and lightweight, blending easily with fingers or a sponge. IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream popularized the category and remains one of the best-selling base products in the industry.
Tips
- Apply CC cream with your fingers for the most natural finish — the warmth helps it melt into skin.
- Layer concealer only where needed on top of CC cream instead of switching to a heavier foundation.
- Look for CC creams with SPF 30+ for efficient sun protection in your base.
See it in action
Tutorials that use or demonstrate this technique: