BB creams vs CC creams

 

BB Creams

What is it? Short for beauty balm or blemish balm, BB creams are the love child of makeup and skincare. BB cream is promoted as an all-in-one facial cosmetic product to replace serum, moisturizer, primer, foundation and sunblock. While its benefits seem to be endless, at its bare bones BB cream is the world's best tinted moisturizer, packed with tons of benefits as well as SPF.

What it was? BB cream was originally formulated in the 1960s in Germany by dermatologist Dr. Christine Schrammek to protect her patients' skin after surgery. Introduced to South Korea and Japan in 1985 – where healthy-looking, porcelain skin is heavily prized – the cream was hailed as "the secret of Korean actresses," and was heavily endorsed by Korean celebrities.

What it does: BB creams can smooth the skin, contain anti-aging elements, even out your skin tone, moisturize, protect against sun damage, and have a light-reflecting component that give your skin a dewy, luminous look!

How to use it: Although it may have SPF, don't douse your face with it the way you do sunscreen—a light layer is all you need. BB creams can also be used as a primer, moisturizer, and foundation!

How it differs: BB cream provides the least amount of coverage of all the alphabet creams, so it's perfect for a younger woman whose skin needs a little pick-me-up!

CC Creams

What is it? Known as Color Control cream, or Color Correcting cream, is a refined Blemish Balm cream. CC cream was developed to retain all the benefits of BB cream with added nourishing ingredients whilst reducing the appearance of skin redness or sallowness (often with light-diffusing particles). Packed to the gills with vitamins C and E, complexion corrector cream is similar to BB cream, but focuses on color correction.
What it does: Lighter than a BB cream, CC cream's primary purpose is to correct color-related skin issues, such as sallowness or redness. Like BB cream, it has SPF as well (number varies by brand).
How to use it: If you're acne-prone, have dull skin, dark spots or constant redness, CC cream is for you.
How it differs: Use CC cream to help with redness, acne, dark spots, sallowness and more. It's also lighter than BB cream!

DD Creams

What is it? Fresh to the alphabet cream craze, DD creams, or "dynamic do-all" are a super cream: They combine the power and benefits of both BB and CC creams. However, their primary focus is anti-aging.
What it does: The anti-aging speciality of the cream works to diminish wrinkles and fine lines throughout use. Additionally, DD cream will balance skin tone and protect the most sensitive areas of your skin.
How to use it: Supposedly, you'll really see improvements in your skin with continued use, so use often and incorporate it into your daily routine!
How it differs: DD cream's strongest selling point is their anti-aging benefits. If you're looking to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, this cream is the cream for you.