10 Best CC Creams, Tested by Beauty Experts

The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab experts tested 26 CC creams in the Lab and on 113 consumer testers, taking over 4,000 Lab measurements to find the top performers. Lab scientists pre-screen each product with a six-hour moisturization test using the Corneometer device and begin clinical testing by taking images of consumer testers' skin before and after CC cream application with the Lab's Visia Complexion Analyzer to evaluate cosmetic performance (how well each product evens and matches skin tone).

After four weeks of use, testers return for another round of images to assess the creams' anti-aging benefits (reduction of brown spots and fine lines and improvement in skin tone, pores and texture) as well as changes in skin firmness, as measured by the Cutometer machine. Meanwhile, each CC cream is used by at-home testers across the country who give honest feedback on product performance, including application, texture and look and feel on skin.

GH Beauty Lab scientists recommend considering the following factors to find the ideal CC cream for your skin and needs:

✔️ Coverage and finish: Just like traditional foundations, CC creams can offer sheer to full coverage. They also have different finishes, including matte, natural and radiant. Look for one that matches your skin type and preferences.

✔️ Shade: Some CC creams have numerous shades to choose from, but others may have just a few. If you often find yourself struggling to find the perfect color match with traditional foundations, go for CC creams with a large range of shades. If skin redness is your primary concern, some CC creams come in one sheer green shade, which acts to neutralize the red color.

✔️ Skincare ingredients: Look for ingredients that target your specific skin concerns. For example, Watson says if you have dry skin, you should look for hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. "If you have oily skin, you should look for a CC cream with oil-absorbing ingredients like clay or tea tree extract to combat blemishes," she advises. If you are trying to brighten your complexion or minimize the appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles, you should seek out ingredients like niacinamide.

✔️ Sun protection: "The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a daily moisturizer or sunscreen with broad-spectrum SPF value of at least 30," Wnek says. If a CC cream doesn't meet this standard, you should apply a separate sunscreen that does before your CC cream. But note that Wnek says that many people do not apply enough CC cream to meet the SPF value on the packaging, so to be safe, she suggests wearing a separate sunscreen under your CC cream anyway.

Choosing between BB cream ("BB" stands for "beauty balm") and CC cream depends on your specific needs. Both serve as a foundation, sunscreen and moisturizer and often include other skincare benefits. However, BB creams typically have a thicker, more emollient consistency, which is great for locking in moisture. In addition, BB creams only offer sheer to medium coverage.

On the other hand, CC creams offer sheer up to full coverage, and better conceal blemishes and correct uneven skin tone. If you have dry skin and don't need a lot of coverage, you may want to try a BB cream. If you need more coverage and color correction, CC cream may be the product for you.

"CC cream is best applied with a brush using circular motions," Malek advises. While it's ideal to apply it with a brush, "you can also use your fingers in a pinch," Watson adds. "Glide a smooth, even layer onto your clean face, neck and décolleté."

"CC creams are a type of makeup that combines anti-aging and hydrating properties in their formula, unlike traditional foundations that focus only on pigment and coverage," says Wizemann. "They provide a sheer and natural-looking coverage that is easy to blend, making them an all-in-one application."

She does points out that foundations are meant to be applied after your skincare regimen for more coverage, so if someone is looking strictly for a full coverage makeup product, foundation is a great option. "Some CC creams also contain SPF, but relying solely on makeup products for sunscreen protection is not recommended."

That's a quick and easy answer: yes. If you've found a CC cream that you love, Wizemann feels it's fine to wear daily. She does warn that while "some CC creams contain SPF, relying solely on makeup products for sunscreen protection is not recommended."

This guide was most recently updated by Dori Price. A contributing beauty editor at Good Housekeeping, she has over 15 years of experience researching and writing makeup stories, combining her knowledge with the expertise of top industry professionals including makeup artists and cosmetic chemists.

Dori worked alongside GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann, who led some of the testing for this article, analyzing and distilling the data from her last cross-category test of CC creams. Sabina has touched, researched, tested and evaluated thousands of beauty products for almost a decade. She has carried out various studies from sunscreens to eye creams to CC creams and more.

Danusia Wnek, a senior chemist in the Beauty Lab, oversaw the Beauty Lab's CC cream testing. She has a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University, an M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati and 10 years of experience in the personal care industry. Since joining GH in 2014, she has been developing and overseeing the testing of skincare and makeup products including eye creams, self-tanners, moisturizing creams and more.

Jamie Kim originally wrote this guide. She is a freelance writer and consumer product expert with over 17 years of experience. She regularly contributes her product expertise to Good Housekeeping as well as other major publications.