CC creams have carved out a dedicated following among beauty editors and make-up artists for one simple reason: they make skin look polished without the heaviness of a traditional foundation. Sitting somewhere between skincare and make-up, the best CC creams are designed to even out tone, dial down redness and brighten lack-lustre skin, while often layering in hydration and SPF at the same time. With the industry still in the clutches of ‘clean girl’ make-up and fresh, skin-first finishes, it’s no surprise the humble CC cream continues to thrive.
Celebrity make-up artist Maria Asadi explains that, “Unlike traditional foundation or tinted moisturiser, CC creams focus on neutralising discolouration such as redness, dullness or pigmentation, all while offering lightweight coverage.” Some formulas rely on “micro-encapsulated pigments”, she says, which appear white initially before adapting to the skin as you blend. Others use colour theory to target concerns more directly: “Green tones help neutralise redness, while peach or orange counteracts dark circles or hyperpigmentation.”
