BB Cream, CC Cream, and Foundation—How They're Different and Which to Choose

Honestly, there are so many different types of face makeup that it’s hard to know which to choose. Should you opt for a foundation, a BB cream, or a CC cream? It’s genuinely confusing, particularly when each sounds incredible on paper. To help you decide once and for all which face makeup formula you should go for, I enlisted Helen Dagdag, Sephora Collection national makeup artist, to give me the lowdown.

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(Image credit: @hungvanngo@sarah_novio)

"The main difference between foundation, BB cream, and CC cream is the amount of coverage they provide, the shade range offered, and skin concerns they are targeting," Dagdag explains. "BB and CC creams usually have skincare ingredients and a limited shade range because they typically offer less coverage.”

Below, find a deep dive into each option, who they're best suited for, and a few standouts to choose from, including Dagdag's personal favorites. Keep reading for the ultimate guide to all things face makeup.

Foundation

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(Image credit: @hungvanngo)

"Foundation comes in a wide variety of shades, coverages, and finishes," says Dagdag. "Foundations are great for buildable coverage, and some even have skincare ingredients too. Ideally, you'd go for a foundation if you want an exact skin tone match. Since there are so many formulas out there, you can tailor your coverage and finish preferences to find one that works for you."

Dagdag's Pick:

BB Cream

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(Image credit: @hungvanngo)

"BB stands for beauty balm," says Dagdag. "They aim to be sheer but corrective. BB [creams] usually have skincare benefits, are hydrating, and have a dewy to natural finish. They are usually best applied with fingers and have a flexible but very limited shade range. BBs are also great for anyone who has normal to dry skin and wants a tiny bit of tint with added skincare benefits."

Dagdag's Pick:

CC Creams

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(Image credit: @sarah_novio)

"CC stands for color correcting," says Dagdag. "They target evening out skin tone. Generally, CC [creams] provide more coverage than a BB cream or tinted moisturizer and have a natural to matte finish. The difference between CC [creams] and foundation is that CC creams have extra skincare benefits and a flexible, limited shade range. CCs are great for anyone who wants to apply with fingers and would like more coverage for concerns like dark spots, redness, or discoloration. The ingredients typically help to even out skin over time."

Dagdag's Picks:

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Associate Beauty Editor

Katie Berohn is the associate beauty editor at Who What Wear. Previously, she worked as the beauty assistant for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her master's degree at NYU's graduate program for magazine journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan; a digital editorial internship at New York magazine's The Cut; a social good fellowship at Mashable; and a freelance role at HelloGiggles. When she's not obsessing over the latest skincare launch or continuing her journey to smell every perfume on the planet, Katie can be found taking a hot yoga class, trying everything on the menu at New York's newest restaurant, or hanging out at a trendy wine bar with her friends.