June 19, 2013

Skincare 101: CC Creams

Everything you need to know about cc creams
By: Carla Snuggs

First there were BB creams and now CC creams are everywhere! What are  CC creams and how can they fit into your skincare routine?  Good question: Endless Beauty talked to Dr. Purvisha Patel, dermatologist at Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates in Memphis, Tenn., where she treats nearly 4,000 patients, to answer a few burning questions we had about CC creams. Here’s the scoop:

cc creams

What exactly is CC Cream? Why are CC creams so hot right now?
A “CC” cream stands for “color corrective” and contains a skin brightening primer, light foundation, moisturizer, sunscreen, anti-aging ingredients and sometimes collagen boosters. They are so hot now as they have more foundation or concealer than the BB creams. They are also the new buzz right now because they are a one step process that works into busy lifestyles with the ability to use one product instead of multiples.

What’s the difference between a BB cream and a CC cream?
“BB” stands for “beauty balm.” These products are multitaskers: a non-brightening primer, light foundation, moisturizer and sunscreen in one, with built in anti-aging properties. The BB cream tends to be a bit heavier and better for dry skin, with a focus on prevention and maintenance.

What are the benefits of using a CC Cream? Who would benefit from using CC  cream?
CC cream is lighter and gives more color coverage, this may be better for acne prone skin or younger skin.

Are there any drawbacks or hazards of CC creams?
The SPF may not be 30 or above, giving people a false sense of sun protection when outside. These products are a “jack of all trades, master of none.” They will not conceal as much as a concealer/foundation or work better than a physical sunblock alone. The over the counter varieties seem to be good, those with an SPF of 30 or above are better.

Image courtesy of Beautyholicsanonymous.com

Have you tried CC cream? What are your thoughts on cc creams? Tweet your thoughts to @_Endlessbeauty.