To me, CC cream is one of those makeup products that just slip through the cracks. Most of the time, I throw on a good primer as a base and tend to just go straight for the foundation (or trusty skin tint). But maybe it's time to rethink that strategy. CC cream can act as an important extra complexion enhancer if you struggle with redness, uneven skin tone, or just dullness in general. It's the secret to any radiant makeup look that many of us have been sleeping on, and of all places, the drugstore seems to be the place to look if we want to get in on the action without spending a pretty penny.
Although it is a great step to add, finding the right one for your specific skin type can be a bit daunting without a little help. To save you some time and dollars, I've rounded up the best drugstore CC creams for each skin type. I will note, however, that shade ranges for CC creams still appear to be quite limited (sigh). That being said, there are some great options for Black and Brown skin tones included below. Enjoy!
Best for Dry or Mature Skin
This tone-adjusting CC cream can act as a primer and contains SPF 50. It's also designed for daily use and will leave a silky, illuminated finish that will perk up dull or dry skin.
Revlon's Age Defying CC Cream is another great option for dry or mature skin types. It adds a boost of hydration, smooths and evens the skin, and minimizes the appearance of fine lines. It also includes SPF 30.
Best for Oily Skin
Neutrogena's matte formula is the perfect weapon against overly oily skin. It's oil-free, contains niacinamide to manage skin congestion, and blurs the look of discoloration and redness.
This CC cream provides light foundation coverage, skin-balancing hydration, and color correction. The formula is super lightweight and contains niacinamide and an antioxidant blend to help even the skin. It's perfect for days when you just want to use a moisturizer and still look like you're wearing full-coverage foundation.
Best for Sensitive Skin
This advanced CC cream has micro-correcting color pigments for a little extra glow. All Physicians Formula products are formulated specifically for sensitive skin, and this gentle formula is one of the brand's best. It has the benefits of a youth-enhancing product along with SPF protection and deep hydration.
If your sensitive skin is also prone to redness, Golden Rose's CC cream is the option for you. Yes, it's green, so it's the ultimate color corrector, but it also brightens the complexion, contains skin-loving vitamin E, and provides sun protection.
Best for Acne-Prone Skin
For acne-prone skin, this E.l.f. CC cream is a great option because it provides medium-to-full coverage. The formula is also noncomedogenic and contains hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and peptides for a truly glowing, rejuvenated complexion.
I'll be honest: The drugstore options for acne-prone skin are sparse. I know this formula from Clinique isn't exactly drugstore-priced, but it is hydrating, noncomedogenic, and reviewers who struggle with breakouts often report that it never breaks them out.
Best for Combination Skin
Pacifica's ultra-radiant formula is packed with ginseng, coconut, and kelp to help balance your skin's hydration levels. It's a medium-coverage foundation that also illuminates with color-correcting, reflective minerals that adjust to your specific skin tone.
This cream is light and airy but still perfectly evens out your skin and has a semi-matte finish. This is great for combination skin because it will keep it feeling fresh without being too heavy or too dry.
Best for Black and Brown Skin Tones
I'll admit it wasn't easy finding drugstore CC creams that cater to deeper skin tones. Many of them come in a very limited shade range (yep, it's still a problem), so instead, I recommend trying It Cosmetics' CC + Illumination SPF 50. It might cost you a few extra bucks, but to me, it's worth it just for the better shade range and coverage it provides.
The reviews speak for themselves on this one. Thrive's Buildable Blurr CC Cream is a color corrector, sunscreen, foundation, and moisturizer in one. The brand's Smart Pigment Technology brightens a dull complexion and conceals any redness, rosacea, and dark spots in one swoop. The shade range is also much more inclusive than other brands out there.
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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