Same Difference? The Relationship Between BB and CC Creams...

So you like the idea of a cc cream and don't know how to choose between that, or BB cream...

You're naturally intrigued by these upgraded versions of tinted moisturizer...

But first, erm, what are they really?!

Don't worry, you're not alone.

Here's How To Think About It...

Start by imagining a moisturizer...

In particular, imagine your moisturizer, with all it's skin specific properties....

So if you have dry skin, let it be a hydrating moisturizer....

If you have oily, let it be a shine control serum.

Then, lessen the amount of moisturizing that is actually in your moisturizer...

Now, imagine a foundation that is very see-through(sheer), and comes in a color very close your skin. 

Take the foundation and the moisturizer, and combine them. Do this in a lab, with all the right beakers, processes. Then, pour this mixture out into a cute little bottle, and put a nice label on it, calling it a BB cream.

Then add light reflecting properties, or more yellow to the formulation. This will make skin seem smoother.

Now, call it a CC Cream...! 

 A Lightweight, Sheer, Foundation With Benefits.

Pros Of Alphabet creams

• The number of products in one bottle of an alphabet cream are less than if you use moisturiser, primer, concealer, foundation, and sunscreen separately. So any functions that you can find lumped together into one product is better for you..

• Time is precious! Everyone likes to save time and energy when they can...

• If you have good skin with minor problems, the creams make it easier to have a very natural, no makeup look. 

Cons Of Alphabet Creams

• As the jack of all trades, they can't be too good at one...

• You need to have relatively good skin for a one stop cream to be really useful to you. 

• There aren't really good ones for acne prone skin. Acne treatments and sunscreen can't legally be placed together in one product. So you still need to slather on the sunscreen,  and treat it separately. 

• The sunscreen in the creams is not sufficient for a day of activity. So if you're really exposed to a lot of sun, you can't really just apply once and be fanciful and free... just soaking in the sunshine... no, no...

The only thing that you need to make a decision about which one to get, is answer two questions...

Are You Looking For A Lightweight Alternative To Foundation?

If yes, then a BB or CC cream will give you that. The color will be sheer, and that justifies the very limited range of colors that they come in.

One color fits most skins because it's really so thin. This applies to the thinner formulations. If the cream is thick, then the range of skins it can suit is more narrowed. 

Which Skincare Benefit Do You Need most from Your Foundation?

There are CC and BB creams with all sorts of skin benefits. You'll often find that skincare ranges that cater to a particular skin quality, are coming out with a CC cream.

Your first stop, should be the skincare range that you are using right now( if it's working for you). Basically, you can then have a continuation of your skincare regime into the foundation step...

Here are some particular creams for different skin types:

CC Cream For Aging Skin

Alphabet creams are brilliant for aging skin because of the light finish. The thing that your skin needs most though, is moisture.

The best way to combine skincare and makeup, is to use anti aging skincare(including moisturiser), plus a complexion boosting CC. 

It's a great way to pep up your skin, and give it maximum skin boosting ingredients at the same time. If you are older you also want to keep to something sheer, that doesn't try to cover wrinkles. You want just a brighter and more vibrant complexion as opposed to anything that might look cakey. 

Try Olay CC Cream - Total Effects Daily Moisturizer plus Touch of Foundation (1.7 Fl Oz) or Juice Beauty's Stem Cellular CC Cream.

Find a color that really matches your own, and test before you buy! Just as you would with a normal foundation... 

For Dry, Dull Skin...

If you have dry skin, the hydrating option of any product is worth a shot. There aren't many good hydrating(yet non oily) products that will fit all skins, so test it for about 30 minutes before you buy...

If you have dry skin without much dicoloration, find something moisturizing that perks up yor skin color like Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream Hydrating Colour Corrector SPF30 (Light Medium).

For Oily Skin

Something like Estee Lauder DayWear BB Anti Oxidant Beauty Benifit Creme will keep your face relatively oil free.

The Bottom Line

As I write this, DD(Dynamic Do- All, Daily Defence) creams are already on the market... So when EE, FF, and GG creams come out, don't get confused! 

Even if they change it up and start calling them DDA(which makes more sense for Dynamic Do All!), BC, AAB... Don't sweat.

You know what they are and just need to choose one that works well specifically for you,  if you need a more hard working, lightweight version of foundation...

Makeup Know How > Finding Foundation > CC Cream