This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at BC chapter.

As much as I swear by my Smashbox Studio Finish liquid foundation throughout the majority of the year, I have to admit that summer weather and liquid foundation do not mix. Personally, I usually switch to a tinted moisturizer in the summer months because of its light texture and SPF power. However, BB and CC creams have recently become popularized by prestigious and drugstore cosmetic brands alike. Read on for a comparison of these three products and for help deciding what you should try this summer!

Tinted Moisturizers

Tinted moisturizers have been around for quite some time and have many fans, but BB and CC creams seem to be a lot more popular at the moment. They offer a bit of color, in addition to a moisturizing benefit and protection from the sun. However, they offer less coverage than BB and CC creams do.

Top-rated tinted moisturizers include: Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30, Bobbi Brown SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer, and Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20

BB Creams

BB (Beauty Balm, Blemish Balm, or Blemish Base) creams are the “love child of makeup and skincare,” according to Marie Claire magazine. BBs are designed to treat blemishes, but they also have other benefits such as moisturizing skin and protecting against sun damage. This is because they are packed with high levels of active skincare ingredients. Bonus: BB creams have a light-reflecting component that makes your skin look dewy and luminous! Compared to tinted moisturizers and CC creams, BB creams offer more coverage and are heavier in texture, so a light layer of this product is all you need. BBs are concentrated so that a pea-size amount is just enough.

Top-rated BB creams include: Tarte BB 12-Hour SPF 30, Dr. Jart+ BB Dis-A-Pore, Estee Lauder DayWear BB Creme SPF 36, Stila Stay All Day 10-in-1 HD Beauty Balm SPF 30, Dior Diorskin Nude BB Cream, Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream, Maybelline New York Dream Fresh BB Sunscreen, Boscia BB Cream SPF 27 PA++

CC Creams

CC creams (Color-Correct, Color Care, or Complexion Corrector) are designed to even out your skin tone. CCs were first developed in Korea to address discoloration, so it follows that their primary purpose is to correct color-related skin issues, such as dull skin, redness, acne, and dark spots. Packed with vitamins C and E, they also contain a super-dose of antioxidants. Compared to BB creams, CCs are more lightweight in texture, offering a more natural coverage. According to celebrity makeup artist Nico Guilis, “[CCs] have more of a whipped, light, fluffy feel and finish. [They are] kind of the new and improved BB.”

Top-rated CC creams include: Cover FX CC Cream Time Release SPF 30, Origins Smarty Plants CC SPF 20, Smashbox Camera Ready CC SPF 30 Dark Spot Correcting, Perfekt Skin Perfection CC Crème SPF 30, Bobbi Brown CC Cream SPF 35, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare CC Cream SPF 18

The Best Makeup For Your Skin Type

If you have normal skin: Wear tinted moisturizer, BBs, or CCs alone for lighter coverage OR top a product with your favorite pressed powder

If you have dry skin: Wear a tinted moisturizer alone OR blend a BB or CC with your favorite moisturizer

If you have oily/combination skin: Wear BB, CCs, and tinted moisturizers as primers for your favorite pressed powder

Article Sources:

allure.com/beauty-products/2012/best-bb-creams-and-cc-creams-for-all-skin-issues#slide=1

fashionista.com/2013/04/the-difference-between-bb-cc-dd-creams/

marieclaire.com/hair-beauty/trends/beauty-breakdown-creams#slide-1

sephora.com/bb-cream-cc-cream

womenshealthmag.com/beauty/bb-cream

Photo Sources:

allaboutstyle.blog.com/files/2012/05/IMG_1740.jpg