What are Korean CC creams and how to choose one?

The acronym for Color Correcting or Complexion Corrector is CC. That is what defines CC creams. They have been in our favorite cosmetic stores’ shelves for the past seven years and still counting. Despite many buying them, especially the Korean type, not all will tell you much about the cosmetic hybrid they use during their daily skin care routine.

More to knowledge deficiency among Korean CC cream buyers go to not knowing the difference between Foundation, CC and BB creams. Do you want to know the distinction between the three? Don’t worry; we got you covered.

You will find numerous CC creams when shopping which makes it a difficult task when making a choice that will go along with your facial skin. Before we look at the best Korean CC creams to look out for, we will explain what CC creams are, the difference from the substitutes, and why we advocate them.

CC Creams Explanation

They came after blemish balms, or BB creams, which function as the foundation used to treat and hide imperfections. (Read more about BB creams.) CC creams came to protect you from the sun and provide minimal coverage. A red or sallow skin will have an even-toned appearance once a CC cream is used as a base choice.

Young Koreans have been known to use the CC type due to the brightening effect. In a liquefied nature, you can compare CC creams to tinted moisturizers if you have ever come across one. The prior has won the favor of many due to its feasibility and user-friendly ingredients.

These creams have many functions in one hence more than one benefit. They all claim to be UV protectors, radiance effectors, and aging effects reducers. Rome was not made in a day, and the same applies to who think that they will realize immediate results after the first application. Just be patient with what we have in our review for the effects to start taking place.

CC, BB, and Foundation: What is the difference?

They are not the same despite the fact that they are all designed to provide the appropriate coverage. To keep everything in its rightful place, let’s look at each of them briefly.

CC Creams

They are lighter than the rest composing of an airy texture. Good work is done when correcting redness and dark spots on the victimized skins. You might come across some with vitamins that prevent cancer and having dry skin.

BB Creams

These will define your skin complexion in addition to diminishing blemishes. They replaced tinted moisturizers before the CC’s came in to make them almost extinct. One of the characteristics includes being lighter than the foundation but thicker than what they substituted. Some of the BB creams are SPF articulated for sun rays protection but have been characterized as antioxidants which solve skin aging signs.

Foundation

They have been around since time in memorial and have been used over the centuries to perfect the skin. They are the thickest of the three. However, there are more shades to choose than BB creams. From moisturizers to anti-agers, the foundations have many formulas to various skin types. Those with more experience on this will attest to once using a brush or sponge in a bid to make an adorable coverage.

Why use a CC Cream?

Such creams are suitable for daily use to offer:

• Minimum coverage
• UV protection
• Skin health benefits

Most of the options you’ll come across tend to be moisturizers. If you happen to have oily skin, you may be prompted to use a mortifying primer before the cream with the motive of reducing the skin’s shining gesture. (Our guide for Korean moisturizers is here.)

CC creams are color correcting, so they solve issues like redness or chapped skin. While some will prove their effectiveness by applying them under makeup, they can also be used to achieve a natural finishing.

Some tips for you

Before looking at our top selection review, here is information that serves as base knowledge to CC creams application.

• When applying the cream, it’s a good idea to dot little amounts in all the areas needing an application on your face from forehead to chin. Then use your fingers to smooth and blend.
• If you are looking for finishing perfection, go for a foundation brush or a damp sponge.
• Are you replacing the sunscreen? Then make sure that your CC cream is suited to protect you from ultraviolet rays. Otherwise, use the cream after a facial sunscreen.

Top Korean CC Cream Reviews

Nature Republic Super Origin CC Cream (Link)

Do you have light skin that is light to medium oily? Nature Republic Super Origin CC Cream is here to do three things for you: take care of your skin, provide a sun cream and serve as a makeup. In it is SPF30 PA++ which protects your skin when the sun is burning hard while skin care and makeup functions moisturize your skin and give the needed nutrition.

The mechanism involves making it the last step of your skincare routine. All you need to do is rub it gently on your face depending on your skin texture. It takes 4-5 times of rubbing for the cream to turn its color from white to the current skin tone. The color change takes about 5-10 seconds.

While the make is designed to offer skin health and an even surface on your face, those with redness and acne have to go an extra mile of using it with a BB cream to cover the blemishes. This cream is an excellent option for those with less oily skins that are not too sensitive.

Lioele Dollish CC Cera-V CC Cream (Link)

For sun protection all day, the Lioele Dollish CC cream is packed with SPF34 to provide maximum coverage. The Koreans have added more to benefit Korean CC cream users. Other than sun rays protection, there are Ceramides and vitamin E to hydrate and generate moisture for your troubled skin. More skin hydration is aided by the Aloe Vera and Seaweed which also make you look healthy.

Don’t worry about the grainy texture feeling, the creamy formula blends with your skin to keep the tone. One thing to note though, warmer complexions might appear gray, and it’s not a good idea to use it if you have a darker tone.

When it’s hot, you don’t feel smooth due to some meltdown or breaking out, so the redness and sun spots will remain hidden for longer hours. This implies that your skin will continue to be soft and flawless until you wash. Since it’s somehow drying, using it in the winter would require you to have another foundation to contain the moisture.

Banila Co It Radiant CC Cream (Link)

It is a whitening color control base with a moisturizing effect which makes it on our top reviews due to the good it can do for your skin. Banila Co IT Radiant CC Cream is rich in eco herb water complex that changes a dull skin to a bright one with a natural look. The hydrating effect together with micro powder in the cream is responsible for covering up your pores to avoid oiliness and send the wrinkles away too.

If you want UVB protection, the SPF 30 PA ++ specification in the cream prohibits the radiation from making its visiting marks on your face. When used alone, the cream saves you from minor skin imperfections but for bigger spots, choose a concealer to cover them up.

Since it is a hydrating type, it will help you greatly if you if you had a dry skin as opposed to an oily one. If you chose this and you have a shiny skin, get some powder to keep the face dry, smooth and flawless. Please note that you should avoid using it around the eyes since it can be very irritating.

Etude House Correct and Care CC Cream (Link)

Being the last one on the list doesn’t mean that it has the least to offer. The Etude House Correct and Care CC Cream is a silky type, but there is more than that. In the ingredients is Camellia Sinensis leaf extract that is suitable for skin protection against the sun. If you are looking for an anti-aging CC cream that looks forward to maintaining your skin’s freshness, here is Etude House for you.

The description says it’s an 8 in 1 skin care product. This means that it will take care of wrinkles, the stress, moisturize your skin, protect you from UV, and whitening or brighten your skin with more benefits on the plate.
This cream will smoothen the facial skin and gives it an even tone, but more coverage will need a better instrument suited for the job. The good thing is that it works for those who are sensitive to strong scents. Etude has a weak one.

Concluding remarks

Now that you have a guide with you to act as the base knowledge for CC cream hunting, what are you waiting for? You have a reason to add that CC cream that you have been eyeing for quite a while. If fear of results is holding you back, I hope this guide has given you answers to questions that you have been asking. All the best!

Further reading

If you are primarily concerned with your complexion or lightening your skin tone, also take a look at Korean whitening creams.