Want a More Even Complexion? Try One of These CC Creams From Just $13 (2024)

Our Top Picks

Shades: 7 | Coverage: Light to medium | Finish: Luminous | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This CC cream from Honest is formulated with skin-loving ingredients like soothing allantoin and radiance-boosting vitamin C, plus mineral SPF protection. We loved how it moisturized our skin and evened out our complexions while offering light to medium coverage. The creamy, slightly watery texture is blendable and lightweight on the skin.

We also felt that the shade we used was pigmented enough to blur hyperpigmentation (dark spots) while still looking natural and skin-like. This makeup base wears nicely without getting greasy. You might want to set it with translucent powder if you have oily skin, but we still think it'll work for all skin types. That said, the shade range could undoubtedly be broader, which was our only gripe.

Shades: 30 | Coverage: Medium to full | Finish: Natural | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We tried e.l.f.'s Camo CC Cream and were totally impressed. The ultra-creamy, pigmented formula can be used like tinted moisturizer or as more of a foundation, depending on how much apply. You can add a little extra in spots you need more coverage, like your nose and chin.

We used our fingers for most of the applying and blending, but you might want to grab a damp makeup sponge to buff it out and prevent it from getting cakey. This CC cream's skin-like finish was virtually undetectable, and it stayed fresh and nongreasy throughout the day.

Shades: 12 | Coverage: Light | Finish: Dewy | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This multiuse CC cream works as a moisturizer, primer, foundation, and SPF in one. It has a glowy finish that left our skin looking dewy while providing excellent color correction. The coverage leans more sheer, but we were able to add another layer or two to achieve medium coverage.

It applied nicely with our fingertips or a damp sponge, and we liked how comfortable and moisturizing it felt on our skin once applied. This tinted moisturizer did get a bit greasy after a few hours of wear, so we recommend setting it with powder if you have oily skin.

Shades: 13 | Coverage: Light | Finish: Luminous | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The brand claims this product has sheer coverage, but we were pleasantly surprised by how well we could build it up to cover imperfections and create a more even-looking complexion. Beyond the light yet flexible coverage, it has an intensely glowy finish that looks radiant but still natural on the skin.

If you have oily skin, you might find the level of glow a bit much, especially around the T-zone. But we could see those with dry skin—and anyone going for a radiant look—falling in love with this one. We also appreciate that the inclusive shades range from dark to fair.

Shades: 14 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Despite being incredibly pigmented with full coverage, this CC cream blends into the skin without looking heavy or mask-like. Although it has a matte finish, we like that it's not a drying, flat finish.

The weightless, breathable formula felt good on our skin. It can transfer, though, so we suggest following with setting spray. Another reason this product stands out? It delivers SPF 50 protection.

Shades: 12 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If your main goal with CC cream is to look like you're not wearing makeup—or not much of it, at least—this one's for you. This product is a hybrid of CC cream and tinted moisturizer. It provides medium coverage and a natural-looking finish that looks like healthy, moisturized skin.

You may want to avoid multiple layers, though, as it might settle into fine lines. But a single layer should be plenty to achieve a fresh-looking complexion. We also like that this product contains skincare ingredients, including niacinamide (vitamin B3), vitamin E, and goji berry extract to reduce redness, even out your skin tone, and boost radiance.

Shades: 15 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural, luminous | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Formulated with 100% mineral SPF 50, Supergoop! CC Screen offers full-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays, not to mention ample hydration. We enjoyed how easily it blended, how weightless it felt once applied, and how well it covered redness and hyperpigmentation, all while maintaining a skin-like appearance.

This CC cream looked like a traditional liquid foundation when we squeezed it out of the tube, but the texture was much airier, so we couldn't feel it sitting on our skin. While a range of 15 shades is pretty good for a sunscreen brand, we wish there were more dark shades. But if you find a shade that works for you and prefer makeup with SPF protection, it's definitely worth buying.

Shades: 22 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Natural | Cruelty-Free: Yes

IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream is an ultra-popular product—and for good reason. Besides mineral SPF 50 protection, it offers buildable, full coverage with a finish that looks a lot like traditional foundation—without appearing dry or cakey. We like that it has a lightweight feel on the skin, making it a stellar choice for daily wear as well as glam looks.

Though it didn't fully cancel out our dark spots, we loved how this product blurred our complexions. It was extremely comfortable to wear, too—we often forgot we had makeup on. And unlike many other CC creams, this one comes in a diverse range of 22 shades.

Shades: 21 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural/matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you're a fan of Tarte Shape Tape Concealer (um, hi), we're willing to bet the brand's Shape Tape Cloud Coverage will also win you over. This CC cream has a light-as-air, almost mousse-like texture that feels amazing on the skin while still offering considerable coverage. Best of all, you can build it up if you need extra coverage without worrying about it creasing or looking cakey.

It has SPF 15, but this is really low (not broad-spectrum), so we strongly suggest wearing facial sunscreen underneath. However, the formula contains several skincare ingredients to help your skin stay hydrated, calm, and radiant for hours on end—aloe, squalane, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and licorice root, to name just a few.

Shades: 34 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte | Cruelty-Free: No

It's no secret that drugstore makeup has a history of lacking in the shade department, but this CC cream comes in 34 shades—and they're nicely dispersed across skin tones. It provides full coverage with a matte finish, plus it's fragrance-free (good for sensitive skin) and infused with niacinamide, which is known to help reduce dark spots.

While the product has a thick texture, just a little bit goes a long way. You can count on it to even out your skin tone and create a nice veil of coverage without looking or feeling greasy. It can settle into pores and fine lines, but applying a smoothing primer first should help prevent this.

Shades: 12 | Coverage: Light to medium | Finish: Radiant | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This CC cream from The Lip Bar comes in 12 shades, including multiple nuanced shades with varying undertones that work with dark and very dark skin tones. While it has light coverage, we were impressed by its capacity to be built up to medium. What's more, it effectively covered our dark spots and color-corrected our under-eye circles.

Thanks to hyaluronic acid, rosewater, and Irish sea moss in the formula, this multipurpose product moisturizes your skin while enhancing your complexion. The radiant finish is a touch luminous. It might be too shiny for those with oilier skin, but this could be fixed by setting it with translucent powder.

Shades: 17 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Tower 28 SunnyDays has a stamp of approval from the National Eczema Association, plus it's made without fragrance and is free from essential oils. Promising not to cause breakouts or clog pores, it's ideal for those with acne-prone skin and reactive complexions.

This sunscreen-makeup hybrid is a great option for no-makeup makeup days. It provides SPF 30 protection with mineral UV blockers, medium coverage, color correction, and a natural-looking finish. We also like that the shade options are more diverse than others, and the brand continues to add more to work with a broader range of skin tones.

Shades: 18 | Coverage: Light | Finish: Natural | Cruelty-Free: No

If you ask us, this skin tint from Bobbi Brown is the best option for mature skin. It moisturizes while providing light, natural-looking coverage to ensure it blends seamlessly and doesn't settle into fine lines.

The lightweight, humidity-resistant formula won't crease when you smile, talk, or otherwise move your face throughout the day. And the color correction should hold up for at least 12 hours. We also like that it's blended with vitamins and antioxidants to protect from free radicals and create a radiant complexion.

Shades: 4 | Coverage: Light | Finish: Radiant | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We tested this CC cream from the Korean beauty brand Eborian and have lots of good things to say about it. The lightweight texture makes it easy to apply and blend with your fingers or a makeup brush. And wearing it feels like there's barely anything on your face.

The shade range is really limited, but if one of the colors matches your skin tone, you can expect Eborian CC Crème to blur your pores and generate a more even-toned complexion. Unfortunately, it seemed to oxidize as the day wore on, which made the shade we tested appear slightly darker. But if you're looking for something with light coverage for quick outings, it's worth buying.

Shades: 10 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Semi-matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Lumene is a Finland-based makeup and skincare company. If you like the coverage and finish of regular foundation but not the dry feel and potential for creasing, the brand's CC cream has your name on it. The liquidy (but not too runny) formula spreads evenly and blends effortlessly without settling into your pores.

One of our favorite things about it is that it delivers a heaping dose of moisture to keep your skin hydrated. Not only that, but the medium coverage reduces redness without completely concealing your natural complexion. Just a heads up, it may not last all day unless you finish with setting spray.

FAQ

• What does CC cream do?

  As a makeup-skincare hybrid, CC cream can do a lot. "A CC cream is a multitasking product that color corrects, covers, and can offer skincare and sun protection benefits all in one step," explains Figueroa.

• How do you apply CC cream?

  As with foundation, the right application method comes down to your preferences. If you like fuller coverage, use a brush or your fingertips. If you want lighter coverage, opt for a damp makeup sponge. Figueroa suggests applying a pea-sized amount to the center of your face and blending outward toward the perimeter.

• What is the difference between BB and CC cream?

  CC stands for color correction, and BB stands for beauty balm. A CC cream provides more coverage and color corrects, making it a better option if you're looking to conceal or blur specific areas, explains Figueroa. BB creams, on the other hand, provide sheerer coverage and an overall more radiant look to the skin, she says.