What's a CC cream, and how is it different from BB cream?

in my very honest opinion, both BB cream and CC cream are old products with new names. in my previous entry, i explained what a BB cream is and how it differs from a foundation. a CC cream is harder to define as its formulation highly depends on the brand itself.

i wanted to link to the products to other online retailers, but i found cheaper deals on amazon.. therefore, some links are amazon affliate links!



PRIMER? MAKEUP BASE? MOISTURIZER? SUNSCREEN? TINTED MOISTURIZER?
some brands produce CC creams that are meant to be a makeup base. as such, they perform multiple functions including moisturizing, sun protection, and may or may not be tinted at all. the untinted ones are usually just to brighten up your complexion, while there are also CC creams that have enough coverage for it to be considered a light coverage foundation (with the addition of skin loving properties).

WHAT DOES CC STAND FOR?
the acronym CC seem to have no standard definition too. some says it means "colour control", while others claim it's "colour correction".

COLOUR CONTROL THAT ADAPTS TO YOUR SKINTONE?
going along the "colour control" definition, i believe it started out as a "colour control" product because of its ability to change colours upon application. of course it's just gimmicks to make you think that it actually changes colour to match your own skin tone! all they had to do is to encapsulate colour pigments within small droplets suspended within a white base. once you rub it into your skin, the droplets break apart to release the pigments, resulting in that colour change from white to skin tone.


as for the "changing to suit your skin" part? you can water down any foundation or BB cream that you currently have, it will easily match many different skin tones simply due to its sheerness. (i'm sorry for being such a spoiler if you don't already know this..)

WHAT ABOUT COLOUR CORRECTION?
as far as "colour correction" goes, it really is another way of saying "brightening". at least, that's what i observed from korean CC creams, which tend to give me a very subtle brightening effect. it doesn't correct any unevenness of my skin tone. sorry to break it to you, but that brightening effect is most likely due to the physical sunscreen in the product (such as zinc and titanium oxide). technically speaking, you can get the same brightening effect from a regular sunscreen.


well, to be fair, there are some CC creams that have been tinted to either green, lavender, or pink to actually correct discoloured skin tones. then you ask me, isn't that what a makeup primer does? that's precisely my point - CC creams act just like a makeup base/primer to moisturize and protect your skin from sun damage before you layer on your foundation, with or without the added benefit of colour correction (by colour correction, i mean using colours from the opposite side of the spectrum to counteract discolorations on the skin).




IN A NUTSHELL
with all that said, it seems like the BB cream and CC cream doesn't actually have too much differences. if a BB cream is a watered down foundation, then a CC cream is a watered down BB cream.

most CC creams tend to boast their skin care benefits because they are supposed to contain more skin care ingredients as compared to BB creams. perhaps you're skin will feel more hydrated and moisturized, but don't bank too much hope on other benefits you can get from standalone skin care products.

DO YOU NEED A CC CREAM?
should you invest in a CC cream? if you fall into one of the below categories, your answer is a yes.

1. you do not currently own a sunscreen
2. you need an all in one product that will moisturize and provide sun protection before you apply your foundation
3. you skin tone is even so you don't need any coverage

otherwise, i don't think there's a need for a CC cream. unless you want it, that is. :P as always, i also suggest deciding on a product based on your needs that has to be addressed (such as uneven skin tone, pore problem, dehydrated skin etc).

if you are still confused about the BB and CC cream saga, leave me a comment so i can improve on my entry next time!

Nature Republic Super Origin CC Cream Brightening (Swatches and Review)

my first and only CC cream, courtesy of my lovely gf who got it for me while she was in korea. i was debating with myself whether or not should i get my hands on a CC cream.

1. it is merely a sunscreen with some added skin care benefits. i've my own sunscreen, i've also got my own skin loving moisturizers/serums/toners, do i really need it?
2. the whole "colour changing" thing sounds very very gimmicky to me. not everyone knows that the product only "matches" your skin colour because of it's sheer pigmentation. that colour changing beads is like a illusion to make people believe that it really changes to match your skin. am i going to succumb to the marketer's lure?

she decided that i should give it a try and gifted me the nature republic super origin complete control cream - brightening. there are 3 different types in this selection: colour change, tint, and brightening. the other 2 has some tint in it, making them like a watered down BB cream. the one i have has no colour at all - something that i really like about it.

from its official website, it has 3 promises to deliver - dewy looking skin, skin care and sun care, as well as brightening your skin.



comes with a pump head on the tube. nifty, i like.


comes with SPF 25, PA++ and a slew of korean instruction on how to use it. it roughly says to use after your skin care. and that's all i can make out of it!


swatched on my face: fresh off tube on the left, blended into skin on the right.


colour: white but blends into nothingness.
texture: light yet creamy. feels oily.
fragrance: has a wonderful floral scent.




slight white cast along my hairline after i perspire.

white cast: no white cast on my face in general, but i can't say the same for my hairline where i tend to perspire a lot.

IMHO
this product is like a sunscreen + moisturizer to me, a 2-in-1 product that is designed for people on the go.

the formula is definitely very moisturizing as my face really gives off a shiny and dewy look (it makes my skin glow). while it's perfect for dryer climates, it may be a little too much for me (in singapore). i still like to slap this one and blend it out before i have to head out for a short while for that sun protection. i can live with a bit of that dewniess on a cooler day, but it gets kinda messy when i perspire like a pig because my face turns a little sticky.

while it's oily, it doesn't actually feel oily on the face. this works as a wonderful makeup base thanks to the moisturizing capabilities.

as for brightening, i think it's partly thanks to the sunscreen that imparts a slight and subtle white cast that can be passed off as brightening. it's looks pretty natural on me, so i'm loving it.

just don't expect this to give you any coverage because a CC cream isn't supposed to give you that much coverage in the first place. think of it as a makeup base and you won't be disappointed. ;)

my gf gifted this to me, she claims that it only cost her 5000 korean won when it was on sale. i think she lied to me.

IN A NUTSHELL
1. no coverage but it brightens
2. sunscreen + skincare
3. gives you a dewy finish
4. slightly oily but doesn't feel oily on skin
5. scented