As skin ages, traditional foundation for mature skin can start to feel too heavy, settling into wrinkles and texture, while a lighter skin tint may not offer enough coverage for concerns like redness or discoloration. That’s where a CC cream comes in. According to celebrity makeup artist Judy Gabbay, CC creams provide coverage while “helping neutralize redness or uneven tone,” all while still looking “like real skin.”
Intrigued? We spoke with two makeup artists to find out how this multitasking, color-correcting makeup can benefit mature skin and which formulas are worth trying.
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What Is a CC Cream?
A CC, or color-correcting cream, sits somewhere between skin care and makeup, explains makeup artist Erica Taylor. CC creams’ main goal is to neutralize redness and the skin’s undertones for a more even-looking complexion.
“They usually offer more correction and coverage than your average tinted moisturizer while still feeling lightweight on the skin,” Taylor says. “It’s a great option when you want to look polished without doing a full, heavy foundation moment,” adds Gabbay.
What Makes a CC Cream Different From Foundation?
CC creams sit somewhere in the middle of the complexion-product spectrum. “Foundation is usually more about coverage and finish. Skin tints are typically super sheer—just a hint of color and coverage. BB creams (also known as beauty balms or blemish balms) lean more towards skin care with light coverage. CC creams are designed to actually correct tone, like redness or dullness, while still being lightweight and hydrating,” explains Gabbay.
How Can Mature Skin Benefit From a CC Cream?
“As we mature, our skin naturally becomes drier, and we often deal with things like redness, rosacea or sun damage,” says Taylor. “Instead of wearing a heavy foundation, [a CC cream] helps even the skin tone while still keeping the skin comfortable and hydrated.”
“Mature skin tends to look best with lighter, more emollient formulas. CC creams are usually hydrating and forgiving, so they smooth and even out the complexion without settling into fine lines the way heavier foundations sometimes can. They just give the skin that healthy, radiant glow,” says Gabbay.
What Should I Look for in a CC Cream?
To help aging skin look polished and natural, Taylor recommends opting for formulas with ingredients like squalane for hydration, niacinamide for calming and brightening, ceramides to support the skin barrier and vitamin C for discoloration. “Those ingredients usually mean the CC cream is doing more for your skin than just providing coverage.”
Along with skin hydrators like squalane and hyaluronic acid, Gabbay advises looking for a formula with SPF protection and a radiant or natural finish. “The goal is something that evens out the skin but still lets it look like skin—not flat or overly matte,” she explains.
What’s the Best Way to Apply CC Cream?
“I like to start by applying it with a dense brush to really work the product into the skin, and then I’ll go over it with a damp beauty sponge to soften and create an airbrush finish,” says Gabbay. “I like to apply CC cream with my fingertips,” says Taylor. Fingers, brush or sponge, both makeup artists advise to start in the center of the face and blend outward, adding more CC cream or concealer wherever you need extra coverage.
No matter how you apply it, a CC cream may just be the perfect complexion produce for mature skin. “A great CC cream should really function as your skincare, serum, coverage, and SPF all in one, which makes it perfect for everyday wear. It’s very user-friendly and great for a busy lifestyle,” raves Taylor. “It’s kind of the sweet spot where the skin looks even, fresh, and polished but still super natural,” Gabbay adds.
The Best CC Creams for Mature Skin
CC+ Color Correcting Full Coverage Cream
“This one is a classic. It gives beautiful coverage while still looking like skin, and the SPF 50 is amazing for everyday wear,” notes Gabbay.
“I’ve loved it since it launched because it’s essentially seven products in one—it gives great coverage, skin-care benefits, SPF and it works beautifully on mature skin,” says Taylor.
CC Crème
“I love this one for a really fresh, effortless skin look. It’s lightweight, helps blur redness and just makes the complexion look healthy and even,” says Gabb
“It’s a really unique formula that adjusts to your skin tone and gives a more natural, lighter finish for people who don’t want as much coverage,” adds Taylor.
