8 Best Korean CC Creams That Provide Flawless Coverage

Written by Sayantani Deb, Makeup & Beauty Writer
Updated on Apr 10, 2024
Korean CC Creams That Provide Flawless Coverage
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In the realm of Korean beauty, CC creams have emerged as a popular and innovative skincare-makeup hybrid, delivering multifunctional benefits that go beyond traditional foundations. Renowned for their lightweight, buildable coverage and ability to color-correct uneven skin tones, the best Korean CC creams have garnered immense popularity worldwide. From providing sun protection and moisturization to brightening dull complexions and concealing imperfections, these creams are designed to enhance the natural beauty of your skin. In this article, we will delve into the world of Korean CC creams, exploring the top picks selected based on our observations and expertise, and unveil the secrets to achieving a flawless, radiant complexion.

8 Best Korean CC Creams

The queen of multitasking -  introducing the CC+ cream by it Cosmetics. It serves as a full-coverage foundation, hydrating and anti-aging serum, and sunscreen, all packed into one convenient product. Experience a luminous, complexion with reduced appearances of acne scarring, wrinkles, redness, dark circles, and pores. This product is enriched with potent ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin E, and mineral SPF 50+. This powerful combination offers exceptional protection by deflecting harmful UV rays. For people with combination skin, our contributor, Maya Adivi, a certified makeup artist, recommends using tinted products such as this CC cream after the application of moisturizer.

Pros
  • Versatile use
  • UV protection
  • Suits combination skin
  • Lightweight
  • Even coverage
  • Doesn’t settle in lines
  • Attractive fragrance
Cons
  • None
  • Best Lightweight Formula

    SuperThinker Air Cushion CC Cream

    SuperThinker Air Cushion CC Cream
  • Girls with dry skin -here’s your holy grail! The SuperThinker CC cream is a moisturizing product that delivers a flawless, natural, and radiant complexion. This product effectively conceals imperfections, dark spots, and redness, while ensuring even skin tone. Its natural moisture-based formula spreads easily without irritation, keeping the skin refreshed and comfortable all day. The unique elastic sponge head expands and softens when in contact with water, providing a skin-friendly application. Enriched with botanical skincare ingredients like tremella extract, centella extract, and vitamin E, it nourishes the skin while enhancing its appearance.

    Pros
    • Conceals redness and wrinkles
    • Provides a natural and glowing finish
    • Comes with an elastic sponge head
    • Great coverage
    • Lightweight
    Cons
    • Doesn't suit extremely dry skin
  • Best Blendable formula

    erborian CC Creme

    erborian CC Creme
  • Some girls want a flawless complexion look without doing too much, and this CC cream is for them. The erborian CC cream is a multi-purpose facial concealer that combines the benefits of Korean skincare and tinted moisturizer makeup for a radiant finish. Enriched with centella asiatica, it soothes and hydrates the skin while providing an illuminating effect. It works as a tinted moisturizer to enhance your skin's radiance, leaving it looking visibly perfect. Plus, it offers SPF for added skincare benefits.

    Pros
    • UV protection
    • Long-lasting
    • Suits acne-prone skin
    • Suits sensitive skin
    • Lightweight
    • Easily blendable
    Cons
    • Moderate coverage
  • Best For Summers

    erborian CC Water

    erborian CC Water
  • Busy all day and got no time to touch up your makeup? Put this one in your purse stat! The erborian CC water is a Korean skin perfector that offers a light aqua gel facial concealer with an illuminating finish. Enriched with centella asiatica and hyaluronic acid, it soothes the skin while improving firmness and elasticity and providing long-lasting hydration. The product seamlessly adjusts to the skin's natural tone, offering light coverage and enhancing the overall complexion.

    Pros
    • Soothing
    • Comfortable wear
    • Suits skin with rosacea
    • Great for hot days
    • Refreshing feel
    • Lightweight
    Cons
    • Light coverage
  • Best Natural Finish

    AGE 20's Signature Essence Cover

    AGE 20's Signature Essence Cover
  • All the natural-look ladies out there - raise your hands! This product is such a gift if you prefer a no-makeup look. The CC primer by AGE 20's is a multifunctional Korean makeup item that offers various benefits in one product. With a pink color tone, it enhances the skin's natural glow and brightens the complexion. This cream-based primer is specially formulated for oily skin types, providing a natural finish. It serves as a hydrating essence, skin tint, tone-correcting BB cream, and CC cream, all in one. The lightweight and hydrating formula creates a smooth base for face makeup application. Additionally, it contains SPF15, offering sun protection.

    Pros
    • Multifunctional
    • Hydrating
    • Lightweight
    • Natural finish
    • UV protection
    Cons
    • Limited SPF
  • Best Hydrating formula

    SIAMHOO CC Cream

    SIAMHOO CC Cream
  • This 3-in-1 cream by SIAMHOO works as a foundation, concealer, and daily sunscreen. The hydrating formula suits pale light/fair skin with a cool undertone. It provides medium to full coverage, minimizing redness and imperfections. Formulated with SPF 50, it offers daily sun protection while giving a flawless finish. The CC cream covers imperfections, reduces acne scarring, redness, and large pores, improving skin texture and tone. It contains no harmful ingredients and complies with FDA standards.

    Pros
    • Multipurpose
    • Hydrating formula
    • Medium to full coverage
    • Provides sun protection
    • Minimizes redness
    • Covers large pores
    • No harmful ingredients
    Cons
    • Limited shade range
  • Best Travel-friendly Product

    Lumene CC Color Correcting Cream

    Lumene CC Color Correcting Cream
  • Those of us looking for a versatile CC cream can benefit from this. This product by Lumene is a versatile 6-in-1 product that offers multiple benefits in one tube. It acts as a foundation, concealer, primer, illuminator, and long-wear product, all while providing SPF 20 skin protection. This CC cream effectively neutralizes redness, creating a more even skin tone. The best part is that you get all the effects of great coverage as it conceals flaws and brightens the face, minus the heaviness.

    Pros
    • Multipurpose
    • Lightweight
    • Long-lasting
    • Neutralizes redness
    • UV protection
    • Versatile shade
    • Travel-friendly
    Cons
    • May not offer full coverage
  • Best Paraben-free Product

    3W Clinic Color Correcting Cream

    3W Clinic Color Correcting Cream
  • In need of a correcting cream that goes on like a lotion? This product by 3W Clinic combines wrinkle improvement, UV protection, and makeup benefits in one, and goes on like a lotion as well. Formulated without harmful ingredients, it reduces skin burden while providing deep moisturization and elasticity. Explaining the use of harmful ingredients like alcohol, our contributor, Maya Adivi, says, “High amounts of harmful ingredients, like alcohol in skincare can be dehydrating for the skin, but a little bit of alcohol shouldn't cause issues. Alcohol can be especially beneficial in sunscreens since it can help thin out a formula and make it more pleasant to use.” With active ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, it offers natural color correction for a clear and radiant skin tone.

    Pros
    • Multipurpose
    • Free from mineral oil
    • No alcohol
    • Paraben-free
    • No triethanolamine
    • Natural color correction
    • Decent coverage
    Cons
    • Limited shade options

    Why Even Consider Korean CC Creams?

    When it comes to makeup and skincare, Korean CC creams offer a range of compelling reasons to consider them. These innovative products go beyond traditional foundations, providing a host of benefits that make them a standout choice for many beauty enthusiasts. Here are some key reasons to consider Korean CC creams:

    1. Lightweight and Buildable Coverage

    Korean CC creams have a lightweight texture that feels comfortable on the skin while offering buildable coverage. They allow you to achieve a natural, flawless look without feeling heavy or cakey.

    2. Color Correction 

    CC stands for "Color Correcting," and these creams excel at neutralizing redness, discoloration, and uneven skin tones. They come in various shades to suit different skin concerns, making them ideal for achieving a balanced complexion.

    3. Skincare Benefits 

    Korean CC creams often incorporate nourishing skincare ingredients like antioxidants, vitamins, and SPF protection. They provide added skincare benefits while enhancing your skin's appearance, promoting a healthier complexion over time.

    4. Sun Protection

    Many Korean CC creams come with built-in sun protection, shielding your skin from harmful UV rays. This helps prevent sun damage and premature aging, making them a practical option for daily use.

    5. Hydration And Moisture 

    These creams typically offer hydrating properties, keeping your skin moisturized throughout the day. This is especially beneficial for those with dry or dehydrated skin.

    6. Versatility 

    Korean CC creams can be used in various ways — as a makeup base, a primer, or even as a stand-alone product. Their versatility makes them a valuable addition to your makeup routine.

    7. Suitable for Different Skin Types 

    Whether you have oily, dry, combination, or sensitive skin, Korean CC creams are formulated to cater to diverse skin types, providing a comfortable and flattering finish.

    8. Long-lasting Wear 

    Many Korean CC creams boast long-lasting formulas, ensuring your makeup stays intact and fresh-looking for hours without frequent touch-ups.

    How Do Korean CC Creams Work?

    Korean CC creams, also known as Color Correcting creams, have gained popularity for their multifunctional benefits and ability to provide a flawless and radiant complexion. These creams work by combining color correction, skincare, and makeup properties in one product. With a variety of shades available, CC creams effectively neutralize skin discolorations like redness, dark spots, and dullness, creating a more even skin tone. Additionally, they contain hydrating ingredients to nourish the skin, providing a healthy and plump appearance. Their lightweight and breathable formula allows for a natural-looking coverage, simplifying the makeup routine while enhancing the skin's appearance. As a result, Korean CC creams have become a go-to solution for those seeking a convenient and skin-friendly makeup option with added skincare benefits.

    How to Use a Korean CC Cream?

    Using Korean CC cream is a simple and straightforward process. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to apply it effectively:

    1. Cleanse and Moisturize: Start by cleansing your face to remove any dirt, oil, or makeup residue. Follow up with a moisturizer to hydrate your skin and create a smooth base for the CC cream.

    2. Choose the Right Shade: Select a Korean CC cream shade that matches your skin tone or addresses your specific color correction needs (e.g., green for redness, purple for dullness). You can also mix different shades to customize the color correction.

    3. Dot or Apply Sparingly: Apply small dots of the CC cream evenly on your face using your fingers or a makeup brush. Start with a small amount and build up the coverage as needed. Remember that Korean CC creams offer sheer to medium coverage, so a little goes a long way.

    4. Blend: Gently blend the CC cream into your skin using upward and outward motions. Ensure even distribution for a natural finish. 

    5. Add More Coverage: If you desire more coverage, layer the CC cream on specific areas focusing on areas with redness, dark spots, or uneven skin tone. Alternatively, you can use a concealer for extra spot correction.

    6. Set with Powder (Optional): If you have oily skin or prefer a matte finish, you can lightly dust translucent setting powder over the CC cream to set it in place and control shine.

    7. Continue with Makeup (Optional): Depending on your preference, you can apply other makeup products like blush, bronzer, or highlighter over the CC cream to complete your look.

    8. Sunscreen (If Applicable): If your CC cream doesn't have built-in SPF, consider applying sunscreen separately for added sun protection.

    9. Touch-ups (If Necessary): Throughout the day, you may want to do minor touch-ups if needed, though Korean CC creams generally have good staying power.

    Remember to remove the CC cream thoroughly at the end of the day by double cleansing your face and following your regular skincare routine.

    These are the best Korean CC creams available for those who want to look flawless without layering on a lot of makeup. Revolutionizing the beauty world with their innovative approach to achieving a flawless complexion, these color-correcting wonders offer a harmonious blend of makeup and skincare. The most attractive bit about investing in these CC creams is that you can get lightweight coverage, sun protection, and hydrating benefits all in one product. With their ability to neutralize skin concerns like redness, dark spots, and dullness, Korean CC creams cater to diverse skin tones and types, making them a versatile and inclusive choice for beauty enthusiasts.

    Contributor: Maya Adivi, Certified Makeup artist, Click here for blog

    FAQ's

    Do Koreans use BB cream or CC cream?
    Koreans use both BB cream and CC cream.
    What is CC cream in South Korea?
    CC cream stands for
    Which is better, BB cream or CC cream?
    It depends on preferences: BB cream offers more coverage and skincare benefits, while CC cream focuses on color correction with a lighter texture.
    Which CC cream gives full coverage?
    CC creams generally provide lighter coverage; consider BB cream or foundation for full coverage.
    Do Korean CC creams clog pores?
    Most Korean CC creams are non-comedogenic, but do a patch test if you have acne-prone skin.
    What is the best CC cream for my skin type?
    For the best CC cream for oily skin, choose oil-free or matte-finish; for dry skin, pick hydrating; for sensitive skin, opt for gentle formulations; for acne-prone skin, pick non-comedogenic.

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    Sayantani is our in-house beauty and makeup expert. With a genuine passion for skincare and beauty, she embarked on an extensive and thorough quest for information. To begin her research, Sayantani delved into the world of Korean beauty, exploring renowned beauty blogs, skincare forums, and reputable online sources to identify the most popular and highly recommended CC creams. She meticulously evaluated user reviews and testimonials, ensuring that her selections were based on real-life experiences and results. Understanding the significance of ingredients in skincare products, Sayantani scrutinized the formulations of each CC cream she encountered, seeking out key components known for their skin-enhancing properties. Her goal was to provide her readers with a curated list of CC creams that offered not only exceptional coverage but also additional skincare benefits.

    Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

    Author BIO
    reviewer
    Sayantani Deb
    Makeup & Beauty Writer

    Sayantani is a certified hair and makeup professional turned writer with 2+ years of experience in the same genre. Ap More