Breadcrumbs ![Alphabetical Creams: We Explain The Difference Between BB, CC & DD Creams](https://media.sheerluxe.com/Sg71uM2TWy5OIdSdXyjPifEaD1Y=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F03%2Fdifference-between-cc-bb-and-dd-cream.jpg) [Make-up](/beauty/make-up) / 26 March 2019 # Alphabetical Creams: We Explain The Difference Between BB, CC & DD Creams First came BB creams, followed by CCs, and now to make things even more complicated, DDs are the latest to make an appearance. Ultimately, they all work as multi-taskers: a non-brightening primer, light foundation, moisturiser and SPF, all in one. The main contrast though, is their different textures and skin-enhancing ingredients. From when you should use them to finding the right formula for you, here’s what you need to know and the top buys we recommend for each… [ Save To My Favourites ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/19155) ## **BB CREAMS** **Known as:** Blemish Balms or Beauty Balms Created in Asia, BB creams followed hot on the heels of tinted moisturisers. They were originally dubbed as ‘blemish balms’ by Korea (referring to any imperfections, not just spots), then upon hitting the US, were renamed as ‘beauty balms.’ However, they’re far from a balm-like consistency – in fact, they’re often watery in texture and more luminous. Boasting SPF protection with lightweight coverage, they work to heal and soothe with nourishing antioxidants, marrying the benefits of skincare and make-up beautifully. They can be worn as a primer (which is a technique used by many make-up artists) or alone when you just want a healthy glow. But given how sheer they usually are, not everyone will be brave enough to completely forgo their usual foundation day-to-day. ![DayWear Anti-Oxidant BB Crème SPF 35 from Estée Lauder](https://media.sheerluxe.com/R6tYAlcQmD2gcpm1XvxbBTzJBDo=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F03%2F1estee-lauder-bb-cream.jpg) [#### DayWear Anti-Oxidant BB Crème SPF 35](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2041&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boots.com%2Festee-lauder-daywear-anti-oxidant-bb-creme-spf-35-10136034) ##### Estée Lauder, £30.60 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/19155 "Add product to my favourites") ![BB Cream SPF35 from Bobbi Brown](https://media.sheerluxe.com/h0se9WSyDVSP6qcvdwJvGxsBsb8=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F03%2F2bobbi-brown-bb-cream.jpg) [#### BB Cream SPF35](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2082&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lookfantastic.com%2Fbobbi-brown-bb-cream-spf35-various-shades%2F11519307.html) ##### Bobbi Brown, £32 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/19155 "Add product to my favourites") ![Effaclar BB Blur Cream from La Roche-Posay ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/XyXZ58kTRvDrvl4IQc86uf0-llI=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F03%2F3la-roche-posay-effaclar-bb-blur.jpg) [#### Effaclar BB Blur Cream](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2082&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lookfantastic.com%2Fgarnier-original-medium-bb-cream-50ml%2F10573907.html) ##### La Roche-Posay, £12.38 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/19155 "Add product to my favourites") ![Anti Blemish Solutions BB Cream SPF40 from Clinique](https://media.sheerluxe.com/_xpM2Qvi5PKlkRrhAglNG1X1uFQ=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F03%2F4clinique-anti-blemish-solutions-bb-cream-ps30.jpg) [#### Anti Blemish Solutions BB Cream SPF40](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2082&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lookfantastic.com%2Fclinique-anti-blemish-solutions-bb-cream-spf40-30ml%2F11144569.html) ##### Clinique, £29 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/19155 "Add product to my favourites") ![Original Medium BB Cream from Garnier](https://media.sheerluxe.com/yZyS-0OGamQkIo-UjiCt_NITxtA=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F03%2F5garnier-bb-cream.jpg) [#### Original Medium BB Cream](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2082&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lookfantastic.com%2Fgarnier-original-medium-bb-cream-50ml%2F10573907.html) ##### Garnier, £9.99 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/19155 "Add product to my favourites") ![Pixi Beauty Balm from Pixi](https://media.sheerluxe.com/571HJbG_dMF75So9-ZU0TIoJkok=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F03%2F6pixi-petra-beauty-balm.jpg) [#### Pixi Beauty Balm](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2082&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lookfantastic.com%2Fpixi-beauty-balm-50ml-various-shades%2F12040098.html) ##### Pixi, £22 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/19155 "Add product to my favourites") ## **CC CREAMS** **Known as:** Colour Correcting In short, CCs are a clever spinoff of BB creams. They still contain SPF but with slightly heavier coverage. The biggest difference is their skin-brightening benefits (hence the colour correcting), which work to improve redness, dullness, sallowness and more. Think of them as a reliable alternative to foundation, offering flawless coverage without the need for a laborious routine – perfect when you’re in a rush. Another benefit? Their formulas are often slightly lighter ingredient-wise with lots of non-comedogenic options, so they’re great for acne-prone skin too. ![CC Cream Super Active Complete Correction SPF 50 from Chanel](https://media.sheerluxe.com/-EwRWDYwZXHkaTI1F8Ys0238OYw=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F03%2F1chanel-cc-cream.jpg) [#### CC Cream Super Active Complete Correction SPF 50](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2041&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boots.com%2Fchanel-cc-cream-super-active-complete-correction-spf-50-10255732) ##### Chanel, £40.80 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/19155 "Add product to my favourites") ![CC Cream from Erborian](https://media.sheerluxe.com/wV74p0MjXP-XtYkrf2p0aMnxhxY=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F03%2F2erborian-cc-creme.jpg) [#### CC Cream](https://uk.erborian.com/cc-cream-dor%C3%A9,7,1,1085,4057.htm) ##### Erborian, £38 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/19155 "Add product to my favourites") ![Institute CC Cream from Darphin](https://media.sheerluxe.com/gOovL90zaskMpefzqlr5jC81ZFw=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F03%2F3darphin-cc-creme.jpg) [#### Institute CC Cream](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2082&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lookfantastic.com%2Fdarphin-institute-cc-cream-medium%2F10939002.html) ##### Darphin, £35 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/19155 "Add product to my favourites") ![Total Effects 7In1 CC Day Cream SPF 15 from Olay](https://media.sheerluxe.com/PHzQQzE6bv0B7FwXc8d_biyNdmc=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F03%2F4olay-cc-cream.jpg) [#### Total Effects 7In1 CC Day Cream SPF 15](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2041&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boots.com%2Folay-total-effects-7in1-cc-cream-moisturiser-medium-to-dark-50ml-10163576) ##### Olay, £9.99 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/19155 "Add product to my favourites") ![Instaglow CC Cream SPF 20 from The Body Shop](https://media.sheerluxe.com/Tgc6iAZ3GG4ZQH8r2iMSD73IlBQ=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F03%2F5the-body-shop-instaglow-cc-cream.jpg) [#### Instaglow CC Cream SPF 20](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=7899&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thebodyshop.com%2Fen-gb%2Fmake-up%2Fbb-creams%2Finstaglow-cc-cream-spf-20%2Fp%2Fp001050) ##### The Body Shop, £15 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/19155 "Add product to my favourites") ![Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream SPF 50+ from IT Cosmetics](https://media.sheerluxe.com/464GDXv8U2fCuqyf2y0gqooTZ74=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F03%2F6it-cosmetics-cc-cream.jpg) [#### Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream SPF 50+](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2041&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boots.com%2Fbeauty%2Fmakeup%2Fface%2Ffoundation%2Fit-cosmetics-your-skin-but-better-CC-spf-50-10251002) ##### IT Cosmetics, £26.35 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/19155 "Add product to my favourites") ## **DD CREAMS** **Known as:** Dynamic Do-All or Daily Defence Still a relatively small category, consider these the official hybrid of BB and CC creams. Originally designed as a heavy-duty cream for body and feet, these ‘Dynamic Do-It-All’s’ have a long-term focus. With anti-ageing ingredients, including peptides and plumping vitamins, their primary goal is to blur fine lines and wrinkles over time, but they also protect from pollution and other environmental aggressors. Expect even coverage with a healthier finish to boot, you might *want* to skip your usual base with this one. ![Daily Defence Tinted Moisturiser SPF 30 from Autograph](https://media.sheerluxe.com/UpD1F4I8RM21imrO-JJYVNkeoQ0=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F03%2F1autograph-dd-cream.jpg) [#### Daily Defence Tinted Moisturiser SPF 30](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=1402&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marksandspencer.com%2Fdaily-defence-tinted-moisturiser-spf30-30ml%2Fp%2Fp22510027) ##### Autograph, £12.50 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/19155 "Add product to my favourites") ![Age Defy+ Tinted DD Moisturiser SPF 15 from Green People](https://media.sheerluxe.com/fhelaa0weFFg92zVgv7ewmEglhw=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F03%2F2green-people-dd-cream.jpg) [#### Age Defy+ Tinted DD Moisturiser SPF 15](https://www.greenpeople.co.uk/age-defy-tinted-dd-moisturiser-spf-15-light-30ml) ##### Green People, £37 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/19155 "Add product to my favourites") ![Crème Prodigieuse DD Cream from Nuxe](https://media.sheerluxe.com/rtor7R8zI_FAxmqurhFQNyHmHRY=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F03%2F3nuxe-dd-cream.jpg) [#### Crème Prodigieuse DD Cream](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=38701&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.birchbox.co.uk%2Fproduct%2F21885) ##### Nuxe, £14.70 [ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/19155 "Add product to my favourites") [ Sign in to comment with your SheerLuxe profile ](/user/login?destination=)Or continue to comment as a Guest below [View the discussion thread.](http://sheerluxe-dev.disqus.com/) *more from* Beauty [View All Beauty](/beauty) ![Snap Up These Beauty Advent Calendars Before They’re 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