The Difference Between BB, CC and DD Creams

Wondering which alphabet combo is the best for your skin? Walking down the skin care and makeup aisle, I found myself lost in translating these K-beauty abbreviations. BB, CC, DD – all looked the same to me. If you are someone who’s just started to use (and understand) makeup and skin care products, I understand your confusion. All these creams are excellent for taking care of a number of skin issues and are your best friends on days you want to go minimal with your makeup. Here is a complete breakdown of BB, CC, and DD creams along with the list of best ones to lay your hands on. Swipe up!

BB Creams:

What Is It?

BB stands for Beauty Balm. It gained popularity in Korea and became a global beauty buzzword within a short time – and that too for all good reasons.

What Does It Do?

BB creams are very light creams, offering just a little more coverage than your usual tinted moisturizers. They keep your skin hydrated, contain SPF, and also offer shine control. This, however, depends on the brand and the formula you are using. BB creams provide light to medium coverage. Compared to CC and DD creams, BB creams give the least coverage. Hence, they are most suitable for younger skin that needs just a bit of pick-me-up.

How’s The Texture?

It has a creamy and moisturizer-like texture.

CC Cream:

What Is It?

CC stands for Color Correcting. It is mostly used as a complexion corrector cream.

What Does It Do?

A CC cream provides more coverage than a BB cream and hides all your facial imperfections, such as redness and dark spots. This cream is specially formulated for mature and aging skin that needs more coverage to even out the face. So, instead of using a separate color corrector with your foundation, you can use a CC cream for both color correction and coverage. You can use a CC cream alone or underneath your foundation. It offers sun protection and also brightens your complexion.

How’s The Texture?

It is lightweight and is absorbed quickly.

DD Cream:

What Is It?

DD stands for Daily Defense or Dynamic Do-All. DD cream is lighter than both CC and BB creams. It is good for mature and dry skin.

What Does It Do?

DD cream is designed to prime, perfect, and protect your skin – all at once. It provides the protecting properties of a BB cream and the color correcting properties of a CC cream. It has SPF, and it prevents moisture loss and evens out your skin tone. DD cream has anti-aging ingredients and focuses on strengthening the defense of your skin.

How’s The Texture?

The texture of a DD cream is creamy and moisturizer-like, similar to that of a BB cream.