The light-as-air CC creams that even out your skin tone better than foundation

At the end of summer each year, what most complexions are left with is discoloration (and plenty of it). While foundation does a great job of covering all that up, CC creams, also known as color-correcting creams, can help to counteract that discoloration. Different from tinted moisturizers, these do-it-all multitaskers provide light-to-medium coverage on skin, while also incorporating color-correcting technology to help even skin tone.

What’s more, many of them have SPF in their formulas, so while they’re evening, brightening, and helping your complexion get on an even playing field, they’re also helping to stave off further pigmentation and redness. In the sea of foundation-adjacent products out there, though, how do you make sure that you’ve got a formula that will work for your complexion? First, you want to pay attention to the texture. Many CCs have moisturizer-like texture that will melt into skin. Next up, while shades might be a bit more limited, many of these CC creams really do adjust on skin to work for many skin tones. Third, we have faves! Want to know them? Keep on scrolling.

CLE Cosmetics CCC Cream, $31

Never have I ever tried a CC cream that out-matched this personal must-have. The seemingly-magical shade-matching formula dispenses in a white-ish gray color before expertly matching skin for what looks like a dewier, more even second skin. It’s truly one of a kind.

IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Illumination with SPF 50+, $39

IT Cosmetics was one of if not the first brand to debut a stand-out CC cream. Now, the best-selling formula is available in a much-loved illumination edition that’s geared towards pumping up the glow, without making skin look greasy or weighted down.

Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream Hydrating Colour Corrector Broad Spectrum SPF 30, $40

This lightweight CC cream is a miracle worker for redness, dullness, sallowness, and the like. Simply blend a few dollops of the oil-free formula into skin to welcome a healthy-looking glow you’ll want to wear each and every day.

Lancôme UV Expert Mineral CC Cream SPF 50, $39

This multi-tasking formula not only color-corrects skin, it hydrates, primes, and protects it, too. It’s made with vitamin E, as well as moringa and edelweiss extracts, all of which are potent antioxidants that improve the texture, tone, and appearance of skin.

Olay CC Cream – Total Effects Tone Correcting Moisturizer with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15, $25

Looking for a CC cream that not only color corrects but visibly smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles? Well, friends, you’re in luck. This creamy CC cream is designed to deliver the hydration of a moisturizer, SPF protection, and the coverage of a lightweight foundation.

Erborian CC Cream Radiance Color Corrector Broad Spectrum SPF25, $44

If you prefer stocking your beauty routine with multi-tasking products, it’s time to give this low-maintenance CC cream a shot. Made with color-transforming white pigments, it’s designed to perfectly match your skin tone and reduce the appearance of pores and imperfections in the process. And since it’s packed with SPF 25, so it even helps to shield your skin from photo-aging. Um, yes please.

Love finding ways to update your routine? Next, discover the “swiss army knife” beauty products that work wonders for dry skin.