Whether you’re wearing minimal makeup or going full glam for a special occasion, knowing your skin is looking its best can make all the difference. Starting your makeup routine with the right kind of coverage is the first step to achieving a flawless look. While foundation has been the traditional choice for some time, there are other newer options out there, such as CC creams, that may help you achieve the type of coverage you’re after. To help you find the right fit, we’re here to help break down the CC cream vs. foundation debate by answering questions such as:

• What is the difference between cc cream and foundation?

• How do I decide between CC cream and foundation?

• What CC cream or foundation is right for me?

What is the difference between CC cream and foundation?

Foundation vs. CC cream: What’s the real difference between these two makeup products? First things first, foundation is a type of makeup you apply to your entire face to camouflage imperfections and provide a smooth base for all the other products that follow, including concealer, blush and eye makeup. Foundations come in a wide array of formulations—including liquids, creams and powders—and feature coverage that ranges in opacity from sheer to medium to full coverage. Foundations also vary in finish from ultra-matte to dewy and luminous. This means you can closely match your skin tone for the most natural-looking result possible, foundations come in a wide variety of shades, including warm and cool undertones.

CC creams, on the other hand, are a more specific product. CC stands for “color-correcting,” so these creams contain soothing ingredients that decrease redness, such as vitamin E, niacinamide or chamomile extract. CC creams typically have moisturizing ingredients as well as pigments to help even out skin tone. Similar to tinted moisturizers, CC creams tend to have fewer color choices than foundation. They also tend to be lighter in texture than a foundation. However, they can still vary in the opacity of coverage they offer.

How do I decide between CC cream and foundation?

For daily use, you’ll want to choose either foundation or a CC cream. They’re not intended to be used on your face at the same time. However, you might like to have both CC cream and foundation in your makeup kit,so you can choose which works best for different occasions.

If you’re looking to reduce redness but prefer a lighter feel than traditional foundation, you might try a CC cream. If it’s longevity you’re after, choosing a foundation over a CC cream is the best bet. Because foundation formulas tend to be more long-wearing than CC creams, a traditional foundation still remains the best choice for a special event or other occasion where staying power is a priority.

5 of our favorite CC creams and foundations

Because of the wide variety of foundation formulas and CC cream choices, it could take some experimentation to find out what’s the best fit for your skin and your needs. Here are a few of our favorite foundations and CC creams to consider for your next makeup look.

For breathable full coverage:

Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation

This liquid foundation from Oxygenetix contains Ceravitae, an advanced complex to help deliver oxygen to skin cells, as well as hydrating aloe gel. “I recommend this for my patients who are looking for a full-coverage foundation that is safe to wear after an in-office laser treatment,” says board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Joel Schlessinger. “It works wonderfully to cover up the redness and allow them to heal. This is also my top foundation recommendation for people on camera or on stage under heavy lighting.”

For a dewy, luminous finish:

Laura Mercier Flawless Lumiere Foundation

This Laura Mercier long-lasting liquid foundation for normal to dry skin provides fifteen hours of hydration. Thanks to unique pearlescent pigments, it creates a blurring effect to help improve uneven skin texture and make dull skin appear instantly radiant by reflecting light. It’s available in a variety of shades that include warm, neutral and cool undertones, so you can find just the right match for your skin tone.

For a long-wearing matte look:

jane iredale Beyond Matte Liquid Foundation

Suitable for all skin types, this jane iredale foundation combines a lightweight feel with long-wearing performance. It provides medium to full coverage that dries to a semi-matte finish. Oil-absorbing ingredients help your skin stay shine-free throughout the day while peptides help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

For redness reduction and blurring imperfections:

Dermablend Continuous Correction Tone-Evening CC Cream Foundation

If blotchiness or areas of redness are a major concern for you, this Dermablend CC cream comes to the rescue with soothing ingredients such as niacinamide, vitamin E and baicalin. Though it’s a CC cream by name, it provides the all-day staying power of a foundation with up to 24 hours of color wear and coverage for dark spots, blotchiness and hyperpigmentation. It also provides SPF 50 sun protection thanks to a blend of chemical sunscreens: homosalate, octisalate and octocrylene.

For color correction and oil control:

Mirabella Defense CC Creme

This Mirabella formula offers full coverage along with oil control and daily hydration. Soothing ingredients, such as vitamin E, bamboo extract and lavender, help reduce irritation and redness while salicylic acid helps keep excess oil and developing blemishes in check. Hyaluronic acid provides a dose of hydration while avocado oil and squalane help lock in that moisture, so your skin looks soft and smooth throughout the day.

If you’re interested in more options for lightweight coverage, a tinted moisturizer or BB cream might be the right fit for you. You can learn more about the difference between tinted moisturizers vs. BB creams on the LovelySkin Blog.