From BB to CC

Beauty editor Tracey Strange reveals the latest multitasking product to hit the beauty counter.

For those of you coming to grips with the benefits of BB creams, meet CC creams. So similar, you could take them for sisters. CC creams are just starting to become available here, (at least two launch this month) but expect many more. Essentially, the main difference between BBs and CCs is that CC creams contain more colour pigments. (CC stands for ‘‘colour’’ and ‘‘correct’’.) What they share is the ability to do everything from reducing pore size, to evening out skin tone, to healing breakouts, controlling oil, protecting your skin from the sun and lightening dark spots.

It’s quite an impressive lineup of benefits. But are BBs and CCs really the wonderworkers they are claimed to be? And how do they differ from ordinary tinted moisturiser and foundation?

BB mine

BB creams are cosmetic hybrids; a mix of primer, blemish healer, sunscreen, luminiser and treatment moisturiser. They were originally developed in Germany, but it was their huge popularity throughout Asia that mainly caused Western markets to perk up. They are now represented in most mainstream beauty brands including Clinique, Estee Lauder, Lancome, L’Oreal Paris, Garnier, M.A.C and Bobbi Brown. The term stands for ‘‘blemish balm’’, but that’s actually a bit of a misnomer since a BB cream is more makeup primer than pimple fixer. They are lightweight, soothing and unlikely to block pores or exacerbate existing skin problems, all of which makes them great to use as light foundation. Most also contain anti-ageing antioxidants.

C the difference

CC creams also include agedefying ingredients, including sunscreen, but they are less sheer in texture and colour. Think of them as close cousins to fullcoverage foundation. And while some are able to perfect skin tone, their non-oily formulas can make them a little matte; so they are best worn with a cream blusher or luminiser. To counter this, some, such as Smashbox’s Camera Ready CC Cream, $64, come with built-in luminisers. Many CC creams also include higher concentrations of ingredients, such as vitamin C, designed to fade pigmentation, or age spots.

Pick me

There are good reasons for the popularity of BB and CC creams. The biggest advantage of both is convenience – they are quick, easy and appear to offer benefits beyond those of standard tinted moisturiser and foundation.

But many foundations now not only provide sun protection, they also include anti-ageing ingredients such as antioxidants and illuminating particles that help deflect light away from wrinkles. And, although they can

WHAT’S AVAILABLE

be extremely useful and generally do contain higher levels of SPF than foundation or tinted moisturiser, BB and CC creams shouldn’t really be seen as serious substitutes for standard sunblock, particularly if you going to be out in the sun a lot.

As well, if you are after a truly flawless look, only the best are effective substitutes for foundation; which comes in a variety of shades and formulations, is generally longerlasting and offers a solution for all skin types. Bobbi Brown BB Cream, $75 L’Oreal Paris Youth Code Luminosity BB Cream, $17.49 Smashbox’s Camera Ready CC Cream, $64 Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream Hydrating Colour Corrector, $50 Max Factor CC Colour Correcting Cream, $29.99 Elizabeth Arden Visual Difference Multi-Targeted BB Cream, $50 M.A.C Prep + Prime BB Beauty Balm, $64 Estee Lauder Daywear BB Cream, $83