The 10 Best Drugstore CC Creams of 2023

Best Overall

Olay Total Effects Tone CC Cream

4.2

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Riteaid.com

Olay’s offerings often pull in high accolades for rivaling the much more expensive products out there, and this CC cream is no exception. It packs a dose of always-essential SPF and plenty of hydration, all while delivering brightening ingredients such as vitamin C and niacinamide to even out your skin tone. With sheer coverage, it’s choice for those who like a more natural finish, though it does layer well under foundation if you want a little more color.

Price at time of publish: $26

Coverage: Light | Shade Range: 1 | Finish: Radiant | Size: 1.7 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Coverage

Physicians Formula Super CC Color-Correction + Care Cream SPF 30

4.6

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Ecosmetics.com

Okay, so yes, CC stands for color-correcting and to some extent, any CC cream is going to do just that. But this unique standout goes and above and beyond the call of duty. Invisible, color-correcting pigments are blended into the formula, mixed, and matched to do everything from neutralize dark circles to tamp down redness to brighten sallowness. Also nice: It’s hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested.

Price at time of publish: $16

Coverage: Light | Shade Range: 2 | Finish: Natural | Size: 1.2 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Natural

Pacifica Ultra CC Cream Radiant Foundation SPF 17

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Pacificabeauty.com

You won’t find, phthalates, mineral oil, or petroleum in this vegan (and cruelty-free) pick. What you will find is plenty of natural ingredients, think hydrating coconut water and mineral pigments that adjust to your skin tone. It’s a top choice for those who are fans of full-on foundations, too; it offers much more coverage than most other CC creams.

Price at time of publish: $18

Coverage: Light | Shade Range: 2 | Finish: Natural | Size: 1 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Neutrogena Skin-Clearing Complexion Perfector

View On Amazon

When zits strike, reach for this guy. Truly straddling the makeup-skincare line, it contains a blemish-busting formula with salicylic acid that helps treat breakouts, while simultaneously covering them and smoothing out uneven texture. It comes in a nice selection of five shades, all with a matte finish that’s also great for oily or acne-prone skin.

Price at time of publish: $9

Coverage: Sheer | Shade Range: 5 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Best for Sensitive Skin

Honest Beauty CCC Clean Corrective with Vitamin C Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30

5

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Target

This lightweight formula is a true multi-tasker that lives up to all its promises. For starters, the tinted formula offers blendable and buildable coverage that noticeably evens out complexion in seconds. And it does so with an impressively clean ingredient list that makes it ideal for sensitive skin types. “It offers a slew of broader benefits than go beyond a typical CC,” says makeup artist Ashleigh Ciucci. ”Its mineral sunscreen protects against blue light; it's paraben-phthalate-talc-free; and it ticks practical boxes like smoothing skin texture, color-correcting, and minimizing imperfections.” The texture is refreshingly light, without feeling watery, and works into skin leaving a glowy, natural-looking finish. It only comes in nine shades, so we take off a point for that.

Price at time of publish: $24

Coverage: Light to medium | Shade Range: 9 | Finish: Glowy | Size: 1.7 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Dry Skin

IT Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation + Glow Serum

View on Ulta View On Sephora View On Itcosmetics.com

The silky, serum-like formula absorbs well into the skin and offers impressive hydrating benefits that make for an exceptionally comfortable wear. “It gives enough coverage to be a great color corrector but also packs substantial SPF protection,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Papri Sarkar. Though it’s a bit expensive for a drugstore product, it does pack powerful skincare ingredients that you would find in higher end brands. “The glycerin, dimethicone, niacinamide, snail secretion, and camelia leaf extract help to moisturize, have antioxidant properties, and slowly even pigmentation,” says Dr. Sarkar. “It gives your skin a glow, so it's especially great for my dry skin but also doesn't tend to break out acne prone skin.”

Price at time of publish: $44

Coverage: Medium | Shade Range: 22 | Finish: Radiant | Size: 1.08 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Shade Range

e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo CC Cream

4.5

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Elfcosmetics.com

This beloved skin-perfecting product offers full coverage, while still maintaining a natural finish that looks like your-skin-but-better. The creamy formula is boosted with hydrating and plumping skincare ingredients like peptides, niacinamide, collagen, and hyaluronic acid, which help to combat dark spots and dehydration, instead of just covering them up. The extensive 30-shade range ensures a close-match for just about every skin tone, and the brand website hosts a convenient virtual try-on tool that allows you to digitally browse and test out the shades in real-time to find your best match. The formula is creamier than others on this list, but not cakey or suffocating. It provides a smooth, even base, and more substantial coverage that leaves skin looking clear and radiant.  

Price at time of publish: $14 

Coverage: Medium to Full | Shade Range: 30 | Finish: Cream | Size: 1.1 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Oily Skin

Neutrogena Clear Coverage Flawless Matte CC Cream

4.5

View On Amazon View On Target View On Walmart

A little dab is all you need to see the impressive full coverage benefits of this color-correcting cream. It blends beautifully over skin, delivering even, comfortable coverage that smooths skin texture and neutralizes any redness or unevenness. It also layers beautifully if you want to build up a second layer for more substantial foundation-like coverage that doesn’t feel heavy. “Not only is Neutrogena's Clear Coverage CC affordable at around $15, it offers full coverage and vitamin B3 which evens skin tone over time,” says Ciucci. “Unlike other mattifying formulas that tend to leave skin looking tight and dry, this tube delivers a breathable matte finish—great for combatting midday greasy T-zones—while still looking natural, all day long. “It's great for oily skin because it doesn't oxidize and stays matte but never looks cakey,” says Ciucci. It’s not Byrdie Clean, so you may want to go with a different formula if avoiding certain ingredients are important to you.

Price at time of publish: $14 

Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 34 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Multitasker

Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream SPF 42 PA+++

4.5

View On Amazon View On Target View On Walmart

While technically this tube is dubbed a BB cream, its impressive color-correcting benefits make it worthy of a spot in this overachieving CC cream lineup. “It’s moisturizing, has serious staying power, and boasts an SPF 42,” says Sarkar. “With ingredients like glycerin, dimethicone, mineral oil, ceramides, and nut oils, it helps to retain moisture in the skin, too. Additionally, arbutin and iron oxide slowly even pigmentation and protect against blue light.” .Though  those prone to acne may want to use this formula with caution due to the mineral oil, the full coverage cream disguises most blemishes and pigmentary problems. Plus, it  leaves skin smooth and even, without feeling coated in a layer of foundation. We do wish it came in more shades.

Price at time of publish: $24 

Coverage: Medium | Shade Range: 7 | Finish: Radiant | Size: 1.7 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No