BB Creams
Short for blemish balm or beauty balm, BB creams are tinted moisturizers containing SPF. They smooth skin, moisturize and even out skin tone in addition to protecting against damage from the sun. The light-reflecting component in BB creams gives skin a dewy look, and they are the least amount of coverage of the "alphabet creams."
Editor's Picks
Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream, SPF 35, $39, Ulta, ulta.com
Dior Nude BB Cream, $44, Nordstrom, nordstrom.com
Stila All Day 10-in-1 HD Beauty Balm, SPF 30, $38, Ulta, ulta.com
CC Creams
Loaded with vitamins C and E, CC creams are short for complexion corrector. While the CC creams are lighter, they provide more coverage and can correct color-related issues such as dull skin, dark spots, acne or constant redness. CC creams often contain SPF as well.
Editor's Picks
Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream, $35, Dillard's, dillards.com
Almay Smart Shade CC Cream, $9, Target, target.com
Amore Pacific Color Control SPF 50+, $60, Sephora, sephora.com
DD Creams
These are the super creams. DD creams work to diminish wrinkles, balance skin tone and protect the skin. They combine the benefits of both BB and CC creams, but their primary focus is on anti-aging.
Editor's Picks
Julep Dynamic Do-All, $36, julep.com
Ofra DD Cream, $30, ofracosmetics.com
