BB creams, CC creams, Tinted Moisturizers and Foundations, what is the difference?

Since the BB creams reached the market, there has been some kind of craze about the product. Now there are so many different type of complexion products on the market, it has become a bit confusing to understand what they are meant for. Although some formulas are very similar with some shared benefits, each targets very specific needs. This post will help you understand the main differences and find the product that suits you the best.

BB Creams

BB creams is originally for Blemish Balm it also stands now for Beauty Balm. 
In the 1960s, a German dermatologist (Dr. Schrammek) created the first BB cream in order to safely camouflage and calm her patients' skin after their facial treatment (like chemical peeling) Two decades later, the concept was introduced in Japan & South Korea (or what I call Skincare Heaven). They quickly became popular because of Korean celebrities claiming this miracle cream was responsible for making their skin so flawless. They finally hit the Western market in the 2010s. BB are meant to be all-in-one : cover imperfection, anti-aging, prime and mattify the skin, prevent pimples and irregularities while providing a strong sun-protection.

Is it for me?
If you are too busy to think about moiturizer + sun-protection + coverage, this is a good product. The original Asian BB creams are more covering than the Western creams which is why they are often confused with tinted moisturizer. However BB creams have more benefits than the latter and will work particularly on acne-prone skin and oily skin.

CC Creams

BB...CC...are we doing the alphabet? No :)
CC creams means Color Correcting creams. Their goal is, as per their name, to correct and even the complexion in case of discoloration or redness. If BB can replace foundation, CC cannot because it is much thinner and lighter. You can wear it on its own or under your foundation.

Is it for me?
I would recommend a CC to someone who deals mostly with redness or an uneven skin tone. They are also great for mature skin because they will erase age spots and anti-aging while looking natural on the skin.  

The main difference between BB and CC is the purpose. Most of them provides different coverage (light to medium/full) and have wide range of benefits (moisturize, SPF, brighten, anti-aging...). 
BB creams is more dedicated with people with blemishes (acne and scars mostly) while CC creams will correct discoloration, dark spots and redness. 
If you have very few to no imperfection, I think you should consider the tinted moisturizer.

Tinted Moisturizer

So what is a tinted moisturizer in the end? Well the name stands for itself. Take a simple moisturizer, add some pigment and you have a tinted moisturizer that will hydrate your skin and slightly add some color. This is usually perfect for summer days.

Is it for me?
Yes, if you have dry to normal skin, you are not looking for a no makeup effect, you have almost no imperfections or no desire to hide them and if you want to add some brightness to your skin.

Little trick: you can create your own tinted moisturizer by mixing some foundation with you facial cream ;)

Foundation

Foundation is the basic product to even out your skin and create a flawless base.  Many people used to dislike them because they screamed high coverage but now they are many different formulas, from glowing to matte, sheer to high coverage so basically you can always find something that will suit your needs.

Is it for me?
Well it depends. Although I personally don't like foundation on a daily, I think that it is always good to have a foundation you can count on bad skin days or for special events (where you will be photographed).  Be careful thought while picking your shades because the foundation will end up showing on your face if it's too light, too dark, too yellow or too pink on you. I previously wrote about knowing your skin, so you can always check my post for more details.