CC creams help smooth lines and soften the look of age spots, hyperpigmentation, uneven tones and redness.
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The 7 Best CC Creams for Mature Skin, According to Beauty Experts
Updated on Sep. 24, 2024
CC creams (color corrector creams) are typically worn under a foundation as a concealer. They soften the look of imperfections, such as age spots, hyperpigmentation, uneven tone and redness. The best CC creams offer light coverage, anti-aging antioxidants and sunscreen all in one.
“Give yourself a little more color. For years, women thought lighter is better at hiding blemishes and dark under eyes,” says Erika Taylor, a makeup artist and cosmetic trainer. But that isn’t true. As you age, the rules change. When buying a CC cream, use a shade darker than you typically use to hide dark circles. We evaluated seven CC creams for mature skin that might get you to ditch the foundation.
Best overall
It Cosmetics CC+ Illumination
“One of my favorite CC creams for mature skin is It Cosmetics CC+ Illumination,” says Taylor. Developed with the help of plastic surgeons and dermatologists, this cream lets each individual look their best. It not only conceals age spots and redness, but it helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and provides protection from the sun. It is hydrating, has anti-aging properties, is clinically tested and has SPF 50.
Pros
- Formulated with anti-aging antioxidants
- Provides full coverage
- Reduces the look of wrinkles
- 12 shades to choose from
- SPF 50
Cons
- Coverage might be too heavy for some people
- More expensive than many other CC creams
Best value
Elf Camo CC Cream
This affordable CC cream has medium to full coverage. It is infused with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides and collagen to help skin look flawless, radiant and hydrated. There is a large selection of shades to choose from with SPF 30. This cream doesn’t settle in fine lines, hides dark spots and—like all Elf products—is cruelty-free and vegan.
Pros
- Affordable
- Hydrating
- Infused with anti-aging antioxidants
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Has a matte finish
Cons
- SPF is lower than many CC creams
Best for dry skin
Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream
Clinique is known for quality skin care products and their Moisture Surge CC Cream is no exception. With SPF 30, this Amazon beauty product helps draw moisture into the skin and retain it to keep it hydrated. The formula is oil-free, suitable for sensitive skin and provides good coverage for dark spots and redness.
Chongcha Tammy Zara, a five-star reviewer on Amazon, boasts how no one believes her age thanks to this cream. “I have used Clinique Moisture Surge CC for over 30 years now. Most people comment that my skin looks so good. I am 81 years old, and no one believes it!”
Pros
- Hydrating
- Oil-free
- Good for sensitive skin
- Does not clog pores
Cons
- Thick consistency
On Sale
Best for oily skin
Neutrogena Clear Coverage CC Cream
Neutrogena Clear Coverage CC was developed with the help of dermatologists for oily and acne-prone skin. It contains niacinamide which minimizes large pores and evens skin tone. It provides excellent coverage, has a variety of shades and is affordably priced.
Pros
- Matte finish
- Blurs discolorations and redness
- Developed with dermatologists
- Hypoallergenic
- Fragrance-, oil-, and paraben-free
Cons
- Does not have SPF
Best for sensitive skin
Supergoop! CC Screen
Coming in with SPF 50 is the Supergoop! CC Screen that provides sun protection and is formulated without potential skin sensitizers. It is a CC cream that gives light to medium coverage and minimizes redness. Use it as a tinted moisturizer, concealer or buildable coverage foundation.
“I’m 58 years old, and my skin has never looked this good,” boasts five-star reviewer Faith Ezzo “I keep my normal cleansing and moisturizing routine and finish with Supergoop and bronzer.”
Pros
- Feels weightless on skin
- Spreads easily
- High level of sun protection
- 13 shades available
- Over 1,100 five-star Amazon ratings
Cons
- Has a limited number of dark shades
- Pricey
On Sale
Best full-coverage
Dermablend Continuous Correction CC Cream
Dermablend Continuous Correction CC Cream has been dermatologist tested for safety, allergies and sensitive skin. It is fragrance-free, phthalate-free and vegan. The formula is lightweight but still provides full coverage and has SPF 50 for exceptional protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays. It is also clinically tested to improve skin’s radiance after four weeks.
“I’ve been using this product for a long time and will continue to do so,” says five-star reviewer Kelsey. “It is extremely high coverage, a little goes a long way and it doesn’t look or feel heavy or cakey. It holds up all day over my extremely oily skin as well.”
Pros
- Dermatologist-tested
- 16 shades
- Provides excellent coverage for spots and redness
- Lasts up to 24 hours
- Over 1,200 five-star Amazon ratings
Cons
- Pricey
Best for staying power
Physicians Formula Super CC Cream
This affordable Super CC Cream from Physicians Formula provides light to medium coverage for dark spots, uneven skin tone, redness, pores and wrinkles. With SPF 30, it’s suitable for sensitive skin, is hypoallergenic, doesn’t contain any harsh ingredients and is cruelty-free.
Pros
- Lasts up to 24 hours
- Feels lightweight on skin
- Has an SPF of 30
- Contains micro-color correcting pigments
- Over 1,200 ratings, averaging 4.2 stars on Amazon
Cons
- Small shade selection
What to look for when buying a CC cream for mature skin
CC creams fix or correct skin imperfections, such as redness, uneven tone and age spots, without covering them up like a foundation. They blur the lines so that the skin shines through. When shopping for a CC cream, Taylor suggests looking for buzz words on the label, such as hydrating, hyaluronic acid, anti-aging, SPF and luminous. CC creams go by undertones, not skin color.
With such a wide range of options, shoppers can choose the right CC cream for their exact needs by considering the following aspects.
Anti-aging ingredients
Many CC creams include a range of ingredients to promote anti-aging. It is worth checking that the CC cream you’re using has the ingredient you’d like to target for its specific benefit.
- Peptides are especially effective at maintaining the firmness and elasticity of the skin and fighting against fine lines and wrinkles.
- Hyaluronic acid helps plump up the skin to reduce wrinkles while keeping the skin moisturized—great for dry skin.
- Retinol accelerates cell turnover, which can smooth out fine lines and bumpy texture from the skin. You’ll often find a small concentration of retinol or vitamin A in CC creams.
- Antioxidants like vitamins C and E can brighten the skin. They’re also great at reducing the appearance of age spots or other pigmentation issues while stimulating collagen production to help with firmness and elasticity.
SPF protection
UV damage from the sun is a major contributor to skin aging. Because of this, many CC creams include broad-spectrum SPF to help protect skin from UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays. This protection does a fantastic job of protecting your skin from sunspots and wrinkles while preventing elasticity loss.
Some CC creams can include either a physical or a chemical sunscreen element. There is a slight difference between these two options:
- Physical sunscreens sit on the skin’s surface and work like a shield to stop UV rays from touching it. They tend to start working immediately and are suited for sensitive skin because they are less likely to cause irritation. They have a thicker texture and can leave a visible residue when applied.
- Chemical sunscreen is a lighter formula that dries clear and absorbs into the skin after around 20 minutes. The one issue with these types of sunscreen is that some can cause irritation, especially if you tend to have sensitive skin.
Moisturizing properties
In addition to hyaluronic acid, you may spot key ingredients in your favorite CC cream that can help retain moisture. These include:
- Gentle-working glycerin helps attract moisture.
- Ceramides strengthen and maintain the skin’s natural barrier and prevent moisture loss.
- Oils and extracts such as argan oil or shea butter nourish the skin and provide deep hydration thanks to their fatty acids.
- Some CC creams use aloe vera to soothe and hydrate. It can also help reduce irritation and redness.
The moisturizing properties of CC cream address the dryness associated with mature skin. They can also provide essential nourishment to boost skin health and improve skin texture, resulting in a youthful glow.
Coverage and finish
CC creams provide light to medium coverage that evens skin tone while allowing your natural complexion to shine through. The coverage is often buildable, meaning you can layer the product for more coverage without it feeling too heavy or cakey.
Some brands also include a “soft-focus” or “blur-effect” technology, which helps mask fine lines and pores to create a smooth, natural-looking finish.
Shade range
Cosmetics have come a long way in the past decade to cater to diverse skin tones, providing a wider selection of shade ranges. Thanks, Fenty! A well-matched CC cream should complement your skin tone and provide even coverage without looking too light or dark.
Formulation for sensitive skin
If you have sensitive skin, look for gentle, non-irritating ingredients to soothe and protect your skin.
- Avoid fragrances, alcohol and harsh preservatives (like parabens).
- Seek aloe vera, chamomile and colloidal oatmeal.
Additionally, any CC cream that claims to be dermatologist-tested should be suitable for sensitive skin.
Long-wearing formula
A long-lasting CC cream can be especially great for mature skin because it will stay in place without losing its texture, helping to maintain a smooth and even complexion. These products tend to include formulas with water- or sweat-resistant properties, making them excellent for all-day wear.
Ease of application
CC creams are famously easy to apply, making them a go-to choice for a quick makeup routine. Many options have a lightweight formula that provides an even finish and offers great blendability. CC creams are also pretty flexible in terms of how you apply them. So, whether using a finger, brush or sponge, you’ll typically see a smooth application that requires minimal effort and absorbs quickly.
Why you should trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this piece, Eileen Bailey tapped her nearly three decades of industry experience as a health and wellness writer to provide an in-depth review of suitable CC cream options. She also spoke with expert makeup artist Erika Taylor, who provided valuable insights.
For this article, we consulted Erika Taylor, a makeup artist and cosmetic trainer with over 25 years of experience in the industry. She shares beauty tips, recommendations and tutorials on her TikTok and Instagram.
Paul Rankin, Content Updates Editor at Reader’s Digest, updated and contributed research to this piece. Paul has experience working with top international cosmetics brands as a writer and translator since 2013.
How we found the best CC creams for mature skin
When curating our list of the best CC creams, our research focused on the key elements that make a product especially great for mature skin. With that in mind, we ensured that our top picks included anti-aging ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, retinol and antioxidants. We also considered the issue of dryness often associated with mature skin to ensure our recommendations include plenty of options to help keep skin moisturized and protected, especially from UV rays. Of course, cost is always a factor for shoppers, so we also looked a wide range of options from both ends of the price spectrum to suit various budgets.
FAQ
What CC cream is best for mature skin?
The best CC creams for mature skin contain hydrating ingredients and anti-aging additives. Look for niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides and collagen.
How to apply CC cream on mature skin?
There is no special way to apply CC cream for mature skin. You’re good to go with a few drops around the face and gently rub it in with a makeup brush—or just your fingers if you prefer. Add a little more to any problem areas if you need to.
Do I wear moisturizer under CC cream?
If you plan on using a separate moisturizer, then yes, apply it before the CC cream. Bear in mind that many CC creams have built-in moisturizing ingredients, so you may be able to skip the other moisturizer altogether if your skin feels good without it.
Should CC cream be lighter or darker than my skin?
CC cream should be one shade darker than your skin. “While past advice told us that we should go lighter to cover up imperfections, the opposite is true,” Taylor says. “We should be adding color, not taking it away.”
Do you put concealer on before or after CC cream?
A multipurpose CC cream works as a primer, concealer, foundation, highlighter, moisturizer and potentially a sunscreen.
What’s next after applying CC cream?
You don’t need to apply anything to the face serum after a CC cream. However, some people put on foundation, using the CC cream as an all-over concealer. Some people also like putting on a finishing coat, such as a tinted foundation or blush, to add color.
