The best BB cream, CC cream and foundation for mature skin

Don't know the difference between BB cream and CC cream? Not sure what coverage is right for you? When it comes to makeup, there's a fine line between a great base and a cake face. There seems to be a product for everything at the moment, which is great - if you know what to do with them. With a wealth of options on the market, we decided it was time to hone in on how to properly choose a makeup base that suits you. So, here's our guide to the best BB cream, CC cream and foundation over 50 and the difference between all three.

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BB cream, CC cream and foundation: which should you use? 

What is BB cream? What does it stand for? And how does it differ from CC cream or foundation? When it comes to base makeup for older women, there are so many questions to be answered. After all, we're all searching for 'the one' - that product that can transform our confidence and make our skin look glowing. With a plethora of products available, it can be difficult to know what the right base for your skin type is. If you're wanting to ace your base, a good place to start is by considering these four key areas: 
 

1. Decide what you want from a base product

Is your main concern balancing out skintone? Are you wanting full coverage that easily hides all blemishes and/or helps to conceal a few of those wrinkles? Or are you after a product with a broad spectrum SPF to protect your skin? The key to choosing the right base is thinking about what you want most from a product, so list the properties you are looking for and prioritise them in order of how important they are to you. It's all about feeling confident, and once you know what you want most from a foundation or cream, you can start searching for the best product for you. 

2. Know your skin type 

Whether you have normal skin, oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin or even combination skin, different skin types require different formulations when it comes to makeup. There are so many products geared towards specific skin types, so it's important to ensure you get the base that gives you what you need. If you're unsure of your skin type, speak to a consultant at a makeup counter and they will recommend products that have been designed to meet your skin needs. If you have particularly sensitive skin, however, it may be worth consulting your GP to see which products and ingredients you should be avoiding.

3. What shade am I? 

One of the drawbacks of BB cream and CC cream compared to foundation is the lack of shades that some brands offer. With some ranges offering only a few shades, it's unsurprisingly impossible for some women to find a skin tone colour match. Fortunately, some of the latest offerings do have a wider range of shades, although creams typically don't have as much choice as foundation ranges, and tend to not have shades that acknowledge different undertones. It is worth visiting a makeup counter for a colour match if you are unsure about which shade to go for.

4. Is it long-lasting?

The million-dollar question, of course - because what is the point in investing in a product that you have to reapply several times a day? It's worth reading reviews online or even asking Gransnet users on our beauty forum for an honest review that goes beyond the brand's marketing. Alternatively, if you want to try it out for yourself, request a sample in store or have the product tested on you at a makeup counter in the morning and see how it lasts all day before you decide whether or not you want to buy it. 

What is the difference between BB cream, CC cream and foundation?

BB and CC creams are one part makeup and one part moisturiser. They act a lot like foundation in that they offer coverage, but, unlike foundation, they don't feel heavy. When it comes to BB cream versus CC cream, CC cream typically offers more coverage.

Both BB cream and CC cream are easy to apply. All you need to do is blend the product onto your skin using your fingertips or a makeup sponge. They can be worn as a moisturiser or underneath your favourite foundation.

Now you've thought about the basics it's time to choose the right product for you...

What is BB cream?

BB cream is the best option for those lucky ladies who don't need much in the way of coverage. Standing for Blemish Balm, or sometimes Beauty Balm, BB creams contain several products in one, including moisturiser, foundation and often SPF, cutting down the number of products you need to use beforehand, so don't be fooled into thinking that it's only for covering spots.

Its light texture gives a natural look, and it often contains antioxidants that protect and nourish skin, while working to enhance its appearance and even out (as well as brighten) your complexion - it works a little like a tinted moisturiser. It should also help to conceal areas of redness, which can be a godsend for older women. If you're in the market for a sheer, skin-enhancing product, BB cream a great option. Go for BB cream that contains SPF (at least 15), glycerin (to help hydrate the skin) and Niacinimide (to lift away dead skin cells).

It's best to avoid BB cream if you have noticeable blemishes that you'd like to cover up, or if you prefer a matte finish, due to its lighter coverage. One of the largest disadvantages of BB cream is the limited shade choice offered, although some brands do fortunately offer more shades than others, but they tend to be pricey.

Best BB cream

1. Best BB cream for mature skin - Garnier's BB Cream is specifically geared towards older skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles, whilst simultaneously working hard to moisturise skin and offer a light coverage.
2. Best BB cream for normal or oily skin - A little more on the expensive end of the scale is the Bobbi Brown BB Cream. With SPF 35, its multitasking formula protects and perfects skin, and is available in a range of different shades.
3. Best BB cream for dry skin - Rimmel has a very affordable but good quality 9-in-1 BB Cream that claims to smoothe and hydrate skin, while giving a natural coverage.
4. Finally, the Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream improves skin's moisture within four weeks and can be used as a primer under foundation for more coverage.

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What is CC cream?

CC cream stands for Colour Corrector or Complexion Corrector and does as it says on the tin - it is designed to correct your complexion and to even out skintone. Similar to BB cream, it is lighter than foundation, but, as aforementioned, most CC cream offers more coverage.

If you have sallow skin, age spots or hyperpigmentation marks, a CC cream will cover them without looking too heavy. They often have a soft texture and will even out redness and blotchiness. If your main skin concern is to do with colour correction, then CC creams are your best option. 

Opt for a CC cream that contains antioxident properties plus vitamins C and E to make your skin look glowing and moisturised, and Niacinimide to exfoliate your skin and hide wrinkles.

Best CC cream

1. Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream brightens skin whilst hiding imperfections, thanks to the three pigments it contains that tackle different skin complaints. 
2. Best CC cream for oily skin - Sleek CC Cream offers a medium coverage with the added bonus of vitamin C to protect skin and reduce fine lines. 
3. Best CC cream for dry skin - With SPF 30, Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream delivers a welcome boost of hydration, while rebalancing tone.
4. Best CC cream for mature skin - If you're keen on added anti-ageing benefits, give Olay Regenerist CC Cream a go. The bottle blends serum, moisturiser and sheer foundation together to create a healthy, even complexion. 

When to go for foundation

The most familiar of the bases, foundation is often the best option, particularly if you want a fuller coverage. As foundation is so popular, there are so many products available tailored to different requirements. Where BB creams and CC creams tend to have a 'one-fits-all' approach, foundation comes in a wider range of shades that take into account undertones and is designed for different skin types. Whether you want a dewy, glowy look or a velvety matte finish, there are options to suit your needs. 

It's just a case of finding the right one for your skin type and knowing how to apply it well. Whether you're going to a fancy do, are likely to be snapped in lots of photographs, or are just having a rough patch when it comes to your skin, a full coverage foundation is the secret to even and all-over cover. Here are some of our favourites.

Best foundation

Best foundation for oily skin 

1. Revlon Colourstay Foundation is specifically designed for oily, combination skin. It's a great option for keeping your skin matte all day, and is available in a wide range of shades. 
2. Laura Mercier Silk Creme Oil-Free Foundation is also very good, especially for events you're likely to be photographed at, as it doesn't contain the light-reflecting particles that often cause a washed-out look in flash photography.
3. Matte doesn't have to mean cakey - Clinique Stay Matte Foundation is another oil-banishing base, with the added bonus of feeling light and soft. 
    

Best foundation for dry skin

1. L'Oreal True Match has a creamy, but not clingy, texture which is easy to blend. It also comes in a wide range of colours, taking into account the undertone of skin. 
2. Packed with hydration and with SPF 30, Diorskin Forever Fluid Foundation will keep dry skin feeling and looking healthy.
3. With a hydrating formula, and vitamins to fight signs of fatigue, Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation achieves a radiant complexion. 
    

Best foundation for normal skin

1. Treat yourself to Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation. It may be pricey, but it stays in place like nobody's business.
2. With SPF 15 and up to 24 hours of staying time, No7 Stay Perfect Foundation is a great choice if you want a product that stays put all day. 

Best skincare buys for over 50s

We hate to say it, but whichever product you use, it can only do so much if you haven't paid proper attention to your skin beforehand. Remember to cleanse, exfoliate and moisturise and you'll find that makeup sits better on your skin. Here are our selection of best buys to enhance your base and help you to achieve glowing skin over 50. 

Cleanse - Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser is a double-duty product that removes makeup and gently exfoliates at the same time - plus it smells lovely. 

Moisturise - Clinique Pep-Start Hydroblur Moisturiser acts as a primer for makeup, blurs imperfections and will give you a matte finish.

Prime - If you're not using a moisturiser like the above, a separate primer will smooth skin and create a surface for makeup to glide and cling onto. Treat yourself to Smashbox's Photo Finish Foundation Primer.

Use a night cream - Overnight is a key time for rejuvenating skin, so give it a little help with Garnier Anti-Ageing Night Cream. It works hard to minimise the signs of ageing, so skin feels more supple and soft. 

How to apply foundation

1. Blend right into your hairline, around your ears and down your neck to avoid a tell-tale makeup tidal wave.
2. For full coverage, try a foundation brush or buffing brush for a more natural finish. Buff the product into the skin in circular motions for an airbrushed effect.
3. For BB and CC cream, a beauty blender is a great tool to ensure even application. Beauty blenders also work well with foundation. Choose the right shade for you. Don't match your foundation to the colour of your hand! Ideally, test the colour on your jawline - you're looking for the closest match to your normal skin colour.

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