CC creams were designed for those of us looking for an all-in-one product that treats, protects, and provides coverage.
To make it easier to find the one for you, we’ve compiled a selection of our top picks for the best vegan CC cream brands!
In a Hurry? Here’s Our Quick List of Top Picks
- CPN California Pure Naturals Radiance CC Cream
- Pacifica Beauty Ultra CC Cream Radiant Foundation
- Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream
- Andalou Naturals Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses CC Color + Correct
- Juice Beauty Stem Cellular CC Cream
What is CC Cream?
CC, or “color correction,” does just that! CC creams have been widely used in Asia and Europe, but have recently made their debut in the U.S. over the last decade.
CC creams came after the BB “beauty balm” craze. BB creams are a multi-tasking cream much like CC creams; however, CC creams are a treatment-oriented make-up specifically designed for color correction.
People with conditions like hyperpigmentation, redness, and sunspots would benefit greatly using CC creams as they not only camouflage these conditions, but they also correct them.
CC creams have coverage similar to light or sheer foundation, and you can build for more coverage. Most people use CC creams as a tinted moisturizer and as a sunscreen for their face.
CC creams differ from foundation in a few ways. Foundation is much thicker and you can choose from many shades and coverage levels.
CC creams have become more popular as of late due to the “no make-up” look popularity. However, some may choose to add a little foundation after applying CC cream for a little more coverage.
To apply CC cream, using fingers or a make-up sponge, place a small amount dotted on your cheeks, chin, and forehead. Then blend in a patting motion.
How to Choose the Best CC Cream for You
In your search for the best CC cream, you may notice they usually come in only a few shades such as fair/light, light/medium, and medium/deep.
Given CC creams are lighter than foundation, you want to look for the right shade that matches your skin tone and blends well.
Also, you may find some CC creams offer more coverage than others so it’s important to determine what your coverage needs are.
CC creams can give you more anti-aging ingredients while another may provide more hydration. So knowing your skin type such as dry, sensitive, oily, or aging will help you find the best one for you!
Things to Look for That Differentiate These Products
All of the CC creams on our top picks list are cruelty-free and vegan. This means they were not tested on animals or use any animal byproducts.
What makes these even more special is the non-chemical sunscreen! You’ll find each product contains sunscreen using the minerals titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
There are a few differences in the products setting them apart from each other and offering different benefits to suit your needs.
For example, one may contain omegas 3 and 6, kelp, or ginseng while another contains red seaweed, grape seed extract, or Irish moss.
Each of these special ingredients has unique powers. Examples are natural color correction, anti-aging, hydrating, or protecting. Some do all of the above!
CC creams are best at color correcting, and as such you’ll find they offer qualities like light-diffusing mica or color correction minerals to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and cover any discoloration for a more even skin tone.
These products also differ in the level of SPF in their sunscreen. So if you’re looking to also use the CC cream for its sun protection take note, one may be SPF 35 while another is only SPF 17.
5 Top Picks for Vegan CC Creams
Our top picks have power-packed ingredients to naturally treat and protect your skin from everything nature throws at it!
CPN California Pure Naturals Radiance CC Cream
California Pure Naturals’ Radiance CC Cream protects and nourishes the skin while offering lightweight coverage.
This formula blurs imperfections with natural pigments and oils, blending with multiple skin tones.
The blackberry antioxidant complex and other fruit extracts packed with Vitamin C help brighten and energize the skin, while zinc oxide provides sun protection.
This product also hydrates the skin thanks to argan and jojoba oils, along with a generous dose of aloe vera.
California Pure Naturals never uses artificial preservatives, sulfates, phthalates, parabens, or silicones. The ingredients in their CC cream are vegan, cruelty-free, and mostly organic.
This product can easily be applied with clean hands and does not require makeup tools.
It’s best to warm the cream between fingertips first, then smooth over the face and gently rub into skin until fully absorbed.
California Pure Naturals offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all its products.
What We Like
- Protects, moisturizes, and revitalizes skin
- All natural and mostly organic ingredients
- Light, natural coverage
What We Don’t Like
- Only comes in one shade so may not work for all skin tones
- Product can separate
- Fruit smell can be overwhelming for some
Pacifica Beauty Ultra CC Cream Radiant Foundation
Pacifica Beauty’s CC cream has specially adapted color correcting minerals which illuminate and protect your skin. That’s right – it adapts to your skin tone by reflecting light!
It also acts as a tinted moisturizer and zinc oxide sunscreen.
This moisture rich foundation includes many beneficial ingredients to hydrate and treat your skin. These include coconut, kelp, and ginseng.
Kelp is from the brown algae family, and is considered a type of seaweed. Why put seaweed on your face?
Interestingly, sea kelp has many benefits to the skin. This includes reducing the appearance of wrinkles, protecting the skin from aging due to the powerful anti-oxidants, and helping the skin retain moisture due to its high iodine content.
Ginseng is a phytonutrient and anti-oxidant. This makes it a powerful anti-aging ingredient, and will also help tone and brighten.
Finally, coconut water is amazing for the skin because it’s naturally anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory.
The 100% vegan, non-toxic, and cruelty-free color comes in Warm/Light and Natural/Medium. Great if you’re looking for a little coverage to achieve the no make-up look.
All you have to do is apply in circular motion to clean skin.
What We Like
- Color correcting minerals
- Natural sunscreen
- Lightweight
- Non-comedogenic
What We Don’t Like
- Shade may be too dark for some
- Product separation may occur inside bottle
- Coverage may be too light
- Some may find this too shiny
Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream
Supergoop!’s Daily Correct CC Cream, a 100% mineral formula, provides lightweight coverage and correction plus a broad spectrum natural sunscreen.
Ingredients include apple extract to control hyperpigmentation resulting in a clear and even skin tone.
Omegas 3 and 6 benefit the skin in many ways such as reducing inflammation which helps neutralize discoloration.
Red seaweed, Irish moss and sodium hyaluronate are 3 other key ingredients.
Red seaweed naturally contains vitamins C and E, it helps protect from damage by the sun’s UV rays, boosts collagen production, and moisturizes.
Irish moss is very soothing and hydrating to dry skin and sodium hyaluronate is also a great moisturizer and soaks in well.
Supergoop! CC cream really is super! It protects and treats your skin plus it’s also a foundation.
Light-diffusing mica softens the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pores so your overall complexion is improved.
Using your fingertips or make-up applicator, apply a dime-size amount to your face, chin and nose.
What We Like
- Good for sensitive skin
- Natural color-correcting ingredients
- Excellent sun protection
- Buildable; good coverage for skin conditions like rosacea
What We Don’t Like
- Shades may be too dark for fair skin
- Some may need to use a moisturizer before applying
Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses CC Color + Correct
Andalou Naturals’ 1000 Roses line uses rose stem cells formulated especially for people with dry, delicate, or sensitive skin.
This product is definitely for you if you want hydration and sun protection with sheer coverage.
Plus, the rose and pomegranate ingredients help treat blemishes and evens your skin tone.
Pomegranate is widely used for its many benefits to skin and overall health. It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to formulate cures for diseases. Ayurveda is an ancient healing practice using natural remedies.
Pomegranate is so powerful due to its high anti-oxidant content which fights free radicals and protects the skin. It also encourages skin cell regeneration warding off wrinkles and sagging.
Why are rose stem cells so awesome? They assist cells with regeneration and contain active oxygen which combats skin’s aging just like pomegranate. What a great anti-aging combo!
Moreover, rose and aloe vera hydrate, soothe, and act as a natural anti-inflammatory!
It’s recommended to apply about 15 minutes before sun exposure, and reapply as needed like you would a regular sunscreen.
What We Like
- Specially formulated for dry and/or sensitive skin
- Natural and non-toxic
- Anti-aging ingredients
- Nice scent of roses
- Non-comedogenic
What We Don’t Like
- Not great packaging; poor pump design
- No return policy
- Color and coverage may not work for some people
- Some may be sensitive to the scent
Juice Beauty Stem Cellular CC Cream
Juice Beauty’s Stem Cellular CC cream is a multi-purpose, 12-in-one product specializing in age defiance and skin perfection.
It evens skin tone and texture while protecting with a broad spectrum SPF sunscreen.
This CC cream is packed with free radical fighting anti-oxidants like vitamin C and fruit stem cell extracts.
Other beneficial ingredients include grape seed rich in resveratrol. Resveratrol is anti-aging and also fights free radicals making way for the production of collagen and elastin.
The mineral color found in this product comes in 5 different shades so you’re sure to find one matching your skin tone.
If you’re looking for a cc cream that improves the elasticity and appearance of your skin while providing beneficial, anti-aging ingredients – this is one!
For color correction and protection, you should apply this prior to sun exposure per the company’s recommendation.
What We Like
- Nice botanical scent
- Natural, light coverage
- Organic and non-toxic
- EWG approved sunscreen
What We Don’t Like
- Coverage too light for some people
- May be greasy
- May cause breakouts for some skin types
- Scent is not for everyone
- Can be thick and hard to rub in
Top Choice for the Best Vegan CC Cream
All the CC cream brands this roundup offer protection from the sun and color correction. However, one stands out among the rest—and that’s the Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream!
What I like so much about this CC cream are all the amazing, natural color correcting ingredients like apple extract and omegas 3 and 6!
Additionally, the red seaweed, Irish moss and sodium hyaluronate help protect and hydrate your skin!
I love that you get everything you’d expect from a CC cream! The light-diffusing mica softens lines and wrinkles while the all-natural SPF 35 broad spectrum sunscreen protects your skin from the sun’s rays.
An all-around great CC cream, good for sensitive skin and buildable coverage, makes this product our top choice!