EASY AS ABC

Two interlocking Cs. Are there any other letters that get the fashion set’s hearts pumping faster? On the heels of the beauty-balm (BB) boom, CC creams debuted in Asia in 2011, with brands like Rachel K and iFiona leading the charge and Chanel following suit. Now, North American launches are slated this year for creams from Smashbox and Clinique, among others.

So what’s the CC difference? Colour-correcting creams have all the extras of their BB-cream predecessors (ingredients that prime the skin, blur pores and provide UV protection), but they also give immediate coverage and have a higher SPF as well as long-term correcting benefits to improve texture and tone and minimize the appearance of pores and brown spots. Their MO—they focus on creating a uniform, flawless tone—is perfectly in step with the luminous cast created on skin backstage at many spring/summer 2013 shows, such as Rodarte, Vera Wangand Narciso Rodriguez. Most CC creams come in one, two or three universal shades, are formulated with veil-like pigments that adjust to the wearer’s skin tone and have textures that are easy to blend.

Dr. Jaggi Rao, an Edmonton-based dermatologist, says he’s “very excited” that CC creams are hitting the market. “The great thing about them is that they can accomplish several things, both immediate and long-term,” he says. “In particular, the high SPF prevents photo-aging. Also, they cover and treat uneven skin tones more effectively than BB creams do.”

HIT LIST

Chief among CC creams is Chanel’s (naturally). “The Complete Correction CC Cream [watch for it in Canada this fall] provides a double anti-aging benefit,” says Marie- Hélène Lair, director of scientific communication for Chanel. “It fights against dehydration and reduces visible pores, dark spots and lines. The innovation lies in the powerful active ingredient Rejuvencia. It’s a biotechnological active ingredient that has strong antioxidant properties, and it is able to boost collagen synthesis.” The downside? It only comes in one very light shade that is best suited to the fairest of fair skin.

Discover where to purchase CC creams on the next page …

0-skin-care-saviour-colour-corre.jpgOn beauty counters now, Olay Total Effects 7-in-One Tone Correcting Moisturizer with Sunscreen ($33) relies on the very science-ysounding N-Acetylglucosamine (NAG) and niacinamide to quell erratic melanin production and therefore fade spots. “NAG improves skin’s moisture barrier, visibly reducing the appearance of hyperpigmented spots and improving the overall evenness of skin tone,” says Mary Begovic Johnson, principal scientist for Olay. Meanwhile, Juice Beauty is introducing the Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream ($42), the first allorganic 12-in-one CC cream, which uses the powerful antioxidant resveratrol in the form of grape-seed oil as well as fruit stem cells and vitamin C to regenerate skin. Cult-fave Rachel K CC Cream ($32) is made in Korea and dries to a soft, powdery-matte finish.

TOP SHELF

How do you incorporate a CC cream into your daily regimen, especially if you’re focused on anti-aging? Start by introducing a CC cream into your daytime routine and save the heavier hitters, such as retinols and peptides, for night. CC creams are right for you if you need more coverage than a tinted moisturizer provides and want to look brighter and more radiant over time—and lighten the workload of your other “CC” essentials: coffee and concealer.

 
Read more:
Skin care products: The best exfoliators and scrubs
Skin care know-how: A visit to the dermatologist, or a regular facial?
Skin care edit: Revamp your skin care routine
Skin care essentials: Antioxidants