The 10 Best Lightweight BB & CC Creams, That Are Perfect for Summer
Let’s be honest, summer is a double-edged sword. The sun’s out, the city’s buzzing, the iced coffee is flowing… but so is the sweat. If you’re anything like me, the moment you step outside, your face becomes a dewy (not in the cute way) canvas of humidity, smudged mascara, and foundation that seems to have packed up and fled your T-zone. And don’t even get me started on trying to wear full coverage foundation in 90-degree heat, it’s like inviting a meltdown, literally.
So what’s a girl to do when she wants her skin to look flawless but still breathe? Enter the holy grail of summer makeup: BB and CC creams. These multitasking wonders are the middle ground between moisturizer and makeup. Lightweight, breathable, and often packed with SPF and skincare benefits, they give you the glow and coverage without the “cakey” drama.
Now, not all BB and CC creams are created equal, some are basically glorified tinted moisturizers, while others offer way more coverage than you’d expect. And because I’m on a personal quest to not look like a melting candle by noon, I’ve tested some of the best options out there.
So whether you’re a minimalist who wants a quick morning routine or someone who likes a full face without the full weight, these are the 10 best lightweight BB and CC creams that’ll survive even the stickiest summer days.
Best Picks
1. IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+
This CC cream is that overachiever friend who has a full-time job, a thriving social life, and still manages to meal prep. It covers like a foundation, corrects like a pro, hydrates like a moisturizer, and protects like sunscreen, all in one tube.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, collagen, peptides, and niacinamide (a skincare dream team).
Finish: Natural with a slight glow, not greasy, just radiant.
Coverage: Medium to full, shockingly so for a CC cream.
SPF: Broad-spectrum SPF 50+.
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants legit coverage and skincare benefits but doesn’t want to feel like they’re wearing a mask. Bonus: it’s great for mature or sensitive skin.
2. Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream SPF 42 PA+++
Originally designed to soothe post-procedure skin, this BB cream is gentle, healing, and surprisingly pigmented. It’s got that soft-focus effect that makes your skin look smooth and healthy without screaming “I’m wearing makeup!”
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, chamomile extract.
Finish: Dewy, like your skin just drank a tall glass of water.
Coverage: Medium, but buildable.
SPF: SPF 42, which is oddly specific but appreciated.
Who it’s for: Dry or combo skin types who want to look effortlessly radiant. Also great if you’re into that natural, glowy “glass skin” aesthetic.
3. Erborian CC Cream High Definition Radiance Skin Perfector
It comes out white, but don’t panic, it contains color-matching pigments that adjust to your skin tone as you blend. The result? A skin-enhancing tint that somehow blurs imperfections while looking like you, but better.
Key ingredients: Centella Asiatica (great for calming inflammation), Vitamin E, SPF 25.
Finish: Luminous and skin-like.
Coverage: Light to medium, more about enhancing than covering.
SPF: SPF 25.
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants a barely-there feel with a your-skin-but-better finish. Think: “no-makeup makeup” for adults who don’t want to fuss.
4. Dr. Jart+ Premium BB Beauty Balm SPF 40
It combines skincare, makeup, and SPF in a single product, and it actually does all three well. It provides just enough coverage to even things out, but feels weightless, almost like a breathable moisturizer.
Key ingredients: Bio-Peptide Complex (firming), Adenosine (smoothing), and Zinc Oxide (sun protection).
Finish: Natural matte.
Coverage: Medium with a soft blur effect.
SPF: SPF 40.
Who it’s for: Oily or combo skin types looking for something that controls shine without drying out the skin.
5. BareMinerals Complexion Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF 30
It’s a gel-cream formula, meaning it’s ultra-light and cooling on the skin, perfect for hot summer mornings when the idea of putting on makeup feels borderline offensive. It won’t cover every blemish, but it will make your skin look fresh, plump, and alive.
Key ingredients: Marine botanicals, squalane, glycerin.
Finish: Dewy and fresh.
Coverage: Sheer to light.
SPF: SPF 30.
Who it’s for: Dry or normal skin types, or anyone who doesn’t want to feel like they’re wearing anything at all. It’s also dermatologist-tested and non-comedogenic, a win for sensitive skin.
6. La Roche-Posay Effaclar BB Blur
This mousse-textured BB cream is made specifically for oily and acne-prone skin. It blurs pores, smooths skin texture, and controls oil without turning your face into a chalky, dry mess. The finish is soft-matte, but it still looks alive.
Key ingredients: Airlicium (for oil absorption), perlite (for sweat control), and mineral pigments.
Finish: Matte and blurred, like a filter IRL.
Coverage: Medium, evens out tone and hides redness beautifully.
SPF: SPF 20 (not the highest, so definitely pair with sunscreen).
Who it’s for: Oily, combination, or breakout-prone skin types, especially anyone who wants to avoid the dreaded mid-day grease slide.
7. e.l.f Camo CC Cream
It delivers serious coverage, skincare benefits, and SPF in a formula that rivals some high-end brands. It even has collagen and peptides, making it a solid choice for smoothing texture and adding a hint of plumpness to the skin.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, collagen, niacinamide.
Finish: Satin, not too matte, not too dewy.
Coverage: Medium to full (yes, really).
SPF: SPF 30.
Who it’s for: Literally everyone, it’s fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and available in a generous shade range (finally!).
8. Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer
Think of it as the bridge between skincare and makeup. It offers a blurring effect, light coverage, and surprisingly long wear time, even on hot days. It also plays nicely under foundation if you want to layer up for an event or dinner date.
Key ingredients: Botanical extracts, diamond powder (for luminosity), and SPF 30.
Finish: Soft-focus matte.
Coverage: Light to medium.
SPF: SPF 30.
Who it’s for: Anyone with oily or combination skin looking for that flawless-but-natural base that won’t break a sweat.
9. Clinique Moisture Surge Sheertint Hydrator SPF 25
It has that juicy, gel-cream texture that melts into your skin like moisturizer. It won’t cover everything, but it will make your skin look like skin, just smoother, more even, and better rested.
Key ingredients: Aloe water, hyaluronic acid, activated aloe leaf water.
Finish: Dewy and fresh.
Coverage: Sheer to light.
SPF: SPF 25.
Who it’s for: Dry, dehydrated, or mature skin types, especially if you hate how makeup can cling to dry patches.
10. Supergoop! CC Screen 100% Mineral CC Cream SPF 50
This CC cream is 100% mineral, clean, and reef-safe, ideal for beach days, sweaty bike rides, and anyone who breaks out from chemical sunscreens. Plus, the shade range is decent for a mineral product, which is rare.
Key ingredients: Apple extract, Irish moss, red seaweed, and SPF 50 from zinc oxide.
Finish: Natural, slightly matte.
Coverage: Medium and buildable.
SPF: Broad-spectrum SPF 50.
Who it’s for: Anyone with sensitive, acne-prone, or rosacea-prone skin, especially if you want serious sun protection without a heavy base.
What’s the difference between BB cream and CC cream?
BB Cream stands for “Beauty Balm” or “Blemish Balm.” It’s like a tinted moisturizer with skincare benefits. It usually offers hydration, light coverage, SPF, and sometimes ingredients like hyaluronic acid or antioxidants. Think of it as skincare with a little makeup magic.
CC Cream means “Color Correcting.” It’s formulated to neutralize redness, sallowness, or uneven skin tone. CC creams usually offer a bit more coverage than BB creams and may include brightening or anti-aging ingredients.
Can I wear BB or CC cream instead of foundation?
Absolutely! That’s actually one of the main reasons people love them — they offer just enough coverage to smooth out your skin without feeling heavy.
If you’re a full-coverage lover, you may want to reserve BB/CC cream for low-key days. But many modern formulas (like IT Cosmetics CC+ or ELF Camo CC Cream) offer buildable coverage that can easily double as your everyday foundation.
Are BB and CC creams good for oily or acne-prone skin?
Yes… but it depends on the formula.
Look for BB and CC creams labeled:
Oil-free
Non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores)
Matte or natural finish
Great options for oily skin include:
La Roche-Posay Effaclar BB Blur (mattifying)
Dr. Jart+ Premium BB Beauty Balm (non-greasy)
Supergoop! CC Screen (for sensitive or acne-prone skin)
Can I use BB or CC cream every day?
Yes, and many people do! They’re designed to be worn daily, kind of like a tinted moisturizer with benefits. Many formulas contain SPF, antioxidants, and soothing ingredients that help your skin look and feel better over time.
Just make sure you’re removing it properly at the end of the day (yes, even if it’s “lightweight”). A gentle cleanser or micellar water will do the trick.
Should I apply primer before BB or CC cream?
You don’t have to, that’s part of the beauty of BB and CC creams. They’re designed to be quick and fuss-free.
That said, if you have specific skin concerns, like enlarged pores or very oily skin, a primer can help:
Use a blurring primer for smoothing.
Try a mattifying primer to fight shine.
Just don’t overdo it, one of the perks of BB/CC cream is how lightweight and breathable it is. Too many layers can defeat that purpose.