Finally, My Favorite CC Cream Comes in More Shades
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I’ve been using CC creams for years now as a way to even out my dark under-eye circles and occasional red patches without caking on concealer and foundation. Erborian’s — one I tested for ourBest in Class story— used to be one of my favorites because it’s so lightweight and seamlessly matched my skin tone. After months of being outside a lot and getting a bit of a tan, though, I noticed my usual shade, Dore, started to look a little pale against my complexion. It wasn’t blending as perfectly as before, and the only other shade up was much too dark. Not only was this disappointing for me, but it made me realize the formula was not nearly as inclusive as I thought. I had to set it aside and find a replacement.
As if Erborian had read my mind, the brand rereleased its CC cream in mid-August with a new formula and expanded their range from three to nine shades. The new shades cover a wider range of skin tones — from light with a pink undertone to tan to deep with a neutral undertone — making it much more inclusive. (I will note that it could expand out the deep shades even more, but I think tripling the number of shades from what was available before is a good start.) I called in samples to test the updated product and was pleasantly surprised not only with the color range but the formula update too. It features hyaluronic acid and 2 percent Centella asiatica that’s supposed to soothe and smooth out skin. While I cannot speak to the CC cream fixing my skin’s texture over time, I have noticed it’s much more hydrating than the old formula, which has been especially nice since moving to L.A., where the climate can be quite dry. I wore the new CC cream on its own and didn’t have any of the usual dry patches that appear on my cheeks throughout the day. And while it is hydrating, it’s still very lightweight and doesn’t pill at all, similar to the original. I’ve worn it over gelmoisturizersand thicker lotions and underneathsunscreenwithout any issues.
One key difference between the formulas is that the update doesn’t feature SPF. I actually see this as an improvement. I’m all for skin-loving ingredients — especially hydrating ones — in makeup but not a huge fan of added SPF. It gives the illusion of protection when, in reality, you probably need much more product than you’re applying to actually save your skin from the sun. I like to slather on sunscreen daily, so for me, this wasn’t an issue.
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As for how it looks on my skin, I was able to find my perfect match: Bronze, the tan shade with a warm undertone. The encapsulated formula is as seamless as before and makes my dark circles and redness disappear with just a pea-size amount of product. It has a luminous finish that somehow never makes me look oily. The new formula has regained a spot in my daily makeup look, and I don’t see that changing.
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