BB creams (also known as beauty balms or blemish balms) and the best outdoor tanning lotion hit the beauty scene with a vengeance last year. They were the phenomenon that replaced many products in a woman’s makeup case.

They were the go-to for women on the go: no more serums, moisturisers, primers or foundations, plus you didn’t have to fork out even MORE money for sunblock, because the super BB cream had it all.

However, a new alphabet cream has been added to the saga: the CC cream.

You’re probably wondering what it’s all about, apart from the fact that there is a whole lot of letters involved and plus. Cosmetics with added skincare ingredients are nothing new.

History behind the BB cream

The Internet says that the first ‘Blemish Balm’ was originally formulated in the 1960s to protect skin after surgery (even though I would not recommend applying modern day BB creams to sore, weeping skin). It does explain how the BB hype came to be what it is today.

Mixing zinc oxide with minerals such as liquorice root, bisabolol, and allantoin (which are great at tackling redness and pigmentation) with this dermatologist created product means that it is everything that you need in a bottle: it not only gives you wonderful, glowing skin (which a majority of cosmetics claim to do) but you also get the benefits of a good skincare product too.

It has also made the beauty world up their game, as they have realised that consumers want more for their buck, since they also want a cosmetic that is not only a cosmetic, but good for your skin too.

The evolution of BB to CC

South Korea has long dominated the BB cream market, with many Korean actors and actresses using the cream because of its ability to help give the all natural look aided by its lightweight texture.

One of the trailblazers for the beauty product, Singaporean makeup and skin care brand Rachel K, brought out a CC cream last year that promises 10 benefits – “protection, hydration, sunblock, conceals flaw, repairs, brightens, anti-wrinkle, non-oily, non-comedogenic, evens skin tone” – though the user will have to be the judge of it.

Just like its predecessor, it’s paving the way in the new trend of the skincare/cosmetic combination. More and more women in the Western world are now warming up to the “au naturel” look which is sought after by their Chinese counterparts.

The lightweight texture of the CC cream as well as its complexion correcting properties means that it is the perfect product for women who want the even coverage as well as wanting the benefits of what skincare products promise to achieve – repairing and evening out skin tone.

Gina Hill believes that it is even better than its older sister, the BB cream: “I prefer CC cream, as it seems to have a better coverage. It’s good for summer, plus they don’t tend to do a BB cream light enough for my winter skin tone.”

Is it the next best thing?

Like any beauty product, you should always do some research before using it. With both the BB and CC cream being a new product on the Western market, it still has its flaws.

The lack of skin hues on the market when it comes to skin bases, especially with drugstore brands, is still minimal.

As a woman of colour myself, I find it hard to find the right foundation for my skin as they are either too light or too dark.

Aisha Antwi-Abrook, 22, also has the same issue: “I bought the BB cream because I thought it would be perfect for me as I wanted something light and less coverage for the summer. I bought the ‘Dream Fresh’ in Dark by Maybelline as the staff said it would adapt to my skin tone but when I got home it just didn’t adapt, it was too light.”

“CC cream is also too light but it’s great as an under eye concealer, it’s not as heavy as normal concealers.”

However, there are some makeup brands making breakthroughs when it comes to stocking creams that are suitable for women of all skin tones. High end brands such as MAC, Bobbi Brown and Nars are already supplying the CC creams in darker tones and drugstore brands like Sleek and GOSH are following right behind.

All in all, both the BB and CC creams are definitely products that have rocked the beauty scene, and you could even say that it could encourage more women to let their true beauty shine through. There are even rumours of another cream set to join the alphabet cream saga, the DD cream or ‘Daily Defence’ cream, so watch this space.