FOUNDATION vs. BB CREAM vs. CC CREAM: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Walking through the makeup aisle can feel overwhelming, especially when you see rows of foundation, BB cream, and CC cream. They look similar, but each serves a different purpose. Choosing the right one depends on your skin type, coverage preference, and the makeup look you want to achieve.

At MIST Stockholm, we carry carefully selected complexion products to suit every skin type, whether you’re going for a natural makeup look or full glam.

Foundation

Foundation is designed for coverage and longevity.

Purpose: Creates an even skin tone, hides imperfections, and provides a smooth makeup base for the rest of your look.

Coverage: Ranges from sheer to full coverage foundation, allowing you to customize your finish.

Best for: Those who want long-lasting foundation wear or a flawless finish for events, photos, or professional looks.

If you want a foundation that stays put and still looks like skin up close, try Super Foundation. It evens things out fast, holds up through the day, and gives you a smoother, more confident-looking finish, so you spend less time correcting and more time just wearing it.

BB Cream

BB stands for “Beauty Balm” or “Blemish Balm.” It’s a lighter, multitasking complexion product.

Purpose: Evens out skin tone while providing skincare benefits like hydration, SPF protection, or antioxidants.

Coverage: Sheer to light coverage - perfect for a natural everyday makeup look.

Best for: Beginners or anyone wanting quick, easy makeup with added skincare benefits.

A quick, skin-friendly daily base is a great go-to, it smooths tone while keeping the finish light and breathable. You get an even, fresh look in seconds without feeling like you’re wearing makeup, and your skin stays comfortable through the day.  Perfect for “no-effort” mornings, dry patches, or when you just want to look naturally polished.

CC Cream

CC means “Color Correcting.” It’s a step between BB cream and foundation.

Purpose: Neutralizes redness, dullness, or discoloration while giving light to medium coverage.

Coverage: Ideal for an everyday natural makeup or no-makeup makeup look.

Best for: People with uneven skin tone, redness, or sallowness who want a lightweight complexion product that still corrects color.

If you want tone correction without a heavy layer, Excellence Foundation helps neutralize unevenness while keeping your skin looking like skin. It quickly tones down redness/dullness so your complexion looks calmer and more balanced, without the weight of foundation, giving you that natural, healthy “I slept 8 hours” vibe with minimal effort.

FAQ

Can I use BB cream instead of foundation?

Yes - if you want lighter coverage and a more natural finish. For events or photos, the foundation usually performs better.

Is CC cream better than BB cream?

Not “better,” just different: CC is for correcting redness/dullness; BB is for hydration + super light coverage.

What’s best for oily skin?

A lightweight BB/CC for daytime, and a long-wear foundation when you need durability.

Do I need both BB and CC creams?

Only if you like switching based on skin days - BB for hydration days, CC for redness/uneven days.