It Cosmetics CC+ Cream Natural Matte Foundation with SPF 40
Taylor Jean Stephan
Covers acne, redness, and hyperpigmentation
Gives your skin an airbrushed look
The matte formula keeps oiliness at bay
Can enhance texture on your skin
Not ideal for those who love glowy looks
The CC+ Cream Natural Matte Foundation is best suited for oily or combination skin. The full-coverage formula hydrates the skin, reduces shine and oil, and protects it from the sun (thanks to SPF 40).
It Cosmetics CC+ Cream Natural Matte Foundation with SPF 40
Taylor Jean Stephan
By definition, CC creams are designed to color correct. These formulas typically offer medium-to-full coverage and contain ingredients that help neutralize redness and hyperpigmentation. IT Cosmetics is one brand known for its CC creams, currently offering four different types (the CC+ Cream Full Coverage Color Correcting Foundation is a fan favorite).
The newest one to hit the market is the CC+ Cream Natural Matte Foundation. As the name suggests, it offers a matte, full-coverage formula, and it is tailored specifically for those with oily to combination skin. Even though I typically deal with dryness, I was eager to see how the beloved brand's latest CC cream worked for me. Keep reading for my thoughts on this matte foundation.
Best for: Combination and oily skin
Uses: Achieving a full-coverage, matte makeup look
Active ingredients: Lentil seed extract, hyaluronic acid, and SPF 40
Cruelty-Free?: Yes
Price: $47
About the brand: IT Cosmetics is a beauty brand founded by Jamie Kern Lima and Paulo Lima in 2008. The cosmetic and skincare company first gained popularity on the QVC home shopping channel before being acquired by L'Oréal in 2016.
About My Skin: Dry and acne-prone
Ever since I was a teen, my skin has been acne-prone. Thanks to a curated skincare routine and prescriptions, I have it mostly under control (knock on wood). But I am still susceptible to breakouts, especially along my jawline. That, along with the fact that I'm often being photographed for work, I prefer a full-coverage foundation that makes my skin look flawless.
Since my skin is drier these days, I gravitate towards moisturizing formulas that offer a naturally dewy, lustrous finish (my absolute favorite is Cle De Peau Radiant Cream Foundation, $138). I typically shy away from matte formulas as they emphasize my dry skin.
The Feel: Thick, velvet-like texture
This CC cream is not a tint you can easily smear on with just your fingertips. It's fully pigmented, and you need to be diligent about finding your exact color match. It's thick and opaque, no matter what shade you choose. This version has an expanded range—30 in total. I went with the cool-toned 'Fair Beige,' a perfect match for my skin. The texture was thick but smooth, and as I rubbed it in, it quickly turned to a dry, velvet-like finish that pretty much set itself.
Taylor Jean Stephan
How To Apply: Press it into your skin
When I apply liquid foundation, I always apply two pumps to the back of my hand. I used my BK Beauty Contoured Foundation Brush ($34) to delicately grab the product before buffing it onto my skin. I prepped my skin with a primer before the CC cream, which I always do. However, I wasn't super happy with how the CC cream was sitting on my skin rather than melting into it like I'm used to with my radiant formulas. To help blend the CC cream further, I used a damp makeup sponge.
The Ingredients: A skincare-focused formula
Like all IT Cosmetics makeup launches, this CC cream is formulated with several skin-loving ingredients. There's SPF 40 to protect your skin from the sun and aerated silica (air licium) to help blur your skin and absorb shine. Lentil seed extract is also present in the formula to minimize pores.
The cream does contain hyaluronic acid to make the formula more hydrating and comfortable. However, because the formula is not meant to be moisture-boosting overall, I still felt like I had to use a primer and serum to prep my skin before application.
The Results: Immediate coverage with a flawless finish
After I blended the product to my satisfaction, I pulled away from the mirror to glance at my work. This is not a dewy, second-skin type of foundation, but my skin looked airbrushed from a distance, truly like a real-life filter. The CC cream dried quickly into a powdery finish and set itself, so I didn't need to go in with a powder. The matte finish also minimized the look of my pores and was great for concealing my acne and redness.
Taylor Jean Stephan / Byrdie
Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the CC cream magnified the texture of my skin and some fine lines (especially near my under-eye area). Again, since I have dry skin and love a dewy finish, I truly see this working better for someone with oily or combination skin (just as the brand markets it).
It's worth noting that I am a bigger fan of the brand's CC+ Cream Illumination SPF 50+ (it plays well with my skin type).
The Value: A good mid-range product
Coming in at $47, this CC cream is a true mid-priced product. Compared to other matte foundations, this one excels at covering imperfections. Plus, a pump or two is all you need to get the job done, so one tube will last a long time. While I would say it's a pass for someone with dry skin like mine, I could see it being a good bet for someone with extremely oily or combination skin.
Similar Products: You have options
e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo CC Cream: This medium-to-full coverage, color-correcting formula rings in at $15. The Camo CC Cream contains skin-nourishing ingredients (like niacinamide, collagen, and peptides) and SPF 30. The semi-matte cream is available in 30 shades.
Thrive Causemetics Buildable Blur CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40: This color-correcting cream from Thrive Causemetics is designed to blur fine lines and pores while reducing redness and discoloration. The Buildable Blur CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 ($38) taps vitamin C as its hero ingredient to help even your skin tone. It's available in 28 shades.
It Cosmetics' latest CC Cream is a game-changer, but it will work best for those with oily or combination skin. It effortlessly covers acne marks, hyperpigmentation, and redness—leaving you with an airbrushed, filter-like complexion. It also helps control oil for hours on end. I wore it for 10 hours, and my skin still looked shine-free.
Specs
- Product Name CC+ Cream Natural Matte Foundation with SPF 40
- Product Brand It Cosmetics
- Price $47.00
- Weight 1.08 oz.
- Ingredients Aqua/Water/Eau,Dimethicone,Isododecane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Cetyl Peg/Ppg-10/1 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Titanium Dioxide [Nano]/Titanium Dioxide, Niacinamide, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, Silica Silylate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sorbitan Isostearate,Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hexyl Laurate, Stearic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract/Lentil Seed Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Adenosine, Kaolin,Ethylhexylglycerin,Steareth-20, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1,Chrysin,Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7,Citric Acid, Biotin.
- Shades 30 shades
