Erborian CC Creme keeps flying off the shelves. No matter how many tubes Sephora stocks, they always sell out in no time – every time. Now, when something like this happens, I put my sceptical cap on: either this thing is freaking awesome, or the brand is a master at hyping up crap. In my 15+ years in the beauty world, I’ve seen both scenarios happen. And sadly, the hyped scenario is the most common. Said that, hyped up products rarely last the test of time and this CC Cream has been around for ages. Must be doing something good… Curiosity got the better of me, so I had to get a tube and see for myself what the hype is about (hint: for once, the awesomeness is real): Show
About The Brand: ErborianDid you know Erborian means “Oriental Herbs”? That summarises the philosophy of this skincare brand. Founded in 2007, its mission is to create innovative products that give you the best results for your skin using the least amount of steps in your routine (now, that’s something I can get on board with). Their famous CC Cream is the epitome of this philosophy. A CC Cream is a hybrid product that combines moisturiser, foundation, and sunscreen in one easy-to-use formula so you can save time in the morning and still know your skin is well taken care of for the day. Key Ingredients In Erborian CC Creme: What Makes It Work?UV FILTERS TO PROTECT SKIN FROM SUN DAMAGE First things first: CC Cremes are NOT a substitute for sunscreen. To get the SPF stated on the bottle, you need to apply 1/4 of a teaspoon. Are you doing it? If you do, kudos to you. You’re more dedicated than me. You CAN use it as sun protection. Everyone else, use it over sunscreen. So, how good is the protection of Erborian CC Creme – if you use it properly? Here are its UV filters:
In case you’re wondering, no, nano particles in sunscreens aren’t dangerous. They make the texture more pleasant to use and that’s the whole point. If you don’t like using it, you won’t. Related: Is Nanotechnology In Sunscreen Dangerous? SILICONES TO BLUR IMPERFECTIONS Erborian CC Creme is loaded with silicones – and it’s a good thing. Hear me out before you call the natural brigade:
So why do silicones get such a bad rep? Two myths:
Related: Are Silicones Good Or Bad For Skin? CENTELLA ASIATICA TO SOOTHE SKIN Centella Asiatica is super popular in Korean skincare – for a good reason. It’s loaded with soothing substances – like Madecassoside – that calms down redness, irritation and more. Here’s the proof:
In Erborian CC Creme, Centella Asiatica is used together with honey, another soothing ingredient. Double goodness. Struggling to put together a skincare routine that minimises wrinkles, prevents premature aging, and gives your complexion a youthful glow? Download your FREE “Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order): The Rest Of The Formula & IngredientsNOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.
TextureThis CC Cream has a smooth and creamy texture that glides easily on the skin without feeling heavy. It’s pleasant to use and doesn’t take ages to absorb. FragranceErborian CC Creme has a light floral scent. I usually don’t like to wear scented products on my face but I have to say, this scent is lovely. And it doesn’t linger around too long. If you have sensitive skin, stay away. As lovely as the scent is, fragrance is one of the most irritating ingredients used in cosmetics. If you have a bad reaction to this CC Cream, you now know what the culprit likely is. How To Use ItAs it combines makeup and skincare, acting like a moisturiser and foundation, apply it as the last step of your skincare routine. That means after sunscreen. Wait 15 minutes until the sunscreen has fully settled, so you won’t accidentally remove it as you apply the CC Cream on top. You can use your fingers or a brush. Whatever is easier for you. PackagingIt comes in a cute and practical grey tube. It’s not the prettiest. Maybe it’s just me, but the colour grey depresses me. Does it do the same for you? I wish they used a different colour, but I know it’s a not a biggie. Said that, it works for this type of product and it’s practical both to use and to carry around with you. Performance & Personal OpinionThe first time I used Erborian CC Creme, I totally freaked out. This stuff is a translucent white with little beige dots in it. I know I’m pale, but this is too Caspar The Ghost even for me. I wasn’t sure this was gonna work… Erborian claims the colour-matching capabilities of the 2 shades are enough to match most skin tones – and I have no reason to doubt it. But it’s ladies on the far ends of the spectrum like me who are gonna be left out. Shame, cos I love this CC Creme a lot. The creamy texture glides smoothly on my skin, providing a sheer coverage that’s enough to even out the skin tone, blur away fine lines and large pores and neutralise redness. And the glow! The CC Creme is loaded with encapsulated pigments that brighten the complexion, giving it a healthy, radiant look that never veers into shiny territory. Quite the opposite. It kept the shine at bay on my t-zone for the whole morning. The CC Creme herself held up pretty well, too. I applied it in the morning and it was still good at 4pm. It’s not the most hydrating, but I use it over a moisturising sunscreen, so that’s not a biggie for me. I like it that it has SPF too. It may not be enough on its own but hey, every little bit helps. How Does Erborian CC Cream Compare To The Other Erborian CC Creams?Erborian CC Cream may be a cult classic, but it’s not the only option the brand offers. You could say this brand is the queen of CC Creams. They offer plenty of options, including one for the eyes! Let’s take a look at all of them so you can find out which one is the best option for your unique skin type and needs:
What I Like About Erborian CC Cream
What I DON’T Like About Erborian CC Cream
Who Should Use This?Anyone can use it, but it’s most suitable for women with good skin that just need a sheer layer of coverage. If you have severe imperfections to hide, this won’t be enough for you. Does Erborian CC Creme Live Up To Its Claims?CLAIM TRUE? This “High Definition” illuminator, with its ultra fine texture, contains pigments to enhance your skin’s appearance, while enriching and improving it’s texture and quality. The first part is true, but “enriching and improving it’s texture and quality” is so vague, it means everything and nothing. At first glance cream appears white, but upon application, it adapts precisely to match your skin-tone, naturally revealing a more even complexion, leaving skin luminous and soft, while reducing the appearance of blemishes. True for most people. But if you’re on the opposite ends of the spectrum, it’ll still be too dark/light for you. Soft and radiant, the lightweight finish will leave your skin looking flawless. True. Is Erborian Cruelty-Free?Yes and no. While Erborian doesn’t test on animals, they’re owned by L’Oreal who does. It’s up to you to decide if this is a dealbreaker for you. Price & Availability$44.00/£38.00 at Boots, Erborian, Sephora, and SpaceNK The Verdict: Should You Buy It?If you’re looking for a CC Creme so you can save time in the morning, this is an excellent option to consider. Dupes & AlternativesI haven’t found any exact dupes for this product. Aqua, Cyclomethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Titanium Dioxide (nano), Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Methyl Trimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Zinc Oxide (nano), Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsequioxane Crosspolymer, Centella Asiatica Extract, Honey Extract, Talc, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trihydroxystearin, Butylene Glycol, Mica, Aluminum Hydroxyde, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Polyester-1, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Methicone, Tocopherol, Fragrance, Hexyl Cinnamal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Eugenol, Limonene, CI 77492/Iron Oxides, CI 77491/Iron Oxides, CI 77499/Iron Oxides What is the benefit of Erborian CC cream?Part skincare, part makeup, it corrects small blemishes, evens out complexion while moisturising and protecting your skin at the same time. This unique light-textured formula contains pigments that change colour upon application to adjust to your skin tone perfectly. Is Erborian CC cream long lasting?One of the best CC creams I've used it is, really good coverage and blends really well without feeling heavy. It gives me such a good complexion and seems to last most of the day. A reasonable price and far superior to some of the more expensive brands. High quality, long lasting and the tube goes along way. Does Erborian clog pores?Is it non-comedogenic? The Erborian Super BB is non-comedogenic and dermatologist tested, so you need not worry about it blocking pores. What is the number 1 CC cream?We spent hours researching and testing best CC creams to identify the ones that provide the best coverage, hydration, and sun protection. Our first recommendation is IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream, which provides full coverage, making it great for those looking to cover blemishes or imperfections. |