A Wingman For Your Face: CC Cream Tinted Face Moisturizer For Men

What is CC Cream?  What is BB Cream? How Can These Tinted Face Moisturizers for Men Fix an Embarrassing Complexion?

Are you self-conscious about your complexion, constantly struggling with acne, scars or dark spots on your face?  Do you fear that a girl might turn you down based on how bad your skin looks?  Do you want to look your best for a job interview, presentation, or “big deal”, but worry that your dark circles, oily skin, or uneven skin tone will hurt your chances?

I have worried about every single one of these.

I know I’m not the only one either.

Google “what do men fear” or “what do men worry about”, and you will see a common theme throughout the pages: fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of not having enough money, fear of not having accomplished enough, and fear of inadequate physical features (height, weight, hair, muscular definition, etc.).

Whether we as men admit it or not, we do care about our appearance, and I believe a lot of our fears stem from how we perceive ourselves.  Thoughts of not good looking enough, not being big enough, not being strong enough, or not being smart enough are pervasive and can hurt our chances of landing the career we strive for, the relationships we want, and the lives we deserve.

Although I can’t fix some genetic things like height and IQ, I have made it my “one thing” to help men with their grooming, appearance, and style, so they can increase their confidence, look good, and feel great.

To put it simply, I want you to look your best and feel your best, so you can be confident when asking a girl out on a date, asking a potential client for their business, presenting in front of an audience, or whatever it is you’re doing that is important to you.

This is my story of how CC Cream Tinted Moisturizer increased my confidence and reduced my fears.  I also included a thorough guide to tinted moisturizers, CC Creams, and BB Creams for Men, so they can help you as well.

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I was not blessed with perfect skin.  I first started getting acne at age 13, and it continued throughout high school, into college, and up until my young adult life.  I struggled with combination skin-excessively oily in spots and excessively dry in others, which produced a pretty bad complexion.  I’ve spent a lot of time in front of the mirror popping pimples.  I’ve also spent a lot of money on numerous products trying to prevent acne, with little success in the past.

In high school, I was self-conscious about my acne, and my mom must have noticed.  It got so bad that she ended up buying me concealer, which came in a feminine lipstick-type tube.  The concealer was embarrassing to use, but it did a good job hiding my overactive adolescent pimples. (I later learned that there were better concealer options, but the stick concealer worked at the time).

While attending college from 2008 to 2012, I was petrified at the thought of anyone finding out that I used the concealer.  So, I used to hide it in a Centrum vitamin bottle to avoid detection by friends that hung out in my dorm room.

When the concealer ran out, I had to go to the store to buy more.  The experience of going into the makeup aisle, searching for concealer, picking it out, avoiding eye contact with anyone in the aisle, paying for it, and topping it off with a weird look from the cashier, was pretty miserable.  It left an impact.

In 2012, I met my wife and let her in on my concealer secret.  In 2013, we taught English on a small island in the Pacific, where we read a lot of books and magazines to pass the time.  In one of her magazines, there was an ad for Garnier BB Cream.  Curious, I asked her what “BB Cream” was, and she said that it was tinted moisturizer from Asia with SPF.

I thought about BB Cream a lot after that, mulling it over in my mind.  A tinted moisturizer with SPF could help my struggling, oily skin, while providing much needed sun protection.  It sounded great, but I knew that it was going to be an embarrassing repeat of the concealer.  More women’s product, more makeup aisle, more cashiers.

Brazenly, I returned back to the States a year later and bought some BB Cream, all marketed and packaged for women.  I didn’t care.

My skin looked great.  I felt good.  I felt confident.

CC Creams came out soon after, and I switched from BB Cream to CC Cream.  Now, I use it every day, and I haven’t turned back since.

Statistical Fact: A record number of men are using new grooming products to make themselves look better.  Charcoal masks, concealers, beard oils, moisturizers, toners, cleansers, eye serums, anti-aging creams, etc. are all being used by men to enhance their appearance.  According to a study by Euromonitor, the global male grooming market was valued at $47.2 billion in 2015 and is expected to reach $60.7 billion by 2020.  Within that market, men’s toiletries comprising of skincare, deodorant, shower, and hair care make up the largest category at 37%.

Overall, a lot of men care about how they look, and it’s nothing to be embarrassed about.

A survey was done in 2013 by Birchbox Man where they asked 3,000 men their take on tinted moisturizers.  Of the 3,000 men, 55% said they have used or would use a BB Cream or tinted moisturizer.

But, what exactly is BB Cream, and what is CC Cream?  What are the differences? What are the benefits, how do you use it, and what do you look for when choosing?

This guide on CC Cream, tinted face moisturizers, and BB Cream for Men is meant to help you navigate your way to better skin.

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What is BB Cream?

BB Cream, which stands for “Blemish Balm”, was originally designed in the 1950’s by German dermatologist Christine Schrammek M.D.  Schrammek wanted a multi-purpose moisturizer for her patients that protected the skin while providing adequate coverage following laser treatments.

BB Cream eventually caught on in South Korea, where it spread to the rest of east Asia in the 1980’s.  BB Cream’s popularity skyrocketed, moving to Europe and eventually the United States in the early 2010’s, where it is now a global blockbuster.

BB Cream is essentially a “high octane” tinted moisturizer that provides an all-in-one moisturizer, sunscreen, skin-treatment, anti-aging serum, and concealer.  It goes on light, providing natural looking skin coverage.

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What is CC Cream?

CC Cream, also known as “complexion correcting” cream, is multipurpose like BB Cream, but provides better coverage to tackle dark spots, dark circles, redness, razor burn, and a dull, uneven skin tone.

CC Cream is the new and improved version of BB Cream that has a lighter, whipped feel, providing better coverage and better hydration.

Like an all-in-one shampoo and body wash, CC Cream has everything you need when it comes to moisturizing, SPF coverage, serum, camouflaging, and anti-aging benefits.

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Benefits of CC Cream Tinted Face Moisturizer

Aside from the moisturizing, sun protection, and skin correcting properties of tinted moisturizers like BB Creams and CC Creams, there are the confidence enhancing benefits as well.

David Yi in I’ve Been Tricking My Friends into Thinking I Have Perfect Skin, describes that when he wakes up with the unexpected zit, he turns to BB Cream to remedy the problem.

On the nights when you stay out a little too late drinking, doing homework, or working, and are forced to be up early in the morning, CC Cream helps mitigate dark circles, and a sallow, dehydrated face.

When you’ve got an oily, blotchy, uneven, red skin tone and are ready to summon the courage to ask a girl out on a date for coffee, CC Cream is there as a confidence sidekick to help you along, like a wingman for your face.

When you need to look your absolute best for (insert important event here: wedding, job interview, presentation, business deal), CC Cream tinted face moisturizer is there to brighten complexion and even skin tone.

Note: Noticing a trend in men’s grooming, I did some informal market research regarding BB Cream for Men.  I went to Nordstrom’s, Dillard’s and other higher end department stores.  I spoke to some of the sales associates in the cosmetic section and asked about men’s purchases regarding grooming products.  There was a consensus among all of the sales associates, who stated that there has been a sharp increase in men’s interest in concealers and tinted moisturizers.  Businessmen in particular were keenly interested in having a smooth, flush-free complexion before meeting clients or presenting sales pitches, according to the associates.

Overall, CC Cream tinted face moisturizer is meant to give you a light, natural finish to your face.  It doesn’t look like you have anything on, but it is meant to give you a healthy glow, brightening a dull complexion while giving a surge of hydration.

Some BB Cream formulas meant for women are thicker than others and sit on the face without absorbing well.  This can lead to transference onto sunglasses or shirt collars, which isn’t good.  However, men-specific CC Cream formulas tend to be less thick, absorb quickly, and won’t transfer onto sunglasses or collars.

There are certain other things to look for when purchasing a CC Cream, BB Cream or tinted face moisturizer for men.

• SPF Coverage:  One of the major benefits of BB Creams and CC Creams for men is that they contain sunscreens.  I won’t go into too much detail about the necessity to wear sunscreen every day, but it is arguably one of the best ways to prevent wrinkles, pre-mature aging, and dry, discolored, leathery skin.  It also helps to prevent skin cancer, which is now the most common cancer according to the Cleveland Clinic.

CC Creams for men are a quick and easy way to get much needed sunscreen onto the face every day before going out.

Look for tinted moisturizers that have zinc or titanium dioxide, physical sunscreens that protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

• Hyaluronic Acid or Glycerin: A quality CC Cream for men should contain a moisturizing “workhorse” like glycerin or hyaluronic acid, which hydrates the skin to lock in moisture.
• Matte Finish: Men naturally have a more oily complexion than women.  Therefore, men-specific formulas should have a “matte” finish to reduce the oily shine that can accompany certain moisturizers.
• Fragrance Free: Fragrances in toiletries can often cause allergic irritation in those with sensitive skin.  If possible, avoid tinted moisturizers, BB Creams, or CC Creams for men that contain fragrances.
• Non-Comedogenic:  It won’t clog pores.  By not clogging pores, moisturizers can hydrate while allowing skin to breathe, keeping the face free from pimples.

There is a fear that using these products will produce an unnatural, orange-ish, bronzy, fake-tan, Jersey Shore type of complexion.

Instead, CC Cream for Men, BB Cream and tinted moisturizers provide a natural look, blending into your skin tone, making it impossible to know that you are wearing anything on your face.  It is simply meant to even out your skin tone, making acne, dark circles, red spots, razor burn, etc. less noticeable.

Check out more before and after photos of tinted moisturizers and BB Creams on men:

BB Man Test Drive: Tinted Moisturizer

Should Guys Wear Tinted Moisturizer? We Made ‘Em Try It.

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When to Use CC Cream Tinted Face Moisturizer for Men

Since CC Cream, BB Cream and Tinted Face Moisturizer for Men contain SPF and “tint”, there is no need to put it on before bed at night.  It is best used during the daytime or before an important event to improve your complexion.

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How to Use CC Cream Tinted Face Moisturizer for Men

1. Cleanse

Opt for a high-quality cleanser and use the fingertips to massage into the face for 15-30 seconds.  I suggest one that contains beta hydroxy acid, also known as salicylic acid.  It penetrates deeply into the epidermis, gently exfoliating dead skin cells while unclogging pores and dissolving excess oil.  It’s exfoliating properties also make it an effective acne treatment if you suffer from the occasional blemish.  (Source)

Our Choice Cleanser: CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser $9.83

Tip:  If you are prone to excessively dry skin, excessively oily skin, or a combination of both, you might be cleansing too often.  Try cleansing at night before you go to bed and splash your face with water in the morning.  Cleansing twice a day can strip the face of its essential oils, causing dryness and/or excessive oil production to compensate.

2. Tone

This is optional, but toning can remove leftover oil and dead skin cells after cleansing.  It can also help in the absorption of other topical products like moisturizers and serums. (Source)

Avoid toners that contain alcohol, which can be too drying.

I suggest Thayer’s Witch Hazel, which can soothe inflamed skin, making it effective following a shave.

3. Moisturize (If Needed)

Sometimes your skin is just dry, even after cleansing only once a day and physically exfoliating every other day.  If this happens, it may be necessary to apply a plain moisturizer under a CC Cream, tinted moisturizer, or BB Cream for men in order to get a little extra moisturizing backup.

Read 10 Tips on How to Exfoliate for Men (and Women) for everything you need to know on how to exfoliate properly.

Our Choice Moisturizer: Neutrogena Hydro Boost $14.99

4. Apply and Blend

In order to get even CC Cream coverage, it is best to put a pea-sized amount onto the pad of your ring finger.  This finger in particular provides the best balance between control and softness.  Place one dot on the forehead, one dot on each cheek, one dot on the chin and one small dot on the nose.  Blend outward from the dots and ensure even coverage.  Less is more when it comes to tinted moisturizers.  You don’t need a lot to get the job done.

For dark circles, ensure that you dab under your eye, don’t spread.  The skin under the eye is very thin and far more prone to wrinkling than thicker skin on other areas of the face.

5. Conceal

Bullet Concealer for Men | Spot Targeting Face Camouflage $14.95

According to the same Birchbox Man study above, 66% of the 3,000 men surveyed indicated that they have used or would use a concealer.  When you’ve got a major pimple, or a bright red ingrown hair, concealer’s thicker consistency and spot treatment is meant to handle the tough jobs that CC Cream can’t handle by itself.

Put a small amount on your ring finger and dab on the spot a few times until adequate coverage is achieved, ensuring that it is also blended well into the skin.

Check out The Ultimate Guide to Concealer for Men for an in-depth look at how to choose, apply, and tackle individual pimples, blemishes, razor burn, and dark circles.

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Strictly Man Supply Co. CC Cream Tinted Face Moisturizer for Men

I always knew that I wanted to start a business.  It didn’t take long for me to figure out that a grooming company for men is what I wanted to do.  I want other men to feel more confident with their skin.  I don’t want men to feel embarrassed about their acne, dark circles, or bad complexion like I did, which is why a CC Cream for Men was the obvious choice for a first product.

It took a long time to get the best formula for men as possible.  I vetted several manufacturers and turned down sample after sample until the right manufacturer produced the best CC Cream.  Over a year of development went by, and I was adamant about having all of the things a quality CC Cream should have in Strictly Man Supply Co.’s formula.

I wanted broad spectrum SPF coverage, and I wanted a light formula that absorbed quickly without transferring onto sunglasses or shirt collars.  I wanted a formula that wouldn’t clog pores and was fragrance free.  I wanted to balance coverage with a formula that would look natural on the face and not cause it to get too shiny or too “cakey”.  Most importantly, I wanted it to work with all skin types.

Currently, it comes in light/medium tint, which should cover most men’s skin tones with light to dark hair.  However, if you are really tan, it might be a little too light, but there is a plan to make a darker tint in the future.

Although “best” is subjective, I’ve tried numerous other CC Creams and BB Creams from well known, expensive brands. Strictly Man Supply Co.’s CC Cream can hold its own against them, even without their big budgets, high price tags, and corporate backing.

I believe in the product, and I wear it every day.

I feel good.  I am confident, and I believe all men should have access to the same confidence if they need their skin to look better like I do.

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Men don’t talk about grooming with each other, and it’s kind of a taboo subject.  I went to the mall awhile back looking for a new cologne fragrance.  I started talking to the owner of a small cologne and perfume shop.  He was a 21-year-old immigrant, who came to the US as a child.  He worked hard, saved his money, and bought part of a stake in the fragrance shop after finishing high school.  We began talking, and I told him that I ran a men’s grooming blog.

I also told him that I was working on my first product, a CC Cream for Men.  He asked what it was, and he lit up when I told him some of the basics.  He said that my skin was “glowing” but didn’t want to ask how I got it to look so good.

The owner had some acne problem areas on his jawline that he admitted embarrassed him.  I told him that my skin wasn’t that great either, and that I have a blotchy complexion from past acne and still get the occasional breakout.

It was a weird experience opening up to a stranger about a physical flaw that I am self-conscious about and vice versa.  But, it felt good, and I enjoyed problem-solving with him.

That is why I built this company and started this blog.  That is why I built this product, a CC Cream Tinted Face Moisturizer for Men.  To help men overcome their self-consciousness.  To help men feel good.  To help men get the girl they want.  To help men get the job, deal, or business they strive for.  To help men kick ass in life.  To foster confidence and give men the edge they deserve.

CC Cream isn’t the end all, be all of products, you’ll still need to follow a basic routine that involves cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing.  But, I think the blog Mankind says it best regarding tinted moisturizers for men in general, it is one of the “most subtle, yet effective ways of improving your skin’s appearance”.

Overall, if something as simple as a little tint in a moisturizer can help alleviate fear, increase confidence, and allow you to take full advantage of life, I’ve met my goal.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you’ll try some CC Cream Tinted Moisturizer for Men.

Good luck in all of your endeavors!

Get it on Amazon here!

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Check out the full list of articles on BB Cream for Men, CC Creams and Tinted Moisturizers:

• Cheat Sheet: 5 Ways Men Can Make Their Skin Look Better
• Lifestyle Asia: Bro Code: The best BB Creams for men
• Birchbox Man: BB Man Test Drive: Tinted Moisturizer
• Birchbox Man: The Birchbox Man Summer Survey 2013 [Infographic]
• Mankind: Tinted Moisturiser for Men
• Jezebel: Should Guys Wear Tinted Moisturizer? We Made ‘Em Try It
• Very Good Light: I’ve been tricking my friends into thinking I have perfect skin