Throughout high school and college, I never strayed from a super-heavy, full-coverage foundation that I thought I was in love with. It wasn't until I started trying lighter base makeup formulas a few years ago that I realised I preferred products that could help me achieve the no-makeup makeup look. When I heard that It Cosmetics was releasing a new medium-coverage version of its bestselling CC cream, I knew I had to try it. After testing it a few times, it quickly became one of my favourite base products. So, allow me to introduce the new, amazing It Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow ($42).

Unlike the other CC creams in the It Cosmetics family, which are all full-coverage, the new It Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow is a medium-coverage formula. CC+ Nude Glow is available in 22 shades and formulated with two percent niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and green-tea extract. The product is essentially a skin-care and makeup mashup that promises to brighten your skin tone and improve your skin's texture and plumpness. Combined with the same colour-correcting power the brand is known for and an added SPF 40, the three-in-one product was quickly shaping up to become my new favourite beauty product.

I have dry, acne-prone skin, so to be sure my face looks smooth and glowing daily, I typically just avoid base makeup altogether. I've found a few formulas that I like to wear occasionally, but I'd never met a foundation or a CC cream that I wanted to wear day after day. Base makeup typically leaves my skin dry and flaky, and in more intense cases, actually ends up breaking me out. Because of this, I look for lightweight, hydrating formulas — extra points if they're long-lasting.

I went with the shade Light Medium, which was a perfect match for my skin tone. When it came time to test it, I opted to apply it first thing in the morning when I was getting ready so I could see how it wore throughout the day. The first thing I noticed when I applied it was that it felt very lightweight and that it definitely had less coverage than other CC creams I'd tried from It Cosmetics in the past. I loved that I was still able to see some of my freckles popping through.

The formula glided over my skin easily as I applied it using a foundation brush, and I was immediately impressed with how radiant it made my skin look without being too oily. After, I blended everything out with a makeup sponge, which left my skin looking even better.

After wearing it for a full 12 hours, I was sold. This CC cream didn't leave my skin feeling tight and dry by the end of the day. Of all the It Cosmetics CC creams I've tried in the past, this one is hands down my favourite. The formula is lightweight but still long-wearing, which meant that by the end of the day my face was still sitting pretty even though I barely remembered I had anything on to begin with. Plus, it lasted me through my afternoon hot girl walk, even after I chose an uphill route that left me extra sweaty.

There's rarely a situation where I don't have a single con, but in this instance, I truly don't. I didn't run into any issues when testing this CC cream, which is why it's easily become my new go-to whenever I'm wearing base makeup.

Apply 1-2 pumps of CC+ Cream SPF 50 to clean skin using your Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection

7 makeup brush for effortless buffing and blending. For best results, apply a smooth, even layer to your face, neck and décolleté for complexion perfection!

BEAUTY TIPS: Focus on parts of your face that may need the most coverage first, such as under your eyes, around your nose and mouth, chin, and centre of forehead - all of which typically require colour correction for uneven skin tone.

Ingredients

INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: WATER, SNAIL SECRETION FILTRATE, PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, DIMETHICONE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, BUTYLENE GLYCOL DICAPRYLATE/DICAPRATE, ORBIGNYA OLEIFERA SEED OIL, BUTYLOCTYL SALICYLATE, CETYL PEG/PPG-10/1 DIMETHICONE, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, MAGNESIUM SULFATE, POLYGLYCERYL-4 ISOSTEARATE, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, HEXYL LAURATE, STEARIC ACID, CALCIUM STEARATE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, CITRUS MEDICA LIMONUM (LEMON) PEEL OIL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, CITRUS AURANTIUM BERGAMIA (BERGAMOT) FRUIT OIL, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, DISODIUM EDTA, CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS (ORANGE) PEEL OIL, CITRUS AURANTIFOLIA (LIME) OIL, VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) SEED OIL, PUNICA GRANATUM SEED OIL, PINUS SYLVESTRIS LEAF OIL, PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVOCADO) OIL, NIACINAMIDE, CITRUS GRANDIS (GRAPEFRUIT) PEEL OIL, CHOLESTEROL, ANTHEMIS NOBILIS FLOWER WATER, LACTOBACILLUS/HONEYSUCKLE FLOWER/LICORICE ROOT/MORUS ALBA ROOT/PUERARIA LOBATA ROOT/SCHIZANDRA CHINENSIS FRUIT/SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS ROOT/SOPHORA JAPONICA FLOWER EXTRACT FERMENT FILTRATE, PERFLUOROHEXANE, OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) LEAF EXTRACT, GLYCERIN, EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS LEAF OIL, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, CHRYSANTHEMUM INDICUM FLOWER EXTRACT, PUERARIA LOBATA ROOT EXTRACT, PERFLUORODECALIN, MORUS ALBA FRUIT EXTRACT, MAGNOLIA KOBUS BARK EXTRACT, GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) SPROUT EXTRACT, DIOSPYROS KAKI LEAF EXTRACT, CINNAMOMUM CASSIA BARK EXTRACT, ARTEMISIA PRINCEPS LEAF EXTRACT, PENTAFLUOROPROPANE, CURCUMA LONGA (TURMERIC) ROOT EXTRACT, STEARETH-20, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID, COLLOIDAL OATMEAL, HYDROLYZED SILK, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM BENZOATE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, N-HYDROXYSUCCINIMIDE, HYDROLYZED COLLAGEN, CAPRYLHYDROXAMIC ACID, TOCOPHEROL, THIAMINE HCL, RIBOFLAVIN, RETINYL PALMITATE, PANTOTHENIC ACID, PALMITOYL OLIGOPEPTIDE, NIACIN, FOLIC ACID, CHRYSIN, CARNITINE HCL, BIOTIN, ASCORBIC ACID, PALMITOYL TETRAPEPTIDE-7, CHLORHEXIDINE DIGLUCONATE. MAY CONTAIN: IRON OXIDES (CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499).

What is the difference between IT CC cream and IT foundation?

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation is the newest foundation to the Your Skin But Better range. Compared to the thicker CC cream texture, this is a lightweight, water-like liquid foundation that's easy to apply with a flat stippling foundation brush.

Is CC cream good for mature skin?

CC cream can be especially helpful when creating makeup looks on mature skin. "CC Creams typically have more skincare benefits than a traditional foundation, and as we age, ensuring our makeup includes skincare benefits is essential," says veteran makeup artist Laura Geller.

Is it OK to wear CC cream everyday?

Yes, you can use CC cream daily because it is typically the better formula for skin due to its added skin care properties and UV protection qualities. According to Collado, CC creams are great for daily use because they work as a color corrector. However, Corella also suggests cleaning your face daily before use.

Why use CC cream instead of foundation?

BB creams and CC creams are best if you find foundations to be too heavy or are looking for a formula with added skin benefits. Both these categories generally lean lightweight, and depending on the formula, you can get the benefits of SPF, antioxidant protection, and/or color correction in a single product.