CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation SPF 40
CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation SPF 40
Product Description
A lightweight, color-correcting skin tint with 90% skincare formula featuring 2% niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and green tea extract. Delivers buildable medium coverage with a healthy, dewy glow finish and SPF 40 broad-spectrum protection in one effortless step.
β¨ Texture & Feel
90% Skincare Formula
Packed with skin-loving ingredients including glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and a brightening glow serum for skincare benefits while you wear it.
Clear Chemical SPF 40
First IT Cosmetics CC with clear chemical sunscreen that looks invisible on all skin tones without any white cast.
Brightening Glow Serum
Contains 2% niacinamide to help brighten skin, reduce dark spots, minimize pores, and improve skin texture over time.
24-Hour Hydration
Clinically proven to provide instant and long-lasting hydration for up to 24 hours thanks to hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
Color-Correcting Coverage
Buildable medium coverage that evens out skin tone, covers redness, and creates a natural no-makeup makeup look.
Green Tea Antioxidants
Green tea extract provides antioxidant protection against environmental aggressors and free radical damage.
π‘οΈ Safety & Compatibility
Contains chemical sunscreens (homosalate, octocrylene, octisalate) and salicylates which should be avoided during pregnancy.
Generally considered OK for nursing mothers, but consult your healthcare provider if you have concerns about chemical sunscreens.
Contains some potential triggers like butylene glycol and polysorbates, but many users with FA report no issues. Patch test recommended.
Dermatologist-tested and allergy-tested. Suitable for sensitive skin types including those with rosacea.
Most ingredients have comedogenic ratings of 0-1. Non-comedogenic formula unlikely to clog pores.
Includes parfum/fragrance and fragrance components like limonene, citral, and linalool. Those with fragrance sensitivities should patch test.
π¬ Ingredient Breakdown
β¨ Niacinamide 2% Proven
A multi-functional skincare superstar also known as Vitamin B3. Helps brighten skin, reduce dark spots, minimize pore appearance, and improve overall skin texture with consistent use.
- Brightening: Inhibits melanin transfer to help fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation
- Anti-aging: Boosts collagen production and improves skin elasticity
- Barrier support: Increases ceramide synthesis for stronger, healthier skin
π§ Sodium Hyaluronate N/A Proven
The salt form of hyaluronic acid, a powerful humectant naturally found in skin. Can hold up to 1000x its weight in water for intense hydration and plumping effects.
- Hydration: Draws moisture from the environment into the skin
- Plumping: Instantly plumps the look of fine lines and wrinkles
- Skin-identical: Naturally present in healthy skin tissue
πΏ Green Tea Extract N/A Proven
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract provides powerful antioxidant protection with catechins (especially EGCG) that fight free radical damage and environmental stressors.
- Antioxidant: One of the most researched natural antioxidants in skincare
- Anti-inflammatory: Helps calm redness and irritation
- Photoprotection: Provides additional protection against UV damage
π Snail Secretion Filtrate N/A Promising
A K-beauty favorite ingredient known for its repair and hydration properties. Contains a complex mixture of beneficial compounds including glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid, and antimicrobial peptides.
- Repair: Promotes wound healing and skin regeneration
- Moisturizing: Natural humectant properties for hydration
- Antioxidant: Contains superoxide dismutase for free radical protection
βοΈ Chemical Sunscreen Filters 18.4% Active
Combination of Homosalate (8.3%), Octocrylene (5.6%), and Octisalate (4.5%) provide broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection without the white cast of mineral sunscreens.
- Homosalate: UVB filter with peak protection at 306nm
- Octocrylene: Stabilizes other UV filters, improves water resistance
- Octisalate: UVB filter that helps solubilize other sunscreen agents
40 ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Caprylyl Methicone, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Dimethicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Parfum/Fragrance, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Silica Silylate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Limonene, Simethicone, Maltodextrin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Adenosine, Ethyl Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citral, Linalool, Sodium Citrate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol. May Contain: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide).
π Where It Fits in Your Routine
Apply as the last step of your AM skincare routine. No need for separate sunscreen or primer - it's all built in!
π How to Use
Prep Your Skin
Start with clean, moisturized skin. You can skip primer - the formula has built-in skincare benefits. No separate sunscreen needed.
Dispense Product
Pump 1-2 pumps onto the back of your hand or directly onto skin. A little goes a long way with this buildable formula.
Apply and Blend
Use your fingers, a beauty sponge, or the IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe brush. Start at the center of your face and blend outward to face, neck, and dΓ©colletΓ©.
Build Coverage
Add more product as needed to areas requiring extra coverage. The formula builds seamlessly without looking cakey or heavy.
π€ Who Is It For?
β Perfect for you if:
- You want a "no makeup" makeup look with a healthy glow
- You prefer multi-tasking products (foundation + SPF + skincare)
- You have dry to normal skin that needs hydration
- You want to improve skin brightness over time
- You dislike the white cast of mineral sunscreens
- You have mature skin and want anti-aging benefits
- You have sensitive skin or rosacea
β Consider alternatives if:
- You are pregnant (contains chemical sunscreens)
- You have very oily skin (may be too dewy)
- You prefer a full matte finish
- You need full coverage for severe acne or scarring
- You are sensitive to fragrance
- You prefer mineral-only sunscreens
- You have severe fungal acne (patch test first)
π― Skin Type Compatibility
Hydrating 90% skincare formula with hyaluronic acid and glycerin provides lasting moisture without clinging to dry patches.
Perfect balance of coverage and skincare. Gives a natural, healthy glow that lasts throughout the day.
Works well but may need light powder on T-zone by afternoon. Hydrates dry areas without over-moisturizing.
May be too dewy and slippery for very oily skin. Consider the CC+ Natural Matte formula instead.
Dermatologist-tested and allergy-tested. Contains fragrance, so patch test first if you're very reactive.
Non-comedogenic with low comedogenic ingredients. Niacinamide helps with acne. Patch test for fungal acne.
π Results Timeline
Instant Healthy Glow
Immediately evens skin tone, provides buildable medium coverage, and gives skin a natural, radiant finish. Hydration boost is noticeable right away.
95% noticed instant glowImproved Hydration
Skin feels consistently more hydrated and supple. The 24-hour moisture benefits become apparent with daily use. Makeup applies more smoothly.
88% noticed better hydrationVisible Skin Improvement
Clinical results show visible improvement in skin brightness, texture, pore appearance, and uneven skin tone. Dark spots begin to fade with consistent niacinamide use.
82% saw brighter skinLong-Term Benefits
Continued improvement in skin quality even without makeup. Niacinamide helps strengthen skin barrier and reduce hyperpigmentation with prolonged use.
76% reported improved bare skinβ Ratings by Platform
βοΈ Pros & Cons
β Praised
- Gorgeous healthy glow finish that looks natural, not greasy
- Buildable coverage from sheer to medium
- Skincare benefits improve bare skin over time
- No white cast from SPF on any skin tone
- Hydrating formula great for dry and mature skin
- Doesn't settle into fine lines or emphasize texture
- Perfect for "no makeup" makeup days
- Dermatologist-developed with quality ingredients
β Criticized
- Too dewy for oily skin types
- Contains chemical sunscreens (not pregnancy-safe)
- Fragrance may irritate sensitive users
- Can transfer onto clothing before setting
- Small size (1.08 oz) for the $42 price point
- Wears off around nose area throughout the day
- Shade range could be expanded for deeper tones
- May cause eye watering if applied too close to eyes
π° Budget-Friendly Alternatives (Dupes)
The closest drugstore dupe with similar skincare ingredients (niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides, collagen). Same pump packaging and buildable coverage. Slightly less glow finish.
Similar dewy finish and coverage level with higher SPF 50. Lacks the skincare ingredients but provides comparable wear and natural finish at a fraction of the price.
Provides similar healthy glow and hydration with glycerin. Lighter coverage and no SPF, but can be mixed with foundation for a comparable luminous effect.
Higher-end alternative with cleaner ingredients and mineral SPF. Similar serum-meets-foundation concept with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. More sheer coverage.
π Comparison with Competitors
IT Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow (This Product)
$42.00IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Original SPF 50+
$47.00ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
$52.00e.l.f. Camo CC Cream SPF 30
$15.00π¦ Storage & Shelf Life
12 months after opening
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep cap tightly closed between uses.
Airless pump bottle with twist-lock cap for hygienic dispensing and product preservation.
Yes, 1.08 fl oz is under the 3.4 oz TSA limit. Compact pump design is spill-proof for travel.
β Frequently Asked Questions
No, CC+ Nude Glow is NOT safe for pregnancy. It contains chemical sunscreens (homosalate, octocrylene, ethylhexyl salicylate) and salicylates that are absorbed through the skin and should be avoided during pregnancy. For breastfeeding, it's generally considered OK by dermatologists, but if you prefer to be cautious, opt for a mineral sunscreen foundation like the original IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream with physical SPF 50+.
The formula contains some ingredients that could potentially trigger fungal acne, such as butylene glycol and polysorbates. However, many users with malassezia folliculitis report no issues with this product. The non-comedogenic, lightweight formula is generally well-tolerated. We recommend doing a patch test first if you're prone to fungal acne. If you need a completely FA-safe option, consider the IT Cosmetics CC+ Oil-Free Matte formula.
Yes! CC+ Nude Glow pairs well with most skincare actives. Apply your retinol, vitamin C, or chemical exfoliants during your nighttime routine. In the morning, CC+ Nude Glow's 2% niacinamide complements these ingredients beautifully. The SPF 40 is especially important when using actives that increase sun sensitivity. Just allow your skincare to fully absorb before applying the foundation.
CC+ Nude Glow is best suited for dry to normal skin types. The 90% skincare formula with hyaluronic acid and glycerin provides intense hydration and a dewy glow finish. Combination skin can use it with light powder on the T-zone. Those with oily skin may find it too moisturizing - consider the CC+ Natural Matte formula instead. It's excellent for mature skin as it doesn't settle into fine lines.
You'll see instant results in terms of coverage, glow, and hydration. For the skincare benefits from niacinamide, clinical studies show visible improvement in skin brightness, texture, pore appearance, and uneven skin tone within 4 weeks of consistent daily use. The hydrating effects are cumulative, with many users noticing improved bare skin quality after 2-3 weeks of regular application.
Apply CC+ Nude Glow as the final step of your morning skincare routine. The recommended order is: cleanser β toner β serum β moisturizer (optional) β CC+ Nude Glow. You don't need a separate primer or sunscreen - it's all built into this one product! If you need extra coverage in certain areas, apply concealer after the CC cream.
No, CC+ Nude Glow is formulated to be non-comedogenic. Most ingredients have comedogenic ratings of 0-1, making it unlikely to clog pores. The lightweight, water-based formula sits comfortably on skin without blocking pores. Many users with acne-prone skin report no breakouts. The 2% niacinamide actually helps minimize pore appearance and regulate oil production.
CC+ Nude Glow has a 12-month PAO (Period After Opening). The airless pump packaging helps preserve the formula by preventing air exposure and contamination. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. With daily use, a 1.08 oz bottle typically lasts 2-3 months depending on how much you apply. Look for the open jar symbol on the packaging for the exact PAO.
Verdict: IT Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow delivers on its promise of a skin-loving foundation that provides both instant glow and long-term skincare benefits. The 90% skincare formula with 2% niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and green tea extract makes it an excellent choice for those seeking multi-tasking makeup. The buildable medium coverage and natural dewy finish are perfect for "no makeup" makeup days. Best suited for dry to normal skin types who want hydration and radiance. The main drawbacks are the chemical sunscreens (not pregnancy-safe) and potential for being too dewy for oily skin. At $42 for 1.08 oz, it's a worthwhile investment for quality ingredients, but budget-conscious shoppers can find similar results with the e.l.f. Camo CC Cream dupe.
Product Overview
What are Quick Product Notes?
Quick product notes are a great way to check if a product is free from commonly avoided ingredients by skincare enthusiasts. These preferences come about for different reasons depending on the ingredient such as personal experiences, sensitivities, health preferences & etc.
Pro Tip Alert!
Just because a product is not free from a common preference does not mean it's a bad product! You can make a personal decision whether or not you want to use a product that contains these ingredients or not - click the labels of the preference to read more about them.
Quick Product Notes
Paraben-Free
Paraben-Free
Understanding Parabens
Parabens are a large group of preservatives which are used to prevent bacteria growing in cosmetic formulations. There has been some healthy controversy surrounding them due to a few studies finding paraben presence in breast tumours and breast tissue. However, the majority of the scientific community have deemed these findings non-conclusive due to the limitations of these studies. There's still a lot of support for avoiding parabens following the better safe than sorry route. If you do we completely support you! If you are concerned about the health safety of parabens, then feel free to avoid them by looking out for the Paraben-Free icon. If not, don't worry about it - they do have had one of the longest safety records as preservatives!
Which Ingredients are classified as Paraben?
A product will be paraben-free if it does not contain any of the following parabens:
- Sodium Isobutylparaben
- Sodium Ethylparaben
- Sodium Butylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Isopropylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
- Sodium Propylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Sodium Methylparaben
- Methylparaben
Sulfate-Free
Sulfate-Free
Understanding Sulfates
Sulfates are a large group of ingredients which act as cleansing agents in Cosmetics. They help loosen up the dirt and grime from your skin and hair to allow for water to wash it away with ease. However some sulfates are so good at their job, they can wash off your skinβs own natural oils that keep it moisturised and protected which can lead to dryness and irritation. Most people will find no issues with sulfate, however if you find your skin doesn't like sulfates then free feel to avoid them by looking out for the sulfate-free icon on Skincarisma.
Which ingredients are classified as sulfates?
We've taken the Sulfates which are considered more harsh for our Sulfate-Free status. A product will be Sulfate-Free if it does not contain any of the following Sulfates:
- TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
- Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- PEG-15 Cocamine
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate
- Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
- Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
- Ammonium Xylenesulfonate
- Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
- Sodium Xylenesulfonate
- Sodium Myreth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
Alcohol-Free
Alcohol-Free
Understanding Simple Alcohols
Alcohol ingredients are widely used in cosmetics and come in different types. For the most part alcohols are not problematic at all. However one type of alcohols, simple alcohols can be quite drying to the skin because it evaporates very quickly. This can cause irritation which can also lead to other skin complications. These alcohols should never be used alone on your skin, but combined with other cosmetic ingredients, they are normally without issue. However, for some people with sensitive and easily irritable skin, avoiding products with these simple alcohols may be beneficial. If you find your skin doesn't like these simple alcohols, then free feel to avoid them by looking out for the Alcohol-Free icon.
Which Ingredients are classified as Alcohol?
A product will be alcohol-free if it does not contain any of the following alcohol ingredients:
- SD Alcohol
- Alcohol Denat
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Alcohol
Silicone-Free
Silicone-Free
Understanding Silicones
If you've ever used a skincare, makeup or beauty product that's made your skin look and feel smoother tempoarily - it's likely contained Silicone. They are a popular class of ingredients found in cosmetics due to their smooth, soft, easy-to-spread and smooth properties that help creates an artificial layer/barrier on top of skin or hair (commonly found in conditioners).
For the same reasons they are popularly used, they are also commonly avoided. Anecdotally, many individuals have reported that Silicones cause/excerbate breakouts, irritation, cause a feeling of skin being unable to breathe, cause clumping of cosmetic products and find it difficult to wash off. As a result, those who find them problematic are avoiding them and increasingly, cosmetic companies are avoiding them as well.
If you have had bad experiences with Silicones in the past, or suspect they are problematic then look out for the tick on the Silicone-free label.
Disclaimer
The Silicone-free label only includes the most common Silicone ingredients that have indentified been reported by individuals that could potentially cause issues.
These include: Amodimethicone, Behenoxy Dimethicone, Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Cetearyl Methicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Copolyol, Dimethiconol, Methicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Stearoxy Dimethicone, Stearyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsilylamodimethicone.
Note, that this does not include all ingredients part of the Silicone class of ingredients.
EU Allergen-Free
EU Allergen-Free
Understanding the Identified Contact Allergens
The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has identified and established 26 cosmetic ingredients that are likely contact allergens (potential to cause skin allergies) as demonstrated in clinical or epidemiological studies. The EU's SCCS have recommend cosmetic companies to disclose them on the labels if used and in cases where the concentration exceeds 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products, then they must be labelled.
Look out for the tick on the EU-Allergen free label to know your cosmetic is free from any of the 26 identified cosmetic ingredients.
For more information regarding the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, please visit their official website.
Disclaimer
The EU Allergen Free label is for the 26 ingredients identified by the EU SCCS and products will be only flagged if a suspected ingredient is on it's ingredient list. It is possible for cosmetics to contain one of the suspect ingredients without it appearing on the ingredient list due to it not reaching the concentration threshold to disclose it and cosmetic manufacturers choice to not disclose it.
Also note, the EU Allergen Free label is not personalized for your own allergies you may have and it does not constitute as medical advice. For your specific case, always consult your medical professiona such as dermatologist, physician, pharmacist, or health care provider - please read our medical disclaimer for more information.
Fungal Acne (Molassezia) Safe
Fungal Acne (Molassezia) Safe
Understanding Fungal Acne (Pityrosporum Folliculitis/Malassezia Folliculitis)
Pityrosporum Folliculitis/Malassezia folliculitis or simply known as Fungal Acne is a persistent acne-like condition that commonly responds poorly to traditional acne-treating methods. Unlike most cases of Acne where bacteria is the culprit, Fungi is the culprit of Fungal Acne (Hence the name!). There are certain classes & groups of ingredients that have been shown to promote and feed the growth of the Fungal Acne, Fungi such as fatty acids, oils, esters, polysorbates and fermented ingredients.
For more information regarding Fungal Acne, please visit Simple Skincare Science (f.c) - #3 of our Recommend Skincare Resources for an amazing comprehensive guide!
Please Read: How to use the Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Label
At SkinCarisma, we've done our best to identify as many ingredients as possible but note the fungal-free label may not be 100% accurate due to the complexconditions and combination of ingredients that malezzeria can thrive on.
Additionally, products that may contain ingredients that have shown to feed Malassezia may not neccessarily exacerbate the condition due to concentration of ingredient used in the product, this information is simply not available on the products.
As a result, please note this is only an experimental label that can be best used to possible identify problematic products you have used in the past. It is in no way a perfect identifier nor a predictor in whether or not it will exacerbate or cause fungal acne. It will continue to be worked on as more information and research comes to light.
If you find any ingredients you believe should be included, please email us at snails@skincarisma.com.
Disclaimer
Due to the lack of substantial research into this area it is very likely there are other ingredients and class/groups of ingredients that could feed Fungal Acne which have not been indentified.
The Fungal-Safe label does not constitute as medical advice. For your specific case, always consult your medical professiona such as dermatologist, physician, pharmacist, or health care provider - please read our medical disclaimer for more information.
What are Notable Effects & Ingredients?
Ever used a product that promised a certain effect but provided no results? It might not have contained any notable ingredients that could have been responsible for that promised effect. It doesn't matter what the marketing or packaging Β«promisesΒ» it can do, if it doesn't contain anything that can help - then the likelihood of it helping is low.
We help you identify key notable ingredients that have been shown to help with effects such as acne-fighting, brightening, UV-protection, wound healing & anti-aging to help you achieve your skincare goals smarter. Please note that different notable ingredients have varying levels of research behind them, some are extremely well proven yet some have mixed research in their efficacy.
Pro Tip Alert!
Just because a product doesn't contain any notable ingredients doesn't mean it's bad. And a product with notable ingredients (or even many) doesn't necessarily guarantee the efficacy of the product performing these effects either. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine this.
Be smart and use this as just a starting point for you to make more informed and smarter choices and compare it with reviews to see if the product is right for you
Notable Effects & Ingredients
Anti-Aging from 4 ingredient(s):
Brightening from 3 ingredient(s):
Promotes Wound Healing from 6 ingredient(s):
Ache-fighting from 1 ingredient(s):
What are Ingredients Related to Skin Type?
Why are some products great for some people and horrible for others? Well everyone has different skin types and different reactions to the same ingredients.
We've identified a range of ingredients that are commonly regarded as potentially good or bad for those with Dry, Oily/Acne-Prone or Sensitive skin.
Pro Tip Alert!
A product that contains good or bad ingredients for your skin type doesn't always flat out make the entire product good or bad for your skin. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine your skins reaction.
One of the best ways to use this section is to troubleshoot products you've had bad experiences with in the past. Check if it contains any of the marked ingredients to point out suspect ingredients to avoid in the future!
Ingredients Related to Skin Types
Dry Skin
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
Sensitive Skin
What is the Ingredient Safety Breakdown?
Ingredient Safety Breakdown refers to the percentage % of ingredients in different risk categories as classified by EWG (Environment Working Group) if they are available. There are almost endless cosmetic ingredients and they are one of the few organisations globally that have assigned ratings to a lot of the more commonly used ingredients which is why we reference them.
Pro Tip Alert!
EWG is seen by many to be more on the alarmist side in their assignment of health ratings resulting in rating ingredients as riskier than they actually are. We recommend using this a reference point rather than a strict guide of ingredient safety and to always do further research if into ingredients that you may find suspect.
Ingredient Safety Breakdown
Product ingredient list
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Water
Solvent, Skin Conditioning
|
|
|
| 2 |
Glycerin
Solvent, Perfuming, Fragrance, Humectant, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Denaturant, Skin Conditioning
|
Brightening
Promotes Wound Healing
Hydrating
|
|
| 0 |
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning, Uv Absorber, Uv Filter
|
|
|
| 3 |
Octocrylene
Uv Absorber, Sunscreen Agent, Uv Filter
|
UV Protection
|
|
| 1 |
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
|
|