Skin & Tonics : Skincare Guides & Product Reviews

I was really excited when Missha came out with a CC cream, since they’re responsible for all of my favorite BB creams. Missha was the first Korean brand BB cream I ever tried, and though I’ve tested close to 40 others since then, Real Complete and Perfect Cover are still my two favorite BB creams on the market. I was also intrigued by the fact that based on the naming convention, Missha and I seem to share the same philosophy when it comes to CC creams – that instead of being an entirely different product, they’re really just an offshoot of the BB cream. To that end, Missha’s CC cream offering is actually called Missha Complexion Coordinating BB Cream. So, it’s a CC cream that’s a BB cream – or wait, no, it’s a BB cream that’s a – oh, you get it.

What is it?

Missha Complexion Coordinating BB Cream is a flaw correcting cream. This BB Cream is actually Missha’s CC Cream offering, and comes in two shades: No.1 Pure Complexion and No.2 Flawless Complexion. In addition to improving skin tone, correcting flaws, and evening skin texture, Missha Complexion Coordinating BB Cream also promises to brighten, firm, moisturize, and sooth skin. This CC/BB cream also promises SPF 43/PA +++ UVB/UVA protection.

Shade No.1 Pure Complexion comes in a white container, and is a white cream with tiny, beige capsules that break as you apply the product, allowing the CC/BB cream to adjust to a more skin tone-like color. The color is said to be comparable to Missha colors #13 Milky Beige and #21 Light Beige.

Shade No.1 Pure Complexion

Shade No.2 Flawless Complexion comes in a black container, and is a beige cream. The color is said to be comparable to Missha colors #21 Light Beige and #23 Natural Beige.

Shade No.2 Flawless Complexion

No.1 Pure Complexion Ingredients
Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Zinc Oxide (CI 77947), Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Niacinamide, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Sodium Chloride, Punica Granatum Extract, Sansevieria Leaf Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Jasmine Flower/Leaf Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Iris Versicolor (Blue Flag) Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Rose Extract, Freesia Refracta Extract, Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus (Daffodil) Flower Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Extract, Achillea Milleforium Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Cowslip Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Veronica Officinalis Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Pentylene Glycol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Tribehenin, Dimethicone, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Glyceryl Tribehenate/Isostearate/Eicosandioate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Stearic Acid, Polyester-1, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Water, Adenosine, Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexandiol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Carbomar, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxy Ethanol, Perfume, Mica, Iron Oxides

Shade No.1 Pure Complexion

No.2 Flawless Complexion Ingredients
Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Zinc Oxide (CI 77947), Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Niacinamide, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Sodium Chloride, Punica Granatum Extract, Sansevieria Leaf Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Jasmine Flower/Leaf Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Iris Versicolor (Blue Flag) Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Rose Extract, Freesia Refracta Extract, Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus (Daffodil) Flower Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Extract, Achillea Milleforium Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Cowslip Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Veronica Officinalis Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Pentylene Glycol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Tribehenin, Dimethicone, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Glyceryl Tribehenate/Isostearate/Eicosandioate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Stearic Acid, Polyester-1, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Water, Adenosine, Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexandiol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Carbomar, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxy Ethanol, Perfume, Mica, Iron Oxides, Caprylyl Methicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Arbutin, Talc, Methylpropanediol, Hexyl Laurate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer

Shade No.2 Flawless Complexion

For the most part, the ingredient lists are identical. The difference between the two appear primarily at the end of the No.2 Flawless Beige list, which, in addition to the ingredients contained in No.1, also contains:

Caprylyl Methicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Arbutin, Talc, Methylpropanediol, Hexyl Laurate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer

Missha loves to pack a long list of plant extracts in their ingredient lists, and the Missha Complexion Coordinating BB Cream is no exception. These extracts aren’t miracle workers, but most of them do contain antioxidants, which assist in preventing and repairing skin damage by slowing the effect of free radicals. Additional standout ingredients for me include:

Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Water – Nelumbo Nucifera Flower is better known as the Lotus Flower. In this formula, the Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Water replaces regular water or distilled water. This is listed on the Missha website is being one of the ingredients responsible for some of this product’s moisturizing properties. I’ve found no evidence to suggest that Lotus flower water is any more moisturizing than regular water. Lotus flower extract does, however, contain a number of antioxidants, which is great news. Additionally, there has been a recent study which showed Lotus extract “possessed strong protective effect against UVB-induced phototoxicity.”

Niacinamide – One of my favorite actives, and apparently one of Missha’s favorites too, as it’s included in many of their product formulas. Niacinamide is a hydrating, brightening, anti-inflammatory ingredient that has been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It also helps reduce redness and has been shown to help treat acne.

Sodium Hyaluronate – Able to hold up 1,000 times it’s weight in water, this humectant does a great job attracting and maintaining water in the skin. It also helps promote blood circulation and nutrient absorption in the skin.

According to COSDNA, the ingredient lists for both color contain a few potential acne triggers. The biggest cause for concern is Ethylhexyl Palmitate, which rates a 4 out of 5 as a potential acne trigger. Hexaline Glycol and Stearic Acid both score a 2 out of 5 as possible acne triggers.

Left: No.1 Pure Complexion, Right: No.2 Flawless Complexion

Performance

Packaging
The packaging for Missha Complexion Coordinating BB Cream is crazy bulky. The containers are cylinders, each with a diameter that’s slightly larger than a soup can. A soup can. It’s definitely not the sort of thing you can just toss in your purse – at least, not in my purse. If your purse is a gym bag or a suitcase, you’d probably be fine.

The dispenser is an interesting convention. The top has a tiny slot in it, which dispenses product as you twist the top interior of the container. It’s inventive, but gets dirty quickly. I wipe mine down after every use to prevent it from looking like beige, smeary, impressionist mess.

Smell
There is a smell, but it’s kind of hard to describe. It’s just sort of an ambiguous lotion-type smell. It’s not floral, fruity, or medicinal – it just smells like cream. It’s been a while since I’ve smelled Eucerin, but that’s what I thought of as soon as I smelled this CC/BB cream.

Application
I’ve tried a few different application methods, and so far, the best results have come from initially spreading a pearl-sized amount of the cream over my face with my fingers, then blending it in with a stippling brush. My favorite brush for this is the Hakuhodo G5557, but the Urban Decay Optical Blurring Brush or the Real Techniques Foundation Brush would also do well with this product.

Hakuhodo G5557 Foundation Brush

Results
Sadly, the finish and coverage of these CC/BB creams isn’t my favorite. I like No.2 slightly better than No.1, primarily because No.1 is too light for me, but neither of them really gave me a flawless look. The finish for both colors of the Missha Complexion Coordinating BB Cream is dewy, but something about them still managed to make my skin look dry – like dry skin with something wet on it – even when my skin was well moisturized.

The coverage is better than some other CC creams I tried – much better than the Banila Co. It Radiant CC Cream, for example. Strangely, while they both covered a good amount of redness, the redness that wasn’t covered seemed to be accentuated when I wore these CC/BB creams, particularly in the nose area. Additionally, the coverage I do get from this product doesn’t appear smooth to me. In fact, I think my skin tone appears slightly splotchy with Missha Complexion Coordinating BB Cream applied. Someone who naturally has a more even skin tone and doesn’t have a lot of issues with redness might find the coverage adequate, but anyone with redness, hyperpigmentation, or any other flaws they need concealed will probably need to reach for something with more coverage than Missha Complexion Coordinating BB Cream.

No foundation or CC/BB cream.

As far as color goes – #21 is my perfect match in Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream. I can wear #23 if I want a little “glow.” No.1 Pure Complexion, which is said to be a good match for those who fall in the #13 to #21 range, was too light for me. I imagine it would be a much better match for someone who is straightforwardly #13. No.2 Flawless Complexion is a better match, though it’s still just a titch light. I think the lightness might be by design – meant to be interpreted as “brightness,” I’d imagine. I don’t mind a little brightening, so I’m fine with the coloring of the No.2, but someone who wears #23 in Perfect Cover and is looking for a perfect color match might be put off by it.

Missha Complexion Coordinating BB Cream – No.1 Pure Complexion.

Missha Complexion Coordinating BB Cream – No.2 Flawless Complexion.

Because of my issues with the finish and the coverage, I don’t like wearing Missha Complexion Coordinating BB Cream on its own. However, it does make a spectacular base for my powder foundations. I particularly like it as a base for my MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation, which I normally find drying on my skin type, even with a primer. When applied over the Missha Complexion Coordinating BB Cream, I don’t experience any of the drying effects, even after sitting in an air-conditioned office all day. Additionally, I find that I need to apply far less Studio Fix Powder when wearing the CC/BB cream to get the same amount of coverage as the Studio Fix Powder on its own.

MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation in NC20 over Missha Complexion Coordinating BB Cream in No.1 Pure Complexion as a base.

In terms of skincare benefits – the formula is very moisturizing but not greasy, which I love. I didn’t experience any visible long term benefits. It’s possible that this product does have brightening properties, especially given its Niacinamide content. However, I use so many brightening skincare products, this is likely a law of diminishing returns situation. I did not experience any breakouts from using this product, which is always a victory for my acne prone skin.

Overall, I think you could do worse than Missha Complexion Coordinating BB Cream, but there are better options out there. For younger, less flawed skin, the coverage is probably adequate. For skin like mine that has some redness and hyperpigmentation I’d like to conceal, the coverage is simply not enough, and the finish isn’t particularly flattering. I really do love how it performs as a makeup base for my powder foundation though, and for that reason, I will finish both of these containers. I will not purchase this product when I’ve run out.

Pros:
+ Moisturizing
+ Provides additional UVA/UVB protection
+ Great makeup base – especially under powder foundation

Cons:
– Coverage is minimal – not great for those with lots of hyperpigmentation or redness
– Contains a few potential acne triggers
– Bulky packaging that dirties easily

Skin & Tonics Rating:
Performance: 3/5 – Moisturizing, and a great makeup base, but not the best standalone product for

Quality: 3/5 – The quality is decent – I like that the water in this product is antioxidant filled Lotus water instead of distilled water. But there are a few acne triggers in the formula, and the packaging is cumbersome.

Value: 2/5 – At $35, it’s inching in on the higher end of the pricing spectrum, which would be fine if had been a better standalone performer. I’d rather spend the extra $10 for Hera CC Cream, which has a much nicer finish on me.

Overall: 2.7/5

Where to Buy

Missha Complexion Coordinating BB Cream is available on the US Missha website. It was previously sold out, but they currently have a limited number back in stock at a special price ($25 instead of the usual $35). A cheaper way to go would be to buy this on eBay, where it sells for $25-$30 for a full size container. Many eBay sellers also offer a smaller, less bulky tube packaging for around $15, which is how I would recommend trying this product!

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