What is a DD cream and why do you need one?

We’re slowly making our way down the alphabet but are DD creams worth splashing the cash?

Beauty counters are going to start reading like an M&S lingerie aisle. That is, if the latest contender to the complexion-perfecting market is anything to go by. First there were BBs, then CCs and now (are you still with us?) the rise of the DD cream.

So what the heck is it? And does this mean we’re no longer searching for the best BB cream? Or giving our best CC cream the old ‘it’s not you it’s me’ line?

Originally marketed as a heavy duty cream for body and feet dubbed a ‘Daily Defense’ cream, things appear to have got a tad more complicated with the launch of ‘Dynamic Do It All’ creams. Designed to ‘prime, perfect and protect both instantly and over time’, these lotions are literally that - do it all creams. It sounds suspiciously like a BB or CC cream to us but the take-home message is their added anti-ageing credentials. Still confused? Let us break it down for you.

BB creams are essentially a turbo-charged tinted moisturiser. BB actually stands for Blemish Balm, so they're known for their buildable coverage, skincare benefits and an added SPF. And, you can find your perfect BB cream by taking Powder's nifty quiz. On the other hand, CC creams, aka Colour Correcting creams, offer skincare benefits, but their USP is their ability to even out the skin tone as well as neutralise redness and a sallow complexion thanks to the addition of nifty colour-adapting pigments.

Alongside the BB’s skincare benefits and SPF and the CC’s colour correcting credentials, the DDs have more of an anti-ageing focus to diminish fine lines and wrinkles over time.

To be worn on top of your moisturiser, instead of your foundation, DDs are an inspired new approach to base make-up. Rather than cover up the good skin along with the bad, they have a sheer coverage that evens everything out. On top of that, they have the benefit of combatting fine lines and wrinkles. Think of them as the protector. Their ingredients focus on defending your skin from environmental aggressors, like pollution. The result? Glowing, healthier skin.

So if you're in the market for a DD cream, try one from our edit of the best.

Autograph Tinted Daily Defence SPF30 DD Cream

Shop now: Autograph Tinted Daily Defence SPF30 DD Cream for £12.50 from Marks and Spencer

A dynamic all-in-one tinted DD cream, as well as a multi-tasking formula that minimises the appearance of fine lines and imperfections.

Madara Daily Defence Cream

Shop now: Autograph Tinted Daily Defence SPF30 DD Cream for £15 from Fabled

This all-over-body, hand & face balm helps skin dryness and roughness, protects skin from raw winds and cold. Vitamin-rich Northern cloudberry and sea buckhtorn oils soothe, hydrate and restore skin barrier providing softness.

Nuxe Crème Prodigieuse DD cream

Shop now: Nuxe Crème Prodigieuse DD Cream for £21 from uk.nuxe.com

This Daily Defense skincare SPF 30 moiturises for 8 hours, beautifies and protects skin from daily assaults such as oxidative stress, pollution, UVA/UVB.

Be sure to try one of the best DD creams from our round up for healthy, glowing skin.