E.L.F. Camo Hydrating CC Cream Review & Swatches
E.L.F. Cosmetics Camo Hydrating CC Cream SPF 30 ($15) is a new full coverage, color correcting foundation with a dewy finish and an SPF 30 that launched as part of E.L.F.’s Spring 2024 offerings. This new hydrating formula contains Vitamin B5, Tremella Mushroom, Hyaluronic Acid and Broad-Spectrum SPF 30 and it’s a cruelty-free and vegan formula.
I should disclose I don’t like E.L.F. Camo CC Cream nor Camo Concealer. I find them both very heavy and mask-like. And Camo Concealer, even the hydrating version, feels very dry to me. I also, don’t get on so well with E.L.F.’s shade range. I feel like all the light-medium shades are either too beige, too muddy, or too yellow even though they have an “e.l.f. Shade Match Guarantee means you’ll always find your perfect match” in place. And lastly, (someone needs to talk about it) I’m not a huge fan of E.L.F. concealers and foundations because their cream products (even eyeshadows and blush) tend to separate, dry out, or go off very quickly. That being said, they caught me on “hydrating” as I’m a dry skin girl and I decided why not, let me give this a try and see how it goes.
Here’s my thoughts, swatches, and review of the new E.L.F. Camo Hydrating CC Cream.
E.L.F. Camo Hydrating CC Cream launched in 30 shades and comes in a pump tube. It’s 1 oz in size and $15 same as the original formula. The pump works great and doesn’t squirt out a huge gob of foundation. I got the shade Light 240 W which is described as Light with Warm Undertones. There are no light medium shades it just skips from Light to Medium. The Medium shade selection has one cooler tone and two neutrals. So much for “shade range guarantee”. I’m a light medium skin tone that likes a more light peach undertone which is pretty difficult to find sometimes as most foundation undertones are olive and golden. I can get away with a neutral undertone so, that’s why I did choose Light 240 W but it wasn’t the best choice as it looks really yellow to me. Once I blended it out it looked ok but I’d have liked something that was less yellow. I just struggle finding a match in E.L.F. color range for some reason.
I like this formula a lot but don’t love the shade range. Also, you might be a smidge disappointed in what they promise which is full coverage, dewiness, and a glow. I thought it was medium coverage, wasn’t dewy but was hydrating, and didn’t have any glow. Personally, I was happy with what I got but if you wanted more coverage or dewiness I didn’t personally experience that. The CC Cream has a thicker, creamy consistency with a light, hydrating feel on skin that blends very easily and leaves behind a smooth finish. It isn’t tacky, sticky, nor dewy at all. It doesn’t leave skin “wet” to the touch. It just sets to a smooth to the touch finish. I thought the coverage was around medium but you can apply a little less for sheerer coverage. I used a small dot and it was enough for me. My skin looked bright and flawless after application and I had no issues with the formula adhering to drier areas around my nose (especially around the sides of my nose where it’s a bit drier). I thought it was very breathable and light on not to mention it looks beautifully smooth and even. I dare say it feels and works like a tinted moisturizer but with a lot more pigmented than you’d get from one. The coverage is sheerer compared to the original but it’s still plenty of pigmentation to conceal many issues such as darkness, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, etc… It didn’t oxidize and it wore for a solid several hours without fading. I think it also deserves to be mention it’s fragrance-free and does not have the heavy chemical scent that Camo Concealer had (that smelled like a magic marker to me). In regards to the SPF, I personally think it is too low and also, I don’t really rely on foundation products to protect me from sun damage but for those interested the active sunscreen ingredients are E.L.F. Camo Hydrating CC Cream Zinc Oxide 6.3%, Titanium Dioxide 6%, Homosalate 5%, Octisalate 4.5%, Octocrylene 3%.
The biggest perk with this formula is the fact it isn’t as heavy or as mask-like as it’s predecessor. I don’t like to look like I’m wearing foundation. I have already good skin but I struggle with a duller, lackluster appearance and I rely on foundation to brighten up my complexion and make it brighter and this does that flawlessly without making me look like I have a pound of foundation on. Sadly, the original formula failed at that as it felt and looked dry on me and wasn’t as natural looking as this formula.
I wish E.L.F. Camo Hydrating CC Cream had a better shade range for my tone but all in all, this formula was a delight. Lightly hydrating, natural looking, and beautifully smooth this is a great pick for anyone that enjoys more breathable coverage.
E.L.F. Camo Hydrating CC Cream is available now on the brand’s website and will launch December 24th at ulta.com! Have you tried or plan on trying it?
Where to buy
E.L.F. Camo Hydrating CC Cream is a vegan, cruelty-free color correcting CC Cream that’s available in 30 shades in 1 oz tube with an attached pump that’s $15. This new formulation is a retake on E.L.F.’s original Camo CC Cream but provides a more hydrating finish. As per the brand it’s full coverage, dewy, hydrating, and provides a glow. Personally, I didn’t experience full coverage but got a more medium finish but there’s plenty of pigment to be had here to ease darkness, brighten the complexion, correct redness, and hyperpigmentation. It wasn’t dewy either but was lightly hydrating with a smooth finish that didn’t adhere to my drier areas. It wears for a solid seven to eight hours on me without fading or oxidizing. It blends very easily into skin and applies and feels much like a tinted moisturizer of sorts. I was disappointed with the shade range as they lack light-medium shades. I thought the shade I selected was a bit too yellow for my liking.
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 6.3%, Titanium Dioxide 6%, Homosalate 5%, Octisalate 4.5%, Octocrylene 3%.
Inactive Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Panthenol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Trehalose, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrated Silica, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethyl Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Tin Oxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Canola Oil, Glycerin, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Beta-Carotene, Soluble Collagen. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Yellow Iron Oxide (CI 77492), Red Iron Oxide (CI 77491), Black Iron Oxide (CI 77499).
- Light, breathable.
- Pigmented.
- Smooth, flawless.
- Looks natural.
- Shade range could use some work.
E.L.F. Camo Hydrating CC Cream is a great pick up for those that enjoy a tinted moisturizer experience but would like more pigmentation with that experience.