Have you heard of BB Creams? Want to know what it is and what all the hype is about?

The “BB” in BB Cream is short for “Blemish Balm” or “Beauty Balm.”

The formulation of a BB Cream contains a mixture of moisturizer, foundation, sunblock and primer. It has the ability to make your aging skin appear smoother, even out your skin tone, improve the look of your skin and prevent your skin from aging.

The hype around BB Creams comes from convenience. In this fast-paced world, using a single product rather than layering on multiple products makes it perfect for those on the go. For some women, BB Creams have completely replaced their regular foundation and, with the latest research technologies, some brands have added anti-aging, whitening or shimmer compounds to improve their products.

With BB Creams, a higher price-tag doesn’t always equate to the product being “better”. The key to applying BB cream is sparingly. Try a small amount dotted on the forehead, nose, chin, under-eyes and cheeks, and then blend.

When purchasing a BB Cream, you may be swamped by the range and diversity available. So it’s good to know what it is you want to achieve with your BB Cream and how to read the label.

For example, Asian brands that have BB Creams available tend to have more skincare ingredients and sun protection then its competitors. However, they will also contain whiteners or bleaching ingredients for dark spots or pigmentations and generally have a limited colour range.

These days there are many brands that offer everything you need, it’s just a matter of determining what is important for you and your skin!

My Top Recommendations

All skin types

ESTEE LAUDER Double Wear All Day Glow BB Moisture Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 30

This is a fantastic long-wear BB Cream which feels almost like a light-weight foundation. Highly moisturizing and suitable for all skin types except very oily skin. It will give you a sheer coverage with the SPF protection you need.

POND’S Luminous Finish BB+ Cream

Providing you with a moderate, matte coverage for Normal to Combination skin types. It is also suitable for Sensitive and Acne prone skin. However, it only has SPF 15+.

3LAB Perfect BB Cream

3Lab BB Cream has used stem-cell technology in its formulation to firm, lift and rejuvenate the skin. This cream feels like a tinted moisturizer with all the added benefits but it comes with a price tag.

Kiehl’s Since 1851 Actively Correcting & Beautifying BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 50

With one of the highest SPF’s available, this cream provides all-day wear for all skin types. It especially corrects uneven skin tone and reduces the appearance of pores and fine lines.

STILA stay all day 10-in-1 HD Beauty Balm

This is the latest style of BB Cream – provides all natural ingredients, oil-free and can “reduce wrinkle depth up to 84%”. Catch is there is no SPF protection.

Personally, I feel this is more ideal as a Primer.

Oily Skin

‘BB Cream’ All-in-One Skin-Perfecting Beauty Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 21

For Oily, Sensitive or Combination skin, especially those with dark spots. The whitening ingredients will reduce visibility of your dark spots and is combined with the high sun protection.

Maybelline New York Dream Fresh BB Cream

Apart from the attractive price, this BB Cream is best for Oily skin. It evens blurs imperfections and enhances your skin, whilst giving you SPF30 and being available in a range of tones.

Dry Skin

L’Oreal Youth Code BB Cream Illuminator

This is best for Dry skin and those with wrinkles. It only comes in 2 shades and with SPF15.

Iman BB Cream

This BB Cream is fantastic for Dry skin and the best is that it has a large range of tones, even for tanned or dark toned women.

Revlon Photoready BB Cream

An overall cheap and good quality BB Cream for Normal to Dry skin types with SPF30.

Good luck finding the perfect BB cream for you. Let me know how you go and what your experience is!

Note from Sylvia: for a review of some BB creams that I have used check this article.

Do you have a favorite BB cream?

kellysignatureKelly is 40+Style’s makeup and beauty expert writer. She is a professional makeup artist currently residing in Singapore. For more information or bookings contact her through her website.

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The best BB creams | 40plusstyle.com

Sylvia

Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.

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