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 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.
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.
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?
Kelly 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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Olay BB Cream Fair is excellent. It has an SPF15 which is better than nothing and is quite cheap (below $10. My skin is dry and it goes on lovely, just be sure to blend the edges and hairline so you don’t get tidemarks!
Physicians formula bb cream is awesome for the price.
I still have extremely oily skin at 60, and I recently started using NYC (New York Color) BB cream, which is VERY inexpensive but I now like better than the Almay foundation I’d been using for many years. Doesn’t make my oily skin oilier, and covers pretty well for everyday wear. Comes in a “regular” and now a “matte” finish, which covers even a bit better.
For my dry 40+ skin, it’s Dr. Jart Premium BB, Estee Lauder BB Cream, Lumene CC Cream, Dior Nude BB Cream & IT Cosmetics CC Cream. Frankly, I’ve had good luck with just about every one I’ve tried, tho’ I get a better color match with some vs others
Thanks NeverSayDie Beauty – I will check IT Cosmetics out.
I have used several of the above. But for aging skin you can not beat IT cosmetics. Their CC cream is the best thing I have ever used…. I can get full or sheer coverage. I also use their primer and serum although you don’t have too. I have not tried their blushes.mLike their mascara too although Benifit’s Their Real gives you thicker but not longer lashes.
Two years ago I switched from Estee Lauder to Mischa!
I would never believe it is possible… but it is just perfect for me!
I have acne prone, extremely sensitive combination skin with very dry cheeks and very oily T-zone, and seborrheic dermatitis on my face as well…
Well, if most products do not work for you, try this one!
http://www.koreatrends.com/missha-m-perfect-cover-bb-cream-20ml-no-23-spf42-pa/
Hi Lucy, Missha is also a great brand for BB Creams although it is not as widely known outside of Asia. Do check out their other ranges of makeup and skincare, they are quiet good!
I love Shiseido’s – very light and easy to apply – for a cheaper summer version I love Sephora’s own brand
i just started with bb-cream – with a cheap drugstore brand. i have a very dry skin which gets red and sunburned easily and i´m fascinated how good that product works! when i used skincare + foundation my skin felt very dry and like a mask. bb-cream feels light and there are no dryness creases 🙂
xx
I really like the Pond’s BB Cream and use it in place of foundation for daily wear, but it may have been discontinued, sadly.
I’ve tried a number of products and some worked better than others. L’Oreal seems to work best for my dry skin.
Thanks for this – I have tried several, including the Revlon. All worked well – but the Almay one I tried had an odd scent. xo