BB cream, also known as a blemish or beauty balm, is an all-powerful and versatile multipurpose product. Infused with makeup and skincare ingredients, this cream has made its mark in the beauty landscape. The purpose of this iconic product is to even out skin tone and blur any imperfections for a flawless complexion.
While foundations provide full coverage and will always have their place in our makeup routine, we also can’t ignore the lightweight, and easy-coverage BB creams afford. This foundation-meet-moisturizer hybrid also offers sun protection and a believable glow that we just can’t resist. Plus, some of the creams are jam-packed with favorite hydrators, brighteners, and fine-line filling ingredients, making us want to rave all day long. Below find some of the top BB creams for all skin types, and get ready to reap the reward of this iconic duo product.
Comparing Most Premium BB Creams
Perfect Cover BB Cream — Best Overall
If you are obsessed with new makeup trends, you must know how popular K-products are. This Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream comes from a Korean beauty brand and delivers smooth, glass-like skin. Infused with natural botanicals and snail mucin, it repairs, brightens, and hydrates the skin beautifully. Plus, the inclusion of ceramides and hyaluronic acid in the formula also helps to improve skin elasticity.
This pick provides ample coverage that helps to conceal blemishes, dark circles, and discoloration without putting too much effort. Also, it minimizes the pores, covers wrinkles and fine lines by infusing and locking moisture for firmer-looking, tight skin. The best part, this cream is available in seven shades and has a sweet rosemary scent. Even though it was initially curated for dry, dehydrated skin, people with all skin types can use it. The fact that it is easy to blend and feels like nothing makes this product the best overall on our list.
Pros
- Fantastic sun protection with SPF 42
- Slows down the signs of aging
- It has nutrient-rich marine extracts to calm the skin
Cons
- The smell might irritate people with sensitive skin
Maybelline Dream BB Cream — Best Drugstore
Maybelline New York is renowned for being an affordable beauty brand, so it’s not surprising for this Dream Fresh BB Cream to be a hit too. With a gel-like consistency formula, this cream glides over the skin smoothly, leaving it fresh and radiant instantly. It has a sheer tint and offers light coverage with an ample hydration dose and a dewy finish that you just can’t resist.
This pick provides eight skin-loving benefits, such as brightening, smoothing, protecting, enhancing, and so much more. Its self-adjusting shades mean you’ll be able to use this cream all year long. Plus, this product also works well to blur the pores, soften the blemishes, and reduces redness on your face. So if no makeup look is what you desire, this cream is perfect as it looks exceptionally natural on the skin.
Pros
- Shine-free formula
- Offers SPF 30 sun protection
- Suitable for all skin types
Cons
- It only comes in five shades
Garnier Skinactive BB Cream — Best for Oily Skin
Behold, the iconic oil-free BB cream is here. This Garnier Skinactive BB Cream is suitable for all people who fear applying anything on the face due to heaps of uncontrollable sweat. But, no more. This cream’s non-comedogenic formula contains perline, an oil-absorbing mineral powder. It does an excellent job of controlling shine and gives a matte effect to the skin of your face.
This product has tinted mineral pigments that give light to medium coverage. Dubbed a 5-in-1 miracle skin perfector, this pick has antioxidants and SPF 20 that keep the rest of your face protected and hydrated. So for all oily and combination skin gals out there, this drugstore product is a blessing for you.
Pros
- Lightweight formula
- Offers perfect glow
- Provides 24-HR hydration
Cons
- Only available in dark and light skin tones
Physicians Formula Super BB Cream — Best for Sensitive Skin
This Physicians Formula Super BB Cream is an All-in-1 beauty balm that beautifully supplements foundation and moisturizer. Infused with a powerful formula of antioxidants and botanicals, this cream brightens, firms, perfects, conceals, moisturizes, and smooths the skin. Also, the lightweight texture of this pick gives a non-greasy, dewy finish.
This product also acts as a primer and pore filler, thus setting the stage flawlessly for makeup application. Plus, it blurs imperfections and color corrects to hide areas of discoloration. It is hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, thus being an ideal choice for people with sensitive skin types.
Pros
- Long-wearing formula
- Skin feels soft and glowy
- Tinted moisturizer with SPF
Cons
- Only two shades are available
L’Oreal Paris Skin Beautifier BB Cream — Best for Dry Skin
Another drugstore favorite, this L’Oreal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream, is loaded with hydrating properties. It’s 4-in-1 cream that not only primes but also corrects, hydrates, and perfects the skin. Loaded with vitamins C and E, this cream has antioxidant properties that nourish the skin.
The ultra-light, creamy texture formula glides smoothly and blends seamlessly to give you a perfect no-makeup look. Also, it covers the fine lines brilliantly and provides medium coverage.
Pros
- Delivers a natural finish
- Hydrates and plumps the skin
- Long-wearing formula
Cons
- No sun protection
Buying Guide: BB Creams
BB creams are now a makeup staple for your minimal everyday looks but choosing them is no easy feat. From rich and creamy to a gel-like consistency, many BB creams are available on the market. Also, not to forget the differences in skin types, shades, tint, finish, and so much more make the decision all more difficult. To help you, we scoured the Internet to curate this buying guide with all the information that will be vital for you while purchasing a good BB cream.
Factors to Consider in a BB Cream
Ahead, find the list of all things you should consider before buying:
Determine your skin’s needs
Before buying any product, you must know what your skin needs are. Start by assessing your skin type. Below are some tips:
- Oily skin: If your face appears shiny or greasy, especially throughout the T-zone – forehead, nose, and chin, it means you have oily skin. With this type of skin comes a plethora of issues, such as large pores, blemishes, blackheads, whiteheads, and excess sebum production.
BB cream For oily skin – look for a cream that has an oil-free formula. Keep an eye out for labels like non-comedogenic, as it doesn’t clog pores.
- Dry skin: Dry skin generally has less oil production than oily skin. This type of skin often appears as flaky, patchy, or scaly. Dehydration and prominent fine lines are among the most common issues with this skin type.
BB cream for dry skin- formulas that contain hyaluronic acid or ceramides are best as they are the ultimate solution to dry skin. Look for labels like hydration and moisturization. Also, many BB creams now have potent ingredients that blur wrinkles and fine lines and give the illusion of a flawless complexion.
- Normal skin: This is a classic example of perfect balance, neither too dry nor too oily.
BB cream for normal skin: creams with moisturizing properties are ideal as they smooth the skin.
- Combination skin: this skin is oiler in some areas while dry in others. T-zone is oily, whereas cheeks are either dry or normal. So to take care of this skin, ample hydration is required.
BB creams for combination skin: creams that have moisturizing elements and oil-control properties work best.
- Sensitive skin: Does your skin gets irritated quickly or appear red and puffy? If yes, it indicates that your skin type is sensitive. Generally, sensitive skin is not solo. It means you might have one of the following skin types; dry-sensitive, oily-sensitive, or normal-sensitive. This skin type is most vulnerable to dyes and fragrances.
BB creams for sensitive skin: while targeting your other skin concerns, ensure the cream you purchase is hypoallergenic and scent-free.
Shade
It’s another vital point to consider, as choosing a shade different from your skin type may make your complexion appear grey. Not to mention it also looks odd and weary. Try to swatch the shade on the base of your neck to see if it blends right away. If you can’t spot any striking difference in the color of your skin, it means you have found your perfect shade.
SPF
As BB creams are a duo of makeup and skincare benefits, don’t forget to check the product you’re eyeing for SPF properties. Whether or not you spend long hours under the sun, you shouldn’t start your day without sun protection. Not only it saves you from harmful UVA and UVB rays, but it also prevents premature aging. However, if you have time to layer products, you can choose a BB cream without SPF.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply BB cream?
For better coverage, use a brush. You can also apply the cream with a damp sponge or blend it with your fingers for a more natural look.
How long does a BB cream last?
BB creams and foundations last one to two years after opening.