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There's nothing wrong with wearing foundation, but it has its place and time. If you're in a hurry and don't want to deal with applying a full-coverage foundation, opt for a BB cream.
For those who don't know the term, BB creams are a combination of foundation and skincare. Sheerer than foundation, they efficiently blur the appearance of pores, wrinkles, and other imperfections while still giving enough breathability to your skin to peep through. Â
Due to the fact that BB creams are skincare products as well as cosmetics, they use the same ingredients as lotions and serums. Antioxidants and retinol, for example, are common anti-agers. Some use hyaluronic acid to provide a plumping effect, while others do not. If you're concerned about silicone or dimethicone (both of which tend to clog pores), wash your face thoroughly before using a BB cream and you’ll be good to go. Check out our favorites below!
The Leading BB Creams of 2024 Reviewed in Detail
Maybelline Cream — Best Overall
Key Features
- Blurs the appearance of pores
- 8-in-1 skin perfecting cream
- Works well on every skin tone
- Contains SPF 30 to protect against UV rays
The water-gel formula is easy to apply and immediately hydrates the skin. As a bonus, this product is oil-free, so you won't look shiny all day. You only need to use around one-tenth of a drop of this on your face.
The water-based solution contains 70% water and has a gel-like texture, so it keeps your skin feeling fresh all day long. Because it's so sheer, you won't look like you're wearing any makeup, even if it does blur slight flaws. With five skin-adapting colors and an SPF of 30, it's a great deal.
L'Oreal Cream — Best for Sheer Coverage
Key Features
- Buildable coverage with natural finish
- 4-in-1 benefits, from prepping to hydration
- Works well for any skin type
- Transform according to your complexion
This BB cream with a sheer to medium coverage is enriched with antioxidants, Vitamins C and E, and is made with beautifying beads to help you reveal the secret to beautiful, even skin tone. It lets you transform instantly to your ideal shade for a flawless, bare-skin appearance. With time, you'll get better-looking skin.Â
One application of this multi-tasking, ultra-light formulation provides four beautifying effects: a revived complexion, an even skin tone, moisture, and perfection. It adapts to your unique skin tone in an instant for a flawless, bare-skin appearance. In order to combat fatigue, the Magic Anti-Fatigue BB cream contains Beautifying Beads, which are encapsulated pigments that modify the color of the skin.
COVERGIRL Cream — Best for Hydration
Key Features
- Improves elasticity and firmness of the skin
- Keeps your skin nourished and moisturized all-day
- Provides 10 skin-friendly benefits
- Blends smoothly and effortlessly
This quick skin enhancer hydrates your skin all day long, leaving it feeling silky and smooth to the touch. Because it's so light and translucent, it blends seamlessly into your skin tone, hiding blemishes while letting your own natural brightness show through. Additionally, it offers broad-spectrum sun protection with an SPF of 21. Your makeup won't be prominent with Covergirl smoothers hydrating BB cream— everyone will compliment your gorgeous, luminous skin!
This cream is a one-stop shop for all of your skincare requirements. Its composition aims to restore skin elasticity for a natural-looking radiance and all-day moisture. It instantly improves the look of your skin without causing any irritation or clogging of your pores.
MISSHA Cream — Best Lightweight Option
Key Features
- Infuse nourishing ingredients for firmer-looking skin
- Conceal out the appearance of fine lines
- Contains herbal botanicals for better complexion
- Contains rosemary extracts to boost the healing process
This multi-functional and skin-perfecting BB cream offers flawless coverage while smoothly concealing any imperfections to give you an even complexion. It offers a dewy look and moisturizes your skin deeply to give you a youthful look every day.Â
It contains powerful ingredients like Gatuline RC, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid to delay the signs of aging. Moreover, this cream is infused with moisturizing emollient plant oils and nourishing marine extracts to improve the suppleness of your skin.
Burt's Bees Cream — Best Value
Key Features
- It contains noni plant essence
- Available in 3 ultra-flattering shades
- Contains SPF 15 to protect against UV rays
- Single cream offers 9 skin benefits
This Burt's Bees Cream firms, hides, smooths, and perfects skin after using it for the first time. This works as an all-in-one lightweight foundation and hydrating lotion to keep your skin fresh and smooth all day. Using this mineral-rich facial lotion decreases the look of wrinkles and fine lines via different methods that have been scientifically proven.
It protects skin with SPF 15, so you can use it as both a moisturizer and a sunscreen. With this tinted moisturizer, you may enhance your natural skin tone with three ultra-flattering tones of beauty balm cream. You have the choice between three brightness levels: light, light/medium, and medium. Plus, it is made with 98.9% natural ingredients and has a hydrating, antioxidant formula that may be used alone or under other makeup for a perfect look.
Buyer's Guide: Find a High-Quality BB Cream
More women are carrying a tube of BB cream in their makeup bags because of the growing popularity of the product in the industry. The advantages of using this cream are immeasurable, but you must be certain that you choose the proper one for your skin type. We'll walk you across everything you need to know about the top BB creams in this in-depth buyer's guide before you buy them.
Are BB Creams Beneficial?
When used as directed, BB creams can minimize the appearance of pores, prime, conceal, and hydrate your skin for a flawless appearance. They are a great alternative to the foundation if you don't want to wear them daily. These creams can also be used in your daily makeup routine without making you look like you're wearing a lot of makeup.
The tint helps to hide and disguise blemishes, as well as color-correct blemishes and imperfections. Pore perfectors also help reduce the size of your skin's pores. The cream also moisturizes your skin better than colored creams, without leaving it oily like some others.
Which Factors Are Key Regarding BB Creams?
The formula for controlling sebum production
Your skin becomes oily when it produces an excessive amount of sebum. It goes without saying that your skin produces plenty of oil on its own and does not require any more.Â
As a result, sticking to creams that are water- or gel-based rather than those that are oil-based might be beneficial. If you have oily skin, stay away from products with excessive moisturization.
A formula that's easy on the body
Even without makeup, oily skin has a severe appearance, so your cream shouldn't make things worse. The weightless substance should feel like silk against your skin and not look or feel like makeup. It should blend seamlessly into your skin tone.
Brand's reputation
Another important consideration before purchasing this product is the reputation of the brand. Reliable review sites and eCommerce sites should have favorable reviews for a good brand. Before you buy anything, make sure to ask if there is a warranty on it.
This category has a wide range of products, with pricing varying according to quality and brand. The most attractive perk is that you won't have to break the budget to buy a high-quality cream. Every single one of the goods we've looked at has a solid reputation for being a leading cream on the market, while still being reasonably priced.
The listed ingredients
Make sure you look over the ingredients before you buy the cream. BB creams need to have ingredients that are good for your skin type.Â
Regardless of the skin type, you should avoid paraben-containing products at all costs. Hydraulic acid-containing lotions will also aid in keeping your skin properly hydrated. To avoid clogging pores, cleanse your skin with a salicylic acid face wash before using the cream.
What Benefits Are Associated With Using BB Creams?
Beauty Balm creams include a number of noteworthy advantages.
Assists in the treatment of acne scars
Ingredients like dimethicone are present in BB creams that are silicone-based. With the help of such creams, you may establish a flawless skin base while allowing the cream to function properly.Â
Even while Beauty Balm creams and foundations have a lot in common, the cream is growing in popularity due to its lighter texture. Plus, they can be used by those with oily skin as well as dry skin.
Aids in moisturization
The cream's two main ingredients are hyaluronic acid and glycerine. For this reason, the BB cream contains substances that can help prevent your skin from getting dry and dehydrated. Use this lotion on a regular basis to keep your skin looking nourished and young.
Prevent aging
The BB creams contain antioxidants, including vitamins C, E, and A, as well as peptides. Because the chemicals in the cream nourish your skin so thoroughly, you can use it on a regular basis and help prevent aging.
Protection from the damaging effects of UV radiation
SPF is typically included in high-end products from well-known companies. As a result of containing Niacinamide, SPF helps protect the skin from the sun's harmful UV rays while also promoting the formation of new skin cells.
How Should BB Creams Be Used on Oily Skin?
If you have oily skin, look for a BB cream that is formulated specifically for your skin type. Instead of flooding your skin with loads of makeup on a daily basis, you might choose to use a cream. If you're considering using a BB cream on oily skin, here are some things to keep in mind.
The first step is to find the correct shade. Look for a brand that offers a range of colors, rather than just one. Also, use a BB cream that complements your natural skin tone to give yourself a more natural appearance.Â
The cream should be applied sparingly, especially if your skin is greasy. Use the proper amount and avoid overdosing yourself. If you apply it under your eyes in a circular manner, it will be more effective at concealing. The cream can help you conceal any imperfections in your skin.
However, before using this cream, make sure to read all of the directions on the package carefully.
