BB creams FAQs
What is BB cream used for?
The BB stands for beauty or blemish balm. While a foundation essentially does one thing (covering up the skin), a BB cream does three. Firstly, it offers skincare benefits. Usually, the creams are enriched with antioxidants to protect the skin from the day’s aggressors, and contain moisturising ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, and/or skin brighteners.
Secondly, they even out the skin tone with a natural coverage that’s usually very light, enhancing your skin rather than camouflaging it. Lastly, they provide sun protection, which is a key step in all good skincare routines.
You’ll find the shade ranges of BB cream tend to be smaller that those for foundation, but as they offer a more sheer, transparent coverage, one shade can often suit multiple skin tones.
What is the difference between CC and BB cream?
CC creams are “colour correctors”, and are very similar to BB creams in that they offer additional skincare benefits and a lighter coverage than a foundation. However, they also target discolouration and balance skin tone to reduce sallowness, redness or hyperpigmentation, so they would be better suited to you if your skin needs a little complexion correction.
Is BB cream better than foundation?
BB creams are more lightweight and fluid than foundation and can easily be applied with just your fingers, as you would your usual moisturiser. They provide much less coverage than a foundation but are more hydrating.
BB creams are speedier to apply, and are often popular in the summer months, when you may wish to switch from a heavier foundation to a more lightweight product that still offers some coverage.
The verdict: BB creams
For anyone after a lightweight layer that evens skin tone, slightly blurs blemishes and reduces redness, while flooding the skin with nutrient-rich ingredients, a BB cream may be your best bet.
With quite a full coverage combined with standout skincare, Erborian super BB au ginseng nude was named our best buy. But for those on a budget, bargain beauty brand Essence shouldn’t be overlooked either.
Anyone with dry skin may want to lean into the hydrating benefits of the Clinique dramatically different moisturizing BB gel, and oily-skinned folks may find Garnier a good match. So, there really is something to suit everyone, and this list should get you off to a good start.
For more skin-perfecting formulas, try the best liquid foundations for every skin type