BB Cream originated in Germany where a dermatologist created it for patients to cover imperfections after laser procedures or surgery. It then grew enormously in South Korea and Japan, where healthy and natural-looking skin is extremely important. Now that it has been introduced to the western hemisphere, its popularity has grown rapidly.
So what is BB Cream? It stands for Beauty Balm or Blemish Balm, which is a magical creamy potion that moisturizes, primes, protects, and conceals all in one step. You can wear it alone, along with a little extra concealer as needed, or layered with setting powder. It’s a better alternative to foundation, and it creates a natural, dewy look and feel.
In addition to covering your imperfections, it treats them. BB Cream can improve acne, sun spots and age spots, and it often contains anti-wrinkle and anti-inflammatory ingredients. Just like foundation, each brand of BB Cream is a little different, so it’s important to look at the benefits of all of them before deciding on which one to purchase.
Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25 PA++ ($34 at www.sephora.com) is my personal favorite. It has medium coverage, as opposed to many BB Creams, especially inexpensive ones, that look more like tinted moisturizer. It creates a fresh, dewy complexion that brings out your natural radiance. According to sephora.com, its “water-based, hydrating formula instantly soothes, cools, and retains healthy moisture.”
Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 ($39 at Ulta) is another one on the hot list right now. This one’s main stand-out benefit is oil control. Smashbox states that it “keeps skin shine free while maintaining moisture, improving skin hydration by as much as 22% with continued use, and also significantly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles after only four weeks of use.” It is also labeled as cruelty free, so no animals were tested in the process of making this product.
Boscia BB Cream SPF 27 PA++ ($38 at Ulta) comes from an extremely underrated brand. While high-end makeup fanatics out there know about it, many people haven’t even heard of it. Boscia describes that their BB Cream “helps diminish the appearance of pores, fine lines, and uneven skin tone while providing long-wearing natural coverage that conceals imperfections.”
Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30 ($37 at Dillard’s) won the Real Beauty 2011 Gold Star Award for one of the best makeup products from 2011. According to Clinique, it’s a cultural favorite in Asia.
Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm SPF 20 ($32 at Ulta) is marketed as an “ideal balance of exceptional, buildable color, sheer texture, and light diffusion.” It contains oil-free moisturizers, chamomile extract, antioxidant vitamins, and non-chemical SPF 20 UVA/UVB multi-mineral sunscreen.
Haut Minerals Vegan BB Cream Souffles ($39.95 at www.hautminerals.com) is a great option for a cruelty-free product that contains no animal products. According to Haut Minerals, it contains their “potent antioxidant lift – ‘superfoods’ for the skin to nourish and nurture.”
L’Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream ($7.99 at Target or $10.99 at Ulta) is an inexpensive option to try out this amazing product. This version goes on lighter than the other brands. If you want more natural coverage, this one will work for you. It comes out as a white cream with tiny black beads. The beads contain the tinted color, so when they burst, the color blends into your skin.
BB Creams are magical. They bring out your natural, dewy radiance while actually helping your skin. What other products can truly claim to do that?
