As any CF girl knows, staying on top of the latest beauty trends is a job in itself. Among the many hot new trends, one product type in particular has been lighting up my radar like crazy lately: BB creams are taking over the US!
Never heard of these before? Below, I will break down this hot product trend, explaining what BB creams are, their beauty benefits, and my picks for the best ones out there on the market!
Related reading: The Best Korean BB Creams for Every Skin Type
Table of Contents
What Are BB Creams?
BB stands for “blemish balm” or “beauty balm,” depending on who you talk to. These creams, originally used by German dermatologists to promote skin healing after laser treatments, were catapulted into popularity when Korean actresses raved about how great they made their skin look. The phenomenon then spread all across Asia. Now, U.S. beauty companies are jumping on the BB train, too!
BB creams are the ultimate multi-taskers; they conceal, protect, soothe, hydrate and brighten, all at once. The American BB creams are more sheer than their Asian counterparts, and provide a more healthy “glow from within” look, rather than the polished, porcelain doll look that the Asian brands tend to go for.
Depending on the brand, most BB creams can be worn alone, as a primer, or just as a concealer – it’s all up to you and depends on how much coverage you want.
BB Creams vs. Tinted Moisturizers
BB creams are similar to the tinted moisturizers we all love, with three main differences:
- BB creams generally have higher SPFs than tinted moisturizers.
- BBs are usually more pigmented than their moisturizer counterparts, and therefore provide more coverage.
- It’s been said that BB creams are more like skin treatments than straight moisturizers – they often include extra ingredients to smooth skin or deliver antioxidants, and some can even fight acne and lighten acne scars.
The Benefits of BB Creams
For a girl on the run, these are absolutely perfect! You can skip moisturizing, priming, and concealing because one BB cream will do it all for you. As well, many BB creams include SPF as well as antioxidants and Vitamin C, which will help keep your skin looking gorgeous.
I think BB creams are great for girls that want to have a nice complexion but don’t feel like piling on the foundation or who want just a nice, healthy glow. If you live in a hot or humid climate, they might the perfect thing to wear in the summertime.
Which Brands Are the Best?
Many American beauty companies like Garnier, Smashbox, L’Oreal, Clinque and Boscia have been rolling out the BB creams by the truckload! Here are some of the top sellers out on of shelves right now, in no particular order.
- Clinique Age Defense BB Cream
- Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35
- Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45 / PA+++
- MAC Prep + Prime BB Beauty Balm SPF 35
This is just to give you a taste of the BB creams that are currently available on the market! Remember, every BB cream has different benefits, so look at reviews and test before buying to find the one that will work for you.
What do you think?
Have you tried a BB cream? Do you have a favorite brand? Are you excited to try them? Let me know in the comments!
I’ve read tons of reviews that say B creams always make dark skintones look “ashy” or pale.
My favorite bb cream brand is Kanebo. I’ve tried Kanebo, Innisfree, Sana, Kiss Me, and Skinfood. They’re all good. Japanese BB creams seem to suit my warmer asian skintone better than Koreans ones though, which seem to mesh better with cooler asian skintones (of course, this all varies depending on the brand). BB cream is not just a trend in Asia – it’s normal makeup staple that’s been around for quite a while.
The author wrote a very holistic and well-rounded article, but I have to disagree with the people that claim BBs like skin treatments. BB cream is makeup, when it comes down to it. It’s not as hydating as regular moisturizers and it’s not as potent as skincare products. BB creams are makeup, but good makeup, with all the healthy antioxidants that US companies could have, and should have, been putting in your foundation years ago.
Nicole K – Just read your comment. I might add that I have fairly oily skin too, which is why I was a sworn believer of powder products like Bare Minerals. I don’t have much trouble with the Garnier BB. I don’t break out from it and as long as I set it with Mineral Veil, I don’t get too oily over the course of the day.
I use Garnier Nutrisse BB Cream every day as my daytime moisturizer and foundation. I touch up with some Bare Minerals for extra blemish and dark circle coverage and then set it all with Bare Minerals Mineral Veil. I’ve been doing this for over a month now and I’m definitely a happy camper.
I chose to try Garnier’s first because its under $15, not something that can be said of other brand’s balms. I like it so much, I’d buy it again when it runs out instead of my original plan, which was to upgrade to one of the more specialty brands.
BB Creams are really the way to go for summer make up! Why?
1) So many Skin goodies (Like SPF and Vitamin C)
2) They are light like a tinted moisturizer, but they provide more coverage
3) Using BB Cream actually improves your skin!
The third trait may seem hard to believe, but I’ve been using Too Faced’s BB Cream for two weeks, and I’ve noticed that my skin tone is more even, stubborn dark spots have faded, and my skin is overall brighter!
Honest to blog, love this stuff!!
“rather than the polished, porcelain doll look that the Asian brands tend to go for.”
Oh how I wish I could get this with US BB creams. Maybe I can achieve it with multiple coats.
This is so great! I’ve been using Garnier’s for a few months and I LOVE it!
These are great videos/guides for anyone new to the Asian BB Creams!
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEuQOLbmiDw
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU30zZhaV0k
I second Cristina; how do you guys keep so up to date? I’m in my second month of my fashion design course and trying to keep up is so very hard and is spread across so many sources (including CF!) that it feels I spend more time trying to keep up with everything rather then design.
Personally, I don’t consider a lot of western BB creams to be a true representation of BB creams as a whole; most don’t have the same properties and are as sheer as a tinted moisteriser.
The joy of a lot of Korean brands is that BB creams can go reasonably light, so it’s easier to find a match for me. But to some having issues with shade being too light or dark, do note that it’s exceedingly common for BB creams to oxodise within an hour or so to a darker shade so if testing them (if you have the option) put them on your hand and leave them for an hour to check the colour.
BB cream is great – I’ve been using it for a couple years!
The price is pretty hefty, at least in the States. If you know anyone who goes to Asia regularly (Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan – and I’m sure other countries have it), then get them to buy BB cream for you. BB creams that I buy in China are pretty much half the price of the ones that CF has listed.
I use Skin79’s Gold version. It’s amazing, gives me perfect Coverage and even better, is not as heavy as foundation. A battle between foundation and BB cream? BB cream wins every time.
$30 – $40 for a 1 oz bottle? No thank you…
I use the Missha BB cream in no. 13 which is absolutely perfect for my very pale skin! And it has spf 42!! Bought it on ebay for a really cheap price! Only a couple of pounds sterling 🙂
I want to try BB Cream, but they never make them in my skin colour (I’m Indian).
All I ever see on the shelves are “medium” or “light.” I would buy it if they had a better colour range.
Im glad that the US finally jumped on the bandwagon!! I use the Korean brand Liole. It is probably thicker then the US brand. I will definitely try one of the US brands soon.
Karen – Me too! I am familiar with Liole and also with Missha BB Creams, they seem to be the two most popular ones in Asia right now.
Wow, how do you guys manage to keep up on the trends so well? Keep up the great work!