By Noor Rafi
Dewy, smooth, natural skin is a universal dream., and BB Cream can make that dream come true. The beauty market is buzzing with new skin products that give you an air-brushed look while your skin keeps looking like skin. And there are now tons of alternatives to full-coverage foundations. One super popular skin favorite is BB cream. This multi-tasking skin product is easy to achieve gorgeous, healthy-looking skin in no time.
So, why are BB creams the talk of the town? And why do you need to add one to your makeup staples? Keep reading to get the 101 on BB Cream!
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What Is BB Cream?
BB cream stands for beauty balm or blemish balm. This skin invention is often believed to hail from Korea but was founded in Germany in 1967 by Dr. Christine Schrammek.
So, what does a BB cream do that foundations don’t? Essentially, it blurs out skin imperfections and gives light coverage while being kind to the skin.
Beauty balms come in many different finishes to suit different skin tones and types. There are oil-free, matte versions for those with oily skin and dewy, hydrating ones for a dry skin type.
Most BB creams also have plenty of shades, so you can pick a beauty product that will give you the most natural finish.
How To Apply BB Cream
You might wonder whether to apply this beauty product like a foundation or moisturizer.
The good news is beauty balm has a unique, lightweight consistency that makes it extremely easy to blend. Even makeup beginners can easily use a BB cream.
Apply small dollops of BB cream across your face, focusing more on the center. Remember, you only need a little product as it goes a long way.
You don’t need a foundation brush to apply the cream, as it doesn’t have intense color or coverage. All you need is the warmth of your fingers to spread the product evenly and get a seamless, soft finish.
You can also use a damp beauty blender or sponge.
Benefits Of BB Cream
In simple words, BB cream is like a supercharged, healthy, tinted moisturizer. It can easily serve as a foundation while providing many other benefits. One way that BB cream differs from foundation is that it provides a wealth of skin care benefits, too.
Many people consider BB cream as a marriage of skin care and coverage. This cream is ideal for daily use as it is extremely gentle on the skin, practical, and convenient.
But you might still be wondering why everyone is hooked on BB creams. What makes this product such a must-have, and which formula do you need to look for?
We’re going to take you through several BB cream benefits so you can truly appreciate this innovative formula. Plus, we’ll guide you on the different kinds of BB creams out there so you can make the perfect pick.
Offers Sheer Coverage & Hydration
A BB cream is part moisturizer and part foundation. It delivers a good hydration level to give your skin a lovely, dewy look. For most skin types, a BB cream eliminates the need to apply moisturizer separately.
You also get a light to medium coverage foundation with a sheer finish. If you love a my-skin-but-better look, this is your calling.
Lightweight
Breathable, light, and sheer are BB cream’s main elements. It has an ultra-thin consistency and still provides ample coverage.
This means your makeup looks undetectably natural with an #iwokeuplikethis look. It’s just like wearing a thin veil of foundation. So, you can say bye-bye to looking cakey or ending up with a white cast on your face.
And, of course, say hello to no-filter selfies and gorgeous clicks, even with the flash on!
Formula Is Packed With Good For Skin Ingredients
Most BB creams also have additional skin-loving ingredients. There are different formulas: jojoba, cucumber, shea butter, vitamin E, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, squalene, and zinc oxide.
Some beauty balms are infused with antioxidants to protect and soothe the skin from irritation. For instance, green tea extract can reduce and alleviate redness. You can also find formulas with brightening agents to deliver a radiant and fresh glow.
For sensitive skin prone to breakouts, BB cream formulas treat the skin accordingly. If your skin reacts to chemicals, look for a BB cream that’s fragrance-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free, and non-comedogenic.
Most BB creams also contain broad-spectrum SPF, so the perks are endless.
Acts As A Primer
And that’s not all. A BB cream even primes your skin. It evens out the skin tone and creates a smoother texture. This makes it a great idea for anyone who wants to enjoy a BB cream’s benefits but still needs heavier foundations to cover areas such as dark spots.
This results in a supple, flawless complexion and clarifies the need to prime beforehand. Some people use a primer before applying BB cream to enhance its longevity and improve the application.
So, you can use this versatile product however you wish to, depending on your preferences. Wear it alone or under traditional foundations.
Can Conceal Redness
A BB cream even doubles as a concealer. This skin-perfecting powerhouse contains ample pigments to correct unwanted hues. Whether redness or discoloration, a BB cream can correct it with a nice, sheer finish.
However, do not expect it to cover dark eye circles or hyperpigmentation. You can use concealer on top of the BB cream for serious coverage.
Streamlines Your Makeup Routine
A BB cream is an all-in-one skin product that fulfills several different purposes. It hydrates, primes, corrects, covers, and perfects the condition of your skin.
This makes your makeup routine much simpler and faster, especially in the mornings you need to rush. It can also replace your lightweight foundation and moisturizer, as you can easily skip these steps with a BB cream.
This modified makeup routine will also make your skin happier. With less irritating, heavy formulas layering your face, your skin can breathe and is less likely to break out.
Hydrates Skin
Those with dehydrated skin often struggle with finding a foundation that moisturizes properly. BB creams are particularly ideal for dry skin.
A BB cream’s intense hydration makes it shine compared to other skin products. In addition to providing light coverage, your skin feels visibly softer.
Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, and coconut water are often added to hydrating BB cream formulas.
Compared to CC cream, BB cream is more moisturizing and lightweight and provides an even more skin-like finish.
Mix your BB cream with a moisturizer for the dewiest finish. You’ll be impressed by the super glowy look.
Smooths Skin
We all know how heavy formulas can make the skin look rough and bumpy. Some skin products clog the pores and make them even more prominent.
A BB cream does precisely the opposite. You can enjoy baby-like smooth skin with its sheer formula and healthy ingredients.
You can look for formulations containing vitamins E and C for satin-like skin. Vitamin E can even improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Minimizes The Appearance Of Pores
As mentioned before, BB cream minimizes the appearance of pores. The blurring effect of this beauty cream is something truly unique.
Your skin looks smoother and softer, and it makes your pores look smaller.
You must make sure you pick a BB cream with no heavy consistency. There are many choices in the market, so picking the right one is essential to enjoy the maximum benefits.
Can You Use BB Cream On Oily Skin?
Some assume BB creams won’t suit them just because they have oily skin. You don’t need to shy away from this hydrating balm if you’re one of them.
The lightweight consistency of BB cream also works for oily skin. Heavy creams containing a large amount of oil usually tend to be the culprit. These products seep into enlarged pores that release excess oil.
BB creams can be an effective way to control oily skin. You can easily find a BB cream with a mattifying finish. Some BB creams come in a water-gel form, completely free from oils, to help you gleam without the extra shine.
Still worried about looking greasy? You can always add a setting powder on top of the BB cream to get the perfect amount of dewy without going overboard.
Our Favorite BB Creams
Finding the perfect BB cream is essential to ensuring that you have one that meets your needs. These are some of our favorite BB creams on the market!
Purlisse Radiant Glow BB Cream ($36)
This flawless BB Cream from Purlisse is designed to give you a radiant glow from within. It’s barely tinted, and various shades are available to ensure that you can find one that suits your skin tone.
It also acts as a skin treatment. A powerful SPF of 30 helps protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, while powerful skincare ingredients give your skin a healthy dose of much-needed hydration.
Purlisse brings the ancient wisdom of Asian skincare to the top labs of the country to deliver amazing products that help you look great and help your skin feel great. It’s also formulated for sensitive skin. You can find this cruelty-free BB cream in formulas for all skin types, including aging skin!
Maybelline Dream Fresh Skin BB Cream ($7)
This BB Cream is one of the most affordable on the market. It provides the quality that you want at the drugstore price you need. An SPF of 30 helps protect your skin while smoothing and nourishing it for a flawless finish.
Five shades are available to ensure you find the perfect beauty balm for your skin tone. Shade ranges include both ends of the spectrum, so our dark-skinned and extremely light-skinned friends won’t feel left out.
Worried about an oily BB Cream? That’s not a problem. This product contains zero oils. Instead, it’s packed with ingredients that are good for your skin to help brighten it. The dewy finish makes it look like you have a naturally radiant glow.
In Conclusion
BB creams are extremely versatile, easy to use, and impressive in showing results. This triple-duty skin product does wonders for the skin and makes it pillowy soft, and beautiful.
Invest in a high-quality blemish balmand treat your skin to some TLC. It’s recommended to check the ingredients before choosing a BB cream. To deeply nourish your skin, opt for a formula with botanical extracts. Also, pick one with at least SPF 20.
You’ll find so much to love in a BB cream, whether it’s the fster application time or the bright yet subtle skin transformation.
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