If you’re looking for a makeup product to cover imperfections with the addition of nurturing skin properties, BB creams are the perfect answer. BB cream originally means blemish balm, but many products use ‘beauty balm’ to describe their BB cream.
BB creams are designed to nourish or protect the skin while creating a flawless base. Using a BB cream helps your skin to look smoother and brighter. It usually provides more coverage than a tinted moisturizer, but less coverage than a foundation.
We reviewed dozens of BB creams to identify the best of the best. We examined a range of features, including formulation, size, skin benefits, and average customer reviews.
After searching long and hard, we chose Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream as our top pick. This BB cream is available in 5 shades, providing skincare benefits and light coverage. This 8 in 1 BB cream delivers a dewy finish to create a healthy, glowing look on every skin type.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated BB Creams
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream | 4.1 |
| Runner Up | Garnier SkinActive BB Cream | 4.0 |
| Best Budget Buy | E.L.F Cosmetics BB Cream | 4.1 |
| Best for Oily Skin | COVERGIRL Clean Matte BB Cream | 4.1 |
| Best for Dry Skin | Physicians Formula Argan Wear Ultra-Nourishing BB Cream | 4.0 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Our Top Pick: Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream
Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream is an 8 in 1 BB perfecting cream, designed to blur imperfections, hydrate your skin, and protect with SPF 30. This BB cream provides a healthy, dewy finish to brighten and smooth. The complexion looks even, more radiant, and fresh.
Formulated without oils or heavy ingredients, and with pomegranate extract to enhance the skin, Dream Fresh BB Cream feels lightweight and refreshing. The cream is available in 5 different shades, including light, medium, and deep.
Suitable for all skin types, this BB cream comes in a 30ml tube so the product can be easily squeezed from the packaging. Priced from $8.99, this BB cream is affordable and effective. The light coverage disguises imperfections without feeling cakey or heavy on the skin.
The water-gel formula alongside skin benefits makes this BB cream our top pick. Natural looking for a luminous glow, this product does everything a BB cream should do at an affordable price point.
Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream Key Features:
- Lightweight coverage
- SPF 30
- Instantly blurs imperfections
Our Runner Up Pick: Garnier SkinActive BB 5 in 1 Skin Perfector
Garnier SkinActive BB 5 in 1 Skin Perfector is an anti-aging BB cream, combining light coverage with skin protection. This BB cream provides SPF 15 in addition to hydrating properties. Using this BB cream improves skin texture, radiance, skin tone, and softness.
Dry skin feels nourished, while lines and wrinkles are visibly reduced. The light coverage helps to hide imperfections to create the illusion of healthy skin. The formula is enriched with skin protecting antioxidants and tinted mineral pigments.
This 75ml tube comes in two shades to prime, correct, and moisturize. In just 4 weeks, the skin nourishing properties help your complexion to become firmer and more youthful.
Garnier SkinActive BB 5 in 1 Skin Perfector Key Features:
- SPF 15
- 24 hour hydration
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Best Budget Pick: E.L.F Cosmetics BB Cream
E.L.F Cosmetics BB Cream is our top budget pick, thanks to its affordability and effectiveness. This BB cream has a skin nourishing formulation to provide light yet protective coverage. With SPF 20, your skin is protected from sun damage while a soft wash of color covers the whole complexion.
The formula is infused with vitamin E, jojoba oil, cucumber and soothing aloe to nourish the skin. E.L.F BB Cream leaves your skin feeling hydrated, refreshed, and radiant. Suitable for both dry and oil skin, this tube of BB cream contains 28.5ml of cream.
Available in 2 shades, this BB cream feels creamy and appears natural. Priced from $6, it’s an ideal choice for those on a budget.
E.L.F Cosmetics BB Cream Key Features:
- SPF 20
- Light coverage
- Nourishing formula
Best BB Cream for Oily Skin: COVERGIRL Clean Matte BB Cream for Oily Skin
COVERGIRL Clean Matte BB Cream for Oily Skin is our top pick for oily skin types. This 30ml tube of BB cream has an oil free formulation and provides a matte finish to prevent excess shine. The lightweight coverage hides blemishes and imperfections while evening out your skin tone.
The formula keeps skin shine free all day, but it wont clog pores. This BB cream hydrates, improves radiance and elasticity, as well as helping to balance the skin. Available in 8 shades, including light, medium, and deep, this COVERGIRL BB cream is suitable for all skin tones.
This water based BB cream provides the coverage of a foundation with the combination of skin care benefits. It blends easily for a natural finish you can wear all day long.
COVERGIRL Clean Matte BB Cream for Oily Skin Key Features:
- Oil-free
- Matte finish
- Won’t clog pores
Best BB Cream for Dry Skin: Physicians Formula Argan Wear Ultra-Nourishing BB Cream
- Infused with argan oil
- Paraben free
- SPF 30
Who Should Buy a BB Cream
Anyone requiring the coverage of a light foundation alongside skincare benefits should buy a BB cream. Unlike a regular foundation, BB cream features skin caring benefits, such as hydration or anti-aging. A foundation also tends to be heavier than a BB cream.
BB creams feel lightweight on the skin, yet offer good coverage to hide imperfections. You can also buy a BB cream tailored to your skin type, whether its oily, dry or mature. Many BB creams also offer additional advantages, including SPF or extra coverage. Check out our review of the best drugstore foundations and the best makeup kits for more top makeup and beauty finds to complete your look.
Important Features to Consider
- Size. BB creams are available in different sizes. Many are around 30ml. However, some BB creams may offer more product.
- Skin benefits. BB creams offer varying benefits for the skin. Dry skin types will require a BB cream with hydrating properties, while mature skin types may be searching for skin firming properties. Many BB creams also offer SPF to protect your skin from sun damage.
- Coverage. Most BB creams provide light coverage, while others offer extra coverage to hide acne or other imperfections. BB creams are lighter than foundations, but deliver adequate coverage to disguise any imperfections.
- Formulation. The formulations for BB creams differ from product to product. Depending on their skin benefits, some formulations may be enriched with moisturizing ingredients while others may be mattifying. Some formulations are made without synthetic ingredients, including fragrance or alcohol.
- Wear time. If you’re wearing a BB cream throughout the day you’ll need a long wearing product. Those with oily skin may also need a BB cream which will last throughout the day.
- Shade. BB creams come in a variety of shades, from light to deep. Some brands offer a wider shade range than others. However, you’ll likely find your ideal shade after researching BB cream products.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a BB cream and how does it work?
A BB cream normally stands for blemish balm or beauty balm. BB creams started becoming popular in Korea before growing in popularity in the western world. A BB cream is a mix of base coverage with skincare benefits. BB creams are multi-purpose, providing sheerer coverage than a foundation. However, their skincare benefits can range from increasing hydration to enhancing elasticity.
If you’re looking for natural coverage without the heaviness of a foundation, a BB cream is the perfect choice. BB creams are suitable for all skin types, with many BB creams tailored towards a specific type of skin so you can receive the best care for your complexion.
Is BB cream better than foundation for your skin?
As BB cream provides skin enhancing benefits it can be better than foundation for your skin. However, if you require more coverage and are not searching for additional skincare properties, you may be better using a foundation.
Many BB creams also provide SPF and antioxidants to protect your skin from damage. If you’re looking for lightweight coverage and a moisturizer all in one cream, a BB cream is the ideal choice.
Can we use BB cream daily?
Yes. BB cream can be used daily in the same way as a foundation. If you’re using a BB cream with SPF as your sun protection product, then you’ll need to reapply it during the day to ensure your skin is protected from sun damage.
If you’re using a BB cream daily, it’s important to remove it with makeup remover or cleanser at the end of the day.
What is the difference between BB and CC cream and which is better?
CC cream is short for complexion corrector or color corrector. CC creams are similar to BB creams in being a multi-purpose product. CC creams tend to have more coverage than BB creams as they’re often tailored towards mature skin with fine lines, wrinkles, and imperfections.
CC creams often contain color correcting abilities to disguise redness, dullness or dark circles. CC creams are used in the same way as BB creams and foundations. You can apply all these products with your fingers, sponge or a brush, and follow with the rest of your makeup for a flawless look.
Other BB Creams We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other BB creams. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best BB creams list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
BB Creams for Oily Skin
This BB cream is oil free to control shine. It minimizes the appearance of imperfections, as well as providing a smooth, radiant complexion.
Key Features:Â
- Fragrance free
- Hypoallergenic
- Self adjusting pigments adapt to match your skin tone
Cost:Â $23
Holika Holika Pore Clearing Petit BB Cream
Combining sebum control with tea tree oil to treat blemishes, this BB cream protects the skin against harmful UV rays and provides a semi-matte finish.
Key Features:
- SPF 30
- Soothes blemishes
- Controls shine
Cost: $8
La Roche Posay Effaclar BB Blur
Oil absorbing properties make this BB cream ideal for oily skin types. Blurring imperfections and providing a matte finish, this product is also suitable for sensitive skin.
Key Features:
- SPF 20
- Lightweight texture
- Oil, paraben, and fragrance free
Cost:Â $30
Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream
This BB cream fights blemishes and helps to control oil. Providing light coverage to conceal imperfections, it minimizes pores and clarifies the complexion.
Key Features:
- Contains 2% salicylic acid to fight spots
- Oil free formula
- Lightweight feel
Cost:Â $7
Providing a satin matte finish, this BB cream prevents UV damage, as well as leaving your complexion looking smooth and even toned.
Key Features:
- Silicone free
- SPF 15
- 50ml tube
BB Creams for Dry Skin
Shiseido Perfect Hydrating BB Cream
This hydrating BB cream evens out skin tone while restoring moisture. The oil free formula conceals imperfections, including pores.
Key Features:
- SPF 30
- Oil free texture
- Nourishing formula
Cost:Â $42
This BB cream intensely hydrates while providing coverage. The gel formulation contains collagen and vitamin E to nourish and brighten.
Key Features:
- SPF 45
- 40ml tube
- Contains collagen and ceramides
Cost:Â $28
Physicians Formula Super BB All in One BB Cream
This BB cream hydrates, firms, and smooths to provide long-wearing coverage. It softens lines, brightens the complexion, and nourishes.
Key Features:
- Paraben, fragrance, and gluten free
- Dermatologist approved
- 35ml tube
Cost:Â $11
Hydrating and illuminating, this BB cream corrects imperfections and deeply nourishes. Available in three shades, and helps to minimize pores and sebum.
Key Features:
- Hyaluronic acid and vitamin E hydrate
- SPF 15
- Lightweight texture
Cost:Â $22
Manyo Factory Herbal Fresh Moist BB Cream
This BB cream contains 70% moisturizing ingredients to deeply hydrate. The light texture melts into skin while covering imperfections.
Key Features:
- SPF 29
- Eco certified ingredients
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Full Coverage BB Creams
Jane Iredale Glow Time BB Cream
This full coverage BB cream comes in 10 shades and covers imperfections. It disguises fine lines, while soothing and brightening the skin.
Key Features:
- Non-pore clogging
- Vegan formula
- SPF 17
Cost:Â $50
With buildable coverage, this BB cream comes in 6 shades and is ideal for all skin types. The weightless and hydrating texture covers imperfections and fine lines.
Key Features:
- No synthetic ingredients
- SPF 15
- Cruelty free
Cost:Â $40
Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream
This BB cream provides full coverage with a lightweight texture. Suitable for all skin types, but helps to prevent wrinkles and dark spots.
Key Features:
- SPF 42
- Soothes and regenerates
- Lightweight feel
Cost:Â $8
Purlisse Perfect Glow BB Cream
Providing natural looking coverage to cover imperfections, this BB cream is ideal for all skin types. It’s available in 8 shades, and brightens and hydrates for flawless skin.
Key Features:
- Vegan
- SPF 30
- Hypoallergenic
Cost:Â $30
This BB cream conceals, enhances, and protects your skin. It controls oil, hydrates, firms, and smooths, all while providing long-wearing coverage.
Key Features:
- SPF 30
- Antioxidants promote a youthful complexion
- Cruelty free
BB Creams with SPF
Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream
With SPF 35, this BB cream improves hydration levels in just 4 weeks. It protects the skin from sun damage, as well as minimizing shine.
Key Features:
- SPF 35
- No fragrance, parabens or oil
- Can be worn alone or under foundation
Cost:Â $43
Containing SPF 20, this BB cream comes in a 45ml tube. It covers imperfections to promote a healthy look which is long-wearing and natural.
Key Features:
- SPF 20
- Lightweight feel
- Promotes a youthful complexion
Cost: $45
Andalou Naturals Perfecting BB Beauty Balm
This BB cream smooths and hydrates to promote a radiant, youthful complexion. Provides flawless coverage and diminishes fine lines.
Key Features:
- SPF 30
- Vegan and cruelty free
- Superfruit antioxidants and aloe soothe and protect against external damage.
Cost: $13
Olay BB cream contains SPF 15 to protect the skin from sun damage. The hydrating formula nourishes for 24 hours. It instantly promotes a healthy, luminous complexion.
Key Features:
- SPF 15
- Vitamin B3, E, and pro-vitamin B5 nourish the skin
- Lightweight texture
Cost: $16
Bobbi Brown BB cream contains SPF 35 and comes in 5 shades. Light reflecting pearls illuminate the skin while water attracting molecules increase hydration.
Key Features:
- SPF 35
- Contains botanical extracts and caffeine to reduce redness
- Pore reducing peptides minimize fine lines and wrinkles
Cost: $50
