3 Beautifying Benefits of a BB Cream

When it comes to your standard arsenal of beauty products, foundation is most likely a key component of your day-to-day collection. It is, after all, the foundation of a flawless complexion—right? This makeup essential can even-out the look of your skin tone, conceal a blemish or two, and even cover up other skin imperfections like age spots. Still, can you imagine a way to take your face makeup to the next level? Well, what if it also offered skin care benefits? Whereas foundation is a makeup product through and through, the best BB creams can also provide your skin with beautifying benefits. Want to learn more? Keep reading for everything you need to know, including all about our best BB creams.

WHAT IS A BB CREAM?

We love double-duty beauty products, and BB cream is no exception—the handy, hybrid product combines the best of both the cosmetics and skin care worlds. The benefits BB creams can offer include coverage, color correction, hydration, SPF, and more. As for what the name stands for, “BB” actually has two interpretations: beauty balm or blemish balm. Still, it’s much more likely you’ll hear this multi-tasking product referred to by its abbreviated name.

As for where BB cream came from, you probably noticed when BB creams skyrocketed in popularity a few years ago. Since becoming easily accessible in drugstores and makeup stores alike, BB creams have become a makeup bag must-have for many, but they’ve long been an essential in Korean skin care and makeup routines.

WHO SHOULD USE BB CREAM?

BB cream can really be for anyone, as long as you find the right one. It’s all about picking a formula that addresses your skin’s specific needs, however, if you’re a fan of high coverage makeup you may find BB cream doesn’t do it for you. BB creams have lightweight formulas, similar to those of tinted moisturizers, that offer enough coverage to make skin look more even but they may not mask bigger imperfections. If you have an imperfection you want to hide that BB cream can’t handle, you can supplement with concealer or save BB cream for days when you need less coverage.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN THE BEST BB CREAM

Look for a BB cream formula which can hydrate, prime, and perfect the look of your skin. You’ll also want a BB cream that feels ultra-lightweight on your skin, allowing it to breathe even when it’s extremely hot or cold out. When looking for the best BB cream, try to find one that can help neutralize skin tone, correct imperfections, or revive your skin for a flawless bare skin finish. Remember these three BB cream beautifying benefits the next time you're hitting the makeup aisle.

BEAUTIFYING BENEFIT #1: HYDRATION

Hydrating your skin is an important beauty step that shouldn’t be skipped. When you apply foundation—especially a heavy formula—to dry skin, your imperfections may become accentuated. Your makeup can settle into fine lines, highlight the appearance of flakiness, and even draw attention to larger pores. BB creams, on the other hand, can provide coverage and hydrate your skin at the same time, helping your makeup go on smoother.

BEAUTIFYING BENEFIT #2: PRIMING

Adding extra steps to your beauty routine can be a real pain, even if they’re worthwhile in the end. That might be how you feel about primer. Your face makeup looks so much better when you prime your skin, but you don’t always have time to layer another product onto your face. That’s where BB cream can help you out. In addition to providing skin care benefits and coverage, many BB creams will also prime your skin for the rest of your makeup.

BEAUTIFYING BENEFIT #3: PERFECTING

Beyond keeping dryness in check and prepping your complexion for makeup, BB creams also often have perfecting capabilities, meaning they can help improve the appearance of enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, and patchiness, and even conceal areas with redness. This way, you can hide imperfections and enhance your natural beauty without burying your skin under layer upon layer of cakey face makeup.

OUR BEST BB CREAMS

Ready to incorporate a BB cream into your own routine? Take a pick from one of our three BB creams below.

L’Oréal Paris Magic By Studio Secrets Skin Beautifier BB Cream: This all-in-one BB cream is formulated with Beautifying Beads—encapsulated pigments infused in an ultra-light lotion with vitamins C and E. This multi-tasking skin beautifier delivers four beautifying actions in one: hydrating, correcting, evening skin tone, and perfecting. It instantly transforms to your perfect shade for a flawless, bare skin finish. Over time, you’ll have more beautiful skin.

L’Oréal Paris Magic BB Anti-Fatigue (For All Skin Types): This BB cream is formulated with Beautifying Beads—encapsulated, color-transforming pigments that counteract signs of fatigue. This multi-tasking, ultra-light lotion delivers four beautifying actions in one: reviving a tired complexion, evening skin tone, hydrating, and perfecting. It instantly transforms to your perfect shade for a flawless, bare skin finish.

L’Oréal Paris Magic BB Anti-Redness (For All Skin Tones): Formulated with Beautifying Beads that counteract redness, this multi-tasking, ultra-light lotion delivers four beautifying actions in one: neutralizing the look of redness, evening skin tone, hydrating, and perfecting. It instantly transforms to your perfect shade for a flawless, bare skin finish.

WHEN TO USE A BB CREAM

BB cream doesn’t have to replace your favorite foundation for good—nor should it make your go-to skin care products redundant. But, it can be a great product to work into your beauty routine. Give it a try the next time you experience one of the following situations.

Use BB cream…when your skin is feeling dry. Whether the dryness you’re dealing with is from the weather or from other products you're using, BB cream should be your daytime face makeup of choice when your skin is feeling a little extra parched. While you’re likely already tackling this complexion concern by using a nourishing cleanser and a super moisturizing face cream, BB cream offers you another way to provide your skin with an extra boost of hydration.

Use a BB cream…when your skin is oily. On the flip side, you can also use a BB cream during times when your skin is feeling more oily than it normally does. Lightweight BB creams can give you coverage without weighing too heavily on your skin, which is perfect for days when excess oil is an issue. Top it off with a little (mattifying) face powder and you should be good to go.

HOW TO APPLY BB CREAM 

You can leave your foundation brush in your makeup bag today—along with your foundation! It’s easy to apply BB cream and get a flawless finish without too much fuss. Squeeze out about a dime-sized amount and apply the BB cream formula all over your face with your fingers (make sure your hands are clean), then blend. If you think you need a little more coverage, squeeze out a little more and apply to areas that are in need of extra attention. The look of redness, uneven skin tone, and even some blemishes will be camouflaged and your complexion will look beautiful and smooth! What more could you ask for?

Next: What's the Difference Between BB and CC Cream?