BB cream

Do you want to even out your skin tone and achieve a natural result? BB cream combines makeup with caring properties and is easy to use every day. It is available with different levels of coverage and can provide everything from a soft glow to a matte finish.

When choosing BB cream, the shade, how it feels on the skin, and the coverage are the most important factors. Here, you will get help finding one that suits your skin and the result you want.

What is BB cream?

BB cream is a tinted cream that evens out the skin tone and often contains moisturizing or softening ingredients. BB usually stands for beauty balm or blemish balm. The pigments provide coverage and can make redness and marks less visible while you are wearing the product.

Many BB creams provide light to medium coverage, but there are also more full-coverage options. You can use BB cream as your only base or add concealer where you want extra coverage.

What characterizes Korean BB cream?

Korean BB cream often combines coverage with moisturizing ingredients and a creamy texture. Some also contain SPF. The coverage varies, and even a BB cream that covers more can look natural on the skin.

Regardless of where a BB cream comes from, it is good to compare shades, texture, and finish. Also read whether it can be applied in several thin layers when you want more coverage.

How to choose the right BB cream

Start with the result you want. Should the base mainly even out the skin tone, reduce shine, or provide more coverage? That will help you find a product that suits you.

• For a subtle everyday base: Choose light coverage that lets the skin and any freckles show through.
• For more coverage: Choose a BB cream that covers more or can be built up in several thin layers.
• For glow: Choose a radiant finish, sometimes described as dewy.
• For less shine: Choose a natural, semi-matte, or matte finish.

The coverage determines how much of your own skin shows through. The finish describes how matte or radiant the result will be. A BB cream with glow can therefore provide just as much coverage as a matte version.

Choose a shade based on both skin tone and undertone

Skin tone describes how light or dark the skin is. Undertone describes the skin’s underlying color and affects which shades suit you. The wrong undertone can, for example, make a BB cream look too pink or too yellow.

• Warm undertone: Often has golden, yellow, or peachy tones.
• Cool undertone: Often has pink, red, or bluish tones.
• Neutral undertone: Has a balance between warm and cool tones.
• Olive undertone: Has a slightly greenish tone and can be warm, neutral, or cool.

Try a little product along the jawline and see in daylight how the shade matches the face and neck. Let the product set before judging the color. When shopping online, you can compare shade descriptions and swatches with a base product that you already know suits you. The same shade number can mean different things across different brands. Also keep in mind that your screen settings can affect how the color appears.

Even a lightly covering BB cream needs to match the skin. A product described as color-adapting does not automatically suit all skin tones.

Dry skin and surface dryness

Preferably choose a moisturizing BB cream that is easy to spread. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid bind moisture, while emollient ingredients help the skin feel soft. Apply face cream to dry areas and use a thin layer of BB cream where the skin is flaky, so that dry patches are not emphasized.

Oily and combination skin

A light BB cream with a semi-matte or matte finish can be suitable if the skin easily becomes shiny. If you have combination skin, you can moisturize dry areas a little extra and use setting powder in the T-zone, meaning the forehead, nose, and chin. Read about how the product looks and wears on the skin – the label oil-free does not say everything.

Normal skin

Base your choice on how much coverage and glow you want. For example, you can choose a light BB cream for everyday wear or one that can be built up in several layers when you want more coverage.

Sensitive skin

Sensitivity is a skin condition that can occur in all skin types. Choose based on what your skin usually tolerates and check that the ingredient list does not contain substances you know you react to. Fragrance-free can be an option if fragranced products usually cause issues.

Mature skin and fine lines

If makeup easily settles into fine lines, you can try a soft, creamy BB cream that is easy to spread. Start with a small amount and only add more where needed. Use setting powder sparingly so that the result does not look dry.

What is the difference between BB cream, CC cream and foundation?

These products can resemble each other, but they are often described in different ways:

• BB cream: Evens out the skin tone and often has moisturizing or softening properties.
• CC cream: Usually used to correct color differences, for example by making redness less visible.
• Foundation: Available with everything from light to full coverage and can provide both matte and radiant results.
• Tinted day cream: Moisturizes the skin and usually provides a light tint and coverage.

BB cream can replace foundation if it provides the coverage you want. The differences between individual products are large, so read the product description instead of relying only on the name.

How to apply BB cream for an even result

1. Prepare the skin. Start with cleansed skin and use face cream as needed. Apply sunscreen before makeup when you need protection from the sun.
2. Wait before applying makeup. Let your skincare and sunscreen set according to the product instructions.
3. Spread a small amount. Start in the center of the face and work outward with clean fingers, a makeup sponge, or a brush.
4. Blend the edges. Be especially careful around the sides of the nose, the hairline, and the jawline.
5. Add where needed. Apply a thin extra layer if the product is suitable for that, or use concealer on specific areas.
6. Set if needed. Apply a little setting powder where the skin easily becomes shiny or where the makeup needs to last longer.

Clean fingers often work well when you want to apply your BB cream quickly. If you prefer a sponge or brush, that also works well – try what gives the most even result with your product and clean your tools regularly.

BB cream with SPF – keep the amount in mind

Some BB creams contain sun protection, but you need to apply enough to get the stated sun protection factor. A thin layer of makeup does not necessarily provide the protection stated on the packaging. Therefore, use a separate facial sunscreen as a base when you need sun protection.

Apply sunscreen and BB cream in separate layers instead of mixing them in your hand. Follow the sunscreen instructions regarding amount and how often you need to reapply. The SPF values in two products cannot be added together.

Frequently asked questions about BB cream

Do you need face cream under BB cream?

It depends on how dry the skin is and how much moisture your BB cream provides. If your skin feels tight or the makeup emphasizes dry patches, you can try face cream underneath. A moisturizing BB cream may be enough for some, while others need more moisture.

Do you need primer before BB cream?

No, primer is optional. First, try how the base works over your regular skincare and sunscreen. A primer can be an extra step if, for example, you want to reduce shine or make your makeup last better.

Why does my BB cream look cakey or pill?

A cakey result may be caused by too much product or dry patches. If the product pills, it may be because it does not work well with the skincare underneath, or because you are rubbing too much. Try using less product, waiting a little longer between steps, and gently patting out your BB cream.

Why does my BB cream look gray or orange?

The shade may be too light, too dark, or have the wrong undertone. Check the color in daylight after the product has set. If it looks gray, you may need a different undertone, not just a darker shade.

Is BB cream suitable for skin that easily gets pimples?

It can be, but choose based on what your skin usually tolerates. The label non-comedogenic can be a starting point, but it does not guarantee that the product suits everyone. BB cream can make marks and redness less visible, but it does not treat pimples.

Can you use BB cream every day?

Yes, if your skin is comfortable with the product. Remove the base in the evening with a face wash that removes makeup. If your BB cream wears especially stubbornly, you may need makeup remover or an oil-based cleanser.

Find a BB cream that suits your everyday life

Choose a shade that matches your skin tone and think about how much coverage and glow you want. With a BB cream that feels comfortable and is easy to apply, it becomes simple to achieve an even everyday base.

Also explore face makeup to find more ways to complement your base.