I’m notorious for hitting “snooze” on my alarm three times and making myself late for work. With only ten minutes to get out the door, but needing to look presentable for the office, it’s BB cream to the rescue!
Often placed near the foundation bottles, and presented in a variety of shades, BB creams have become a makeup mainstay. If you’ve been searching for an alternative to foundation, want to save money on skincare, or want to sleep in an extra few minutes, BB cream could be the answer to your quest.
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying BB Cream
How is BB Cream Different from Foundation?
Is BB Cream Good for Acne-Prone Skin?
Is BB Cream Good for Sensitive Skin?
What is BB Cream?
The “bb” in BB cream stands for beauty balm or blemish balm. They combine moisturizer, primer, and foundation into one product designed to save women time. Many also contain a broad spectrum SPF of 30 or higher, so you can skip that step in your skincare routine.
Originally formulated in Germany in the 1960s, BB creams didn’t explode on the scene until 2012, as part of the Korean, or K-Beauty, trend. Korean women had searched for ways to simplify their complicated skincare routines, which often have seven or more steps, and found it in BB creams. They soon became a popular alternative to foundation.
BB creams are hardworking multitaskers, which are also great for the budget-conscious. One BB cream can replace several other products in your regime, saving you money without sacrificing results.
Ingredients in BB Creams
What’s in that tube of BB cream that makes it so special, and worth a spot in your makeup drawer? If you’re the type who likes to know why your products work, typical skincare ingredients found in BB cream include;
- Peptides and antioxidants
- Hyaluronic acid and glycerin
- Licorice and arbutin
- Zinc oxide or titanium
If you’ve been looking for the best foundation for aging skin, consider a BB cream with peptides and antioxidants like Vitamins A, E, and C. Peptides boost collagen production, leading to plumper, tighter skin. Antioxidants soothe inflammation, and inflammation is linked to the appearance of aging skin. Makeup that does double duty is a total win, particularly for this single mom with limited time.
Hyaluronic acid and glycerin add moisture to a BB cream, so that it can sub in for your regular moisturizer. Licorice and arbutin are natural, plant-based ingredients that even out skin tone. Because BB cream incorporates these ingredients, they can improve your skin long-term rather than just provide a temporary fix. Foundation can’t do that!
If your BB cream has zinc oxide or titanium in addition to its SPF, you’ll get some added sun protection. These physical sunblocks have water-resistant properties, though if you’re going to be in the sun for a long time, you should always apply sunscreen.
All of these ingredients replace a step in your skincare routine, whether it’s sunblock, serum, or moisturizer. That takes care of the skincare aspect of BB creams, but what about makeup?
Silicone-based ingredients in a BB cream, such as dimethicone, smooth over your face like primer. Light-reflecting mica gives your skin a luminous glow and blurs imperfections. Lastly, BB creams contain tints in a range of skin tones, similar to foundation. However, if you’ve been struggling to find a good foundation match, you won’t find it in the more limited range of shades in bb cream.
How to Apply BB Cream
If you’re in a hurry, you can apply BB cream just like a moisturizer, smoothing it over your face with your fingertips. Always wash your hands first, though! It’s a great timesaver, and fans of natural makeup have embraced its thin but effective coverage.
You don’t need a foundation brush to apply BB cream, I usually use my fingertips. It’s lighter than foundation and, used sparingly, doesn’t require as much blending. It cuts down on the risk you’ll walk into the office with a streak of foundation on your cheek or a harsh line at your jaw.
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying BB Cream
- Squeeze a pea-sized, or nickel-sized, dollop of BB cream onto the back of your hand.
- Use a beauty blender or kabuki brush to lightly dot BB cream around your face, focusing on your forehead, chin, cheeks, and nose.
- Start at the center of your face and work out, moving your brush, fingertips, or sponge in circular motions to blend.
- Tap and pat, don’t pull and smear, to avoid streaks. Blend at the jawline to prevent a harsh makeup stripe.
- Add extra product as needed to cover dark circles, scars, or discoloration.
A plus of BB cream is its buildable coverage, so if you’re not happy with your initial application, add more and blend. At this point, you might want to reach for a foundation brush or a concealer brush to dab it over imperfections.
How is BB Cream Different from Foundation?
When it comes to thickness, BB cream falls between a tinted moisturizer and a foundation. Think of it as a veil over your skin rather than a thick cloth. While some foundations have SPF and skin-healthy ingredients, they don’t focus on taking the place of skincare products like serums or moisturizers.
A foundation has no skincare benefits, unlike a BB cream, and wearing it won’t improve your skin over time. It does give thicker coverage, however, and a better base for other makeup products. If you need to cover zits or want a more flawless finish, go with foundation rather than BB cream.
BB Cream vs. CC Cream
CC cream came along after BB cream, leading a lot of makeup lovers to wonder, what’s the difference? CC creams work more to cover redness and correct complexion issues, similar to a traditional foundation. The “CC” stands for either color correcting or complexion correcting.
CC creams contain many of the same ingredients as BB creams, but with a little extra. The “extra” could be Vitamin C to brighten dark spots, or different undertones to counteract redness. When deciding between BB cream vs. CC cream, consider both your skin type and what you want from your makeup. If you don’t deal with a lot of redness, CC cream could be overkill.
Is BB Cream Good for Acne-Prone Skin?
If you have acne-prone skin, you’ve probably learned to view foundation with suspicion. Even noncomedogenic formulas that promise not to clog pores could have caused a breakout if another ingredient in the foundation irritated your skin. Because BB creams are lighter than foundation, you might have wondered if they’re better for people with acne.
As BB creams have evolved, companies have begun creating formulas for acne-prone skin There are now BB creams that contain salicylic acid to fight breakouts, oil-free formulas, and other lighter weight BB creams marketed to people who deal with acne. Whatever your skin concern, BB cream has it covered.
But while these products could help clear up or prevent a breakout, they won’t cover one. BB creams simply don’t have the heavier coverage needed to hide zits and redness. You may want to switch to foundation until your breakout has cleared.
Is BB Cream Good for Sensitive Skin?
What if you have sensitive skin? Foundation has come a long way since the 1980s when it sat on your face like a mask, but some makeup lovers who have sensitive skin still get nervous about trying a new brand. Is BB cream good for sensitive skin?
Remember, BB can stand for beauty balm, and it was invented for women to use post skincare procedures. A BB cream functions as a balm to soothe your skin, and since it’s lighter than foundation, it’s less irritating. Using one could mean that you can skip trying to find a serum that won’t bother your sensitive skin but still receive some of a serum’s benefits.
When to Wear BB Cream
When are the best times to wear BB cream? Anytime! But, seriously, some situations just call for a BB Cream.
If you’re traveling and don’t want to pack your full skincare regimen, pack a BB cream. It can multitask for a few days, and you won’t have to worry about bottles of expensive serums breaking all over the stuff in your suitcase. BB creams work really well at the beach, too, where foundation can melt off your face.
In a hurry, just need to run out to the grocery store, or running late for work? BB cream saves you time, but you’ll still feel and look presentable. They also can help you create the no makeup, makeup look or give your skin a break from heavy makeup.
What is BB cream? A fantastic alternative to heavier foundations, a timesaving makeup that replaces some skincare products, and a beloved staple for people who want a natural makeup look. And a lifesaver for times when you want to look great but are short on time. Which is basically me, every day.
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