Your questions on BB creams answered
What is the best BB cream?
My favourite pick among the many I tried was the Kosas BB burst tinted gel cream. Though BB creams are designed to be sheer and adaptable in tone, I noticed a disappointing selection of shades across this entire category. Kosas, however, offers a reassuring 24 shades, and a lightweight but perfecting finish that would suit a range of skin tones and skin types. Erborian’s BB cream, meanwhile, was without a doubt the most skin-perfecting, and with a wider shade range would be a truly outstanding category leader. As for a budget option, Garnier’s BB cream was moisturising, without making the skin shiny, and offered long-lasting coverage.
How I tested BB creams
I tested each cream the same way, always looking for the same qualities and results, while considering the following criteria…
- Application: I tried several BB creams over a period of many weeks and during various weather conditions. For each product, I considered ease of application, using my fingers to blend the product around my face, like I would with a skincare product.
- Staying power: I assessed how the formula wore throughout the day, and generally considered which looked and felt the best after a long day’s wear.
- Coverage: My testing criteria included added skincare benefits, coverage and finish, while I remained conscious of value for money, too. For context, I have sensitive skin, which is prone to redness and with slight fine lines, so I’m mindful of adequate coverage and a flattering skin finish.
What is BB cream used for?
BB creams can be used to even out the skin tone with a natural coverage that’s usually very light, enhancing your skin, rather than camouflaging it.
While a foundation’s sole role is to essentially cover up the skin, a BB cream provides skincare benefits, with formulas tending to be enriched with antioxidants, to protect the skin from the day’s aggressors.
Many BB creams also contain moisturising ingredients (such as hyaluronic acid), skin brighteners and sun protection (although, you should still include a dedicated high SPF sunscreen in your skincare routine).
You’ll find the shade ranges of BB cream tend to be smaller that those for foundation but, as they offer a more sheer, transparent coverage, one shade can often suit multiple skin tones.
What is the difference between CC and BB creams?
CC creams are ‘colour correctors’, and are very similar to BB creams in that they offer additional skincare benefits and a lighter coverage than a foundation. However, they also target discolouration and balance skin tone to reduce sallowness, redness or hyperpigmentation, so they would be better suited to you if your skin needs a little complexion correction.
Is BB cream better than foundation?
BB creams are more lightweight and fluid than foundation and can easily be applied with just your fingers, as you would your usual moisturiser. They provide much less coverage than a foundation but are more hydrating.
BB creams are speedier to apply, and are often popular in the summer months, when you may wish to switch from a heavier foundation to a more lightweight product that still offers some coverage.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Rose Gallagher is a beauty writer and trained make-up artist with more than a decade of experience in the industry. Starting out in the beauty hall of Selfridges as a personal shopper, she has since written for numerous publications, including The Independent, where she has reviewed everything from eye creams to rosacea creams. She has particular interest in the latter topic, and is an expert on ingredient products that reduce redness. Rose has also amassed a following of nearly 40,000 on TikTok, where she shares make-up tips, reviews and insights gleaned from the beauty industry.
Meet the expert
- Ruby Hammer: Make-up artist
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