You may have heard all the hype around K-Beauty skin care and makeup, but if you’re wondering “What is BB cream?” you’re about to discover one of the best beauty innovations from South Korea.
The “BB” in BB cream can stand for a few things—beauty balm, blur balm, or blemish balm—but its effect is the same. The makeup-skin care hybrid is loaded with skin-loving ingredients and blurring agents to smooth over imperfections while delivering a boost of hydration.
Some ingredients to keep an eye out for? Hydrators like hyaluronic acid and squalane, nourishing oils like avocado oil and mango oil, and anti-agers like peptides, niacinamide, antioxidants, and hydrolyzed collagen. Many BB creams will also include SPF protection as well, which is a great option for re-applying sunscreen on top of makeup.
Dr. Jart+ Premium BB Tinted Moisturizer with Niacinamide and SPF
Sephora
Erborian BB Cream Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20
Revolve
A cross between makeup primer and tinted moisturizer, BB cream can be worn as is or as the base for foundation and concealer. Makeup artist Lauren O’Leary particularly recommends BB cream for mature skin and aging skin.
“As we age, we tend to lose moisture in our skin, so fine lines and wrinkles become more prevalent,” O’Leary says. “Many can act as a primer by prepping and smoothing skin, are moisturizing or brightening, and even have sunscreen.”
Maybelline Dream Fresh Skin Hydrating BB Cream
Amazon
Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint
Amazon
BB cream pigments diffuse over skin, making skin texture like wrinkles and creases less noticeable. Most formulas are oil-free for a matte look, so if you’re looking for a dewy or glass skin finish, you may want to try traditional tinted moisturizer instead.
Most BB creams come in a cushion compact (another K-Beauty innovation) with a sponge applicator, which O’Leary prefers using over makeup brushes or fingers. “With a sponge you can get the most even application by pressing and rolling it into the skin, as opposed to using hands or a brush—where it can be a little more messy,” she says.
Want to try K-Beauty’s favorite complexion product? Glamour did all the work for you by rounding up the best BB creams to wear now:
The post What Is BB Cream? Everything to Know About the Skin-Loving K-Beauty Product appeared first on Glamour.
