Hi all! BB cream has been the most popular makeup product for several years now. And in today’s article we want to share with you all the knowledge about Korean foundations that we have accumulated over the years of working with leading Korean brands. In this article you will learn how bb and cc cream differ from each other, how to choose a bb cream for the face, and, of course, which product can rightfully be called the “best bb cream”! Fighting!
What is BB-cream and when did it appear?
Initially, the history of BB cream began in Germany back in 1968. Dermatologist Christina Schrammek used the “progenitor” of modern BB: with its help it was possible to mask the consequences of surgery or harsh peelings. At the same time, the cream itself, unlike similar concealers of that time, had a calming and wound-healing effect, which was so necessary for patients. After 30 years, the formula of the product was improved and supplemented by Korean researchers, and the BB cream entered the international market. The brand SKIN79 was the first to introduce bibiki. And in a short time the new product became a hit, which quickly began to capture the public's attention. Not one, but 10 Korean brands produce BB creams, followed by European and American ones... And yet, it is Korean manufacturers that still hold the palm, producing the best BB creams, which have a lot of advantages over others.
BB cream is now a “universal soldier” who is at the same time a reader, a reaper, and a trumpet player. Bibik does a good job of hiding skin imperfections, such as wrinkles, pimples, redness, and makes facial skin clean, fresh and rested. Any BB cream, regardless of the manufacturer’s brand, combines the properties of foundation and day creams, performing both decorative and caring functions: it corrects facial tone and hides minor imperfections, as well as moisturizes and nourishes the skin, heals minor inflammations and imperfections.
What is BB cream and why is it needed?
Let's start in order. BB cream is a foundation, only much better. If only because it performs 2 functions at once: it masks what needs to be hidden and takes care of the skin. It turns out that in the future, BB cream fights pigmentation, acne, dark spots, dull skin color from the inside, and not just from the outside.
The right BB cream is the key to both good makeup and perfect skin. This is not serious plastering, but some light cosmetic repairs.
Main advantages of Blemish Balm
The first “Western” example of BB cream appeared on store shelves in 2011; today BB creams are in the lines of almost all major cosmetic brands in the world. You can find dozens of types of BB cream on sale, for different skin types and tones, with different formulas and “superpowers.” For example, the Garnier brand produces a roll-on BB cream for the eye area, and some Korean brands offer special versions of BB cream for men.
The set of basic properties of all BB creams is the same: the product evens out tone, hides imperfections, moisturizes, protects against ultraviolet exposure and treats minor inflammations.
BB cream was originally created as a multitasking cream, although Korean women used it mainly as a foundation, considering Western analogs to be too “heavy” for their thin and sensitive skin. Hence the peculiarity of most BB creams: they have a light texture, which, however, is able to successfully hide minor redness, pimples, enlarged pores, and age spots. Moreover, the more layers you apply, the denser the tone turns out.
BB cream simultaneously corrects facial tone and hides minor imperfections
BB creams contain minerals that care for the skin and do not cause irritation, soothe and soften rough, dry skin. Some BB creams contain hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, collagen, as well as beneficial natural ingredients - plant extracts, natural oils.
BB cream makes the skin matte and smooth, while literally adapting to its needs. Of course, BB cream cannot completely replace a moisturizer or anti-aging cream, but it can slightly improve its condition and hide imperfections.
How to choose BB cream
It would be too simple to give a list of the best of the best, especially since there are no universal remedies. Therefore, we’ll figure out how to choose your own BB cream.
Determining skin type
Perhaps the most important stage when choosing cosmetics for care and makeup. And since BB cream is a 2 in 1 product, you need to take it seriously.
Take a mirror and look. Just do this in natural light, lamps can distort the perception of the skin. And also look at yourself in the morning, when you have already washed your face and are not yet tired.
- Enlarged pores, oily shine on the forehead, nose, chin and cheeks are signs of oily skin.
- A slight shine on the nose and forehead, matte skin on the cheeks - you have a combination or mixed type.
- Nothing bothers you, your skin is even and smooth, does not sparkle with oil, but has a healthy glow - congratulations, you have normal skin.
- Feeling of tightness, flaking, roughness - dry skin. If red spots and irritation appear, you are also sensitive.
Selecting a shade
Everything is serious here too. Too much yellow will send you straight back to the 2000s. If you come out with a tone much darker than yours, then be prepared to hear accusations of blackface. And yes, a bleached face doesn’t suit anyone either.
In the store, out of habit, you can apply BB cream to your wrist, but this will not greatly help you choose the right shade, if only because the skin on the inside of your arm is often lighter than on your face. Therefore, you will have to try different shades on the face (under the cheekbones) or on the neck. Not the most convenient way, but the most reliable.
A few more tips on how to choose the best BB cream for your skin tone:
- Don't put on makeup before going to the store. Especially if you are not sure that the previous remedy is ideal for you.
- Look at yourself in daylight, natural light. Capitalism is designed in such a way that the light in decorative cosmetics stores seems to make us more beautiful. Go outside and make sure of your choice.
- Don’t make hasty conclusions, it’s better to wait 5-7 minutes: you never know – maybe the color of the product will change on the skin.
- See if the product leaves streaks on the skin.
- Take a translucent texture - it will more easily adapt to your natural skin color.
- If you are still in doubt, it is better to take a product that is a shade lighter, not darker.
Selecting an additional effect
There are different types of BB cream.
First of all, like a regular foundation, it masks everything you need: uneven complexion, pigmentation, acne, redness, bruises, unevenness and other “imperfections” of the skin.
You can also choose a BB cream with care or a bonus effect. Let's figure out what they might be.
- Mattifying BB cream is an option for people with oily skin or for hot periods when normal skin produces too much moisture.
2. Moisturizing BB cream is a salvation for dry skin, it provides it with additional hydration throughout the day and does not dry it out.
3. BB cream with a radiance effect - a product that will additionally illuminate the skin from the inside and give it a “wet” shine.
4. BB cream for problem skin not only masks rashes, but also “heals” them.
5. Anti-aging BB cream helps combat the signs of aging, tightens the skin and makes it look younger and fresher. Well, sooner or later any girl with light powder becomes a woman with anti-age care.
6. BB cream with sun protection factor creates an additional barrier to ultraviolet rays, but cannot replace a full-fledged product with SPF.
7. Korean BB creams deserve their own category because they are thicker in texture, sometimes contain whitening ingredients, and usually come in a couple of shades.
What it is?
Blemish Balm (BB) Cream is a unique cosmetic product designed to mask imperfections of the face and body. The peculiarity of this product is the combination of foundation and gentle, moisturizing cream. This duet allows you to transform your skin, making it perfectly smooth, fresh, seductive in color and without any flaws.
BB cream has a whole range of important functions for any girl:
- Nourishes, moisturizes.
- Protects from harmful solar radiation.
- Has a slight rejuvenating effect, smoothes out fine wrinkles.
- Mattifies, eliminates excess oily shine.
- Hides skin unevenness and redness.
- Depending on the chosen shade of the cream, it whitens or, on the contrary, gives a light tanning effect.
By purchasing just one tube of BB cream, the consumer receives a whole arsenal of products necessary for female beauty.
However, BB cream is still not a panacea for all skin problems. Several nuances need to be taken into account:
- Tone. It is very important to choose the right tone so that the corrective cream does not look like a wax mask on the face. There is an opinion that BB cream is able to adapt to the natural skin tone, regardless of what tone you acquire. But this myth is not a fully reliable fact! It is necessary to choose a shade that is as close to natural as possible. Most cosmetic companies produce no more than 4-5 color palettes in a series, so you need to approach the choice of tone with all responsibility.
- Application. Incorrect application of a cream with a delicate texture can greatly ruin a girl’s image. You must strive to create flawless skin, but not an artificial doll-like image.
- A unique remedy, but not a panacea. A well-chosen tone and correct application can certainly work a miracle and transform the skin. However, you should not place too much hope on this innovative tool. The cream has a very light texture, so it is unlikely that it will be able to hide scars and dark circles under the eyes. For these purposes, it is recommended to combine BB cream and concealer.
- Questionable hydration. One of the main properties of BB cream is skin hydration. However, cosmetologists strongly do not recommend applying it to very dry skin; you should first lightly moisturize it with any nourishing/moisturizing day cream.
Despite some shortcomings, BB cream is recognized as one of the most popular cosmetics among girls.
Rating of the best BB creams for normal skin
I would like to ask why you need to disguise and hide something, but okay. Choose what you like. Want a dense texture? Please, it will hide minor redness. Liquid will even out your tone and make you look fresher, younger and even more beautiful. Vitamins C and E, antioxidants and additional hydration in the composition will not hurt.
Toning cream Daily Protection SPF 30, Kiko Milano
BB cream has a dense texture, but is quickly absorbed and creates the impression of a second layer of skin, which not only masks imperfections, but also creates an additional barrier between you and the outside world. Maybe it won’t save you from everything at once, but it definitely will protect you from the sun thanks to the SPF factor of 30. And thanks to glycerin, it also moisturizes the skin. And by the way, it smells nice of flowers. There are 7 shades in the line, so finding the right one is more likely.
BB cream Nude, Erborian
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Popular among BB creams. The velvety texture falls on the skin like a soft veil, evens out the tone, moisturizes and nourishes the skin. Ginseng activates the natural production of collagen, which fights fatigue and premature aging. Has a protection factor of SPF 25/PA ++.
The history of creation is interesting
The presentation of BB cream was made in 1985 by Christiane Schrammeck, who invented it back in 1968. Presentations took place in Korea and Japan, where the miracle cream gained great popularity. There has been a boom in interest in this product in Asia. It was used by everyone, from ordinary girls to famous celebrities.
In Europe, the product appeared much later, after cosmetologists were able to create a light shade. The formula has been copied by various popular cosmetics companies, but is now different from the original in many ways.
The best bb creams for combination to oily skin
Pay attention to creams with a light texture that will not clog pores or weigh down makeup, thereby promoting excessive sebum production and the appearance of acne. Usually these creams are labeled “mattifying” or oil-free. The composition welcomes natural ingredients that will not irritate the skin.
Triple action mattifying cream Finish Up BB, Secret Key
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Hides imperfections, mattifies the skin and gives it a natural glow. Fights pigmentation, wrinkles and protects the skin. According to the developers, the cream penetrates deep into the layers of the epidermis, so the product truly works from the inside. The tone goes on smoothly and hides imperfections, even acne and enlarged pores.
Mattifying BB cream for oily skin Acne 4 Steps BB Cream, Ph. Drop
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Korean BB cream controls the functioning of the sebaceous glands, which is why the skin does not turn into a granny pancake longer than usual. The shade is light (remember what was written above), but it adapts well to your native tone. It mattifies and combats acne but is not drying, making it great for combination skin.
Composition of the product
The composition depends on what skin the cream is intended for:
- For the mature one. The composition includes ProXylan, a complex that helps to activate collagen production, eliminate sagging epidermis and uneven microrelief. The composition also contains nourishing oils and mineral particles that moisturize, nourish, even out the complexion without clogging pores.
- For the problematic one. It contains a unique therapeutic formula based on mineral pigments that even out the complexion and salicylic acid, which has an antibacterial effect. As a result, the skin is not only transformed externally, but also healed from the inside.
Example of product composition - For combination/oily skin. The cream contains a natural adsorbent that can absorb excess subcutaneous sebum, creating a matte surface on the skin. This product does not contain oil components or fats, but does contain minerals that transform the skin and even out the tone.
- For normal/dry. The basis of the cream is hyaluronic acid, which saturates the deep layers of the epidermis with moisture and prevents its rapid evaporation. Additional components are vitamin C and mineral pigments. Vitamin C has a powerful antioxidant effect, protecting delicate women's skin from the negative effects of the environment. Mineral pigments help even out skin tone without causing flaking or clogging of pores.
- Roller around the eyes. It is based on the substance haloxyl, which helps hide bags under the eyes and dark circles, and also has a cooling effect, which helps eliminate signs of fatigue. The composition also contains special mineral particles that even out the complexion and make you look healthy and fresh.
When buying a BB cream, you need to focus on the individual characteristics of your skin, and not on the advice of your friends! Only with the right cosmetic product will you be able to get not only an external transformation, but also impeccable care.
BB creams for dry skin
Those with dry skin should pay attention to watery textures (yes, it’s simple - the skin lacks moisture), thick creams dry out. In the composition, look for hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane, antioxidants and all kinds of plant oils.
Moisturizing BB-mousse SatinSkin, Mixit
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It’s not a cream, but a mousse, so its texture is very light and even airy. It applies smoothly and in a thin layer to the face, which is why there is no feeling of a mask. Well moisturizes the skin, nourishes it thanks to macadamia oil, peach and apple juice concentrates, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera. A good product if you need to refresh your skin.
BB Cream Perfect Hydrating, Shiseido
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Soft texture that gives the skin a fresh and radiant look. Evens out tone, hides unevenness and roughness, if only because it moisturizes and nourishes the skin thanks to vitamins B and E, magnesium and potassium in the composition. Fruit acids and phloretin from pink apple extract activate skin restoration and protect it from all ills.
Difference from CC cream - what you need to know
CC cream is similar to BB in many properties, it has caring properties, protection from ultraviolet radiation, but it also has differences.
Properties of CC cream:
- the main property is to even out the tone of the face, hide imperfections, redness and age spots;
- has a lower density, matte finish, delicate texture;
- often comes in the form of a white cream interspersed with pigment, which, when in contact with the skin, better adapts to its tone.
The best BB creams for problem skin
This cream should contain ingredients that will try to cure all types of acne - from pimples and blackheads to blackheads. Look for salicylic acid, hydrolipids, thermal water, aloe, and tea tree extract. But usually the cream proudly speaks for itself that it is for problem skin - you will recognize it from a thousand.
BB cream Anti-Acne, ClearaSept
The product smells like a pharmacy, so there is a belief in curing acne with the help of “almost decorative” cosmetics. It really fights germs and bacteria, and at least reduces the appearance of pimples, blackheads and blackheads. Doesn't clog pores, makes skin soft and moisturized. The manufacturer proudly declares: it contains no salicylic acid, parabens, alcohol, soap or chlorides. It definitely won't get any worse.
BB cream for problem skin Saemmul A Clean, The Saem
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Contains sweet almond and apricot oils, aloe vera, safflower and western rose extracts, birch sap, which together activate the properties necessary to combat your skin problems. Yes, the cream masks. But it also protects sensitive skin and has an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. Suitable for sensitive and irritation-prone skin.
The most common types of BB creams
Despite the fact that BB creams have similar properties, these products can be divided into three additional groups according to different criteria.
Mattifying BB cream
Initially, BB creams produced in Korea had a mattifying effect: this country has a humid climate, so the effect of wet skin in makeup is not very common here. But in the lines of BB creams from European manufacturers, there are those that give a “shining” effect and matte ones.
The latter are the most suitable option for oily skin. One of the options that will definitely provide the desired effect is the “Secret of Perfection” BB cream for oily and combination skin from Garnier.
Moisturizing BB cream
All BB creams have moisturizing and caring properties, but if you have dry skin, you will most likely need a product with a “shock” dose of moisturizers in the composition. For example, Maybelline's Dream Satin BB cream contains aloe vera extract, and La Roche-Posay's Hydreane BB contains four types of oils.
Korean BB cream
Korean products differ from their European counterparts in several ways:
- Firstly, in the range of shades, as a rule, there are no more than two - and exclusively for fair skin.
- Secondly, Korean BB creams often contain whitening ingredients.
- Thirdly, they have a richer texture, which is most convenient to remove not with micellar water, but with oil-based products (for example, hydrophilic oil).
- Fourth, European versions focus on moisturizing and toning the skin rather than whitening it.
Top anti-aging BB creams
Components that will benefit older ladies: hyaluronic acid, vitamins A, C, E, peptides, glycerin, oils. The texture should be light so as not to clog wrinkles or “emphasize” them. If the jar does not say anti-age, a moisturizer will do, since with age the skin dries more, flakes and needs nourishment.
BB cream Precious Immortelle, L'Occitane
Precious is the word. Evens out skin tone and protects it from external harmful influences. Immortelle or immortelle in Russian, by the way, is a flower. Its extract was added to the cream so that there was something to rejuvenate for as long as possible. SPF 30 for additional protection against ultraviolet rays, which cause premature skin aging.
Face cream
Face cream allows you to make your skin beautiful and healthy, and can serve as a base for makeup. Using this product allows you to minimize the need to use foundation, and this is a big plus. The foundation has a very dense texture; when used regularly and worn for a long time (all day long), it clogs pores and also tends to pill, which looks very unesthetic.
Before and after using BB cream
Unlike foundation, BB cream is light and delicate, allows the epidermis to breathe, and does not undergo deformation during the day, even under the influence of external factors (for example, rain). It is often called the second skin because it looks natural and natural on the face.
It is important to choose a tone as close to your natural shade as possible, since strong contrast (dark tone on light skin) will look inappropriate. It is also worth paying attention to the combination of shade of the face and neck.
