What is BB cream and why (and how) should you use it?
Posted on October 23, 2023 Written by: 100% PURE®
So you might be familiar with all the different types of foundation – from powder to cream, and even a revolutionary serum-like water foundation – but what is BB cream, exactly? What’s more, how do you properly apply it for a flawless finish? And does it fall into the foundation category, or is it a primer – or both?!
Don’t fret questioning this rather floundering foundation creation. Besides, the cryptic name “BB cream” doesn’t tell us much at all, so that’s why we’ve created this helpful BB guide. Stop searching because we (the self-proclaimed foundation experts) are here to bring you the full scoop on all things BB cream, and to shed light on this multi-tasking foundation.
Whether you’ve spotted it in the beauty aisle, on your favorite beauty blogger, or are still a complete BB cream newbie, we’re ready to show you why you’ll fall in love with (or rediscover) this super-skin-tasking makeup hero. Let’s take a closer look at the question, “What is BB cream” – and all those other wonderful questions – plus some other ‘cryptic’ creams!
It’s time to demystify the name – just what is BB cream? BB stands for ‘blemish balm’ or ‘beauty balm’, but it does more than just your standard tinted face cream. BB creams are specially formulated to act as a 3-in-1 foundation. Working together, the three elements of any flawless complexion should consist of foundation, primer, and moisturizer. So, the answer to “what is BB cream” is that it’s your all-in-one daily foundation, cutting down three steps into one. Hooray!
BB Creams exploded onto the K-Beauty scene when Korean women wanted alternatives to traditional foundations, which were too heavy and thick for their evolving beauty preferences. While a BB cream is more lightweight than the usual cream foundation, it still offers medium to full coverage as a normal foundation!
What is BB cream’s benefit for us? Its smoother texture also allows BB cream to function as a primer by evening out skin tone for flawless makeup application. It often contains moisturizing ingredients which can be a dream come true for those of you looking to cut down on steps in your daily beauty and skincare routine.
Now that we’ve uncovered the little mystery behind BB cream, let’s explore more beauty multi-taskers. If you’ve at least heard of BB cream, you’ve probably caught wind of the others; CC and DD creams. As we discussed, BB creams are meant to provide clean skin with skin-healthy nutrients, as a ‘balm’ would do, with anywhere from light to full coverage thrown in.
The term “CC” stands for ‘color correcting’ or ‘complexion correcting’. A CC cream is designed to cover redness and perfect skin tone with light-diffusing particles. Last but certainly not least, “DD” stands for ‘daily defense’. DD creams contain protective ingredients but normally won’t provide the same level of coverage as a BB cream.
Our natural BB Cream is truly a luxe beauty experience and a fan favorite! This all-in-one luminous cream hydrates skin, corrects imperfections, and reinforces skin. Featuring a medium, buildable formula, this dewy skin dream blurs imperfections and gives a balancing sheen to your skin tone. We’ve also added soft luminosity with mica to help give a naturally flawless and radiant glow to the skin. This same luminosity helps to reflect light, which gives skin a soft-focused healthy glow.
We’re not suggesting that you can use a BB cream to replace skincare, but we are touting its multi-tasking abilities to shorten your beauty routine. We recommend you follow a daily morning and night skincare routine. If you don’t know where to start, and you want a multi-faceted skin regimen, try a Korean skincare routine to keep your complexion healthy and glowing. For a more simplified yet effective skin regimen, try a daytime skincare routine and nighttime routine to cover all your essential skin bases.
What you need to know is that your skin is constantly absorbing everything it touches. That includes sunlight, pollution, and yes - even the skincare ingredients and cosmetics you put on your skin. The biggest perk of a natural BB cream is that you’re enjoying smooth coverage without the chemicals found in conventional cosmetics. Makeup should be as healthy as skincare, and skincare should come without any harmful toxins that can irritate the skin. We think that’s a pretty easy argument to make!
We’re all about working smarter, not harder. A natural BB cream is meant to moisturize while providing flawless coverage on top of your daily skin routine. Our BB cream contains antiseptic lavender and rosemary to refresh and soothe skin. Skin-nourishing aloe vera, vitamin E, and shea butter make this formula a great choice for normal to dry skin types. Bilberry and raspberry seed oil lock in moisture to help promote smoother, more youthful skin.
How does BB cream look on the skin? The lightweight texture and adjustable coverage of our natural BB cream makes it perfect for a no-makeup look or the base for long-lasting makeup. If you’re short on time, blending a layer onto your face to even out your skin tone and texture will have you out the door fast with minimal time spent but still looking fresh, ready, and radiant.
Our hydrating BB cream formulas give you a luminous complexion with buildable medium to full coverage and a radiant, natural finish. Thousands of light-reflective mineral pigments give skin a soft, incandescent glow. This liquid-cream dream is perfect for people with normal to dry skin and can help to cover dark spots, and scars, and fill in any fine lines or wrinkles with a supple and dewy finish. Our natural BB Cream will give you a glowing, flawless, and illuminated complexion.
Skin Type: Normal to Dry
Coverage: Medium to Full
Finish: Dewy
Shade Range: 3
Shades:
BB Cream Shade 10 Luminous: Light skin with yellow undertones
BB Cream Shade 20 Aglow: Medium skin with yellow undertones
BB Cream Shade 30 Radiance: Tan with warm golden undertones
Have you tried applying BB cream, but didn’t get what all the hype was about? Practice makes perfect when it comes to applying this beauty balm and believe us, once you master the art form you’ll feel like a true pro. Follow along below while we give you a handy step-by-step on BB cream application!
STEP ONE:
Apply a small amount of formula to the back of your hand; we recommend starting with a dime to nickel-size dollop. BB cream shouldn’t go on your face as a thick paste. It’s there to act as a thin veil of foundation, not feel like a thick layer of frosting.
STEP TWO:
Start by dipping your kabuki brush into the formula and lightly dot around your face. Make sure to hit all the main points like the forehead, chin, cheeks, and nose. This will help to evenly distribute your dots of BB cream.
STEP THREE:
Using your kabuki brush, gently stipple and pat your BB cream around your skin in circular motions. You’re going to tap and pat, not pull and smear. Start at the center of your face working your way outward. When you get to your chin and neck area, make sure to gently buff, blend, and buff some more so as to not leave a hard foundation line.
STEP FOUR:
After applying and buffing in your first layer of BB cream, take a few seconds to assess. Are there any small areas that need a little more love to cover a scar, dark circles, or discoloration? If the answer is yes, tap on a few more small dots and gently blend. It’s much easier to add layers than to take them away. That’s it! Welcome to flawless-ville, population: you.
PRO TIPS: Are you a fan of the ultra-dewy finish? Instead of using a brush to apply your BB cream, use a damp makeup blender and bounce over the skin until completely blended. You can still build coverage as desired, but the result will look far dewier and hydrated.
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Our passion is creating the best, natural skincare and cosmetics for our beauty enthusiasts. And we love hearing our fans rave about our carefully and thoughtfully formulated products. It’s why we’re always so excited to hear back from you in your product reviews so we can keep on providing you with the best formulations. We’d like to share what fans are saying about our natural BB Cream in tribute to the people who matter to us most: yes, you!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Acne Prone, Dry Skin
BB Cream has changed my life. Most foundations dry out my skin; this stuff keeps it moisturized and doesn’t cause breakouts.
- Kristen
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Best BB Cream I've Found
I've been using this BB cream for a few weeks and love it. My skin seems to be happier with it, too. I like a lighter coverage with SPF and a natural look. This gives me all of that. Highly recommend!
- Sarah D.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Radiant Coverage
I developed an allergy to my makeup, so I decided to switch to 100% PURE and try this BB cream. It's truly wonderful. I don't have any reaction to it. It creates an even, smooth look. My friend even commented on how radiant my face was!
-Taylor
Is BB cream suitable for all skin types?
Conventional BB creams typically contain harsh ingredients, making them not suitable for any skin type. Our natural BB cream is great for daily use. It’s made from all-natural ingredients that are gentle and safe for all skin types.
Can I use BB cream as my daily sunscreen?
While some BB creams contain SPF or ingredients that can help shield the sun’s rays, the amount you apply might not be sufficient to provide full sun protection. If you're going to be outdoors – whether it’s sunny or cloudy out - it's best to apply a separate broad-spectrum sunscreen underneath your BB cream.
Are there specific ingredients I should look for when choosing a BB cream for added skincare benefits?
Different formulas cater to various skin types, from oily to dry, and offer varying levels of coverage. Some BB creams also contain a cocktail of specific ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and nourishing oils that can benefit the skin in different ways. For example, some BB creams could contain salicylic acid for acne-prone skin or skin-brightening vitamin C for dull skin types. Mature skin types might opt for a BB cream containing skin-plumping hyaluronic acid or other skin-nourishing oils.
How often should I reapply BB cream throughout the day?
You can apply a BB cream daily or whenever you wish to wear it. Its frequency is based on personal preference and the look you're going for. If you're using it as a part of your daily makeup routine, applying it once in the morning is usually sufficient.
Can I use BB cream along with other makeup products like concealer or blush?
Absolutely! A BB cream should be treated the same as foundation and you can use other products to complete your makeup look. A concealer, blush, contour, or highlighter can help accentuate parts of your face, while not disturbing your flawless BB cream canvas.
With your questions answered, we hope you have all the details and perks of a BB cream. We’re all about working smarter, not harder, and these skin-tastic balms tick all the boxes as a true beauty multi-tasker.
A BB cream is your key to a perfect no-makeup look while still looking fresh. It also makes a great base for any long-lasting makeup look. Whether you’re looking for a dewy finish to complement your inner glowing goddess or opting for a more matte finish for a softened complexion with a dazzle of luminescence, BB creams are where it’s at!
- Tags: Makeup, October-2023, Shopping Guides
We carefully hand-select products based on strict purity standards, and only recommend products we feel meet this criteria. 100% PURE™ may earn a small commission for products purchased through affiliate links.
The information in this article is for educational use, and not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be used as such.
