Is a BB cream useful?

What is a BB cream? If you visit a makeup store you will find racks of flesh colored bottles called BB creams. This is a trend that began in the East with BB creams replacing foundations and bronzers. Who needs all those products when you can make do with only one?

BB means beauty balm and is considered a kind of hybrid cream that claims to act as a multitasker; moisturizer, primer, sunscreen, skin treatment, concealer, and foundation. 

BB creams were first formulated by a German dermatologist but were popularized by South Korean actresses. The Hallyu wave’s effect was enormous. 

Everyone started using it as a one-stop shop solution. For women with several steps in the skincare routines, this was like a miracle in a jar. The BB cream shortened that routine considerably. 

By 2011, BB creams hit western shelves and today every makeup company has their own formulation of the beauty balm. And despite the huge sales, only 4% of women have ever tried on a beauty balm cream.

But is a BB cream useful? Is there really a single perfect product? Maybe.

There are a plethora of BB creams that act as a sunscreen, with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, which is the American Academy of Dermatology's recommendation for daily use.

BB creams contain ingredients that also fix other skin issues like:
❤ Peptides and antioxidants, vitamins A, E, and C which help boost collagen and prevent fine lines, important for anti-aging.
❤ Hyaluronic acid and glycerin which moisturize the skin.
❤ Arbutin and licorice that lighten skin tone.
❤ Mica to give skin a luminous glow.
❤ Silicone-based ingredients, Dimethicone, also found in primers.

Depending on which one you choose, the BB cream can be based on your skin type and your needs. 

BB creams still fall short of being the only product you need. Most women would love for a BB cream to do exactly what it says— be the only product you need to slather on after face wash. That’s been disappointing.

With all these ingredients, it's hard to get a product that is as light in texture as tinted moisturizers. Or find one that exactly matches your skin tone, since they come in a limited number of shades with most shades designed for the Asian skin tone.

Also if you are facing acne, it’s going to be hard for you to find a BB cream that has sunscreen and anti-acne ingredients. The FDA has a strict policy about not combining the two. You can’t target particular skin issues with an all in one BB cream. Try to visit Facingacne.com for solutions to this.

BB creams are ideal for people with oily skin and don’t have too many skin care needs. But they are workhorses for those who don’t want too many products. BB creams can reduce your need for a fuller, heavier foundation as it acts as a concealer and light foundation. You won’t need a separate sunscreen, tint, bronzer or even a primer with it.

A dot of BB cream can cover your entire face for a whole day. You can carry it everywhere and save time on a late morning or when you’re out at a lunch and looking for medium coverage.

BB creams are now being made for men too. Some have specialized functions like blemish control and anti-breakout properties. 

The newer generations creams are improving. More formulations are being created to incorporate the best of everything into their bottles. In fact, CC creams also known as "color- control" creams are already on the market.

These are said to have a lighter texture, more coverage, anti-acne, more sun protection and better hydration.

All you need to do is find the right one. And once you do, practice. BB creams require some practice as does all make-up. Use a brush to blend a pea-sized amount into your face. Layer it on instead of dabbing it all. BB creams, when used the right way, can be a timesaver and a good investment instead of the multitude of products sitting on your counter.

Do you have a special BB cream that fits all your needs? Is there a single solution for all your skincare needs? Have you found your miracle in a bottle? I’d like to hear about it.