What is BB cream and what does it do for your skin?

The ‘BB’ in BB cream stands for either ‘blemish balm’ or ‘beauty balm.’ Sometimes associated with South Korean beauty trends, BB cream was in fact developed in Germany in 1967 to offer light face coverage as a lighter alternative to foundations. But what is BB cream used for? While it works to cover blemishes, it also offers a range of benefits for your skin, making it a versatile skincare product that’s great for dry or sensitive skin.

Learn a little more about BB cream, right here.

What is BB cream and what does it do for your skin?

What is the difference between BB and CC cream?

BB cream and CC cream – or colour-correcting cream – are sometimes confused, but there are differences between the two.

While BB cream offers a lighter coverage and is packed with skincare benefits. BB cream provides coverage with added sun protection and hydration, without looking like you have makeup on. CC cream works to colour correct, reducing redness and target uneven skin tone.

The best Garnier BB cream for your skin

Garnier’s BB cream range has an innovative lightweight formula that doesn’t feel heavy on your skin, and contains hyaluronic acid and aloe vera to soothe and hydrate.

For normal skin textures, Garnier’s SkinActive BB Cream is ideal. It comes in Light, Medium or Deep, and has SPF 15 for protection from the sun.

It delivers the benefits of a foundation and a moisturising cream in one product, evening out skin tone and concealing blemishes. As well as hyaluronic acid and aloe vera extract, the formula contains ultra-thin mineral pigments for a natural and radiant finish, and you’ll get up to 24 hours of intense hydration.

The best BB cream for oily skin

For oily skin, try Garnier’s SkinActive Oil-Free range of BB creams. The best BB cream for oily skin, this cream comes with SPF 25 and deliver the benefits of foundation and moisturising cream together.

It mattifies skin and reduces pores, while also evening out your complexion. Like the other BB creams in our range, it contains both hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, as well as ultra-thin mineral pigments. Hyaluronic acid is particularly beneficial for oily skin because it’s non-comedogenic. In other words, it hydrates your skin without clogging your pores.

For more complex textures, there’s Garnier’s Anti Dark Spots BB Cream SPF50, which helps to prevent sun-induced dark spots and contains vitamin C for its skin illuminating properties.

How to apply BB cream

You might use BB cream in the morning, while you may also decide to take it with you if you’re going out for the day and want to travel light. It can be used when you don’t have time to apply moisturiser, primer, and foundation – simply use BB cream instead!

Just find a BB cream that matches your skin tone and get started by using a small amount – often, with BB creams, less is more. You might want to pump it onto the back of your hand to make sure you’re not about to use too much.

When applying, consider using the 5-dot technique. Use your middle or ring finger to put five dots of cream onto your chin, nose, forehead, and cheeks. Blend the cream all over your face with your fingertips, a brush, or a sponge, making sure to protect your eyes.

Have a look in the mirror and add some more if you want to build coverage. You might want to add some powder over the top to help it set. In general, BB creams are easier to blend than foundation, and provide a seamless finish.

To find out more, don’t forget to take a look at Garnier’s BB cream range.