BB Cream Basics: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About BB Cream
Whether you've been a BB cream believer since you first heard about the product or are just catching up to the buzz now, one thing's for certain: the magical product isn't leaving makeup shelves anytime soon.
But what exactly is BB cream, anyway? Who can benefit from using it, and what makes it different from tinted moisturizer and CC cream? We answer these questions and more in your ultimate guide to all things BB cream.
What Exactly is BB Cream?
Formulated in Korea to suit Korean women's growing preference for makeup that doubled as skin care, BB cream stands for "beauty balm" (although some refer to it as "blemish balm"). In its earliest Korean formulation, BB cream was designed to have 3 benefits in 1: namely, primer, moisturizer, and a complexion coverage that rivaled foundation.
Nowadays, there are a million different formulations of BB cream with a variety of different skin care benefits. While most still stick to the original all-in-one appeal of primer, moisturizer, and coverage in one product, some brands have branched out to include other skin care and color correcting ingredients. Some of the most popular formulations are BB creams with SPF for sun protection, antioxidants for anti-aging properties, and specialized ingredients, like salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid, for acne-prone or dry skin, respectively. No matter which BB cream you choose, there's a formula for every skin tone, skin type, and skin care need out there.
Okay, So How’s It Different from Tinted Moisturizer & CC Cream?
Tinted moisturizer, CC cream, BB cream, oh my! With so many different skin perfecting products out there, how do you know which one to choose?
While all of these products are great, lightweight alternatives to foundation if you're not after a super-full coverage or want something lighter on your skin, they do differ slightly in the benefits they provide.
CC cream stands for "color correcting" cream, and differs from traditional BB cream in that it's specifically formulated to correct skin pigmentation issues, like redness, dark spots, and discoloration. CC cream also generally offers more of a full coverage than BB cream, but is still lighter than foundation. Similar to BB cream, many modern CC creams are made with additional skin care benefits beyond color correction, like sunscreen and other specialized ingredients, like oil-free formulations for oily skin and hydrating formulations for dryer skin.
And in its original, simplest form, tinted moisturizer is just what it sounds like–a moisturizer with a little bit of foundation mixed in for just the slightest hint of hydrating coverage. Of course, nowadays you can find a variety of tinted moisturizers that do a variety of different things–like sun protection and targeting fine lines, thanks to added ingredients like Vitamin E and Vitamin A–but most tinted moisturizers are still best for a light, dewy coverage and a barely-there makeup look. They're especially great if you have dry skin, because no matter which one you choose, you're sure to get a hydrating product that will moisturize while it covers.
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