Why We Can't Stop Talking About BB Creams
Short for blemish or beauty balm cream, it's the sister of a tinted moisturizer (practically a twin sister, in fact). We tried 11 of the newest. Here's what our testers had to say about the ones we liked best.
Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D
All BB creams include moisturizing ingredients, a complexion-perfecting tint (several come in only one, "universal" shade; others offer a little more variety), and an SPF of at least 15. They've been popular in Asia for years, and now more than a dozen formulas are available in the United States. Caveat emptor: None of the BB creams we sampled comes in a shade deep enough for complexions darker than olive.
Most Coverage
Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector
($13; drugstores)
"A pea-sized dab goes a long way and gives great coverage without lines or streaks. While it doesn't completely conceal a blemish, it tones down redness and dark circles, so I don't need to use as much concealer." —Amber Kallor, fashion and beauty editor for oprah.com
Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D
Most Coverage (We Couldn't Pick Just One!)
Estée Lauder DayWear Anti-Oxidant BB Creme SPF 35
($38; esteelauder.com)
"I'm such a purist that I never wear foundation and only recently started wearing a tinted moisturizer. This cream evens out my complexion the way a foundation would but feels as light as my tinted moisturizer."
—Valerie Monroe, beauty director
Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D
Most Moisturizing
3Lab Perfect BB SPF 40 PA+++ ($95; 3lab.com)
"This cream has put an end to my longtime monogamous relationship with a certain tinted moisturizer. It makes my skin look flawless. Plus, it never gets dry or cakey by the end of the day."
—Jenny Bailly, executive beauty editor
Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D
Best Sun Protection
Dior Diorsnow UV Shield BB Crème SPF 50 PA+++
($50; neimanmarcus.com)
"I've been loyal to the same foundation for years, but I'm a convert. This cream gives me better coverage and makes my skin look perfectly smooth. The high UV protection is a great bonus for someone with a fair complexion like mine."
—Christina Weber, deputy photo director
Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D
Best for Olive Skin Tones
Dr. Brandt BB Cream with Flexitone SPF 30 PA+++
($39; drbrandtskincare.com)
"I was skeptical about the self-adjusting color technology—the cream is gray straight from the tube—but it matched my olive skin perfectly. It has enough coverage to hide blemishes but still feels light and looks dewy."
—Alessandra Foresto, associate beauty editor
Next: 6 new ways to get a flawless, glowing complexion
From the
May 2012 issue of
O, The Oprah Magazine
