What Are The Best BB Creams, According To Beauty Experts?

What if you could have a foundation, moisturizer, and sunscreen rolled into one product? You can! They are called BB creams, a.k.a. “beauty balms” or “blemish balms!” They are all the rage, and many beauty brands sell these creams — which offer light to medium coverage, help even out skin tone, and hydrate the skin. Because of their ease of use, they are the go-to product for people who prefer a simple and quick makeup routine. But which are the best BB creams for you?

While BB creams are about providing multi-functional but more general skincare and light coverage, CC or “color correcting” creams focus more on color correction and typically offer more substantial coverage. Those who favor BB creams tend to prefer a more natural “no makeup” look that is gentler on the skin. With countless makeup products available, selecting the best one can be overwhelming. We’ve done some legwork for you and have created a list of the top six best BB creams you should add to your makeup bag right now! These beauties are rated by the top beauty experts across nine websites. Do you have a favorite you don’t see on our list? Let us know below!

The List: Best BB Creams, Per Makeup Gurus

1. Maybelline Dream Fresh Skin Hydrating BB Cream

This BB cream is a dream come true, according to Girl Boss. It not only moisturizes but also adapts to your skin tone. No more buying and returning to find the perfect shade. The lightweight formula can also be layered for increased coverage. Additionally, it includes SPF 30, offering sun protection without a separate sunscreen.

Dubbed the best drug store BB cream by Byrdie, this product will hide blemishes and large pores. People with sensitive skin will find the oil-free formula beneficial. Even if you prefer traditional foundation, using this cream when your skin is irritated can give you breathable coverage without clogging your pores.

Your skin will feel smooth the minute you place the water-gel formula on your face. It does have a dewy finish, but Elle reports that doesn’t mean you will look shiny.

2. Dr. Jart+ BB Premium Beauty Balm

Dr. Jart+ is known for excellent skincare products, so their skincare-makeup hybrids like this tinted BB cream are great for a natural look, says Women’s Wear Daily. It’s especially good for dry skin, thanks to its hydrating formula of glycerin and niacinamide. Brittany Lo, a professional makeup artist, praises its buildable coverage and natural finish.

This BB is a little more expensive than what you would find in the drugstore, but Elle says it’s well worth the price because it’s multifunctional. It offers a natural finish while providing SPF 40 protection and quick hydration. Additionally, niacinamide helps reduce the appearance of pores, giving the skin a smooth, airbrushed look.

If you struggle to cover dark spots on your skin, this beauty balm contains arbutin to help fade those spots. It also uses a zinc oxide and titanium dioxide combo to protect you from the sun, writes Cosmopolitan. But don’t worry, you won’t look like a lifeguard. There’s no white residue.

3. Tarte Cosmetics Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20

This popular brand offers a BB cream that hydrates and reduces oil at the same time! Love that! Also, Cosmopolitan reports it won’t highlight the flakes if you have dry skin. So put down your old cakey foundation and opt instead of this one made with clay from the Amazon. (The real one! Not the one that delivers packages!)

This formula is enriched with chamomile, known for its natural anti-inflammatory properties, making it an excellent choice for sensitive skin. It can be easily layered to achieve your desired coverage. Testers tell Women’s Wear Daily it’s lightweight and not greasy.

Tarte’s Tarte BB Blur Tinted Moisturizer is also a popular option because it’s packed with a triple B complex, which cleverly diffuses light to soften the look of fine lines and large pores. Plus, it’s got hyaluronic acid, which hydrates and helps manage oil production, making it a great pick for any skin type, so says Curology.

4. bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer

This next product might not be labeled as a BB cream, but it feels and acts like one since you can build it up like a top-notch foundation. This concoction will rescue even the driest, most sensitive skin, thanks to hyaluronic acid. It gives not only a luminous glow but also evens out your skin and reduces the appearance of those annoying pimples that pop up without notice, according to Curology. The cream offers sheer to light coverage, is buildable, and comes in 20 different shades.

This option merges moisturizer, sunscreen, and tint, providing a range of shades and even coverage, making additional concealer unnecessary. Dermatologist Dr. Erum Ilyas tells Oprah Daily that she appreciates that it uses titanium, a mineral-based sunscreen, avoiding chemical alternatives, making it perfect for those with sensitive skin.

bareMinerals knows its stuff when it comes to skincare-meets-makeup, which is why this tinted moisturizer makes Women’ s Wear Daily‘s list of the best BB creams. It’s perfect for layering, especially during an acne flare and perfect if you don’t like a full-coverage foundation look every day.

5. CLINIQUE Acne Solutions BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40

There’s nothing worse than trying to cover up acne with all kinds of products that just bring more attention to the zits on your face. You won’t have to worry about that with this BB cream. The formula is made for acne-prone skin, is oil-free, won’t clog pores, and covers red spots. The sunscreen also has a matte finish and won’t look greasy, guarantees Cosmopolitan.

Dermatologists also recommend this brand to patients, because it doesn’t contain any unnecessary oils that could promote more breakouts, according to Oprah Daily. Dr. Rita Linkner loves that it provides ample coverage and has a higher SPF than similar products.

6. Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream

We talk a lot about oily and dry skin, but what BB cream is best if you have normal skin? This one, according to Curology, offers a “lightweight formula with a radiant finish.” It has an SPF of 42 but is made with chemicals, so it may not be best if you have sensitive skin.

This creme which is now TikTok famous also softens lines and wrinkles. Sign me up! It’s packed with hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, and ceramides to cover up any skin evils, so says Byrdie. It does have a slight fragrance that some people don’t like.

If you’re looking for something with medium to full coverage, Women’ s Wear Daily recommends this product which offers more coverage than a skin tinting cream. But don’t worry, it won’t look caked on, and you can still apply this easily with your fingers. A simple dusting of setting powder will make it last all day!

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Tags: makeup