On the beauty scene well before serum foundations, BB creams are the OG when it comes to makeup-skin care hybrids.
The love child of your favourite moisturiser and foundation, these skin-perfecting formulas will blur imperfections and use SPF or potent antioxidants to balance and protect with long-term use.
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So if you’re after something lighter than a full-coverage foundation but a bit more than a tinted moisturiser, these are our favourite BB (beauty balm) creams.
Chi Chi Super BB Cream
Chi Chi Super BB Cream has been formaulated with caviar, olive oil, avocado oil, green tea, vitamin E and gotu kola extract to moisturise, soothe and protect.
While all these ingredients make it sound like a killer anti-ageing cream, it also gives the skin a light, dewy tint.
“I literally could not ask for more from a BB cream. I have strayed, thinking I could get better elsewhere – but every single time I am proved wrong. This BB cream has the perfect amount of coverage for me, a pleasant smell, and leaves my skin looking glowing – not oily. It doesn’t cling to my dry patches, doesn’t oxidise on my skin, and doesn’t wear off by the end of the day. If you are looking for the holy grail of BB creams – look no further!” – bh member Lizabella
Bourjois Healthy Mix BB Cream
After immediate results while working towards a longer-term goal in the background? This 24-hour hydrating and vitamin-rich formula from Bourjois provides an instant light and dewy tint while boosting your skin’s radiance over time.
“This BB cream is the perfect base product for a quick makeup look. It blends out super quickly, sits on the skin very well and allows your complexion to look healthy and smooth. It covers quite nicely considering it’s a bb cream but each time I’ve worn it I’ve been obsessed with my makeup. It also is one of those products where you feel a little sad to take off your makeup at the end of the day. It also lasts nicely on my skin.” – Bernadette286
Want to know more? Read Bourjois Healthy Mix BB Cream reviews here…
La Roche-Posay Uvidea XL BB Cream
Ideal for normal to dry and sensitive skin types, the La Roche-Posay silky, melt-in texture offers light-reflecting pigments that complement the skin’s natural tone while covering blemishes, fine lines and dark spots.
“It’s often difficult to find a BB cream that has just the right amount of coverage but this one ticks all the boxes and I use it every day. I love that it’s spf 50, doesn’t irritate my skin or break me out, gives a subtle glow and provides a decent amount of coverage whilst letting my real skin show through.” – Kim478
BIODERMA Sensibio AR BB Cream
BIODERMA Sensibio AR BB Cream is a medium coverage tint that has been formulated with allantoin, canola and enoxolone to reduce redness in the skin. Super soothing, this BB cream is a dream for hot days, as it reduces heat sensations as well as redness.
“This product is so amazing. I have never liked bb creams before as they didn’t provide enough coverage. This cream provides full coverage, using only a small amount. It feels so lightweight and evens out your skin tone amazingly. I actually don’t want to use anything other than this anymore.” bh member rj27
Nude by Nature Sheer Glow BB Cream
Kiss the appearance of dark spots and fine lines goodbye with this pharmacy fave from Nude by Nature. Working to instantly even out textured skin tones, enjoy a natural, luminous finish that is ideal for on-the-go touch-ups that won’t require a single makeup brush.
“This BB cream feels lightweight on skin with light coverage and it have a satin finish which is perfect for my everyday work look. The formula is very hydrating and doesn’t dry out my skin. I have been wearing it everyday to work.” – Helen T
Want to know more? Read Nude by Nature Sheer Glow BB Cream reviews here…
L’Oréal Paris Nude Magique
L’Oréal Paris Nude Magique has been formulated with pigments that adjust to the skin tone to ensure the perfect shade, every time.
The balm evens out the complexion, reduces sunspots and leaves the skin with a radiant glow.
“I find this product to adjust perfectly to my skin tone and I get a very even, natural look. It evens my skin tone out. It doesn’t make me feel like I’ve got too much make up on. It does feel kind of strange going on and quite gritty but once on I love it. I also love the fact that it gives my skin hydration and my skin feels softer since using it.” – bh member Catherines
Garnier BB Cream Original
This all-in-one cream from Garnier contains vitamin C and mineral pigments for an instant and long-lasting hit of hydration, brightening and blemish correction.
“This product gives great coverage and smooths out the surface of your skin giving you a flawless finish without looking fake. The scent is really beautiful actually, it is like a light fragrant perfume which is quite slight but very pretty and non-irritating.” – Candy Fairy
I've tested a few BB creams but they don't give me the coverage that I prefer. Not only that, their lightest shades have been too dark for my pale skin.
L'Oréal Nude Magique is great stuff.
I love bb cream. Currently using palmer brand. They are quite nice for light coverage when you are in hurry.
I should try Bioderma, for redness too
I find L"Oreal quite expensive. Would like to try their products though
I find it too light to do anything in terms of coverage on my skin.
Interesting comments re the colours – I had no idea about this because my skin does fit in the usual ranges of their colours that they make. So this truly is interesting as to why they don't expand to some fairer shades as well. Maybe that is only what some brands may do that we haven't heard of yet. I do love the Prevage foundation because it's like a BB cream in the way it's good for the skin and has spf30 and it also has a good range of shades. It's quite exxy though – but it does last and is beautiful to wear and use.
I do like the idea of a BB cream right now – something that makes me feel better but isn't the more coverage product like a foundation – yeah. I do like EA Prevage foundation for that reason – it's quite light and feels more like a BB cream than a foundation – it's around $100 but it's gorgeous and lasts for ages and it has spf30 in it. Kind of just what I love for everyday.
I love BB creams, the Bourjois looks intriguing to me
I don't use BB Cream, nor do I use foundation. Fortunately I don't need to wear either as I do have very clear skin plus it is too hot in Queensland to wear foundation, well at least during the summer it is. I struggle to use a day cream in summer as my face sweats so much.
Love the Bourjois one
I'm not a fan of BB creams, I prefer a bit more coverage.
Would love to try the la Roche posay bb cream