The 10 Best BB Creams for Every Skin Type, According to Experts and Editor Testing
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Makeup serves many purposes. It can be decorative and ultra-glam for special events or corrective on tired mornings when the dark circles under your eyes just won’t dim. While full-coverage face products like foundation and concealer that can transform your look are much appreciated, some days you just want to reap the maximum results with minimal product. This is where the best BB creams come into play.
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If you consider yourself a member of the no-makeup makeup hive, then you’re likely familiar with BB creams, also known as blemish balm or beauty balm. And if not, here’s a little refresher: Unlike many of the full-coverage foundations that can feel heavy on the skin, BB creams are lightweight and often contain skin care ingredients akin to what you’d find in your favorite face serums, like glycerin and hyaluronic acid. This ensures your skin stays hydrated and receives long-term benefits beyond just coverage. The best BB creams are perfect for days when you aren’t in the mood for a full beat but still want a bit of coverage, so no one asks you the dreaded “are you feeling well?” They’re also excellent for chilly or windy days when you need a bit more skin-protecting moisture, as many of the options below are known for their hydrating benefits.
Anyone looking for a bit of coverage can benefit from using a BB cream. There are specific formulas tailored for dry, oily, and combination skin types, as well as options that target specific skin concerns like hormonal acne.
To narrow things down in the ever-expanding BB cream market, we spoke to celebrity makeup artists Alex Gilleo and Renée Loiz to get their expert opinion. Below, discover the 11 best BB creams that promise to deliver the most your-skin-but-better complexion yet. These recommendations are based on thorough research, extensive testing, and expert opinions.
Top BB Creams of 2024
Editors’ Choice: Dr. Jart+ Premium BB Cream Tinted Moisturizer
Editors’ Choice: Maybelline Dream Fresh Skin Hydrating BB Cream
Editors’ Choice: BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer
Editors’ Choice: Top BB Creams of 2024
Because BB creams are a hybrid of makeup and skin care, selecting the right formula for you depends on your skin type, desired coverage level and finish, and skin sensitivities. Our editors with dry to oily skin types tested a slew of bestselling BB creams. We couldn’t land on one singular formula that outperformed the rest — some that felt great on our testers with dry skin wore too shiny on those with oily skin, and others that felt comfortable on oily skin read dull on dry skin. Rather than selecting a best overall BB cream, our team landed on the top three formulas for different skin types and concerns below.
Dr. Jart+ Premium BB Cream Tinted Moisturizer: The best BB cream for dry skin is Dr. Jart’s emollient, dewy formula. This BB cream lends a supremely radiant finish that’s buildable, so you can wear one layer to blur discoloration or redness, or pat on more product for more the look of a satin foundation. Our testers with dry skin loved how it maintained its hydrating feel during hours of wear.
Maybelline Dream Fresh Skin Hydrating BB Cream: For combination or oily skin, we recommend Maybelline’s Dream Fresh BB Cream. The oil-free formula delivers lightweight hydration that wears gorgeously on combination skin, also making an excellent substitute for moisturizer, tinted moisturizer, and SPF on oily skin types who don’t want to wear a heavy amount of product.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer: Our testers with acne-prone skin couldn’t get enough of Bareminerals’ formula. While it’s technically a tinted moisturizer rather than a true BB cream, this format is best for acne-prone skin types who want featherweight skin nourishment that doesn’t overload the pores. It calms the skin while covering, making your skin look soothed instantly and over time.
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EDITORS' CHOICE
Dr. Jart+ BB Premium Beauty Balm
Shade range: 4 shades
Key ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide
Finish: Dewy
Fragrance: No
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
$46
Dr. Jart+ is behind some of the best skin care products (with top-rated hydrating serums, sheet masks, and more), so naturally, we turn to them when it comes to our skin care-makeup hybrids. This tinted BB cream is super hydrating, thanks to a blend of moisturizing glycerin and niacinamide, making it one of the best BB creams for dry skin. It offers pretty light coverage (those with active breakouts may want to look elsewhere), but if you’re looking to even out your skin tone or reduce any redness, it works great.
Even professional makeup artist and Beia founder Brittany Lo says it’s a fantastic option for anyone looking to seamlessly incorporate sun protection into their daily routine. “The Premium BB Beauty Balm offers slightly more buildable coverage than competitors while having a natural finish that is breathable,” she tells WWD.
Editor testing and review notes: “My dry skin feels flooded with moisture every time I wear Dr. Jart’s BB cream. It delivers a balmy texture that melts into my skin without feeling overly greasy (or looking shiny), and the pigment never pills over any skin care products I wear underneath it — although you don’t need much else with a formula as hardworking as this one. I love that it contains brightening and soothing niacinamide plus glycerin for deep moisture. It’s one of few complexion makeup products that actually makes my skin look better after I wear it.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $46
EDITORS' CHOICE
Maybelline Dream Fresh Skin Hydrating BB Cream
Shade range: 5 shades
Key ingredients: Titanium dioxide
Finish: Demi-matte
Fragrance: No
Amazon’s Choice
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
$7.99 $9.99 20% off
$9.99
The water-based gel texture of Maybelline Dream Fresh Skin Hydrating BB cream applies sheer, seamlessly blurring pores, blemishes, and reducing redness. It also adapts to your skin tone, allowing you to wear it year-round, regardless of how many tropical vacations you embark on. Moreover, it’s budget-friendly, enabling you to own multiple shades to mix and match for a customized look that suits you best.
According to Lo, it’s the best drugstore BB cream because not only is it affordable, but it also delivers on its promise to both protect and nourish the skin. “[It] has SPF 30 as well as eight skin-loving benefits including hydrating, brightening and smoothing the skin,” she says.
Editor testing and review notes: “Where many BB creams have a thicker texture, this one comes in clutch for combination and oily skin types with its gel-based feel that doesn’t feel slick or look shiny on the T-zone. I was particularly impressed with how luxurious the formula feels on my skin considering the price point — and on top of the texture, I love that it’s oil-free and fragrance-free for my sensitive skin. This Maybelline BB cream is easy to apply with your fingers, a makeup sponge, or a dense-bristled brush, camouflaging the skin without streaks or splotches.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $7.99
EDITORS' CHOICE
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer
Shade range: 20 shades
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, olive-derived squalane
Finish: Natural
Fragrance: No
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
$39
$39
$39
Bareminerals is one of the OG skin care-meets-makeup brands, which is why we trust them when it comes to the best BB creams. While technically a tinted moisturizer with SPF, we’ve included it on the list because its natural coverage is comparable to a BB cream. Infused with squalene, this highly-rated formula feels fantastic on the skin and provides a sheer finish that effectively covers imperfections. It’s a staple in Alix Earle’s makeup routine when she’s dealing with acne breakouts, providing the perfect base for additional coverage where needed. With 20 shades to choose from, it’s sure to become a staple in your daily beauty routine. After all, who wants to wear a full-coverage foundation every day?
Editor testing and review notes: “This tinted moisturizer is in a league of its own — it has the feel and coverage of a BB cream with the buildability of a high-quality foundation. When I’m dealing with breakouts, I have a hard time wearing face makeup that doesn’t further break out my skin or trigger a flare up of redness. This one calms my skin on contact, neutralizing my skin tone and camouflaging the look of any pimples I’m dealing with. If I want more coverage, I’ll use a layer or two of this then go in with my favorite foundation for acne-prone skin to fully erase the look of any blemishes.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $39
Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream
Shade range: 7 shades
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, rosemary leaf extract, chamomile flower extract
Finish: Demi-matte
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$11.10 $24 54% off
This hydrating BB cream from Missha is a TikTok-famous beauty product and rightfully so. Packed with hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, and ceramides, it’s an ideal option for individuals with dry or dehydrated skin. Offering more intensity than a skin tint, it provides medium to full coverage. Despite its richness, it can be applied with your fingers and spreads easily without pilling. For an extra boost in coverage and longevity, dust on some setting powder.
What testers say: “I have tried so many BB creams because I don’t like wearing foundation. Most of them don’t have the coverage I want and make me extra oily or don’t spread well. I saw this one on a TikTok video, and I’m obsessed. I can’t believe I haven’t seen it before. The coverage and ability to spread it evenly with only my fingers are great. Not getting extra oily at the end of the day is just an added bonus. I will be using this daily from now on.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $11.10
Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer
Shade range: 6 shades
Key ingredients: Amazonian clay
Finish: Natural
Fragrance: No
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
$42
$42
$42
For those who thrive on multitasking skin care products, Tarte’s BB cream with SPF 20 is a dream. Not only does it deliver the natural-looking finish you’ve been longing for, but it also boasts a nourishing blend of skin-loving ingredients such as vitamins A, C, and E, as well as skin-balancing Amazonian clay. Enriched with calming chamomile (a natural anti-inflammatory ingredient), this formula emerges as a top choice for the best BB cream for sensitive skin. Its lightweight consistency is easily buildable, allowing you to customize it to your liking.
What testers say: “By far my favorite tinted moisturizer that provides enough coverage to even out my skin. Love the clay base and how it lays on my skin, light not greasy.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $42
L’Oréal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream
Shade range: 4 shades
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E
Finish: Natural
Fragrance: No
#1 Amazon Bestseller
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
$9.48 $12.99 27% off
$12.99
The name says it all; this BB cream is magic, especially for those looking for a bare-skin finish. Basically, no matter your concern — be it tired eyes, an uneven skin tone, dehydration, or blemishes — just a few swipes of this cream is all it takes to give your skin a healthy glow. Its secret lies in its ingredients, including encapsulated beads of pigments and vitamins C and E that truly transform your complexion. It’s one of the best drugstore BB creams, if not among the best in general, as we can expect from most of L’Oréal’s formulations.
What testers say: “My face is very dry. This moisturizer penetrates my face. Does not leave it greasy. Love the natural tint color. People think I’m not wearing make up bc it looks so natural.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $8.99
Purlisse Perfect Glow BB Cream
Shade range: 11 shades
Key ingredients: Gogi berry, hawthorn berry, jasmine, hyaluronic acid, glycerin
Finish: Dewy
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$36
$32.40
Founded by entrepreneur Jennifer Yen, Purlisse draws inspiration from the Asian beauty philosophies deeply rooted in her Chinese culture. A standout among the brand’s offerings, The Perfect Glow BB Cream, is a bestseller renowned for its hydrating formula enriched with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, gogi berry, and jasmine. These ingredients work together to enhance your skin’s suppleness and radiance. The BB cream glides on effortlessly, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a dewy finish, though it may be a bit much for individuals with oily skin types.
What testers say: “I had received a sample of this in my Ipsy bag- LOVED it but wrong shade. I ordered full size and it’s my daily choice. I like some coverage to even out skin tone and this does the trick along with skin care. It’s hydrating and wears all day without touch up. I don’t notice it enhancing my 58 yr old fine lines around my eyes so this is a nice perk. I live in a hot/humid climate and this holds up without feeling too heavy. The SPF is a nice addition to any skin care used during the day time.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $32.40
Covergirl Clean Matte BB Cream
Shade range: 6 shades
Finish: Matte finish
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
$7.28 $9.99 27% off
$10.99
Many BB creams are known for their dewy finish, but not Covergirl’s. For those who prefer matte coverage, the Clean Matte BB Cream is a game changer. It stays in place all day, allowing you to apply it in the morning and still look flawless for dinner without the need for touch-ups. This formula effectively prevents any unwanted shine or greasiness without giving you a chalky or cakey appearance — common concerns with matte products. This affordable BB cream is suitable for both acne-prone and oily skin, thanks to a non-comedogenic and oil-free formula.
What testers say: “The Finish is completely matte. Stays on throughout the day very lightweight for a BB cream, not greasy at all. The coverage is decent considering it’s a BB cream.” – Sandra
Price upon publish date of this article: $7.28
Joah Beauty Perfect Complexion BB Cream
Shade range: 8 shades
Key ingredients: Niacinamide, triple hyaluronic acid, malachite extract
Finish: Demi-matte
Fragrance: No
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
CVS Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$9.99
$9.99
One of our favorite K-Beauty brands, Joah, is known for their efficacious formulations that give you that your-skin-but-better glow. The Perfect Complexion BB Cream offers medium coverage that you can build upon without worrying about heaviness or greasiness, thanks to an ingredient list that includes moisturizing niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and malachite extract. You’ll hardly feel it on your skin, and it blends in super easily whether you’re using a makeup sponge, a makeup brush, or clean fingertips. So, no matter how late you’re running in the morning, you can quickly tap it on for a bit of coverage.
What testers say: “New favorite foundation. Not a ton of coverage, but looks like skin and wears beautifully. I don’t feel like I have to powder it as it dries down fully without looking dry. Super light weight and lays a good 8 hours on me before it starts fading. Not perfect, but the best happy medium between everything I want that I have found.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $9.99
Revlon Photoready BB Cream
Shade range: 3 shades
Finish: Demi-matte
Fragrance: No
Amazon’s Choice
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$9.97 $13.99 29% off
If Revlon is only synonymous with hair styling tools and red lipstick in your mind, it’s time to change your perspective. The brand’s affordable products, including this BB cream, are among the best for those looking to brighten their skin while blurring any imperfections. It hydrates like a moisturizer but goes on smoothly like a primer — it can also double as a makeup primer if you’re seeking a base product before layering on some foundation for a big night out. The inclusion of SPF 30 is also a great touch; however, we wish the product came in more shade options.
What testers say: “I love this product. It actually does make your skin look radiant. Great sun protection, it’s lightweight, but it does even out my skin tone.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $9.97
What Is BB Cream?
According to Gilleo, a BB cream is a hybrid beauty product that falls somewhere between a foundation and a tinted moisturizer. “BB cream is more gentle on the skin than your typical complexion product,” she explains. “It tends to be a lighter consistency and offers more sheer coverage [than foundation] when applied.”
As for its elusive abbreviation, the “BB” in BB cream once stood for “blemish balm,” but is now widely known to be short for “beauty balm.” These lightweight formulas give skin a bright, fresh finish, as opposed to CC (color correcting) creams that, according to Gilleo, have a slightly thicker consistency and are designed to “conceal uneven skin tones, redness or blemishes.” Foundation is even heavier than CC cream, adds coverage and corrects the skin, but is often void of the kinds of skin care ingredients found in BB creams.
According to Loiz, “There are anti-aging ingredients that help prevent wrinkles, blurring ingredients that conceal imperfections, moisturizer to hydrate and plump the skin, tinted foundation to even out the skin, and SPF to protect against the sun,” she tells WWD. While foundation has come a long way and is now being made with skincare properties, its primary purpose remains to even out the skin.
The Best BB Creams for Different Skin Types
Best BB cream for oily skin: For individuals with oily skin, Loiz recommends choosing a BB cream that has an oil-free, mattifying, and pore-reducing formulation to manage excess oil and achieve a matte, shine-free complexion. And if that’s not enough, you can also add a primer and setting powder into your routine to enhance the longevity of your makeup and control oil throughout the day.
Best BB cream for combination skin: Combination skin calls for a BB cream that can balance both oily and dry areas. “Look for a product that has a soft radiant and lightweight finish, not too dewy, and not too matte,” says Loiz. When applying BB cream to combination skin, try this hack: Apply a thicker layer where your skin feels dry and a lighter layer where it’s prone to shine.
Best BB cream for dry skin: For those with dry skin, choosing a BB cream with hydrating and moisturizing ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid is crucial to ensure a smooth application. Remember to prep your skin with a hydrating serum and moisturizer for dry skin before applying the BB cream for best results.
Best BB cream for acne-prone skin: Those with acne-prone skin should look for a BB cream that is labeled as non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores, as well as oil-free to avoid excess oil on the skin. Loiz suggests choosing a BB cream that also include ingredients you’d find in acne spot treatments or acne serums, like salicylic acid or niacinamide.
Best BB cream for mature skin: For mature skin, it helps to select a BB cream that provides hydration and incorporates anti-aging ingredients such as peptides, retinol, or antioxidants to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Also, opt for a lightweight texture that won’t settle into fine lines or feel heavy on the skin.
What to Look for in the Best BB Creams
Key ingredients: According to Loiz, BB Creams should include a blend of moisturizers, SPF for sun protection, and skincare ingredients such as antioxidants to moisturize, heal, hide imperfections, and protect the skin against environmental stressors. When selecting a BB cream, it’s beneficial to look for formulas that are safe for sensitive skin, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free. Depending on what you’re looking for, it’s also helpful to search for anti-aging ingredients, skin-brightening agents, and natural extracts.
Coverage level: “Concealers just hide imperfections, foundations conceal imperfections and even out the skin, and tinted moisturizers hydrate and even out the skin,” says Loiz. However, a BB cream essentially combines the functions of all these products, so also consider the coverage level you’re looking for. BB Creams are ideal for everyday wear to work, school, or any occasion where you desire a more dewy look with lightweight coverage. You can wear a BB cream in any season, really. It’s more about the coverage you’re seeking. Do you prefer a multi-step skincare and makeup routine, or do you want a simpler, all-in-one option like a BB cream?
Shade range: Many BB creams are available in a limited shade range, due to their sheer color payoff that stretches between skin tones. Note that those with particularly fair or deep skin tones will want to choose a product with a minimum of five shades to ensure you can find your right fit.
The Best Way to Apply BB Cream
The best way to apply BB cream depends on your personal preference. You can apply it with your fingers (just make sure to wash your hands before touching your face), with a few makeup brushes, or, Gilleo’s favorite technique, with a damp beauty sponge. “My favorite method for applying BB cream is bouncing the BB cream into my skin for a dewy, velvety, and fresh all-over glow,” she says. For maximum results, Gilleo recommends starting with your daily skin care routine, followed by an SPF, and finishing with your BB cream. “If your BB cream has more of a matte finish, you can always add a drop of your favorite face oil to the mix and spice things up a bit.”
How We Chose the Best BB Creams
Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections.
In order to select the best BB creams, we cross-checked customer reviews, researched ingredients and new releases, and narrowed down a list of the 11 best BB creams on the market. We also interviewed makeup industry experts, and tested the products on our own to ensure our list caters to different skin tones, skin types, and skin concerns. Our editors also conducted a round of testing on various skin types and tones to assess the formulas that feel best on dry, combination, oily, and acne-prone skin. The options on our list cover a range of price points and finishes that cater to different budgets and beauty preferences. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Experts
Alex Gilleo is a celebrity makeup artist and founder of My Zen Den based in the Hudson Valley.
Renée Loiz is a top celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert with over 20 years in the industry. Renée is best known for her work with celebrities including Quinta Brunson, Cynthia Erivo, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, and more. She is also known as the founder of Color May Vary—the ultimate guide to the best black-owned brands for beauty enthusiasts.
Brittany Lo is a beauty entrepreneur that enjoys sharing her thoughts about beauty, business, and all things wedding related. As the Founder and CEO of Beautini, the NYC-based bridal beauty experience featured in People Magazine, The New York Times, The Knot, BRIDES and more, Brittany Lo and her team of 80 stylists have seen the power that beauty has to empower women from the inside out.
Meet the Author
Iman Balagam is a freelance writer with over five years of experience covering the beauty industry. Her work has been featured in outlets like Teen Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Byrdie, and Harper’s Bazaar. To write this story on the best BB creams, Balagam interviewed experts, tested products, and researched the market to select top options for different skin types and skin concerns.
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