If your skin is in desperate need of a break from makeup but you can’t bear the thought of going foundation free, this aloe infused skin tint from L’Oreal provides sufficient color while also taking care of your complexion. Aloe vera works to revitalize dullness while witch hazel keeps shines at bay. Having one of these in your makeup bag for the days when your skin is looking extra tired is always a good option. Korean Beauty has long been at the forefront of preventing sun damage and sunscreen has always been seen as an integral part of the daily skincare routine. While the consistency is slightly heavier than other BB Creams, considering it provides SPF 40 as well as coverage it is surprisingly breathable. The natural finish makes it the ideal choice for daily wear and the added benefit of niacinamide, means even your skin barrier gets some attention. We hold this product up as the quintessential BB Cream. If you have been unsure about what all the fuss is about, after seeing the improvement in our skin after one week of wearing this BB cream, we were soon converted. The coverage is light but the benefits immense and the velvet matte finish is a dream. This top-rated skin tint is infused with plant-based squalane, hyaluronic acid, and mineral sunscreen, giving it plenty of nourishing properties without congesting the skin. The lightweight gel feels light and cooling, providing sheer coverage that blurs blemishes without concealing natural texture. It also grabs bonus points for the vast shade range. Who It’s For

Byrdie contributor Clare Holden was slow to convert to BB Creams, preferring to wear full coverage makeup AM to PM. But after her skin decided to erupt in unexplained breakouts she knew a change was needed. After discussing the situation with fellow makeup artists and testing out the offerings, she discovered BB Cream provided the perfect solution to give her skin a much needed break from heavy foundations without leaving her completely bare faced.

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Light and impossibly fresh, this water-based formula glides over the skin, leaving it smooth, even, and radiant. The coverage is minimal, but it does work well to soften the look of blemishes and refine the look of pores. The self-adjusting shades mean you’ll be able to use it year-round or when you have self-tan on, too. Light-reflective mineral pigments scatter light, reducing the appearance of imperfections and giving skin a soft, glowing effect. Cahill says a BB cream is a beauty balm hybrid between skincare, primer, foundation, and/or SPF, whose goal is to lightly even out skin tone, treat, and protect. In contrast, a CC cream or color/complexion corrector is designed to correct uneven skin tone and add coverage while protecting your skin. While foundation will always have its place in our makeup bag, we just can’t go past the light, easy coverage that a BB cream affords. BB creams—short for beauty or blemish balms—are a hybrid between foundation and skincare. The idea is that they’re easy to apply and even out the skin tone while simultaneously improving its appearance. “BB creams are like a skin tint that provide fresh, healthy-looking coverage without the heaviness of a traditional foundation,” explains makeup artist and beauty expert Michael Brown. To get the most coverage, use a brush. I recommend a dense kabuki brush for a smooth, “fullest” coverage application,” says Cahill. She further explains, “to get the naturally radiant look, use a damp sponge as this will help the dew come through the product and even out sheer of the product a tad to give a more natural look.”

Pure Active BB cream is a new generation of skincare (BB: Beauty Balm). Its new all-in-one technology covers and fights imperfections in a single step. Like a tall drink of water for parched skin, this skin tint from L'Oréal is supremely hydrating without feeling heavy. Made on a base of water, aloe, and the humectant glycerin, it plumps fine lines and improves luminosity while subtly concealing uneven tone and texture. It comes with some sun protection, too. It’s not easy to find a mattifying skin tint that doesn’t feel heavy, but Erborian’s BB Cream strikes the ideal balance. Rich in plant ingredients like wild yam, ginseng, and licorice extract, it’s a nourishing formula with great longevity. Try it if you like a polished finish or find you’re prone to midday shine.BB Cream is used as a foundation hybrid to even out the skin tone while adding skincare and SPF benefits,” says Cahill. “You can use a BB cream as a base for the next steps in your routine or as your complete one-step skincare, primer, foundation, routine." The Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream is a great affordable option to get your started if you have never tried a BB Cream before.