Choosing the best BB cream is an easy way for you to include the best makeup for older women as part of your daily routine. Deciding to swap a lightweight alternative for your usual foundation keeps the skin looking fresh, radiant and natural. As well as hydrating skincare ingredients to moisturise, most also contain a high SPF, making them a great choice during summer.
A BB cream is mostly comparable to a tinted moisturiser in terms of texture and coverage. If you're in the market for a new complexion product that still provides light or medium coverage, evens out the skin tone but infuses skincare into your daily make-up routine, a BB cream could be one to consider. Here at Yours, we've put together a guide on how to choose the best one for all skin types.
The best BB cream, or the best CC cream, is an easier commitment to add to your makeup bag when graduating between shades throughout the different seasons. While they tend to have a lighter coverage and naturally adapt to your current skin tone, it's still always key to look for a shade suited to your skin tone.
The best BB creams at a glance:
• Best BB cream overall: Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream - view on Amazon UK
• Best BB cream for fuller coverage: Garnier SkinActive Anti-Age BB Cream - view on Amazon UK
• Best BB cream for medium coverage: L'Oréal C'est Magic BB Cream - view on Amazon UK
Like the best foundation for mature skin, you get your correct shade through shade matching tools online or from a makeup professional in store. When it comes to the best BB creams, you may also want to look for nourishing ingredients, lasting coverage and high SPF.
The best BB creams for your skin
Best BB cream overall
A buildable, lightweight cream that hydrates as it covers. Keep the skin looking ultra fresh with Maybelline's Dream BB Fresh Beauty Balm. Perfect if you prefer a medium coverage that feels weightless on the skin, or you want a radiant and glowing finish. As the highest rated on the list, it's earned a top spot on our shortlist as the best BB cream overall.
Ingredients to note: SPF 30 for sun protection.
Customer review: "If I could give this 10 stars I would. I have bought some very expensive and upmarket BB face creams, but nothing compares to the Maybelline BB cream, it is a far superior product. I’ve been searching for months to find stock of this product so I am delighted to have been able to buy some."
Pros
- Highest rated on the list
- Brings hydration back into the skin
- Oil-free formula
Cons
- Might not work as well on oilier skin types
Best BB cream for fuller coverage
You can't go wrong with a complexion product from Garnier and this Garnier SkinActive Anti-Age BB Cream is perfect for a dry or dehydrated skin type. The hyaluronic acid-infused BB cream keeps skin feeling comfortable and moisturised whilst providing an even coverage that lasts all day.
Ingredients to note: Hyaluronic acid to hydrate, plump and moisturise.
Customer review: "I love this stuff. I have broken blood vessels on my cheeks. So they are bright red all the time. I put this on and a little concealer now and don't have to use foundation. Amazing."
Pros
- Contains hyaluronic acid
- Dermatologically tested
- Cruelty-free formula
Cons
- Only available in three shades
Best BB cream for medium coverage
Ideal for those who prefer a medium coverage to their base products. This L'Oréal C'est Magic BB Cream evenly colour corrects any discolouration, but feels light on the skin. If you're looking for a natural finish that looks flawless - this is the BB cream for you. Also contains SPF 20 for everyday use.
Ingredients to note:
Vitamin E for nourishment and hydration - great for a dry or sensitive skin type.
Fig extract - a hydrating antioxidant that locks in moisture.
Review: "The Holy Grail of the no make-up, make-up look. I love this product! Evens skin tone, mattifies without being cakey or chalky and stays put! Has SPF, is lightweight, and moisturising. Tick every box for my almost 40-year-old face."
Pros
- Works to colour correct and even the complexion
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Contains SPF 20 protection
Cons
- Some skin tones may find it a bit too orange
Best BB cream for oily skin types
www.beautypie.com
The Beauty Pie Sheer Tinted evens out the skin tone and keeps the skin protected from the sun. This product gives the illusion that your skin is wearing a constant Instagram filter. If your skin is on the oilier side, this product will be perfect for you as it is oil-free and keeps any excess oil at bay.
Ingredients to note: Squalane for hydration, jojoba to soothe.
Customer review: "I've tried numerous tinted moisturises none of them impressed me as the colour was never right, they were too dewy, never lasted on the skin which is oily and funnily enough was too 'heavy', but this is just right. "
Pros
- Makes skin look flawless yet natural
- Contains broad spectrum SPF 20 with UVA and UVB properties
- Contains skin-friendly ingredients
Cons
- Has a sheer finish, so you may need to wear concealer if you prefer higher coverage
Best BB cream for sensitive skin types
A skincare-infused BB cream that keeps the skin hydrated, covers any imperfections, but most importantly, protects against any sun damage. La Roche-Posay is known for its products that have been designed with sensitive skin in mind. The La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra BB Creme SPF 50 works wonders for those with dry skin who are looking for a reliable SPF with a high protection factor. Remember, it's still important to wear SPF, even when you transition your makeup into autumn as the sun is still there.
Ingredients to note: SPF 50 for sun protection.
Customer review: "Very impressed. Fab product for my pale skin, providing that all-important SPF 50 as well as a touch of colour without looking orange. The cream is quite thick so I do add a little moisturiser to help it glide on, but overall very happy with this product."
Pros
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Contains SPF 50 with UVA and UVB properties
- Sweat-resistant
Cons
- Only one shade, but adapts to natural skin tone
Best BB cream for luxury skincare
Get your skin looking its best with this BB Crème from Erborian. Create even, baby-soft-looking skin without any fuss. Apply like your daily moisturiser for super even coverage and added sun protection. The colour-adapting formula creates a near-perfect skin tone match and blends seamlessly into the skin.
Ingredients to note: Ginseng for smoothing, licorice and ginger for anti-inflammatory properties.
Customer review: "Absolutely love this BB Cream. By far the best one I've used. Has great coverage for being so lightweight. Leaves a beautiful glow and leaves skin very soft with all-over even tones. Great if you do not want to wear a lot of make-up as it makes you look fresh. I would highly recommend this product."
Pros
- Extremely easy to wear
- Suitable for all skin types
- Contains broad spectrum SPF 20 protection
Cons
- Limited colour range
Best BB cream with improved formula
www.lookfantastic.com
The new and improved version of Erborian's Iconic range of natural skin tints. Super BB is ideal for those looking for extra coverage but with a natural finish. This product also includes SPF 20, along with skin-loving ingredients such as white ginseng, fermented ginseng flower and niacinamide.
Ingredients to note: Niacinamide - derived from vitamin B3 to combat blemishes, texture and uneven skin tone.
Customer review: "Recently tried this BB cream after being a long-term lover of the Erborian CC Cream and it's definitely a new favourite! The coverage and texture is a definite step up from the CC Cream, it isn't quite as glowy but it still feels really lightweight, looks fresh and is super comfortable to wear all day. Think this will be a new go-to for when I need that little bit *more* but I still don't want to wear heavy foundations."
Pros
- Five different shades to choose from
- Cares for the skin while providing coverage
- Best for full coverage
Cons
- Has a glowy finish if you prefer a matte texture
Best BB cream for a radiant finish
www.lookfantastic.com
Morphe knows how to make a good base product and the Glowstunner Hydrating Tinted Moisturiser is no exception. This tinted moisturiser gives all skin types that healthy radiance we all crave. Perfect for those who struggle with a drier skin type and are looking for even coverage. Morphe also says this product works great on an oilier skin type as it's oil-free, but keeps skin moisturised and comfortable.
Ingredients to note: Vitamin E to moisturise, lactic acid to lightly exfoliate and encourage a brighter complexion and hyaluronic acid and glycerin to encourage extra hydration and keep skin looking fresh.
Customer review: "This is great. Glides on and really evens out my skin. It blends beautifully and I look (feel??) younger. I was amazed at myself for spending this much, my teen daughter was very impressed and thinks I've finally learned!"
Pros
- Extremely easy to wear
- Contains skin-loving ingredients
- Contains SPF 30 protection
Cons
- Has a glowy finish if you prefer a matte texture
FAQs
How should you apply a BB cream?
Both BB and CC creams have a very similar texture and can be best applied with your fingertips to all areas of the face. If you prefer to apply your usual foundation with a brush or a sponge, applying it this way will equally work. It can also be used as the best primer underneath your foundation if you're looking for fuller coverage.
What is the difference between BB and CC creams?
If you're wondering what 'BB' stands for - it either means 'blemish balm' or 'beauty balm'. When it comes to the difference between BB and CC creams, you may want to read our guide on this for more information. Generally, a CC cream works to 'colour correct' the complexion, whereas a BB cream works to add sheer coverage and hydration to your skin.
While they may be perfect for warmer months due to their lightweight coverage, these creams are a good choice all year round, too. If you're looking for how to change your makeup for autumn, you may want to bring back some hydration into your routine with a BB cream. Especially during colder seasons when our skin is prone to drying out.
Georgia Scott is a beauty and fashion product writer writing for Yours specialising in all things beauty and lifestyle. Before starting at Bauer, Georgia completed her degree in Journalism at University and worked as a retail beauty advisor and make-up artist.