There is one beauty buy we are never without - a great BB cream. Editor Trudi Brewer shares a hydrating, tinted gel cream you’ll want to add to your winter shopping list.
Editor Trudi Brewer
First up, long gone are the days when we were served up a limited foundation offering; today, we are spoilt for choice. From matte makeup and glow-giving formulas to those barely-there tinted formulas, it is ideal for anyone who takes a laissez-faire approach to morning makeup. But what is universal is our need to find seamless coverage that matches our natural skin tone. Enter BB creams and all their benefits; while nothing new, they are our go-to for skin perfecting.
So, what is a BB cream? Here’s a quick recap.
Like all fabulous makeup creations, BB creams were first developed in Germany in 1967 by Christine Schrammek, a dermatologist who wanted a single cream that could offer nourishing coverage post-laser treatments. Popularised by the K-beauty movement in Korea, its virtues quickly spread across the globe. This hybrid foundation does more than tint the skin; the benefits include moisturiser, primer, SPF, skin treatment, concealer, and foundation all in one. A BB cream is also a great way to streamline your beauty routine while saving space in your beauty bag and, ultimately, money on the number of products you need. Who doesn't want that? It’s also ideal for anyone wanting a hydrating product while covering imperfections and offering your complexion a healthy-looking ‘no-makeup makeup look.’ So, to the latest.
Kosas BB Burst Tinted Gel Cream, $74
It’s a hybrid tinted gel cream that could be confused with a tinted moisturiser. However, the moisturising, skin-perfecting abilities and the burst of active skincare ingredients, including copper peptides, zinc, saccharide isomerate, and sodium PCA, set it apart from a standard tint. It also has brilliant staying power and glow-giving ingredients, and its clean beauty status means there are no nasties. It’s lightweight, but it delivers if you need it to be buildable to get full coverage. It lives up to the BB reputation of giving the skin that ‘no makeup, makeup’ look,’ while nourishing, concealing, smoothing, and offering an SPF.
It’s genius.
Other great BB Creams
JANE IREDALE GLOW TIME PRO BB CREAM, $111.
This makeup is more of a case of what’s not in it than what is in the formulation, which is true to the brand’s clean cosmetic promise of having no nasties. Packed with antioxidant-super-hydrating ingredients, including honeysuckle flower extract, sunflower seed oil, skin-rejuvenating apple extract, white and green tea extracts and grapefruit extract, all brilliant for brightening dull-looking skin. It also boasts a physical sunscreen made from titanium dioxide, with SPF 25 sun protection. This tint knocks three steps out in one during my morning routine - that’s a win.
Clarins BB Skin Detox,
$66.
All Clarins makeup is stacked with plant extracts to treat the skin and add a dewy glow. Ideal for any skin type, even oily and combination, without settling into the pores, while offering super hydration, enough for those on the dry side. It has the reputation of a ‘one size fits all,’ with acerola seed extract that helps oxygenate the skin. At the same time, meadowsweet keeps the skin bacteria balanced, and aloe vera helps with hydration. Expect a radiance boost thanks to the clever 3D pigment powders that won’t settle in fine lines. Finally, the SPF 25 protection makes it a healthy-skin cheat, for sure.
Garnier Bb Cream Spf50 Even Tone, $20.
Anyone with oily skin may have given BB creams a wide berth, but this one is packed with potent ingredients that feel silky, offering a dewy finish. With mineral pigments and a velvet-like finish, the good news is this also helps anyone struggling with shine. Designed for combination and oily skin, the lightweight texture instantly covers with a hint of colour, evening out skin tone and stamping out excess shine. It won’t cover under eye bags or blemishes either, so no need for concealer. The formula includes hyaluronic acid and aloe vera extract to add instant hydration, so it’s also a winner for dry skin.
CLearSkincareAnti-pollution BB Cream Medium SPF30, $40.
From the creators of some excellent skin treatments, this BB cream is for you if you like full coverage. It blends seamlessly with a super lightweight texture. Brilliant UVA/UVB broad spectrum sun protection (that’s those ageing and burning rays). It is also an anti-pollution formula that protects the skin from damage caused by blue light screens and environmental assaults our skin is subject to daily. Not only does it keep your skin safe, but it will also blur the look of imperfections, boosting radiance. This beauty balm suits anyone, even those with oily or acne-prone skin.
Here’s why it’s a summer essential.