BB Creams 101
By: Carla Snuggs
BB creams are suddenly everywhere. What are BB Creams and how can they fit into your skincare routine? BB Creams are also known as Blemish Balms or Beauty Balms. A BB Cream is a moisturizer, primer, treatment serum, and sunscreen, all in one product. “They can be used alone, or in addition to your regular skin care regimen. These creams have been being used in East Asia since the 1980′s. They were recently introduced to the Western World and have become quite popular because of their multiple functions,” says Melissa Galloway, Licensed Medical Esthetician.
Anyone can benefit from a BB Cream; it just depends on what type you get. Almost all of them have sunscreen and antioxidants, which help to protect the skin. They have BB Creams that are formulated with anti-inflammatory ingredients to soothe acneic skin and some have ingredients that help to lighten up sun damage. You just have to do a little research to find the right one for you, suggests Galloway.
Some drawbacks of BB Creams are that, right now, some companies only have limited shades, so it might be difficult to find the right color for you. “They usually have about the same amount of pigment as a tinted moisturizer, so if you want more coverage, you need to also use foundation. Some BB creams maybe too heavy for oily skin types. People with oily skin should look for one that is oil-free and uses hyaluronic acid as its moisturizing ingredient,” explains Galloway.
If you’re interested in BB Creams, Galloway recommends Dr. Jart, which has a few different BB Creams that are targeted for different skin types and are well rated. Galloway has also heard good things about Dior’s BB Cream and Estee Lauder’s BB Cream.
Image Courtesy of Absolutelyfobulous.com
