12 BB Creams That’ll Tempt You to Break up With Your Foundation
Your skin, but better.
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We're masters at beauty, not magic but we do know a trick or two to deceive people into thinking you woke up looking, err, like this. By "this" we mean airbrushed, refreshed, and dewy. No, this isn't about a good foundation but the next best thing: BB creams.
Existing at the intersection of a moisturizer and foundation, BB creams—known as beauty or blemish balm (BB)—aim to “moisturize, protect, and correct” the skin, according to Dr. Sung-Jae Jung, founder of BB pioneer Dr. Jart+. Essentially, BBs are supposed to minimize the need for the other products in your beauty routine and allow your skin to breathe so it can look like, well, skin. Not to be mistaken for its sister, CC cream—which stands for “color correcting”— many BB creams are infused with antioxidants, brightening agents, acids, and broad-spectrum SPF to treat the skin while delivering a fresh, even glow. So that means when you need a little assistance covering a blemish, a BB cream will actually help it, rather than inflame it.
And even if you’re worried about looking too dewy with these types of formulas (shout-out to folks with oily complexions), you can simply “follow up with a setting powder to get a more matte finish and control shine,” explains celebrity makeup artist Katey Denno. A full beat is great, but a lightweight, breathable BB cream may be just what you need to put your best face forward this season. Ahead, we searched through thousands of customer reviews and consulted experts to find the 12 best BB creams to make your skin look like skin, but better.
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