While most vanity drawers are packed with foundations, mine is stocked full of the best BB creams. These “beauty balm” multitaskers keep my skin looking natural, matte, and even-toned. They’re a great option if you don’t want to spend time blending out heavy foundation, and they create the perfect canvas for a no-makeup makeup look (so do CC creams, BTW, but those are often used for color-correcting).

But the even better news is that they often contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to boost hydration and brightness. For this reason, they’re heavily favored by dermatologists and makeup artists alike. With hundreds of products on the market, I tapped experts and Glamour testers to evaluate the very best ones. Our top pick overall was the Tarte BB Blur because it has a marshmallowy smooth texture that sinks into the skin with ease. The SPF-packed formula (which comes in a wide range of shades) lasts all day long, rivaling some of the best foundations in our collection. We also found options for dry, redness-prone, and mature skin, and even a Korean-beauty cult favorite.

The best BB creams, at a glance

How we chose the best BB creams

What to look for in a BB cream

When shopping for a BB cream, there are a few things to look out for, including ingredients and SPF levels, according to Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon. “I’m always a proponent of sun protection, so I recommend looking for a BB cream with an SPF 30 or higher. I’d also recommend looking out for formulas that can deliver lightweight hydration with hyaluronic acid or glycerin,” she says. If you have specific skin concerns and struggle with redness, oiliness, or acne, look for formulas that soothe the skin, tone down redness, and promote cell turnover to mattify and clarify the skin, she adds.

While testing BB creams, we looked for formulas with skin care benefits like Dr. Engelman suggested, plus those with SPF. We also evaluated BB creams on their texture, how well they sunk into the skin, and their longevity throughout the day. The best BB creams were velvety and smooth, absorbed into the skin quickly, and didn’t pill when layered with other products. They also lasted through long eight-hour workdays and weekends in the sun. Overall, they kept our skin looking blurred, matte, and free of redness.


Best Overall BB Cream: Tarte BB Blur Natural Matte Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30

Tarte BB Blur Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30

Original video from Jazmin Gathers testing Kosas BB Burst Tinted Moisturizer Gel Cream with Copper Peptides

This tinted moisturizer made our best overall cut because it contains dermatologist-recommended SPF 30, seamlessly blends into skin like foundation, and offers a wide shade range compared to other BB creams on this list. It never looks cakey, either, and it lasts all day, even if you pair it with other makeup products like concealer and blush.

“Usually when I apply a BB cream, I have to follow it up with powder to avoid being too oily, but this one is actually matte all by itself. It didn’t feel dry, and literally looked like my skin. It has a bit of a red tint to it, but once I blended it in it started to disappear. It’s extremely lightweight and didn’t feel like I was wearing anything, which is perfect for summer or a natural look,” says Glamour senior social media editor Jazmin Gathers.

Best BB Cream for Dry Skin: Kosas BB Burst Tinted Moisturizer Gel Cream with Copper Peptides

Kosas BB Burst Tinted Moisturizer Gel Cream with Copper Peptides

Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Kosas BB Burst Tinted Moisturizer Gel Cream with Copper Peptides

If you have dry or sensitive skin or deal with dry patches, Dr. Engelman recommends BB creams over foundations because they often contain ingredients that will plump and firm the skin without making it look cracked or cakey. This tinted moisturizer-BB-cream combo does just this with copper peptides and sodium PCA to help protect and support the skin barrier, helping it retain moisture.

“I deal with combination skin and dry patches around my nose that tend to get red and flaky, especially when the seasons change. I need something that will keep these areas hydrated without sacrificing my oily areas by making them look overly shiny, and let me tell you, this gel-cream formula does it every time. It’s really lightweight and melts down into the skin perfectly, not to mention, it blends well with just about any concealer that I pair it with. My skin always feels really hydrated but never greasy when I wear it, and it lasts all day,” says Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary.

Best BB Cream for Oily Skin: Covergirl Clean Matte BB Cream

Covergirl Clean Matte BB Cream

Original video from Norell Zable testing Covergirl Clean Matte BB Cream

BB creams can be useful for oily skin types, too, especially if they have a matte finish like this drugstore pick. The noncomedogenic formula makes it acne- and blemish-friendly, and it can provide a decent amount of coverage if you’re looking to conceal pimples. It has oil-absorbing properties, too, to ensure that your skin doesn’t look slick by the end of the day.

“This BB cream couldn’t have been a better color match for my skin. I’m wearing shade 530 for light to medium skin, and the shade and coverage was really flawless. I don’t wear foundation everyday—I’m more of a tinted-moisturizer girlie—and this BB cream is definitely the best of both worlds. It was hydrating, though I do suggest a moisturizer or primer underneath as part of your skin care routine. It stayed on all day and didn’t transfer to any clothing. As a matter of fact, I wore it while wedding-dress shopping, and was in and out of countless white dresses and was totally clear of transfer!” says Condé Nast executive director of global strategy Norell Zable.

Best BB Cream for Combination Skin: Dr.Jart+ Premium BB Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 40

Dr.Jart+ Premium BB Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 40

Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Dr.Jart+ Premium BB Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 40

A favorite of Dr. Engelman’s, this BB cream is a must-try if you have combination skin and could use a boost of hydration. “This BB cream has a blend of niacinamide and glycerin to balance the skin barrier, even out skin tone, and deeply moisturize. I also like that it has SPF 40 to provide daily protection against UV rays and external aggressors,” she says.

Glamour’s Kilkeary loves it too. “This BB cream has definitely replaced some of the other complexion products in my beauty arsenal because my combination skin simply drinks it up. It keeps excess shine and grease away, but manages to keep my dry areas hydrated and fresh all day long. I love wearing this one on days I’m spending a lot of time outside and want lighter face makeup.”

Best BB Cream for Mature Skin: Maybelline Dream Fresh Skin Hydrating BB cream

Maybelline Dream Fresh Skin Hydrating BB cream

Original video from Charlotte Twine testing Maybelline Dream Fresh Skin Hydrating BB cream

“This all-in-one BB cream is an excellent affordable drugstore option. Noncomedogenic and made with 2% salicylic acid, it helps clarify and mattify the skin while targeting and concealing texture,” says Dr. Engelman. And she’s not wrong: It does a great job of hiding everything from breakouts to dark spots, and fine lines and wrinkles, making it a great pick for mature-skin types who want more even texture.

“I think I may have found my new daily SPF skin coverage with the Maybelline Dream BB Fresh. It has sheer yet buildable coverage that didn’t have that tacky feel of sunscreen. It is also super easy to glide onto my skin, and I was happy to see it didn’t settle in my wrinkles. It did pill a little bit over my cheeks, though, where I had some serum on underneath. I was so happy with the coverage that I didn’t even put on concealer. I will reach for this BB cream on active days when I just want to put on lip gloss and head out the door,” says Glamour contributor Charlotte Twine.

Best BB Cream With SPF: MDSolarSciences Crème Mineral Beauty Balm SPF 50

MDSolarSciences Crème Mineral Beauty Balm SPF 50

Original video from Jazmin Gathers testing MDSolarSciences Crème Mineral Beauty Balm SPF 50

If you’re on the hunt for a BB cream that also can act as a sunscreen, look to this light-coverage SPF 50 formula that protects skin from UV rays. It’s completely weightless and packed full of skin hydrators and antioxidants, including vitamin C, green tea, cranberry extract, niacinamide, and squalane.

“The color match is absolutely perfect! Sometimes tinted sunscreens and moisturizers can have a red undertone or be extremely oily, but this one literally looks like skin. The coverage isn’t super heavy, so it’s definitely buildable. That said, I still didn’t feel the need to use any concealer or powder. I’d wear it all by itself,” says Gathers.

Best BB Cream for Redness: Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint

Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint

Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint

Redness is another skin concern that BB creams can help address, according to Dr. Engelman. This product—which is a combination of a beauty balm plus a serum-boosted skin tint—has ingredients that can help even out skin tone and texture, including antiaging hyaluronic acid spheres, a peptide complex, and nourishing fatty acids.

Glamour’s Kilkeary is a fan of this one, too, particularly when it comes to covering up her post-acne marks with something that’s lighter weight than a foundation. “I found foundations to be too heavy and cakey, especially when I’m trying to cover pimples and areas of texture. This balm is simply a dream for that because it’s so incredibly lightweight, yet it provides so much coverage. I also love the applicator, too—you can simply slide it right on and blend it out with your fingers or a brush. It’s so breathable, as well, and doesn’t have skin-clogging oils—it keeps my skin looking matte, even-toned, and fresh every time I wear it,” she says.

Best Korean BB Cream: Erborian BB Cream With Ginseng

Erborian BB Cream with Ginseng

Original photo from Jenifer Calle after testing Erborian BB Cream with Ginseng

This pick is a K-beauty cult favorite because it gives you a lit-from-within glowy finish. It’s also packed with ingredients like wild yam, licorice, and white ginseng to smooth and hydrate, all while evening out skin tone and eliminating redness too.

“The texture is so smooth and silky. It’s not too thick and layers on well with my skin care products, concealer, and liquid blush. I love the natural, glowy finish. You can use it on its own, but I like to use it on problem areas and mix it with my Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter foundation. Though I will say the shade-matching is a little tricky. I have a medium, tan skin tone but with a neutral undertone, and the two shades that I tested leaned too peach and warm for me, which is why I blended with foundation,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle.


Frequently asked questions

Do dermatologists recommend BB creams?

Yes, dermatologists recommend BB creams, according to Dr. Engelman. “BB creams offer multiple benefits with a single application, so they’re a great way to streamline your skin care routine. They’re also helpful for addressing certain skin concerns, including oiliness, redness, and acne, while evening out the complexion and leaving a natural-looking, perfected finish,” she says.

Are BB creams good for mature skin?

BB creams can be a great option for mature skin types for a few reasons. “Full coverage products like foundation tend to settle into fine lines and wrinkles, while BB cream can provide coverage without being cakey,” says Dr. Engelman. Plus, they’re often packed with antioxidants and hydrating ingredients, which are great for mature skin types that may not retain moisture as effectively.

Is BB cream better than foundation?

BB cream is not necessarily better than foundation, it’s just different, according to Jonet Williamson, a pro makeup artist based in NYC. “Both foundation and BB creams have a place, and depending on your personal needs, a BB cream might be a better option for you if you’re looking for lighter-weight makeup,” she says. BB creams also have more of a blurring effect and help plump fine lines, while heavy foundations may sink into them and cause creases.

Tips for applying BB creams

Williamson recommends applying BB creams with your hands as the last step in your skin care routine and the first step in your makeup routine. “With this in mind, you can also use your BB cream as a skin perfector before applying a traditional foundation,” she says.



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