The Difference Between BB, CC, and DD Creams - Part 2 of 4

BB CREAMS:

BB creams were originally developed in Germany and used for skin care following a cosmetic surgical procedure. “BB” stood for “Blemish Balm” (blemish referring to any skin imperfection, not just breakouts). They caught on big in Korea, and then became a must-have beauty product in most of East Asia, therefore they are known to be an Asian important. They have become super popular in the last 2 years here in the US.  When these products hit the US market, they were renamed as Beauty Balms.

Regardless of the country, the main selling point of BB creams is that they provide some amount of coverage similar to a sheer foundation along with some extra perks. Therefore they are lighter than a foundation but heavier than a tinted moisturizer. What are these extra perks? They are sun protections, skin lightening, and anti-aging ingredients. An all-in-one product for daytime. While the additives in the BB creams can have the same efficiency as they would in stand-alone serums, be careful about counting on BB creams for adequate sun protection. Meaning you won’t slather it on the way you do, or should, with a more traditional sunscreen, resulting in inadequate protection.

BB Creams from Asian and Western companies are not the same. Asian BB creams tend to be thicker, with higher levels of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for more opaque sun protection and foundation-like coverage. In a nod of cultural preference, Asian BB creams are also expected to produce a whiter appearance on the skin. In contract, most Western BB creams are closer to a lightweight tinted moisturizer with a natural, sheer appearance and the sunscreen base may or may not contain mineral actives.

What about the extra benefits of BB creams are said to have? That depends largely on the individual formula. While some do contain a great mix of antioxidants and sunscreen, there are also some to avoid. You can also consider a tinted moisturizer to use as a BB cream, but may not be labeled as a “BB Cream” but offers the same benefits as the best Western-style BB cream out there.

BB creams should not be in place of your other anti-aging creams or serums, as you have just read, not all BB creams are alike and get the full results and benefits you are wanting and needing.

Come back next week for Part 3, where we cover CC Creams and DD Creams, and the continued cheat sheet.