BB Creams

BB Creams are the latest rage. But what are they? Are they just hype? Or, are they a skincare product worthy of knowing about and using…

Personally, I believe they’re the real deal, and I think they’re great!

So let me tell you why.

Think of BB creams as combination products “on steroids!” They really are the ultimate in combination products because their multiple active ingredients make them multi-functional.

And most of you know how much I love combination products because of their convenience, cost savings and efficacy, so what’s better than a combination product on steroids?

The name “BB Cream,” is an abbreviation for “Blemish Balm,” which actually originated in Germany in the 1960’s. Recently, however, they’ve become very popular in Asia, especially when Korean actresses and other celebrities recommended BB Creams because they found them to be really great for improving their skin tone.

BB Creams are very different from a simple tinted moisturizer or foundation because they’ve moved beyond the limitations of a single hero ingredient by combining multiple actives in a single product.

For instance, BB Creams can be broad spectrum sunscreens, moisturizers, tinted foundations with different shades, antioxidants, acne treatments, pore minimizers, whitening agents and more.

There are already a lot of different brands of BB Creams including Estee Lauder, Dior, Clinique and Garnier.

This is Clinique’s BB cream… called Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30. It’s a tinted foundation with broad spectrum sun protection and an spf of 30… it has the potent antioxidant benefits of Vitamin E… and it helps control oil. I see it selling today for about $37.

Another BB Cream is Garnier’s Skin Renew BB Cream, which is a great everyday SPF 15 brightening cream, with broad spectrum sun protection, the antioxidant powers of Vitamin C - my favorite - and effective hydration from hyaluronic. This one is sold today for $13.

So whether it’s Garnier’s, Clinique’s, or any other brand’s, I think BB Creams are here to stay. More actives in one product means less products to apply, and their value is great too. Maybe I should be making one!