BB cream (Beauty Balm) originated in Asia, and made a huge splash everywhere. A little bit of this, a little bit of that – that pretty much describes a BB cream. Come to think of it, the concept is not that new. After all, tinted moisturizers with SPF have been around for a long time. BB creams usually combine moisturizing properties, SPF, some lightweight tint, light sheen, and sometimes antioxidants. So to me, any multi-tasking tinted moisturizer can be called a BB cream.
The major benefit of jumping on a BB cream wagon is that it saves your time, and sometimes your money. Instead of having to buy and apply multiple skincare products like moisturizer, sunscreen, primer, and foundation one after another, you can use only one tube that gives you all of the above. Right? Well, not exactly.
Some of us, even those who are blessed with decent skin, may find that BB cream doesn’t provide enough hydration and SPF, not enough coverage and anti-aging properties. Too sheer and too lightweight are the major concerns that I have. My skin requires a heavier moisturizer 3 seasons of the year. Primer, foundation and concealer will be in my pocket if I have to run out of the house in case of fire. And I won’t even look at a bottle of sunscreen if it contains SPF less than 50. It doesn’t mean that BB cream is no good, of course. I think that it can work nicely during summertime for people who have nothing to hide on their faces. But as for the rest of us… Well, somebody has to keep the beauty industry afloat by buying loads of their stuff.
