The 6 best BB creams we tested in 2024: Our full review

With countless skin-friendly liquid formulas available, it can be an overwhelming beauty shopping experience, to say the least.

As the weather gets warmer, we’re seeing a rise in lighter formulas, but a lightweight formula shouldn’t mean you have to compromise on balanced coverage.

That’s why our go-to for beating the heat is the classic BB cream — not to be confused with CC creams, tinted moisturizers, skin tints, bronzing drops, and the like.

“BB creams are products that aim to hydrate, brighten, protect and mattify the skin.” Ernest Robinsona New York-based professional makeup artist, told the New York Post, “BB cream is essentially a multitasking skincare and makeup hybrid that offers a lighter coverage than foundation.”

Related: The best eye creams we’ve reviewed

Uniquely, BB creams differ from tinted moisturizers in that they “prime and hydrate,” and also provide more full coverage than tinted moisturizers, which don’t necessarily even out your skin tone.

In a way, BB creams act as both a makeup primer and an SPF for your face, and because of their versatility, their texture, consistency, and application are top-notch.

As a full-time beauty formula tester who’s tried just about every brand out there, BB cream is a product category that I’ve finally dug deep into. After weeks of consistent use, I can confidently say that BB cream is a must-have in anyone’s makeup bag and one of the most budget-friendly items available in the beauty department, especially in the summer.

And the award for Best BB Cream goes to… Tarte BB Blur Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30. Though it’s a luxury item, it’s still one of the best formulas for achieving a balanced, rich complexion.

Remove the matte bamboo cap to reveal a light shade. It’s not too oily or creamy, but rather a lovely matte texture that provides medium coverage yet is buildable.

The brand offers this BB cream in a wide range of shades to suit both fair and dark skin tones. It has a soft texture and a broad spectrum SPF of 30 to protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. It is the best moisturizer with SPF but gives you a more even and makeup-like complexion.

To be honest, I don’t use drugstore beauty products very often because my skin is very sensitive and acne prone, but Maybelline Dream BB Fresh Skin Hydrating Beauty Balm far surpasses them because it doesn’t clog my pores and compares favorably to more expensive BB creams I’ve tested.

With over 19,000 rave reviews on Amazon alone, it’s reached the pinnacle of best-selling status. Interestingly, the product is billed as a beauty balm, and that’s exactly what it feels like before you fully blend it. It’s also one of the quickest to blend, making this sheer tint a must-have when you’re on the go in a hurry.

If you’re looking for a premium BB cream that’s more like a lightweight foundation, try the Dr. Jart+ Premium BB Beauty Balm SPF 40. This dermatologist’s dream cream contains the recommended ingredient niacinamide. and Sun protection — just like your favorite facial sunscreen.

The shades blend so well with the skin that it’s no wonder the brand only offers four shades. I also love that it has a creamy finish that gives a natural finish. This is one of my most used options so far. I love that it feels like my favorite skincare products, but also like a second skin.

I’ve been a fan of MD Solar Sciences for some time, and their MD Mineral BB Crème SPF 50 is one of my beach bag essentials. While many of the BB creams on this list offer sun protection, the brand is known for its SPF products, which I love, like the Daily Perfecting Moisturizer SPF 30 ($68) and Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50 ($41).

Speaking of this product, it is oil-free and still provides a pretty long-lasting tint. What’s even more amazing is its ability to reduce redness and discoloration. My mom, who has vitiligo, loves this cream to reduce discoloration, and I love it too, as I am very sensitive to sun spots. Plus, it was developed by a dermatologist, so it’s worth the money.

The L’Oreal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream is the closest formula to a balm I’ve tried. It’s the epitome of a radiant base that conditions and hydrates at the same time. And with a great price, it’s a real hit.

This BB cream is the best drugstore product out there. It gives a balanced look, an even finish, and leaves skin with a natural glow every time. If you’re new to BB creams, I recommend starting with this one.

A relatively new product but already making waves on TikTok, Kosas BB Burst Tinted Gel Cream has arrived on the market as a lightweight skin cover-up product that is both quality and long-lasting.

What’s great about this BB cream is its consistency – I would recommend it especially for those with oily skin as it feels bouncy when you apply it and wicks away sweat and moisture, but even my dry skin stays hydrated all day.

I also like that it contains copper peptides to support collagen production, which has some skin benefits, though I wouldn’t recommend it for acne-prone skin, as it can clog pores and cause minor breakouts.

How we tested

After testing the BB cream At least 3 months To ensure our foundations, skin tints and tinted moisturizers last up to four years, here are the testing criteria we have in mind for each formula:

• price: No matter your budget, it doesn’t make sense to spend a ton of money on a fancy BB cream that doesn’t last for hours. A good BB cream is worth the investment, but we kept the price in mind for each product we tested.
• Hourly check-in: I checked my face in the mirror every hour to make sure my liquid foundation wasn’t coming off or looking caked.
• Ease of application: We focused on ease of application and blending.
• Shade Selection: I have fair skin, but it was important for me to know more about whether each brand has a realistic and wide selection of darker, peach, and olive shades. This information has been evaluated for each product below.
• Consistency: I tested each BB cream with the same concealer, bronzer, and blush I use every day, all of which I’ve been using for years. This ensures that there are no outside variables affecting the look of each foundation.
• Notable Features: From the iconic packaging to the creaminess and smooth feel, I wrote down everything that impressed me.

This article was written by Victoria Giardina, commerce journalist and content strategist at the New York Post. She has spent countless hours researching and testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest and greatest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to discern what’s really worth spending your hard-earned money on. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, as well as consulting medical and industry experts. Victoria’s recent accomplishments include reviewing buzzworthy Korean beauty brand Cosrx and testing dermatologist-recommended acne cleansers. Victoria has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.

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