BB Cream Or Foundation: Which Is Best For My Skin?

BB cream has been setting the beauty world abuzz for the past three years - so much so, in fact, that it has spawned a number of spin-offs, including CC cream and now even a DD cream. It offers light, thin coverage, a wealth of benefits and a smooth, clear finish. Foundation, on the other hand, is still used for shows, fashion events and photo shoots by much of the beauty industry and by people everydayfor the long-wearing, incredibly even coverage it provides.

What is BB Cream Anyway?

The "BB" in BB cream stands for "beauty balm".

It "balms" the skin, providing light coverage, enhancing the skin's complexion, controls oil, minimizes the appearance of pores and brightens dull skin - but the key with BB cream is that it doesn't provide all-overcoverage in the same way that foundation does. Instead, it evens out the color of your skin whilst also working as a bit of a skincare wizard. But although BB cream does have a huge number of benefits, it isn't necessarily the right choice for all skin types.

What About Foundation?

Foundation used to be very basic - a thick cream that was literally painted onto the skin to cover marks and blemishes and to provide an even base.

When foundation is used, it should always be applied over the top of a day cream or moisturizer, and in some cases, a primer too. This gives the foundation staying power and generally means that it has the capability to last all day. For some, foundation can have a flaky texture, while for others, because it is thicker in texture than a BB cream, it can be a little heavy and can sometimes cause breakouts.

Read More: Face Creams - Which One Really Works?

Should I Use a CC Cream?

CC creams are "complexion correctors". In some cases, the primaryfunction of a CC cream is simply to fade dark patches and marks and to even out the complexion of skin, and it does not act as a BB cream or foundation. However, in all too many cases, CC creams are incredibly similar to BB creams and according to one cosmetic chemist, "the benefits of CC creams and BB creams often overlap to the extent that they are almost impossible to differentiate".

We know - it's all very confusing. But there is a way to find out whether you should be using BB cream, foundation, or even something else entirely.

How to Choose Between a BB Cream and a Foundation

Moisturize your face first thing in the morning, then apply a BB cream tailored to your skin type with your fingertips, blending into the jawline and around the nose. Keep the cream on all day, then remove with makeup remover and moisturize. The next day, do exactly the same, but instead, use a foundation that is tailored to your skin type and apply it either with your fingertips or with a brush. How well did each type of coverage last? Did it flake? Was it oily? And how does your skin feel now? Tight? Itchy? Spotty?

In some situations, where you need greater coverage and a flawless base - perhaps if you're going to a party, a foundation might be better. But in others, a light BB cream will be plenty to even out your skin tone and to cover blemishes.

Getting the Best Results From BB Creams and Foundations

Whether you prefer the way BB creams or foundations feel on your skin, there are a number of things you need to keep in mind when applying them.

When using a BB cream, to get the best results, it's still advised that you moisturize skin before applying - and for extra staying power, use a primer. You might also have to use a concealer underneath the BB cream in order to cover up spots or blemishes. You can't rely on a BB cream to give you ample SPF coverage, either - although most BB creams do contain an SPF, this SPF is nowhere near enough to adequately protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays. If you want to use a BB cream before heading to the beach, for example, make sure you slather a sun cream onto your skin before applying it.

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Which is Best for Me?

If you like your coverage light, a BB cream might be for you. If you prefer your coverage a little heavier, a foundation is for you. Whichever you choose, make sure you look for a formulation that suits your skin type and always, always moisturize first - you'd be surprised at how much of a difference it could make!