15 BB Creams That’ll Tempt You to Break Up With Your Foundation

“BB creams are in the family of complexion-covering products, and their hallmark features generally include some sort of active—whether that’s SPF, antioxidants, peptides, or special hydrating properties,” Denno says. Since they’re sheerer than foundation, they’re great for people who want easy, light-to-medium coverage that will also benefit skin, she explains.

Yes, at least in Denno’s opinion. “Mainstream foundations typically aren’t formulated to be your skincare,” she says. “Foundations in the clean beauty realm have changed a lot of that by including plant-rich, antioxidant oils as their base, but by and large, you’re not going to be getting peptides, antioxidants, or SPF from your foundation. BB creams, however, always offer some amount of beneficial ingredients. Each brand chooses their own, and you’ll find each differs in level of coverage and finishes.”

Additionally, Denno notes BB creams tend to be more flexible with matching to your skin tone (and undertones) than often pigment-heavy foundations.

“I’m always going to look for a BB cream with a mineral SPF (zinc oxide) of at least 30,” Denno says. Other main ingredients she advises keeping an eye out for are plant-based oils—like squalene, raspberry seed oil, chebula, and jojoba—that have moisturizing and antioxidant properties, as well as skin-boosting niacinamide and peptides. “I’m also going to look for one that’s naturally scented because, well, why wouldn’t you? Natural botanical scents are the best!” she says.

And just as you would with foundation, make sure to find a skin tint with a finish you’ll love, she suggests.

BB creams tackle blemishes, while CC creams are lighter in texture but still offer foundation-like coverage for correcting redness and dullness. Better suited for mature skin but also able to work for anyone, CC creams also sometimes contain added nutrients to smooth fine lines and wrinkles and fade discoloration.

“BB creams came onto the scene first and were similar to a tinted moisturizer (and in some cases, just a tinted moisturizer), but often had one skincare ingredient added that made them stand out as better for your skin,” Denno says. “CC creams came along soon after, touting even more skincare benefits, generally two or more, along with sometimes an SPF. Often used interchangeably, the terms BB, CC, skin tints, and tinted moisturizer all refer to a skincare product offering lighter coverage than a foundation, plus an added ingredient or range of ingredients that allows them to take the place of a multi-step morning skincare routine,” she adds.

Katey Denno is a celebrity makeup artist whose clients have included Olivia Wilde, Amanda Seyfried, and Alicia Silverstone.

Dr. Sung-Jae Jung is the founder of Dr. Jart+.

Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Since joining ELLE.com in 2017, she has interviewed countless skincare professionals and has personally tested the latest and greatest products across makeup, skincare, and hair care.

Sam Peters is a seasoned commerce writer and editor with over five years of experience covering fashion, beauty, and lifestyle topics