BB Creams: Substitute for Foundation?
Now that the warmer weather is starting to creep in we all need to start to rethink our makeup. Out goes the full on foundation that we mask onto our faces throughout the winter to make us look that slightly bit more human! However, when the sun is out and the temperatures rise we still need our makeup, but a lot more subtle, light weight and that invisible look that still covers all those imperfections perfectly and evens out our skin tone. But is that possible and what is on offer? Tinted moisturiser has been around for some time and while those with very few imperfections to conceal, love it for a hint of colour, great hydration and lightweight feel, especially for those summer months, others find that it does not give anywhere near enough coverage that we need for those blemishes and uneven skin tones.
So what do we do? The heavy foundation for some seems the only alternative to cover those blemishes while out and about in the sun. That was until BB creams hit the market. BB cream stands for blemish balm, blemish base or beauty balm. It is a cosmetic item that was once only sold mainly in East and Southeast Asia, however today larger beauty brands are increasingly introducing BB creams into Western markets. Originally created by dermatologists for patients who had gone through
laser skin surgery, the idea is that they actually provide genuine benefits for the skin - as well as providing enough coverage to be used as either a foundation or a primer, depending upon your preference. BB cream is promoted as an allin-one facial cosmetic product to replace serum, moisturizer, primer, foundation, and sun block. It can be worn alone as a tinted moisturizer, over serum and moisturizer as a regular foundation, and under powder, depending on the desired amount of coverage. The cream is promoted as a multitasker, an all-in-one treatment, but Korean women mostly use it as an alternative to foundation, especially Western foundations that tend to be too heavy for their taste. The coverage is often mineral-based, and is intended to both cover and treat blemishes such as acne, sun spots and age spots. It also has anti-wrinkle, anti-inflammatory and soothing effects.
further - with additions such as hyaluronic acid and antioxidants to regenerate skin. A tinted moisturizer only hydrates and evens out the complexion with minimal coverage; a foundation covers the skin with a layer of colour and gives it a flawless finish. BB creams go above and beyond that and moisturize, protect, and corrects flaws.
The similarity to tinted moisturisers has been noted, but BB creams are designed to go one step 17