Can you use BB cream as a foundation? Well, BB creams are full of skin benefits and their beautifying nature allows the skin to breathe. This offers a natural and lightweight coverage that will not irritate the skin. So, how to settle the BB cream vs foundation debate and dilemma?
At the end of the day, it comes down to what you need specifically. BB creams provide UV protection, skin hydration, moisturizing, and can be used as a primer, foundation, or concealer.
And yes, you can use BB cream as part of your daily routine in place of foundation. Or you can use them together. There are many factors that determine what you should put on your face. For example, if you have oily skin, the moisturizer in BB Cream may be enough for you.
We know it can get confusing. With terms like BB cream, CC cream, foundation, it is a lot to take in. When it comes to perfecting your complexion, choosing between BB cream vs foundation can be confusing. Both are designed to make your skin look better.
But this is where things get complicated. Which one is better? Which one suits you more? We have the answers.
What Is BB Cream?
Let’s start by explaining the terms. What is the best BB cream? Called also beauty balm or blemish balm, it is a base product that is praised for its ability to even out your skin tone and correct blemishes. Compared to standard foundations, it is a lot lighter in coverage. Yet, it is thicker than a tinted moisturizer.
Simply put, BB creams give you the best of both worlds when you want to even out the skin tone without feeling the heaviness of a foundation. Even more, BB creams offer skincare benefits. Most of them contain sunscreen protection, but also antioxidants that protect the skin against dust and residue.
The downside of BB creams is their color range. If you want a foundation, you can find more than 50 shades from a single brand. But even with the best BB cream, you can find just a few hues.
That being said, if you want a light and minimal makeup look but more coverage than a tinted moisturizer, BB cream is the way to go. Dab a small amount on the forehead, cheeks, and chin, and blend in with your fingers, a wet sponge, or a foundation brush.
Difference Between BB Cream And Foundation
We touched on this a little bit, but let’s go deeper into the discussion. BB cream stands for a beauty balm. It is a product lighter than foundation. The simple difference is foundation is designed for maximum coverage. BB creams, on the other hand, offer sheer coverage or light coverage.
When you are trying to cover blemishes, you are better off with a foundation product. BB creams simply cannot cover all blemishes or imperfections. Another option when you need foundation is when you have highly discolored skin that needs a lot of help.
What about CC cream?
Many people are confused by this term as well. Simply put, CC cream is the more mature friend of BB cream. It offers a bit more coverage, and it serves as a good color corrector for more sallow skin. It also comes with SPF protection.
If you crave coverage, the foundation is still the best option to improve skin tone while covering blemishes.
We have to remember, the technology of foundation has come a long way as well. Long ago, foundation formulas offered a thick and cakey feeling on the skin. Nowadays, the formula has improved, offering a striking difference in look and feel.
Yes, foundation is still thicker in consistency compared with tinted moisturizer, BB cream, CC cream, and similar products.
But with foundation, you get several levels of coverage, from sheer to full, and from lightest tone to darkest tone. You can find a finish and choose one between matte, satin, and dewy, something that will complement your skin type. This is not an option with BB cream or CC cream.
If you have dry skin, you should definitely look for foundations that offer medium coverage, dewy finish, and that are natural.
For those with combined or normal skin that skews neither oily nor dry, a foundation with a satin finish is the way to go.
And if you have very oily skin, look for a matte, fuller-coverage foundation that can control oil production and allow for longer wear.
Can BB Cream Replace Foundation?
It is your choice. You can stick with either BB cream or foundation. But because different products provide varying levels of coverage, foundation is still a better option. Ideally, you should have BB cream and foundation in your beauty box. And then use one that will suit you more for the event.
The downside of BB cream is that it provides only light coverage, and there are no color paletts for different skin types.
Can you use BB cream as a primer?
BB cream is neither a primer nor foundation. Think of it as an all-in-one multitasking option. Foundation, on the other hand, is designed simply to even out the skin tone and provide better coverage.
BB cream, on the other hand, provides sheer coverage, care for your skin, and protection at the same time. Many beauty experts love calling it tinted moisturizer on steroids.
It provides many skincare benefits, including anti-aging ingredients like antioxidants, anti-redness ingredients, blemish busters, and more.
But remember, neither BB cream nor foundation is better than the other. Different needs on different days call for different products. It is just a matter of preference and mood. So, it is better to have them both in your beauty cabinet.
How To Apply BB Cream?
Let’s finish off our article on BB cream vs foundation with a simple step-by-step guide on how to apply BB cream.
Step 1 – Apply a little at a time
No matter if you are wearing BB cream or foundation, it is important that you apply a small amount at a time. The technique is the same. Be careful how much you use.
You do not want to build up unnecessary product residue on your skin. With a lot of product, your skin and face might look caked.
Squeeze a small amount onto your fingers and apply it to the face using a gentle patting motion. This technique allows you to blend the cream into the skin for even coverage.
Apply a thin layer, wait for a few seconds for your skin to absorb it, and then add another layer if necessary.
Step 2 – Coverage
If you use BB Cream as a base, you can still add foundation. Apply it in the same way. But remember, you have some coverage from the cream, so do not go overboard on the foundation.
You can apply powder foundation at the final stage to reduce the shiny effect of BB cream and fix it in place.
One last thing to remember. BB cream is also a type of foundation. Whether you apply only BB cream or mix it with foundation, do not forget to remove it before you go to bed in the evening. That is the only way to avoid clogging pores.
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