If you’ve heard of one, you’ve probably heard of the others. The acronym “BB” in BB Cream stands for “beauty balm” or “beauty base,” but what about those other acronyms for multipurpose beauty creams? In a world of BB, CC, DD and EE, how is a girl supposed to make it? Is it all part of a big marketing ploy to confuse buyers into buying all 4?
We’re taking a look at the BB cream family – as well as delving into the history of its close relatives. No matter your beauty goal, one of these balms from this creamy dream team will have you achieving the perfect natural everyday look with little effort and time!
BB Cream
Mode: “Beauty Balm”
‘BB’ creams are meant to create a clean, flawless base using beneficial, healthy skin nutrients (much like a ‘balm’ would). BB stands for “beauty balm” or “beauty balm.” These formulas are meant to provide lightweight, hydrating coverage with a bit of shine. BB creams are usually designed to be a primer, moisturizer and light foundation – and some even have sun protection – all in one formula. They are lighter than your average foundation but should be thicker than a tint
Our BB Cream has medium, buildable coverage, making it able to hide imperfections and give skin a healthy, primed look. We also added subtle luminosity with the mica, to deliver a naturally flawless and radiant glow to the skin. This same luminosity helps to gently reflect light, which gives the skin a soft glow that focuses and blurs imperfections (a defining feature of CC cream).
PRO-TIP: To achieve a full coverage layer, we recommend adding a concealer or finishing powder to fill in fine lines and achieve full coverage.
CC Cream
Mode: “Color correction”
The term “CC” stands for “color correction” or “skin correction.” Want to correct uneven skin tone, dark spots and blemishes? This would be the formula for you! A CC cream is formulated with ingredients that cover redness and perfect your skin tone. They also help blur uneven textures and wrinkles with light-diffusing particles (sound familiar, 100% PURE BB Cream?). This cream is the most visually correcting of the 4 formulas, which is why you’ll see it competing right at the top with the BB cream. Most users will want either the light skin-healthy benefits of a BB cream or the corrective, perfecting finish of a CC cream
CC creams are also known to have a lighter body and texture than BB cream. They’re a little simpler to work with, offering stronger coverage than your typical BB cream. As BB creams offer more skin benefits behind the scenes, CC cream benefits are more apparent immediately after application. A proper CC cream formula should be able to correct redness, hyperpigmentation, blemishes and dark spots with a lightweight texture and finish.
DD cream
Mode: “Daily Defense”
You might start to lose your temper at this point in the beauty alphabet when a DD cream follows. “What’s next, EE?” you might be wondering. Understandable, since “DD” was a little looser in its definition. This acronym has been defined as anything from a “daily defense”, “dual duty” or even “dynamic cream”. But when you get past the marketing jargon, here’s the bottom line: DD creams are designed to deliver protective ingredients like SPF and antioxidants.
It is important to note, however, that DD creams usually do not provide the same level of coverage as a BB cream. SPF is another tricky item for BB creams and others, but is more commonly found in both DD and BB creams. Since DD creams are the daily defense choice, both their main purpose and first priority is to protect the skin. You’ll also find DDs packed with heavy doses of both SPF and antioxidants. You’ll often find these formulas aimed at preventing fine lines, wrinkles and environmental damage.
EE Cream
Mode: “Extra exfoliation”
Oh yes. now we have EE creams – Eek! It is the latest addition to the alphabet beauty cream family. Although some beauty enthusiasts have rolled their eyes at the term since it was coined, these creams have m-excellent benefits for the skin! Referred to as ‘extra exfoliating’, EE creams are designed to gently slough off dead skin cells while hydrating the skin. They’re not all-day, everyday products like your typical BB cream, and they’re aimed more at skincare benefits than cosmetics.
The idea is to add EE cream to your cleanser, for a deep cleansing boost. Not sold? You are not alone! Five years after their introduction, only a few of these products still hold up, proving that we were happy with the beauty and look of our BB and CC options.
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How to apply 100% PURE BB Cream for best results
BB cream is the best product for those who want a hint of color with hydration and a natural, dewy finish. Unlike conventional foundation, which can feel heavy or cakey, BB creams offer lighter coverage, making it perfect for everyday wear or a more casual look. Follow along as we give you an easy-to-use step-by-step BB cream application to achieve a flawless application.
STEP ONE:
After your daily natural cleansing routine, apply a primer for the perfect base for makeup application. Our Luminous Primer is a plant-based, silicone-free formula that helps skin in two ways: it creates an instant, temporary glow on makeup, and it also boosts your skin’s vibrancy over time with a punch of antioxidants. Made with antiaging resveratrol, nourishing vitamin E, and intensely hydrating aloe, this formula will take your BB cream look from dreamtime to daytime!
Optional:
For super stubborn large pores or just to add a mist of extra hydration, spritz on Lavender Niacinamide Pore Minimizer Tonique! This cleansing toner deeply cleanses and unclogs facial pores while reducing their appearance without stripping or dehydrating the skin. This hydrating formula features niacinamide, which evens skin tone while firming it. The addition of lavender hydrosol refreshes and soothes, while witch hazel balances oil production and reduces inflammation. This toner is the perfect blend to achieve that flawless, glowing skin!
STEP TWO:
Apply a small amount of formula to the back of your hand. we recommend starting with a nickel-sized doll. BB cream should not go on your face as a thick paste. It is there to act as a thin layer of base, not a thick layer of ice.
STEP THREE:
Start by dipping the kabuki brush into the formula and spread lightly around your face. Make sure to hit all the main points like forehead, chin, cheeks and nose. This will help you distribute the dots of BB cream evenly.
STEP FOUR:
Using the kabuki brush, gently tap and rub the BB cream around your skin in a circular motion. You’ll hit and hit, not pull and dirty. Start from the center of your face and work outwards. When you get to your chin and neck area, be sure to gently buff, blend and buff some more to avoid leaving a harsh base line.
Are you a fan of the super refreshing finish? Instead of using a brush to apply the BB cream, use a wet makeup blender and bounce it over the skin until it’s completely blended. You can still build up coverage however you like, but the result will look much more dewy and hydrated.
STEP FIVE:
After applying and filling the first layer of BB cream, take a few seconds to assess. Are there small areas that need a little more love to cover up? If so, tap on a few more small dots and blend gently. Since BB creams are buildable, it’s much easier to add layers than to remove them.
STEP SIX:
If you have oily skin or are looking for a longer-lasting finish, you’ll want a powder that can blur fine lines, pores and imperfections – the main role of a great, natural finishing powder! Our Bamboo Blur Powder can achieve this without over-drying your skin or completely covering any BB-emitting shine.
Thanks to bamboo silica, this talc- and preservative-free powder is designed to be the perfect, natural photo filter for your skin.
Frequently asked questions about BB & CC creams
Can I use BB cream and CC cream together or should I choose one option for my skin needs?
The short answer is yes. Both BB and CC creams can be used together to achieve the perfect foundation finish. After doing your standard skin care routine, you can apply CC cream to color correct and even out your skin tone. Then apply a thin layer of BB cream to achieve perfect, natural, glowing skin.
Are there specific skin types or concerns that each of these creams are best suited for?
Both BB and CC creams are suitable for most skin types. However, some of these formulas may be better suited for certain skin concerns than the other option. For example, if you have a lot of redness on your face, you can choose a CC cream to correct the color and even out your skin tone.
With the variety of functions these creams offer, are they meant to replace foundation or work alongside it?
It really depends on the makeup look you’re going for. BB cream is ideal for soft coverage. If you are someone who likes full coverage then you can apply another layer of foundation over the BB cream. Note that BB cream does not provide a matte finish, so you may need to use powder if you don’t like the dewy look.
How do ingredients usually differ between BB, CC, DD and EE creams?
Your skin will be at its best if you choose natural ingredients in these options. A BB cream covers all the bases to be able to hydrate, protect and add natural coverage. A CC cream may contain natural ingredients that reduce redness, such as niacinamide, while a DD is likely to have more sun protection. EE creams are more for exfoliation and not intended for all day use.
How do I decide between BB cream and matching cream when aiming for natural coverage?
Most of these beauty creams or balms will have similar coverage. It really boils down to the look you’re going for and whether you have any skin concerns. If you’re looking for lighter coverage and a more natural, dewy finish – or for days when you want minimal makeup – then a BB cream will be your best bet. If you’re looking for the ultimate sun protection, you can opt for a DD cream – or for color correction, a CC cream.
Have you had enough of the alphabet cream song and dance? We’ll do you a favor and leave out the ‘AA’ and ‘FF’… for now! We know that BB creams have carved a distinct mark in the world and alphabet of cosmetics. Their ability to deliver a glowing, natural look, combined with the health benefits they provide, means more than just a beauty trend – they’re a beauty staple!
