The best BB creams – otherwise known as beauty balms – are a staple of a fresh, clean make-up look. Unlike heavier foundations, BB creams tend to be powered by skincare ingredients and provide a lighter level of coverage.
Make-up artist and brand founder Ruby Hammer explains: “A BB cream has a lighter finish than standard foundations,” adding that a beauty balm can “act as a multi-tasker in your routine, saving you time in the morning”, which is good news for anyone who finds themselves rushing to get through their skincare and make-up routine before dashing off to work.
Like many skincare formulas, BB creams are best applied with the fingertips, starting in the centre of the face and working your way outwards, for an even blend. “If you love a natural-looking finish and you need hydration, a BB cream will be great for you,” says Hammer.
Coverage is softer in BB creams than in CC creams (colour correctors), too. The latter are targeted more specifically to evening out any discolouration in the skin, such as redness, pigmentation or sun spots.
Whether you’re new to BB creams or are looking for a new formula to try, I’ve used all my experience as a beauty editor to test a variety of creams and bring you the best on the market.
How I tested
- Application: I tried several BB creams over a period of many weeks and in various weather conditions. For each product, I considered ease of application, using my fingers to blend the product around my face like I would with a skincare product.
- Staying power: I assessed how the formula wore throughout the day, and generally considered which looked and felt the best after a long day’s wear.
- Coverage: My testing criteria included added skincare benefits, coverage and finish, while I remained conscious of value for money, too. For context, I have sensitive skin, which is prone to redness and with slight fine lines, so I’m mindful of adequate coverage and a flattering skin finish.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Rose Gallagher is a beauty writer and trained make-up artist with more than a decade of experience in the industry. Starting out in the beauty hall of Selfridges as a personal shopper, she has since written for numerous publications, including The Independent, where she has reviewed everything from eye creams to rosacea creams. She has particular interest in the latter topic, and is an expert on ingredient products that reduce redness. Rose has also amassed a following of nearly 40,000 on TikTok, where she shares make-up tips, reviews and insights gleaned from the beauty industry.
The best BB creams for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Kosas BB burst tinted gel cream: £34, Sephora.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Garnier BB cream oil-free: £9.99, Boots.com
- Best for a no-make-up look – Dr. Jart BB premium beauty balm: £29.60, Drjart.co.uk
- Best for dry skin – Clarins BB skin detox fluid: £38, Amazon.co.uk
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Kosas BB burst tinted gel cream
Best: Overall BB cream
Coverage level: Light to medium
Finish: Satin, fresh
Key ingredients: Copper peptides, zinc oxide and glycerin
Why we love it
- Available in 24 true to skin shades
- Unique gel texture that works for dry, combination or oily skin types
Take note
- It separates so we recommend mixing before application
If fresh, healthy-looking skin is your goal, this BB cream from Kosas is a brilliant choice. The gel consistency of the formula is hydrating without being oily, and gives the skin a fresh sheen. Though not heavy in coverage, this imparts enough colour to blur over any discolouration.
The formula is unusual and separates a little, which is something to keep in mind, so I would advise applying it first to the back of your hand, mixing it together and then applying straight to the skin – I found that the result is worth the faff. It wears well through the day and keeps the skin feeling hydrated, so is a great option all year round.
Buy now £34.00, Sephora.co.uk
Garnier BB cream oil-free
Best: Budget BB cream
Coverage level: Medium
Finish: Satin
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, aloe vera extract
Why we love it
- Gives the skin a fresh, healthy look without shine
- Housed in recycled packaging
Take note
- The clean, powdery scent is quite prominent
- Available in three adaptable shades.
Garnier is home to many variations of its BB cream, but the oil-free version was my favourite. This offers slightly more coverage than its counterparts from the brand, leaving the skin looking healthy and perfected.
The formula feels like a creamy gel, offering moisture but drying down to keep the skin free from shine. It lasted well throughout the day and was the most budget-friendly of the many I discovered. Be mindful that the scent is rather prominent, and the shade range is limited.
Buy now £9.99, Boots.com
Dr. Jart BB premium beauty balm
Best: BB cream for a no make-up look
Coverage level: Sheer to light
Finish: Natural
Key ingredients: Niacinamide, glycerin and SPF50
Why we love it
- Contains a high SPF50 for extra UV protection
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear
Take note
- Sheer coverage so best as a general skin enhancer
- four adaptable shades
With Korean skincare roots, the Dr. Jart BB cream works as a simple, everyday skin enhancer that sits virtually undetectable on the skin. For someone busy who wishes to create a slightly more even skin tone, but doesn’t necessarily want to look made up, this is a great lightweight choice.
It dries down to a sheer, skin-like finish, and while it’s only available in four shades, these are said to adapt to your skin tone, meaning they will suit a range of skin tones. The formula provides a high level of sun protection (SPF50) too, and has a gentle citrus scent.
Buy now £29.60, Drjart.co.uk
Erborian BB cream au ginseng
Best: BB cream for flawless skin
Coverage: Customisable, anywhere from light to full
Finish: Natural
Key ingredients: White ginseng, glycerin and SPF20
Why we love it
- Very easy to apply
- Sits well over skin texture
- Gel like formula that will work well for dry, combination or oily skin
Take note
- Comes in five adaptable shades
Perhaps the most well-known of the BB creams I tried, and indeed Hammer’s favourite, it’s easy to understand why this one is so popular. This gel-like formula will work well for dry, combination or oily skin types, and applies evenly and quickly using just fingertips.
Available in five adaptable shades, it remains lightweight and fresh whether you use a small amount or build up to a fuller coverage. Skin looks healthy and not overly done, but still perfected. There’s a very soft powdery scent to this too.
Buy now £38.00, Eborian.com
Code 8 radiate beauty balm
Best: BB cream for dull skin
Coverage level: Medium
Finish: Luminous
Key ingredients: Pectin, argan-seed oil and SPF15
Why we love it
- Adds instant glow to the skin with a pearly, healthy sheen
- Vegan-friendly formula
- Comes in eight adaptable shades
Take note
- Textured skin types may prefer something less luminous
- Price is steeper than many competitors
If you are hoping to add radiance to dull or tired-looking skin, this BB cream will be great for you. Available in eight adaptable shades, it gives an instant and lasting glow to the skin, yet still dries adequately so as not to feel too heavy.
Due to the richer coverage in this formula, the fade in the wear was slightly more noticeable as the day went on. It’s also worth noting that if you have textured skin, you may prefer something with a less luminous finish. You might also wish to use a setting powder to minimise shine in any areas that can be prone to becoming oily.
Buy now £43.00, Codeeight.com
Clarins BB skin detox fluid
Best: BB cream for dry skin
Coverage level: Medium
Finish: Satin
Key ingredients: Acerola seed extract and SPF25
Why we love it
- Looks naturally radiant
- Super flattering
- Offers a generous coverage whilst feeling lightweight
Take note
- Very limited in shades (four adaptable shades)
Something that Clarins complexion products seem to have in common is adding radiance to the skin in a way that doesn’t look artificial. It would be brilliant to see this in a wider shade range, as anyone with the fairest or deepest of skin tones will be unlikely to find a close match.
A lightweight yet rich formula, this cocoons the skin in moisture but dries down to a low maintenance satin finish. It would be ideal for city living, as the skincare base is designed to protect the skin against environmental aggressors such as pollution.
Buy now £38.00, Clarins.co.uk
L'Oreal age perfect BB cream
Best: BB cream for oily skin
Coverage level: Light to medium
Finish: Soft matte
Key ingredients: Vitamin B3 and SPF50
Why we love it
- Lightweight
- Natural-looking
- Flattering over any skin texture or fine lines
Take note
- Six adaptable shades
If your skin is more prone to becoming oily throughout the day, the soft matte finish of this BB cream will work well for you. Though not entirely velvety, this dries to an egg-shell finish and creates a more even-looking skin tone. I also found that it was lightweight while delivering a natural-looking finish.
The lack of dewiness in this formula will make it an ideal option for anyone hoping to avoid drawing attention to any texture in the skin or fine lines, and the added vitamin B3 will be especially great for those susceptible to dark spots. This is a hydrating cream that feels comfortable, lightweight and easy to wear.
Buy now £12.75, Amazon.co.uk
Anastasia Beverly Hills beauty balm serum boosted skin tint
Best: On-the-go BB cream
Coverage level: Light
Finish: Satin matte
Key ingredients: Peptides, collagen and shea butter
Why we love it
- Available in 16 adaptable shades
- Travel-friendly format
Take note
- Moisturise well to prevent product gathering in dry areas
For those who travel a lot or like to touch up make-up throughout the day, this stick formula BB cream is easy and quick. Though rich in hydrating ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil, this goes on creamy and dries to a satin matte finish. Keep this in mind for a weekend away, a no make-up day or simply a complexion refresh. When it comes to application, my recommendation is to ensure you have thoroughly moisturised before applying it, to avoid any product gathering in dry areas. But I like that this is available in 16 adaptable shades.
Buy now £42.00, Sephora.co.uk
Glow breathable blemish balm
Best: BB cream for glass finish
Coverage level : Sheer
Finish : Satin
Why we love it
- Allows for an authentic Korean BB cream experience
- Inspired by the glass skin trend
Take note
- Only available in three adaptable shades
A very specialised choice, but one that I felt deserved a mention, the most unusual BB cream of those I tried was the Glow breathable blemish balm. A popular choice in the Korean beauty market, this simply comes in three shades: a pure white, a soft beige, and a chocolate brown.
Upon initial inspection, it would appear these shades alone are in no way suitable for most skin tones. The idea, however, is that they are designed to be adaptable, so each shade can be sheered out and will span various skin tones. For everyday ease, they wouldn’t be the most practical choice. But if you like the idea of customising your everyday foundation, these are designed to mix well and can add skincare benefits and a glass skin finish to your favourite base.
Buy now £23.00, Pureseoul.co.uk
Your BB cream questions answered
Which are the best BB creams?
My favourite pick among the many I tried was the Kosas BB burst tinted gel cream. Though BB creams are designed to be sheer and adaptable in tone, I noticed a disappointing selection of shades across this entire category. Kosas, however, offers a reassuring 24 shades, and a lightweight but perfecting finish that would suit a range of skin tones and skin types. Erborian’s BB cream, meanwhile, was without a doubt the most skin-perfecting, and with a wider shade range would be a truly outstanding category leader. As for a budget option, Garnier’s BB cream was moisturising, without making the skin shiny, and offered long-lasting coverage.
What is BB cream used for?
BB creams can be used to even out the skin tone with a natural coverage that’s usually very light, enhancing your skin, rather than camouflaging it.
While a foundation’s sole role is to essentially cover up the skin, a BB cream provides skincare benefits, with formulas tending to be enriched with antioxidants, to protect the skin from the day’s aggressors.
Many BB creams also contain moisturising ingredients (such as hyaluronic acid), skin brighteners and sun protection (although, you should still include a dedicated high SPF sunscreen in your skincare routine).
You’ll find the shade ranges of BB cream tend to be smaller that those for foundation but, as they offer a more sheer, transparent coverage, one shade can often suit multiple skin tones.
What is the difference between CC and BB creams?
CC creams are ‘colour correctors’, and are very similar to BB creams in that they offer additional skincare benefits and a lighter coverage than a foundation. However, they also target discolouration and balance skin tone to reduce sallowness, redness or hyperpigmentation, so they would be better suited to you if your skin needs a little complexion correction.
Is BB cream better than foundation?
BB creams are more lightweight and fluid than foundation and can easily be applied with just your fingers, as you would your usual moisturiser. They provide much less coverage than a foundation but are more hydrating.
BB creams are speedier to apply, and are often popular in the summer months, when you may wish to switch from a heavier foundation to a more lightweight product that still offers some coverage.
For more skin-perfecting formulas, try the best foundations for every skin type
