"BB" stands for beauty balm or blemish balm. When the cream is called a blemish balm, like Skin79's Hot Pink Super Plus Beblesh Balm (supposedly "blemish" is trademarked by another Asian BB cream company), it usually has whitening properties to lighten pigmentation. It's not an acne-fighting agent. Generally, these one-step beauty wonders provide ligh to medium coverage, hydrate, prime, even skin tone, protect from UV damage, and sometimes have anti-aging properties. It's like your moisturizer, primer and foundation in one product, though I'd look at BB creams more as a make-up product than skin care, so don't skip your moisturizer.
Asian BB creams tend to have a thicker consistency, come in one light shade, and appear to have a gray tone when first applied. Some of the most popular include Skin79 and Missha, which can be ordered online.
American cosmetic and skin care companies have taken the concept behind the BB's and created new products with a variety of consistencies and coverage, and a greater selection of shades. Origins, Stila, Too Faced, Smashbox, Dr. Jart, Dr. Brandt, Garnier -- those are just a few of the brands to jump the BB bandwagon. For lighter and somewhat luminous coverage, try Too Faced or Garnier. Both feel so silky smooth. For oil control, Smashbox does the trick and offers more shades than most brands. I tried it but it clogged my pores, so be careful if you are prone to breakouts or sensitivities from silicones.
If you're worried about the way your cosmetics are affecting your skin, BB creams may be the way to go for you. They have skin care benefits that most cosmetics don't have, and when you find the right brand for you, you'll likely notice some improvements in the appearance and texture of your skin. I've found just what I was looking for with Garnier's BB cream, and the bonus? It's the most affordable BB I've seen yet.
If you're curious to try a few, ask your Sephora beauty consultant for samples and see how your skin reacts.
