I'm a BB Cream Girl to My Core—These 6 Have the Ultimate My-Skin-But-Better Finish
You'd never know I have anything on.
Back in high school, BB creams were my first introduction to the beauty space. It was the one product that could hide my acne and make my skin look a little smoother and glowier without announcing to the world that I was wearing makeup. Back then, I didn't have the knowledge I do now about product formulation; all I knew was that every girl at school had Maybelline's Dream BB Cream, and “BB” stood for Beauty Balm—or Blemish Balm, depending on who you asked.
Now, the landscape looks a bit different. BB and CC (color-correcting) creams haven’t vanished—they’ve just transitioned into the catch-all world of skin tints, tinted moisturizers, lightweight foundations, and tinted SPFs. Most new launches skip the two-letter names entirely, yet still lie somewhere on the spectrum between skincare and makeup.
As makeup artist Lauren D’Amelio tells me, “A true BB cream typically includes skincare actives such as niacinamide, antioxidants, ceramides, and broad-spectrum SPF, giving it a treatment element while still evening out the complexion.” That is why, whatever we call them now, these skin-enhancing formulas still hold a place of pride in my routine.
Here, Marie Claire editors and contributors, along with D'Amelio, share their all-time favorite BB creams.
- Best Overall BB Cream: Dr. Jart+ BB Tinted Moisturizer With Niacinamide and SPF 40
- Best BB Cream Stick: Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint
- Best Luxury BB Cream: Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Complexion Touch
- Best Lightweight BB Cream: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
- Best Skin-Like BB Cream: Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer
- Best BB Cream for Sensitive Skin: Versed Skin Solution Multi-Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
Like many popular skincare treatments and makeup products right now, BB creams originated in K-beauty. Dr. Jart's formulation combines makeup, moisture, and sun protection in one, leaning on niacinamide to brighten the skin at a cellular level, while the pigment covers surface discoloration. The texture is a lightweight cream that skin drinks up, while SPF 40 provides adequate protection against the sun's harmful rays—a truly all-in-one deal.
What I Love: Contains brightening niacinamide; Contains sunscreen; Great for sensitive skin
What I Don't: Can add shine to the t-zone if you're naturally oily and don't set with a powder
Finish: Natural
Shades: 6
SPF: 40
Review for MC: "As a woman with mature skin, a high-coverage foundation is no longer in my daily rotation. I was introduced to this Dr. Jart formulation that sinks into my skin without settling, leaving a youthful, bright glow. It also covers any lingering redness around my eyes and nose." — Jackie Witherow, 77
Take the makeup and skincare benefits of a BB cream, and the convenience of a stick formulation, and you get the Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Skin Tint. With just a couple of swipes, the lightweight balm delivers instant coverage that settles into a skin-like finish. It's jam-packed with hyaluronic acid that works to plump the skin and prevent the formula from settling into fine lines.
What I Love: Doesn't crease or settle into fine lines; Easiest formula to apply; Blurs texture
What I Don't: I found that it fades a bit by the end of the day
Finish: Natural
Shades: 16
SPF: No
Review for MC: "Once upon a time, I came across Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Beauty Balm Skin Tint while testing foundation sticks. This is a love story, by the way—and a pretty classic one at that. Beauty Balm wasn’t what I was looking for (it’s a BB cream in stick format, not a foundation), but it’s exactly what I needed. Light as air and so easy to throw in your bag for a quick touch-up, this silky serum stick is my go-to for a natural (but prettier than seconds before) finish." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
Before your eyes glaze over at the $72 price tag, trust me when I say this formulation is worth every penny. The texture is a gel containing encapsulated pigment bubbles that, once applied to the skin, break open, providing a smooth wash of color. It's surprisingly heavy coverage without feeling heavy, so it instantly blurs imperfections.
What I Love: Coverage totally evens out any redness or discoloration; Feels like air; Can be built up without looking cakey
What I Don't: High price for the amount of product
Finish: Natural
Shades: 24
SPF: No
Review for MC: "When I first applied this formula, I fully expected it to be a gimmick. Then the pigment bubbles blended together, and once I brushed it onto my face (with the cute included makeup brush), I had the smoothest, most stunning complexion. This outperformed all of the previous skin tints that I've tried. Not to mention, it lasted a full 16-hour day." — Siena Gagliano, Beauty Editor
This liquid formulation is the secret to the glowiest, dewiest skin. The lightweight texture delivers an incredibly finish that's sheer-but-buildable, while the skincare ingredients take it to the next level. Niacinamide delivers on its brightening and skin tone evening powers, while hyaluronic acid draws moisture in and squalane seals it all in.
What I Love: Contains powerful active ingredients; SPF 40; A little goes a long way
What I Don't: Some testers don't love the smell (though there is no added fragrance)
Finish: Radiant
Shades: 30
SPF: 40
Review for MC: "I've been loyal to this glowy skin tint ever since it launched in 2020—and I'm not a complexion makeup girl by nature. It hydrates my skin, leaves a flawless finish (you'd never know I was wearing anything at all), and it lasts beautifully throughout the day. I like to set everything and tone down the glow on my T-zone with a bit of setting powder, but I can easily apply it with just the warmth of my fingers. Trust me, this is one viral product that is worth the hype." — Hannah Baxter, Beauty Director
Luxury French brand Chantecaille has one of the most underrated tinted moisturizers, in my opinion. Just Skin offers lightweight yet buildable coverage that evens out skin tone and imperfections, delivering instant radiance to the skin. The hydrating, antioxidant-rich botanicals offer added glow and protection, improving your skin's appearance over time.
What I Love: Contains protective antioxidants; Lightweight texture; Your-skin-but-better finish
What I Don't: The SPF could be higher
Finish: Radiant
Shades: 12
SPF: 15
Review for MC: "I never have been and never will be a full-coverage foundation girl, so a tinted moisturizer (with SPF) is my go-to. I've been a huge fan of this luxe tinted moisturizer for years. Reason being: the coverage is color-correcting yet incredibly light, provides a glass-like sheen that doesn't oxidize or look greasy, and keeps my skin hydrated throughout the day." — Samantha Holender, Senior Beauty Editor
If your skin is sensitive or you deal with conditions such as rosacea or eczema, applying any complexion product to your face can trigger fear. If that's you, take a look at this Versed formula, which is safe for reactive skin types. It's accepted by the National Rosacea Association and filled with hydrating hyaluronic acid and a gentle mineral SPF 40. The best part? It's a drugstore beauty pick.
What I Love: Most affordable tinted moisturizer on our list; Sensitive skin-friendly; Accepted by the National Rosacea Association
What I Don't: Some shoppers found it challenging to find their perfect color match
Finish: Natural
Shades: 14
SPF: 40
Review for MC: "Versed only recently expanded into makeup this past February, and I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But spoiler alert: I love every single product in the line, especially this hydrating, brightening skin tint. It blends like a dream, looks just like skin, and delivers the perfect light-to-medium coverage for everyday wear." — Marisa Petrarca, Contributing Beauty Writer
What Should I Look for in a BB Cream?
- Ingredients
A good BB cream should do more than just cover up uneven texture and discoloration. The point of BB creams is that they marry makeup and skin-supporting ingredients. D'Amelio emphasizes that the best formulas behave like skincare in disguise, noting that she gravitates toward actives that "actually improve the skin while providing coverage." Niacinamide is one of her must-haves for brightening and minimizing excess oil throughout the day; hyaluronic acid keeps the formula flexible and hydrated without weighing it down; and antioxidants add a layer of environmental protection.
SPF is another bonus. D'Amelio often prefers mineral or hybrid sunscreen filters in a BB cream because they offer "an added layer of defense" without interfering with the product's wear. And while you might not see the classic "BB" label as often anymore, these ingredients—along with others like ceramides and soothing agents—are what carry the classic formulation into modern skin tints.
- Texture
Another reason BB creams are no longer synonymous with the name is that these skin-friendly complexion products come in more than just a cream formulation. D'Amelio describes an ideal texture as one that "melts into skin seamlessly," leaving a soft, natural radiance rather than a shiny or sticky finish. This can come in the form of liquid drops, sticks, or even the classic balm.
Why Trust Marie Claire
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
How We Tested
For this story, we sourced editor favorites and tested over 20 BB creams. We evaluated each formula based on texture, how effortlessly it applied and blended into the skin, wearability, and overall performance—both instantly and after a full day of wear.
Meet the Expert
Lauren D’Amelio Ventre is a seasoned beauty professional with over 16 years in the industry and 14 years as a licensed Cosmetologist. Known for her mastery in Bridal, Education, and Film, Lauren brings a unique perspective shaped by both hands-on experience and a commitment to lifelong learning. Lauren has been featured on major networks including MTV, BRAVO, VH1, and E!, and has worked behind the scenes at countless New York City fashion shows for the bridal industry’s top designers. Her expertise ranges from camera-ready makeup techniques to modern bridal trends, red carpet glam, and makeup education for all skill levels.
