What is BB cream, really?
BB cream originated in the 60’s from a doctor in Germany but blew up in the 80’s in South Korea and Japan where porcelain skin is in demand.
BB = Blemish Balm (Korea) and Beauty Balm in the US.
A true BB cream is supposed to be a tinted moisturizer with skin lighteners and SPF. Several contain hyaluronic acid for hydration and the antioxidant, Vitamin C.
Sounds fantastic, right??
THE PROBLEM in the US:
Western cosmetics companies began to launch BB creams in the Western market in 2012, though some of these creams have been criticized for lacking the skin-caring functions that BB creams normally have, and for being no more than tinted moisturizer. In the US most companies have removed the skin lighteners. Its basically a better alternative for foundation.
If you want to use a true BB cream…
Some popular, made-in-Korea brands include Etude House, Missha, Skin Food and The Face Shop.
It’s also recommended that men incorporate BB cream into their daily hygienic routine, as it is a simple and natural way to have even skin consistency and it has SPF.