Does oily skin make you shy away from BB creams? Fret no more! BB creams can be your best friend, even with oily skin. They offer the perfect combination of skincare and makeup, evening out your skin tone while providing hydration and sometimes even sun protection. But with so many options, finding the right one for your oily skin can be tricky. This guide will introduce you to the 12 best BB creams specifically formulated to combat shine and keep your complexion looking fresh all day long. So, get ready to ditch the shine and embrace the flawless, natural-looking coverage of a BB cream perfectly suited for your oily skin!
OUR TOP PICKS
MISSHA M PERFECT COVER B.B CREAM SPF 42 PA+++ NO. 23
Can’t be missing a classic! The Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream SPF 42 PA+++ (in No. 23, Natural Beige) is a long-time favorite for oily skin types. This BB cream offers high coverage to even out skin tone and blemishes, while the lightweight formula controls shine and keeps you matte throughout the day. It also boasts SPF 42 PA+++ for UVA and UVB protection, making it a great one-step solution for your morning routine. Just be mindful that the shade No. 23 leans more neutral than yellow, so it might not be the best match for super fair or very warm skin tones.
ERBORIAN SUPER BB AU GINSENG NUDE
In a head-to-head battle for the best BB cream, Erborian emerged victorious. It impressed with a stellar combination: a full-coverage formula that didn’t look cakey and a list of ingredients that went above and beyond. This BB cream could easily replace your foundation, providing concealment while working wonders for your skin. The formula is packed with white ginseng and fermented ginseng flower for deep hydration, while niacinamide tackles blackheads and blemishes. While an SPF boost would be ideal, this product truly shines with its long-lasting wear – it outperformed all the competition in our tests!
DR. JART+ BB PREMIUM BEAUTY BALM
Dr.Jart+ Premium BB Beauty Balm might be a good option for those who prefer a lighter touch. This BB cream offers light to medium coverage, evening out skin tone while still allowing your natural beauty to show through. The cushiony-soft, creamy texture blends seamlessly for a natural finish. While it doesn’t boast the highest SPF rating, it does offer sun protection (check the specific SPF on the product you’re considering, as Dr.Jart+ offers variations). Like many BB creams, it also contains hydrating ingredients to keep your skin from feeling dry. This BB cream is a good choice for oily skin types who want a natural-looking complexion with some coverage and a touch of hydration.
HOLIKA HOLIKA MOISTURIZING PETIT BB SPF 30 PA++
Oily skin still needs moisture! For those who prioritize keeping their skin hydrated, the Holika Holika Moisturising Petit BB Cream is a great choice. This K-Beauty favorite contains hyaluronic acid, a powerful hydrator that plumps and smooths the skin for a dewy, healthy-looking finish. With nearly 4,000 five-star reviews on iHerb, customers rave about the BB cream’s natural, smooth finish and easy blending. As with any sunscreen product, always check the SPF label on the specific Holika Holika Moisturising Petit BB Cream you choose, and remember that sun protection is key. To ensure effective protection, avoid prolonged sun exposure and reapply frequently as directed.
ESSENCE HYDRO HERO HYDRATING BB CREAM
Essence strikes again with a budget-friendly BB cream! At just £4, this option prioritizes makeup coverage over extensive skincare benefits. While it offers fuller coverage than some other BB creams, it provides a more matte finish similar to a foundation. This makes it a great choice for those seeking a lightweight, affordable foundation alternative. Keep in mind that a little goes a long way with this product, and for the smoothest application, using a makeup brush or sponge is recommended.
TARTE BB TINTED TREATMENT
Tarte BB Tinted Treatment is like a two-in-one product that does both skincare and makeup jobs. It’s light and feels nice on your skin, acting as a moisturizer with a hint of color to even out your skin tone. Inside, there are good things for your skin like vitamin E, which keeps it healthy, and natural minerals that make your skin look smooth. When you put it on, it gives your skin a nice glow without feeling thick or heavy. It also has sun protection, which helps keep your skin safe from the sun’s rays when you wear it every day. Tarte BB Tinted Treatment is great for people who want an easy way to make their skin look nice while also taking care of it.
LA ROCHE-POSAY UVIDEA XL BB CREAM SPF50
Ideal for oily skin types seeking high sun protection, La Roche-Posay’s Uvidea XL BB Cream SPF50+ offers a winning combination of skincare and makeup. This BB cream boasts a powerful SPF 50+ rating with PPD protection, shielding your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Its lightweight, oil-free formula helps control shine and mattify the complexion, while still providing buildable coverage to even out skin tone. La Roche-Posay is a dermatologist-recommended brand, so you can be confident this BB cream is gentle enough for even sensitive skin.
MONAT BB CREAM
This Monat BB cream is on the pricier side compared to others. It has a thick and rich texture, making it feel very luxurious, especially because it’s super moisturizing with coconut alkanes, which are great for dry skin. You don’t need to use much of it because a little goes a long way. You can just dab it on with your fingers for a natural look without needing a mirror. It doesn’t cover up blemishes, dark circles, or redness completely, so you might still need concealer for those. Plus, it has SPF 30, which is great for protecting your skin from the sun. Overall, our tester really liked it and plans to keep it in their makeup bag for a while.
ERBORIAN GINSENG BB CRÈME
Erborian’s Ginseng BB Crème emerged as the top contender in our quest for the best BB cream. It impressed with a double threat: exceptional coverage without looking cakey and a superstar ingredient list. This BB cream seamlessly replaces foundation, offering camouflage while working wonders for your skin’s health. Packed with white ginseng and fermented ginseng flower, it delivers deep hydration, while niacinamide tackles pesky blackheads and blemishes. Although an SPF boost would be a plus, Erborian truly shines with its long-lasting wear – it surpassed all competitors in our tests!
NAPOLEON PERDIS BBB CREAM BEAUTY-BOOSTING BALM SPF 30
Napoleon Perdis’ BBB Cream Beauty-Boosting Balm SPF 30 caters to those who desire a touch of everything in their base product. This multi-tasking balm combines the benefits of a skin-perfecting foundation, a nourishing moisturizer, and broad-spectrum SPF 30 sun protection. It boasts a lightweight, creamy texture that blends seamlessly for a natural, radiant finish. While offering sheer to light coverage, the BBB Cream helps to even out skin tone and brighten the complexion. For those with concerns about aging, the formula may include ingredients to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Napoleon Perdis is an Australian brand known for its high-quality cosmetics, so you can expect a luxurious feel and application.
GARNIER OIL-FREE PERFECTING CARE ALL-IN-ONE BB CREAM
If you have oily skin, you might have avoided using BB creams because they can make your skin look too shiny. But Garnier has a solution! Their BB cream is made especially for people with combination to oily skin. It goes on light and instantly evens out your skin tone while reducing shine. It won’t completely cover up dark circles or blemishes, so you might still need concealer for those. It has ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe vera to keep your skin hydrated. However, if your skin is dry, it might make it look a bit thick, so it’s best for people with oily or combination skin.
L’OREAL PARIS AGE PERFECT BB CREAM SPF 50
L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect BB Cream SPF 50 caters to mature skin types seeking a one-step solution for a flawless complexion. This BB cream combines hydrating coverage with broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection, making it ideal for daytime wear. The lightweight formula is designed to blend easily and avoid settling into fine lines, while offering buildable coverage to even out skin tone and imperfections. It may also contain ingredients that address concerns specific to mature skin, such as age spots or loss of elasticity. If you’re looking for a drugstore-friendly BB cream that provides sun protection, hydration, and a touch of coverage for mature skin, L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect is a great option to consider.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A BB CREAM FOR OILY SKIN
When searching for the perfect BB cream for your oily skin, here are some key factors to consider:
Oil-free and non-comedogenic formula: This is crucial to prevent clogged pores and breakouts. Look for these terms on the label to ensure the BB cream won’t add extra oil to your skin.
Mattifying properties: Choose a BB cream that contains ingredients like mattifying powders or clay to absorb excess oil and control shine throughout the day.
Lightweight texture: Opt for a lightweight, water-based BB cream that feels comfortable on your skin and won’t weigh it down. Thick, heavy formulas can exacerbate oiliness.
Coverage level: Consider how much coverage you need. BB creams typically offer light to medium coverage, which is ideal for most oily skin types. If you need more coverage, look for a BB cream with buildable coverage so you can customize it to your needs.
SPF protection: Sun protection is essential for everyone, regardless of skin type. Look for a BB cream with SPF 30 or higher for broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection.
Hydration: While oily skin might seem like it doesn’t need hydration, that’s not quite true. Dehydrated skin can actually produce more oil to compensate. Choose a BB cream that contains hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin to keep your skin balanced.
Ingredients: For oily skin, it can be beneficial to look for BB creams with ingredients that target specific concerns like niacinamide to minimize pores and blemishes, or salicylic acid for gentle exfoliation.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING A BB CREAM?
ALL-IN-ONE CONVENIENCE
BB creams streamline your routine by combining multiple functions. They typically provide light to medium coverage to even out skin tone, often with built-in moisturizer and SPF protection. This saves time in the morning and reduces the number of products you need to apply.
HYDRATION AND NOURISHMENT
Many BB creams are formulated with hydrating ingredients to keep your skin plump and supple. Some may also contain additional skincare benefits like antioxidants to fight free radical damage or ingredients that target specific concerns like blemishes or redness.
NATURAL-LOOKING COVERAGE
Unlike heavy foundations, BB creams offer a more sheer, natural-looking veil of coverage. This is ideal for those who prefer a more lightweight feel or those with already good skin that just needs a little evening out.
SUN PROTECTION
Many BB creams include SPF protection, which is crucial for preventing sun damage and signs of premature aging. Look for a BB cream with SPF 30 or higher for daily use.
DO YOU NEED TO USE A PRIMER BEFORE BB CREAM?
You don’t necessarily need to use a primer especially primer before BB cream, but it depends on your goals and skin type. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:
Skip the primer if:
- Your BB cream has built-in mattifying properties and your skin isn’t oily.
- You prefer a lightweight, natural look and don’t need extra coverage or longevity.
- You’re new to makeup or just starting with BB creams.
Consider a primer if:
- Your skin is oily and you want to control shine throughout the day.
- You have large pores or uneven texture you want to smooth out.
- You need your BB cream to last longer, especially if you have combination or oily skin.
- You’re using a BB cream for fuller coverage and want a flawless base.
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO APPLY A BB CREAM?
Prep your skin: Cleanse and moisturize your face as usual. For oily skin, consider a mattifying moisturizer to further control shine. Let your moisturizer fully absorb before applying BB cream.
Less is more: Squeeze a dime-sized amount of BB cream onto the back of your hand or a makeup palette. This helps avoid using too much product, which can look cakey.
Dot and blend: Use your fingertips or a damp makeup sponge to apply the BB cream. Dab small dots on your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. Gently blend the dots outwards and upwards using tapping or stippling motions for a natural finish.
Build coverage: If you need more coverage, apply another thin layer of BB cream, focusing on areas that need it most. Be careful not to overdo it, as BB creams are designed for a natural look.
Set it (optional): For oily skin, you can set your BB cream with a translucent powder to control shine and extend wear time. Apply a light dusting of powder with a fluffy brush, focusing on your T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin).
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO REMOVE A BB CREAM AT THE END OF THE DAY?
Even though BB creams are lighter than foundations, removing them properly is crucial for maintaining healthy skin. Here’s the best way to remove BB cream at the end of the day:
- Start with a gentle oil-based cleanser or makeup remover. BB creams often contain oils and silicones, and oil-based cleansers are more effective at dissolving them. Apply the cleanser to dry skin and massage gently in circular motions for about 30 seconds.
- Emulsify and rinse. Add a little water to your face to create a milky emulsion, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- Double cleanse for stubborn makeup or sunscreen. If you wear heavy makeup or a BB cream with high SPF, you may want to double cleanse. Follow the oil cleanser with a gentle water-based cleanser to remove any residue.
- Pat your face dry with a clean towel and follow up with your usual skincare routine. This includes moisturizer and any other nighttime skincare products you use.
CONCLUSION
Oily skin can be tricky to manage, but finding the right primer or BB cream can be a game-changer! With its blend of makeup and skincare benefits, a BB cream can even out your skin tone, provide hydration, and even shield you from the sun – all while keeping shine under control. This guide explored 12 of the best BB creams formulated specifically for oily skin, offering a range of options from high-end splurges to drugstore favorites. We even covered some key factors to consider when making your choice. So, ditch the shine and embrace the natural, flawless look of a BB cream perfectly suited for your oily skin!
