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The ABCs of Beauty: Skin-Perfecting BB Creams

The ABCs of Beauty: Skin-Perfecting BB Creams

The ABCs of Beauty: Skin-Perfecting BB Creams

If you like the look of foundation, but not the heavy feel, BB creams and CC creams are for you! These products are one part make-up and one part moisturizer. They have sufficient pigment to even out skin tone, but are sheer enough to look and feel completely natural. BB and CC creams have been around for close to 50 years; it is within the last five years that they have become popular and widely used by women everywhere.



BB CREAM: THE DO-IT-ALL PRODUCT FOR THE ON-THE-GO GAL


BB cream is short for “blemish balm” or “beauty balm”. These pumped-up, tinted moisturizers provide skin-perfecting benefits to refresh, brighten, hydrate, smooth, and even out tone for a flawlessly radiant look. They also typically contain sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays.

BB creams became popular in South Korea in the mid-1980s, but were actually created in Germany in the 1960s to help patients recovering from laser treatments and surgery. The trend eventually made its way from the beauty epicenter in the East to the beauty bags of women in the West around 2011. The buzz for BBs quickly made them a make-up bag must-have.

For best results, use a BB Cream containing glycerin, Niacinimide and an SPF of at least 15. Glycerin helps hydrate skin by pulling moisture from the air, Niacinimide lifts away dead skin cells for a fresh, even complexion, and SPF protects against sun damage.

CC CREAM: COVERS EVERYTHING YOU DO NOT WANT SEEN


CC cream stands for "color corrector" or "complexion corrector". These creams offer more coverage than a BB cream plus anti-aging benefits (AA + BB = CC!). A CC cream will effectively hide unsightly redness and hyperpigmentation.

Look for CC creams with Niacinimide and vitamins B and E to help recapture skin’s youthful glow. Niacinimide exfoliates to reduce the look of wrinkles, while vitamins B and E help strengthen skin's natural defense against moisture loss. A CC cream with SPF 15 will also help protect against sun damage.

So Easy, So Simple: How to Use a BB or CC Cream

Using a BB or CC cream is blissfully simple. Just apply and blend evenly with your fingertips or a make-up sponge for natural, sheer coverage. Wear it alone as a daily moisturizer or layer under your favorite foundation for natural-looking, beautiful skin!