The BB cream is a Korean beauty trend that has taken the world by a storm. Otherwise known as ‘blemish balm’ or ‘beauty balm’, BB cream is essentially a tinted moisturizer that has been formulated to include skincare ingredients – a one-stop product if you will. These BB creams tackle a whole host of skincare concerns, from hydration to brightening, to anything else your skin may require.
A BB cream is not a replacement for foundation; while it provides minimal coverage, its main purpose is to imbue the skin with beneficial ingredients, before the makeup goes on. So, if you want more coverage, we suggest that you supplement with either mixing in a dot of foundation or sweeping over some good coverage powder for dry skin.
Related: check our article about best Korean toners for dry skin and best powder foundations for dry skin!
Our focus today is on the best BB creams for dry skin. Hydration is a common concern for people living in drier climes. Mind you, there is a big difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin. Dry skin is a skin type where the skin flakes away in patches, while dehydrated skin refers to a lack of water in the top layer of the skin, making it look tired and ashen. Therefore, to tackle those awful flaky patches that appear on our visage, we have put together a list of our favorite BB creams for dry skin.
The 8 Best BB Creams for Dry Skin:
1. Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector
Garnier is a household name, which is why it makes sense that they have some of the most loved products available in the range. This BB cream is formulated with vitamin C and SPF so it brightens, hydrates and protects the skin. As the product is lightly tinted, it can cover and conceal minor imperfections and give the skin a natural glow, while imbibing it with all the good stuff it has to offer. So, if you want extra coverage we suggest you to use a concealer for dry skin also.
It is recommended that you apply this BB cream onto clean skin to give it the best chance to skin into the skin. Avoid using silicone-based primers as they create a barrier between the skin and the BB cream, thereby causing the BB cream to sit on top of the skin rather than soak in.
2. Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm
Hello, powerhouse product! This Premium BB cream is a five-in-one, which means it treats, hydrates, primes, protects and conceals the skin; no wonder it has gained cult status. The formula goes on smooth and appears dewy on the skin. The skin feels soft and hydrated, with no tightness at all.
A bonus is the SPF; it has one of the highest SPF amongst most skincare products, which is why we love this BB cream so much! Additionally, the tint it provides is lovely. It soothes dry, red patches and provides them with just the right amount of coverage to even out the skin without looking cakey, or collecting in the creases. Dare we say it, this may be amongst the best bb creams for dry skin, especially for mature skin.
3. Physicians Formula Argan Wear Ultra-Nourishing BB Cream
This super hydrating BB cream has made our top list as it is formulated with one of the best ingredients for dry skin – argan oil! Yes, you may have seen argan oil in a lot of hair care products, but did you know that it also has anti-inflammatory benefits to improve skin texture, elasticity, and brightness? And if that wasn’t enough, it also comes preloaded with SPF 30 to protect you from the sun.
This product has been formulated for sensitive skin and is hypoallergenic, so you can use it and not worry about any adverse reactions. Even though BB creams are supposed to have very little coverage, we find that this product is more pigmented than others and is, therefore, a good alternative to foundation.
Pro tip: Want more coverage? Brush some powder foundation onto the areas where you want more coverage and blend it outwards. You may never need to reach for a traditional foundation ever again.
4. Bobbi Brown BB Cream for Dry Skin
This Bobbi Brown BB cream is a luxury product that has been formulated with ingredients such as squalene and glycerin, two ingredients known for their hydrating properties. It comes in seven shades and is texturally a lightweight product that goes onto the skin smooth and then sinks in, leaving behind a glowing, dewy finish.
Before applying, do prep your skin with a primer for acne prone skin, for some extra love. Once the primer has had a chance to settle, we recommended applying a pea-sized amount of the BB cream with your fingers first and working it into your skin.
Next, complete the blending by using a damp makeup sponge to ensure the product is well distributed for an even, streak-free finish. The light-reflecting pearls in the formula work to brighten the look of dull skin that and minimize the appearance of pores, making the skin appear youthful and as though it has been lit from within. We love this BB cream!
5. Erborian BB Crème Nude
Let’s talk about this BB moisturizing cream. Not only is Erborian committed to providing the best products, it is also ethically conscious and is committed to being cruelty-free! Its lightweight formula sinks into the skin and works from without to moisturize the layers, leaving the skin looking dewy and glowy. Moreover, with superfood ingredients like Ginseng and Licorice, it works to smooth out the skin’s texture by invigorating and brightening your visage.
After applying, the skin feels soft and velvety, as though you have just had a luxurious facial. We do recommend that you apply a strong SPF product 20 minutes before applying this BB cream as its SPF is not as potent as other products, so it requires a mild assist. However, we can attest to the fact that you will love the results. The coverage is light and its active ingredients go to work immediately, reducing redness and flakes that add to the texture of the skin. Not only is it a good product, but it’s guilt-free too!
6. Marcelle BB Cream
Sensitive skinned beauties! Meet your new best friend. Marcelle beauty is committed to providing hypoallergenic products that have been tested by dermatologists. Although its color selection is limited, the pigments self-adjust to match your tone, be it fair to medium or medium to dark. It is loaded with power ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and chamomile extract. These work to pull moisture into the skin and hold it there while the chamomile extract works to soothe inflammation and reduce redness.
It is a lightweight formula that can be worn as it or as a makeup base. We love it as a makeup base as it is easy to blend and works to calm the skin before we put more products on it.
We recommend a foundation that has not been tested on animals. It has a gentle, floral scent that is almost undetectable. Committed to being the best product for you, we would recommend this to anyone suffering from dryness related inflammation.
7. Physicians Formula Super BB All-in-1 Cream
Get ready to skip the foundation altogether, because this formula is a true all-rounder! While the packaging says it’s a sheer finish, we find it to be buildable, all the way to a medium finish. And while you blend it into your skin, you can feel its benefits go to work immediately. The skin feels softer and bouncier; the product is velvety and doesn’t leave behind a tacky finish; the pigments in the product work equally to even the skin tone and blur imperfections. What more could you possibly want!
Oh, and did we mention that its hypoallergenic too? That means no red patches, itchy spots or unsightly flakes! Winner, winner, chicken dinner! Even though it has SPF, we like to wear this product at night as well as it provides your skin with a soft-focus filter – perfect for date night!
8. MISSHA M Perfect Blanc BB Cream for Dry Skin
This one is for you mature skinned beauties. This hydrating BB cream has been formulated with vitamins to brighten your complexion and make it look dewy and evener. The pigments work to cover age-related issues, such as melasma and dark spots, leaving the skin looking luminous and youthful. It contains honey, which is a natural humectant and also contains natural acids that work to gently exfoliate the skin from within – so say goodbye to dull skin! Now the texture of the product is confusing.
The color may look a little ashen and texture is a little thick, so it creates a fear that it may be chalky and cakey. But once you apply it, it goes on smooth, blends seamlessly to a medium coverage and the color self-adjusts. It does not sink into fine lines and it doesn’t feel tacky on the skin. Rather, it feels satiny soft and feels smooth on the skin. We highly recommend this product!
So, let address some frequently asked questions when it comes to BB creams for dry skin:
How to select the best BB cream for you?
When choosing a BB cream, we recommend that you first try out a few to see which tint suits your skin tone the best, in case you decide to wear it alone. Each brand will formulate the product for different skin tones, so choose the one you think is the closest and try it out.
Is BB Cream good for dry skin?
The answer is a unanimous yes! Remember, BB creams are typically 5-on-1 products; meaning they treat, prime, protect, conceal and hydrate the skin. When selecting one for dry skin, take a peek at the ingredients and look for products using oils, glycerin or even hyaluronic acid.
How do you apply BB cream?
We prefer to use our hands, but don’t let us limit you! You can dot it onto your face and then blend it with your favorite tool, like a blending sponge or even a stippling brush. The idea is to give the BB cream a chance to get into your skin and work its magic but also look blended and even.
Most importantly, please remember to begin your skincare with a clean canvas and with clean hands. Beyond that, enjoy the process!
Conclusion
Having dry skin is not the kiss of death. The cosmetic industry has heard your concerns and has formulated many products that work to reintroduce moisture into your skin. Our list of best BB creams for dry skin are just a handful of one particular product.
Suffering from dry skin? Check our articles below!
- Primers for Dry Skin
- The 10 Best Toners for Dry Skin
- Top Face Washes for Dry Skin
- Some Good Body Washes for Dry Skin
Joan S. Wilson is a lifelong makeup and skincare enthusiast. She used to work as a makeup artist for 5 years. Joan is always curious and wants to learn more when it comes to makeup and skincare. She tries her best to make other people’s skin health better. This is why Joan is so passionate about writing articles on beauty topics. She always looks for products that are high-quality, dermatologist-tested, and does that it says on the label. In every article, she shares her knowledge to make your life healthier and happier!