The 15 Best BB Creams to Achieve a Flawless Natural-Looking Glow

CLE Cosmetics CCC Cream came out on top.

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Ever since no-makeup makeup became a thing, BB creams have been trending. Depending on who you ask, BB creams are short for beauty balm or blemish balm. Whatever the case may be, the goal is the same: To even tone and blur any imperfections in the most natural-looking way possible. It's because of this that BB creams are actually formulated to be skincare-meets-makeup. Made with skin-nourishing ingredients, as well as tone-perfecting pigments, BB creams are able to deliver that ever-coveted "I Woke Up Like This" finish.

Of course, you have to find the right BB cream for your complexion to reap the rewards. And with so many to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming to say the least. That's why we set out to uncover the most lauded BB creams — and BB-adjacent products — on the market. Throughout our research, we found that no product quite compared to CLE Cosmetics CCC Cream — a makeup product with skincare roots that's designed to color-correct, camouflage imperfections like blemishes and dark spots, and deeply hydrate skin. That's just one of the many add-to-cart-worthy products we researched, though.

Ahead, uncover the best BB creams the beauty industry has to offer — no matter your skin tone, type, or goal.

Our Picks

  • Best Overall: CLE Cosmetics CCC Cream
  • Best Value: Maybelline Dream Fresh Skin Hydrating BB cream
  • Best Splurge: Yves Saint Laurent NU BARE LOOK TINT Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation with Hyaluronic Acid
  • Best Drugstore: NYX Professional Makeup Bare with Me Tinted Skin Veil Lightweight BB Cream
  • Best for Fair Skin: Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15
  • Best for Medium Skin: Saie Slip Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer
  • Best for Deep Skin: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
  • Best for Oily Skin: COVERGIRL Clean Matte BB Cream For Oily Skin
  • Best for Dry Skin: ColourPop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Acid Tinted Moisturizer
  • Best with SPF: ​​Purlisse Perfect Glow BB Cream SPF 30

Best Overall: CLE Cosmetics CCC Cream

CLE Cosmetics CCC Cream

Amazon

Buy on Amazon Buy on Clecosmetics.com Buy on Revolve

What We Love: It's the creamiest, most natural-looking face makeup we've ever tried.

What We Don't Love: The medium and deep shades could use some work — they skew light and cool-toned.

Okay, let's start by addressing the elephant in the room — this is a CCC cream, not technically a BB cream, but considering how similar CC and BB creams are, we're making an exception. The reason? This innovative shade-matching beauty balm is truly unmatched. As a beauty writer, I've tried dozens of different foundations, BB creams, and CC creams, and this is the only all-over face product that I use — and I've been using it for years. In fact, I'm so obsessed that I always keep The Home Edit's advice in mind, and keep a backstock.

Here's why: CLE CCC Cream, which is infused with SPF 50 protection, is designed to color correct skin while adding light, natural-looking coverage. That said, a pea-sized dollop of the multi-functional primer-meets-foundation balm goes a long way — and it's buildable, so you can tailor it to your exact preference. No matter how much you layer on, though, you'll never be left with a cakey-looking complexion. Instead, you can expect a radiant, flawless-looking visage that will earn you compliments (and questions about what on earth you're wearing). (Truly, I've been asked so many times.)

What makes this face makeup so remarkable is the micro-capsule technology it employs. When it comes out of the tube, it looks off-white, however, once blended in, it expertly matches your skin tone in a way that's downright jaw-dropping. This is particularly admirable considering this cream is only sold in 10 colors (which is an expansion from the original handful). That said, each color is designed to cater to a few skin tones, so it really is a makeup miracle worker across the board.

Point blank: If you're on the hunt for sheer, natural-looking coverage that can be built-up per your preference, CLE Cosmetics CCC Cream is your best bet.

Colors: 10 | Size: 1 fl oz.

Best Value: Maybelline Dream Fresh Skin Hydrating BB Cream

Maybelline Dream Fresh Skin Hydrating BB Cream

Amazon

Buy on Amazon Buy on Ulta Buy on Walmart

What We Love: It offers high-quality results for low-budget shoppers.

What We Don't Love: It's only sold in five colors.

Beloved by over 20,000 Amazon shoppers, Maybelline's Dream Fresh Skin Hydrating BB Cream proves to be a crowd pleaser. Dubbed an "8-in-1 Skin Perfector," this BB cream hydrates, brightens, smoothes, blurs, enhances, corrects, and protects skin, all while boasting an oil-free formula. That said, if your goal is to perfect a no-makeup makeup look, with beautifully blurred and color-corrected skin that looks dewy, never dry, this Maybelline BB Cream may very well be your dream come true.

Colors: 5 | Size: 1 fl oz.

Best Splurge: Yves Saint Laurent Nu Bare Look Tint Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation with Hyaluronic Acid

Yves Saint Laurent Nu Bare Look Tint Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation with Hyaluronic Acid

Sephora

Buy on Sephora

What We Love: It's sold in 20 colors.

What We Don't Love: It's quite lightweight and not very buildable.

Yves Saint Laurent launched its Nu Collection in 2021 to bridge the gap between skincare and makeup. And considering the Yves Saint Laurent Nu Bare Look Tint Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation with Hyaluronic Acid has already garnered over 45,000 heart-shaped seals of approval from Sephora shoppers, it's safe to say the brand is onto something.

The Nu Bare Look Tint is a light-to-medium coverage skin tint that's sheer and natural-looking. Made with glycerin and hyaluronic acid, it works to hydrate and plump skin to impart a healthy glow. That said, this BB cream is best for those looking for just a kiss of tint, as it's not easily buildable. Still, if your goal is to look like you woke up looking radiant and refreshed, this luxe pick is worth your while.

Colors: 20 | Size: 1 fl oz.

Best Drugstore: NYX Professional Makeup Bare with Me Tinted Skin Veil Lightweight BB Cream

NYX Professional Makeup Bare with Me Tinted Skin Veil Lightweight BB Cream

Amazon

Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart

What We Love: It's extremely lightweight and doesn't weigh skin down.

What We Don't Love: It's a slightly smaller tube than other BB creams on our list.

NYX Bare with Me Tinted Skin Veil is a fan-favorite — and for good reason! The non-comedogenic formula is extremely lightweight and designed to even out skin tone for a breathable, believable end look. And since it's infused with aloe and cucumber extracts, it works overtime to soothe and hydrate skin throughout wear, which means it won't only make your skin look healthier and more radiant while it's on, but once it's rinsed off, too.

Colors: 10 | Size: 0.91 fl oz.

Best for Fair Skin: Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15

Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15

Amazon

Buy on Amazon Buy on Nordstrom Buy on Chantecaille.com

What We Love: In addition to offering a multitude of fair skin-friendly shades, this BB cream works overtime to offer anti-aging benefits.

What We Don't Love: It's pricey.

If you have fair skin, consider Chantecaille's Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer. Formulated with soothing edelweiss, honeysuckle, and green tea, and moisture barrier-supporting sodium hyaluronate, this BB cream will leave skin looking healthier, plumper, and dewier with each wear.

Another thing to love about this top-rated BB cream? Although it's pricey, considering it's almost twice the size of other tubes on this list, it nearly evens out. One thing to note, though, is that just because it's made with SPF 15 doesn't mean you should forego your regular SPF application. Instead, think of it as a nice bonus to your daily SPF habit.

Colors: 8 | Size: 1.7 fl oz.

Best for Medium Skin: Saie Slip Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer

Saie Slip Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer

Amazon

Buy on Amazon Buy on Sephora

What We Love: It's made with mineral SPF and skin-boosting botanicals.

What We Don't Love: If applied too closely after skincare, pilling may occur.

Put simply, this award-winning tinted moisturizer has left many beauty editors and non-experts alike in absolute awe. It's formulated with plumping and hydrating hyaluronic acid, brightening and refining licorice root, and 100% mineral SPF 35 protection. It's sold in 14 colors and clearly calls out common undertones so it's easier to determine which shade is right for you.

Colors: 14 | Size: 1.35 fl oz.

Best for Deep Skin: Fenty Beauty by Rihana Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint

Fenty Beauty by Rihana Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint

Sephora

Buy on Sephora Buy on Ulta Buy on Fentybeauty.com

What We Love: It's sold in 25 shades, with a focus on catering to darker tones.

What We Don't Love: It's very lightweight and not the best for buildable coverage.

Leave it to Fenty to debut a BB cream that caters to a myriad of skin tones — especially those on the darker end of the spectrum. Available in a whopping 25 shades, this ultra-lightweight skin tint leaves skin looking even, smooth, and virtually poreless. No wonder over 223,000 Sephora shoppers have applauded the product. The liquid-y product is extremely sheer and blendable, but doesn't build up as well as other skin tints on our list.

Colors: 25 | Size: 1.08 fl oz.

Best for Oily Skin: COVERGIRL Clean Matte BB Cream

COVERGIRL Clean Matte BB Cream

Amazon

Buy on Amazon Buy on Ulta Buy on CVS

What We Love: It dries down to a matte finish.

What We Don't Love: It's only sold in six colors.

If you have oily skin, the last thing you want is a BB cream that's going to exacerbate your shine. Thankfully, the COVERGIRL Clean Matte BB Cream exists. Where most BB creams are designed to impart a radiant, dewy glow, this lightweight formula works to brighten and even skin while sealing it with a matte finish. It's also worth mentioning that since it's water-based, it's less likely to cause breakouts or trigger more oil production, so it can effectively help balance oily skin.

Colors: 6 | Size: 1 fl oz.

Best for Dry Skin: ColourPop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Acid Tinted Moisturizer

ColourPop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Acid Tinted Moisturizer

Ulta

Buy on Ulta Buy on Colourpop.com

What We Love: It's sold in 20 shades.

What We Don't Love: It's so dewy that you may want to set it with powder or a matte setting spray for a slightly less shiny end look.

If you have dry skin, you'll want to reach for a BB cream with hydrating ingredients to keep your complexion looking dewy, not dehydrated, throughout wear. ColourPop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Tinted Moisturizer fits the bill. Sold in 20 shades, the lightweight water-based formula is infused with plumping and hydrating hyaluronic acid, as well as coconut water. The result? Smooth, dewy, even skin with each and every pump.

Colors: 20 | Size: 1.45 fl oz.

Best with SPF: ​​Purlisse Perfect Glow BB Cream SPF 30

Purlisse Perfect Glow BB Cream SPF 30

Amazon

Buy on Amazon Buy on Verishop.com Buy on Walmart

What We Love: It imparts a beautiful mattified glow.

What We Don't Love: It's sold primarily in light and medium shades.

If your goal is to provide your skin with as much sun protection as possible, consider adding Purlisse Perfect Glow BB Cream SPF 30 to your beauty routine. The glowy-matte formula is designed to brighten and even skin without ever making it look oily or dry. The hero ingredients within this formula are brightening goji and hawthorn berry, along with hydrating and texture-perfecting jasmine. That said, if natural botanicals tend to not jive with your skin, you may want to steer clear of this fan-fave.

Colors: 11 | Size: 1.4 fl oz.

Best for Red Undertones: L'Oréal Paris Makeup Magic Skin Beautifier Anti-Redness BB Cream

L'Oréal Paris Makeup Magic Skin Beautifier Anti-Redness BB Cream

Amazon

Buy on Amazon Buy on Ulta Buy on Walmart

What We Love: It neutralizes redness beautifully.

What We Don't Love: It's best used on fair skin or as a primer for medium and darker skin tones.

The way this BB cream color corrects redness — it's like magic. The 4-in-1 BB cream neutralizes redness, color-corrects the entire face, deeply hydrates skin, and camouflages blemishes and unevenness. Like CLE CCC Cream, it uses encapsulated, color-transforming pigments to address a variety of skin tones. That said, some people like to use it as a primer since its primary benefit is to neutralize redness, not necessarily impart color.

Colors: 1 | Size: 1 fl oz.

Best for a Natural Glow: IT Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation + Glow Serum with SPF 40 and Niacinamide

IT Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation + Glow Serum with SPF 40 and Niacinamide

Sephora

Buy on Sephora Buy on Ulta Buy on Macy's

What We Love: It leaves skin looking like a glazed donut — in the best way.

What We Don't Love: The coverage is sheer and not quite as buildable.

IT Cosmetics has long been revered for its CC+ creams — and that goes for their newest Nude Glow launch, too. Made with brightening, smoothing, and evening niacinamide, as well as plumping and hydrating hyaluronic acid, the Nude Glow CC+ Cream is like a one-two punch for beautiful, natural-looking skin. But there's more: It's formulated with SPF 40 protection, as well as soothing, free radical-fighting green tea extract, so it works overtime to support the health of your skin in the long run, too.

FYI: If you have oily skin, this likely isn't the best bb cream for you, as first and foremost, it's designed to impart glow.

Colors: 22 | Size: 1.1 fl oz.

Best for Blurring: Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20​​

Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20​​

Ulta

Buy on Ulta Buy on Sephora Buy on Tartecosmetics.com

What We Love: It blurs pores and slightly mattifies skin without taking away the glow factor.

What We Don't Love: It has a notably heavier formula and lax shade range.

Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 has earned accolades for its pore-blurring, line-smoothing, tone-evening effects. "The brightening and blurring effect leaves the skin looking super healthy and smooth," celebrity makeup artist Lisa Aharon adds. "Since it's oil free, it's great for long wear, blemish prone or oily skin types."

Unlike most BB creams that have a super lightweight, liquid texture, this pick is more of a cream. That said, it blends beautifully and gives a filter-like effect on the skin.

Colors: 7 | Size: 1.7 fl oz.

Best Clean: Beautycounter Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer

Beautycounter Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer

Beautycounter

Buy on Beautycounter.com Buy on Goop.com

What We Love: It's infused with vitamin C to up the glow factor.

What We Don't Love: It only features SPF 20 protection.

If ingredients are of the utmost importance to you, you can have faith in using Beautycounter's Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer, which is made without 1,800 common questionable ingredients (which account for the brand's "The Never List"). Beyond what it's made without, this sheer BB cream is infused with glow-boosting vitamin C, de-puffing rosemary extract, plumping sodium hyaluronate, and mineral SPF. That said, it only features SPF 20 protection, and most dermatologists recommend SPF 30 or higher. However, considering they also recommend using a traditional sunscreen before applying any makeup, that's not a total deterrent.

Colors: 6 | Size: 1.35 fl oz.

Best MUA Pick: Erborian BB Creme

Erborian BB Creme

Ulta

Buy on Amazon Buy on Ulta Buy on Sokoglam.com

What We Love: It offers lightweight, buildable coverage.

What We Don't Love: It's only sold in three colors.

Say hello to Aharon's number-one BB cream pick. "It's ultra-lightweight so it lets the skin breathe and the texture is beautiful," she says. "As a makeup artist I love that it's buildable." Additionally, she points out that the soft matte finish works well for oilier skin types, but is also moisturizing enough for normal and dry complexions. What's more, she says it's an easy-to-blend, no-fuss BB cream. "You can use whatever tool you feel most comfortable with to apply but I like my fingers for this one," she admits.

Colors: 3 | Size: 1.5 fl oz.

What to Keep in Mind

Colors

BB creams are meant to even skin tone, not necessarily amplify it. With that in mind, you want to look for products that have enough shades to cater to your specific tone. That said, since the shades span a few skin tones and blend easily, you can also manipulate the color. Like say your goal is to look a bit tanner while still appearing to have a natural, born-with-it complexion, opting for a shade or two darker might do the trick. Or your non-glowy winter skin may be able to make your shade-too-dark summer shade work as well.

Size

Generally speaking, a little BB cream goes a long way. The size of your tube, so long as it's in the 1-ounce realm, doesn't make that big of a difference. The instances in which it does, however, are when you're looking for the best budget and splurge options. After all, if you can find a larger tube of a high-quality formula for less, it makes it that much more worthwhile.

Your Questions, Answered

What is a BB cream?

To put it simply, Aharon says that "It's a lightweight alternative to foundation, with added skincare benefits that can be easily applied." Also known as beauty balm or blemish balm, BB creams are designed to bring out your skin's natural beauty while camouflaging imperfections and imparting a slightly-more flawless end look. Where BB creams tend to focus on evening tone and disguising blemishes, CC creams work specifically to color-correct. That said, nowadays, so many BB creams, CC creams, and tinted moisturizers work to address all issues, hence why we've incorporated a series of products that tend to be lumped together.

How do you apply BB cream?

It all comes down to preference. "My recommendation is to use whatever feels good and easy for you," Aharon says. "A wet blender is nice if you like to sheer out the product; fingers really push the makeup into the skin and the warmth of your hands can be helpful. I also love a foundation brush to gently buff and blend the BB into the skin but it's not necessary." The true beauty of these balms is their versatility.

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