Foundation is not for everyone. Whether you don’t like the heavy feeling of it or you’re a makeup beginner looking for something more natural, foundation isn’t necessarily a must-have makeup product. In fact, it’s not necessary at all when we have BB creams! BB creams are an abbreviation for the term “blemish balms” and they have so many amazing benefits.
BB creams are great products for people with acne-prone skin. Most of the time, they have tons of skin-loving ingredients that have amazing results. Also, they tend to be more lightweight and won’t clog any pores or follicles in your skin. For this reason, we’ve rounded up the best BB creams for acne-prone skin. Our favorite is the Clinique Age Defense BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30. But if you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, go for the Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream 8-In-1 Skin Perfector.
Clinique Age Defense BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Our Pick
This BB cream is exactly what you need in your morning routine to give your skin just about everything it needs for a quick start.
If you have some money to spend on makeup and are looking for some tried and true products, go to Clinique. Their Age Defense BB Cream is one of the most popular high-end BB cream in the beauty community.
One of the best things about this BB cream is that it is formulated with SPF 30. Everybody should be incorporating SPF into their skincare to prevent sun damage. This BB cream does not have full coverage, but it provides just enough coverage to conceal any blemishes and/or discoloration. It doesn’t feel heavy on the skin at all. It feels lightweight and breathable on the skin. It is easy to apply with either a foundation brush or a damp sponge. Also, it is great for sensitive skin, as it doesn’t have the tendency to cause any breakouts.
The main complaint I have about this product is the color choices. It only is available in 3 shades which just isn’t enough to be able to work for everyone. Also, Clinique is not cruelty-free.
Pros:
- Formulated with SPF 30
- Natural coverage
- Feels lightweight on the skin
- Easy to apply with any tool
- Great for sensitive skin
Cons:
- Doesn’t come in many shades
- Not cruelty-free
Where to buy it:
Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream 8-In-1 Skin Perfector
Budget Pick
This BB cream glides on easily for smooth application, providing sheer coverage with the added benefit of SPF to protect you from the harsh rays of the sun.
When BB creams first became hugely popular in the beauty community, the Maybelline BB Cream was the one everyone was using. To this day, it is still loved by many for its high-quality formula and affordable price.
This BB cream is super hydrating without feeling oily at all which is great for those with acne-prone skin. It has SPF 30 in it to protect your skin against any sun damage throughout the day. It is non-comedogenic which means it won’t clog any follicles in your skin which is essential for people with acne. It brightens and smooths out the complexion of the skin while not being super full coverage. So it gives a very natural, effortless finish. Also, it is great for all skin types.
There are two problems I have with this BB cream. One is that there is not a wide range of shades to choose from. This makes it difficult for everyone to find a shade that best matches their unique skin tone and undertone. The other thing that I want to point out is that Maybelline is not cruelty-free.
Pros:
- Super hydrating
- Formulated with SPF 30
- Non-comedogenic
- Brightens and smooths out complexion
- Great for all skin types
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Not available in a wide range of shades
- Not cruelty-free
Where to buy it: Amazon
L’Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Skin Beautifier B.B. Cream
This BB cream adds moisture, corrects, and evens your skin tone all at once.
L’Oreal is one of the most popular makeup brands at the drugstore. So it’s no surprise that their Studio Secrets Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream made it on this list.
This BB cream is extremely hydrating without being oily which is great for acne-prone skin. It has vitamins C and E in it for extra moisture, so your skin will definitely thank you for that. Even if you have oily or acne-prone skin, hydration is still super important! It hides any blemishes or discoloration in your skin, but it still has a very natural finish. It is super easy to apply and easy to blend with any tool. Also, it is very affordable.
One complaint that many users have with this BB cream is that it, like a lot of others, does not come in a wide range of shades to choose from. Also, unfortunately, this is another BB cream that is not cruelty-free.
Pros:
- Extremely hydrating
- Hides any imperfections
- Natural finish
- Easy to apply
- Easy to blend
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not available in a wide range of shades
- Not cruelty-free
Where to buy it: Amazon
Catrice Clean ID Hydro BB Cream
This light-weight BB Cream offers natural coverage and gives your skin a radiant finish.
Catrice was super underrated for the longest time, so I am glad it is increasing in popularity as of recently. The Catrice Clean ID Hydro BB Cream is a great value given its price.
This BB cream is made with mostly natural ingredients, so it is great for people with sensitive and/or acne-prone skin. It has shea butter in the formula which is going to give your skin some extra nourishment and moisture. It is suitable for all skin types, so anyone can use this product. It feels lightweight and breathable on the skin while still giving enough coverage to hide any imperfections. It is free from any perfumes, parabens, and other harmful ingredients. Also, it is cruelty-free and vegan!
This is another BB cream that does not have enough shades to choose from. You’ll notice that this is a common trend for BB creams that needs to be improved. Also, some users have noticed that it separates after wearing it for long periods of time.
Pros:
- Great for sensitive skin
- Moisturizing
- Suitable for all skin types
- Feels lightweight and breathable
- Free from harmful ingredients like perfumes and parabens
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Not a lot of shades to choose from
- It can separate on the skin after wearing it for long
Where to buy it: Ulta
It Cosmetics CC+ Cream with SPF 50+
Developed with plastic surgeons, this cream works beautifully as your full-coverage foundation, hydrating anti-aging serum and SPF 50+ physical sunscreen.
Along with Clinique, It Cosmetics is a great makeup brand to look into if you want to spend some extra money on good face products. The It Cosmetics CC Cream is easily one of the most popular high-end BB creams out there.
As the name states, this product is formulated with SPF 50 which helps protect your skin against the sun’s harmful rays. This is absolutely essential for keeping your skin looking and feeling healthy. The range of shades for this product is very impressive compared to most other BB creams, so that’s a win in my book. In terms of coverage, this is much more on the full coverage side, but it still feels lightweight on the skin. It has ingredients like hyaluronic acid, collagen, and peptides in it which is great for keeping your skin healthy. These ingredients also add some extra hydration to your skin. Also, It Cosmetics is cruelty-free!
One of the major downfalls of this product is the price. It is out of a lot of people’s budget. Something else that users don’t like about this product is the scent.
Pros:
- Has SPF 50 in it
- Good shade range
- Full coverage without feeling heavy
- Has skin-loving ingredients in it
- Hydrating
- Cruelty-free
Cons:
- Out of a lot of people’s budget
- Heavily fragranced
Where to buy it: Amazon
Covergirl Clean Matte BB Cream
This BB Cream provides the perfect amount of coverage to even skin tone, hide blemishes, and keep you shine-free all-day.
The last BB cream included on this list is none other than the Covergirl Clean Matte BB Cream. This BB Cream has gained tons of popularity recently, so there’s no way we couldn’t talk about it.
This BB cream has excellent coverage. If you are used to wearing a foundation and need full coverage, this is the BB cream for you. That being said, it still is very lightweight and breathable on the skin. This product is super easy to apply and blends out seamlessly with any tool. However, it seems that users have found the most success applying it with a damp beauty blender to avoid it from looking too streaky. The formula of this BB cream is oil-free and non-comedogenic which means it will not clog any pores or follicles in your skin. This makes it an excellent product for acne-prone skin. Even though the finish is matte, it still works for any skin type. Since it is matte, it eliminates any shine. Also, Covergirl is cruelty-free!
This product could definitely expand its shade range a bit, so that is a con. Also, it is easy to apply too much and then look cakey on the skin which no one wants. Just make sure to use a small amount at once to avoid this from happening altogether.
Pros:
- Full coverage, but still lightweight
- Easy to apply and blend
- Oil-free and non-comedogenic
- Suitable for all skin types
- Eliminates shine
- Cruelty-free
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not a wide shade range
- Can look cakey if you apply too much
Where to buy it: Amazon
Final Thoughts
So there you have it – our picks for the best BB creams for acne-prone skin. We’ve included different finishes in this list as well as different price ranges to ensure you find the one that works best for you. Our favorite is the Clinique Age Defense BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30. But if you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, go for the Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream 8-In-1 Skin Perfector. Regardless, you can’t go wrong with any of the products on this list!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of using a BB cream?
There are so many benefits to using a BB cream – here are a few! For one, they tend to be much more hydrating than a typical foundation. They work for all skin types no matter if you’re super dry or super oily. They also work for acne-prone skin! A lot of BB creams are formulated with SPF in them which is amazing to protect your skin from sun damage. Also, BB creams are just generally better for your skin compared to a traditional foundation.
What ingredients are commonly found in BB creams?
As I said before, a lot of BB creams are formulated with SPF. This is one of the most important ingredients in your skincare ingredient and should never be skipped. Some BB creams come with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter. Other BB creams come with ingredients typically found in skincare products. These include things like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, etc.
What is the best way to apply a BB cream?
You can apply BB cream in a bunch of different ways. My personal favorite is using a damp sponge because I feel like it gives the most even and flawless finish. But a lot of people prefer to use a buffing or foundation brush. Also, some people prefer to just use their fingers!