The best BB creams provide light (but ample!) and are ideal for transitioning summer skin into fall. (Marie Lodi/Yahoo)
When it comes to makeup, I'm all for full coverage. But during the summer — and even transitioning into fall — I like to have lighter options on hand. That's when I turn to the best BB creams in my makeup stash. Originally known as "blemish balms" or "beauty balms," BB creams became wildly popular in the 2010s for combining skin care and makeup into one easy step. Since then, they've expanded and evolved into an array of CC creams (or "color correctors"), skin tints and tinted moisturizers. These multi-tasking formulas are packed with complexion-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, niacinamide and SPF. I love it when the makeup gods make life easy for us!
Because of the added skin care benefits, BB creams are pretty much a dream option for over-40 skin, especially on hot days when regular foundation feels a tad much. The best of these tinted creams don't just blur imperfections, they hydrate, smooth and give your face a rested, radiant finish. So, if you're trying to pare down your routine, get out the door faster or just want something that makes your skin look good without too much effort, you're going to want to take note.
Below, I've rounded up the best BB creams to give your skin just the right amount of coverage and glow during hot weather and beyond.
What to look for in a BB cream
Skin type: All | SPF: 40 | Shades: 6 | Coverage: Light and buildable | Finish: Natural | Key ingredients: Niacinamide, glycerin, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide | Size: 1.35oz/40ml
I still remember when BB creams were the new, hot beauty thing and Dr. Jart+'s Premium BB Beauty Balm was specifically the one my friends and I could not stop raving about. The product first launched in 2011 as one of the first Korean BB creams to enter the U.S. market. (It was definitely one of those "if you know, you know" products.) A favorite among dermatologists, beauty editors and K-beauty loyalists, the Dr. Jart+ BB cream offers medium coverage (more than most BBs), hydrates like a serum and protects like your favorite SPF. (Word to the wise, you need to use a full teaspoon's worth to get the same benefits of a proper sunscreen.)
It had been a while since I actually had the Dr. Jart+ Premium BB Beauty Balm in my hands, but once I started using it, I quickly remembered why I'd obsessed over it in the first place. During testing, I loved how it smoothed over my fine lines, calmed down redness and gave me a natural-looking glow without crossing into greasy territory.
The texture is creamy but not heavy, and it contains brightening niacinamide (one of my favorite skin care ingredients) as well as SPF 40 (though I still wear sunscreen underneath, of course). While the shade range could definitely be better, the match is much more flexible when compared to other BB creams.
"I am 55, almost 56 and I have come to realize that tinted moisturizers are the best option for my mature skin. While I've tried a handful of tinted moisturizers, I continue to go back to this one over and over again," writes one happy Sephora reviewer. "This BB cream never settles in any fine lines, matter of fact, I'm able to bring this up around my eyes with little to no creasing!"
Skin type: All | SPF: 30 | Shades: 5 | Coverage: Light | Finish: Natural | Key ingredients: Titanium dioxide Size: 1oz/30ml
Launched back in 2012, Maybelline Dream Fresh is one of those drugstore staples that's still going strong for a reason — it just works. It's sheer, hydrating and easy to slap on with your fingers in just a few seconds, which makes it perfect for busy mornings. I loved how lightweight and breathable it felt on the skin, almost like a moisturizer with a touch of tint. It gave me that healthy-skin glow without settling into my fine lines or clinging to dry patches. Oh, and the "8-in-1" refers to eight benefits: it blurs imperfections, enhances, brightens, adjusts to skintone, smoothes, hydrates, protects with SPF 30 and, lastly, contains 0% oils and other heavy ingredients.
While this isn't the best pick for a full glam or covering acne scars, it's a total winner for a natural, everyday skin tint that won't break the bank. One reviewer at Amazon nailed it: "This is the first product I've tried that doesn't look cakey or dry. It doesn't accentuate my fine lines. It blurs my pores and other minor 'flaws.' It blends in beautifully and looks great. My skin, but better!"
Skin type: All | SPF: 30 | Shades: 16 | Coverage: Light | Finish: Radiant | Key ingredients: Vitamin C, French Polynesian Kopara | Size: 1.9 oz
Technically a "tinted moisturizer," this luxe NARS pick has been a longtime fave in the beauty world, and after testing it, I knew exactly why. The coverage is lighter and sheerer than the Dr. Jart+ formula, but it builds easily to smooth uneven texture without feeling heavy, leaving a natural, lit-from-within glow. It also has powerhouse skin care ingredients, like French Polynesian Kopara, a natural sugar that hydrates and conditions, plus vitamin C to brighten and even tone. But what really makes it stand out is the finish: radiant and natural. I loved it so much, I gave up my foundation for a week!
It's not the cheapest option, but if you're looking for a BB cream-adjacent product that feels like luxury on your face and gives you a nice glow, this is it. As one Sephora reviewer wrote: "I don't like to do a full face of makeup on an average day, but I still want my skin to even out a little (hide some of my redness and make my pores look smaller/covered). This tinted moisturizer is perfect for my everyday light makeup look."
I've covered beauty for over a decade and, like many women over 40, my relationship with complexion-perfecting products has evolved. These days, I want formulas that don't just sit on my face and act like camouflage; I want them to work with my skin. That's why I've always loved BB creams. They're the perfect fusion of skin care and makeup, and once you find the right product, it can cut out steps and help simplify your routine.
For this story, I tested more than a dozen BB creams at a variety of price points — from drugstore classics to luxury staples. I tried each product multiple times over several weeks, judging them on the following:
Coverage: Did it even out my skin tone without looking cakey or settling into fine lines?
Finish: Was the result dewy, matte, or natural-looking — and did it stay that way throughout the day
Shade range: Did the brand offer flexible options that could work for a range of skin tones and undertones?
Ingredients: I looked for formulas that go beyond pigment, specifically effective skin care ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide or peptides, as well as SPF.
Wear time: How did each BB cream hold up through a normal day (errands, Zoom calls, maybe a walk in the sun)? Was there pilling, fading or greasiness?
Application: How easy was it to apply with my fingers, a brush or a makeup sponge?
Mature-skin friendliness: Perhaps most importantly, I judged how well each formula performed on over-40 skin. Did it smooth, blur and hydrate, or did it emphasize my texture and fine lines?
Not every BB cream can be a winner, especially when you're dealing with mature skin that demands hydration and flexibility. While some of these picks came close, they just didn't pass the final check.
IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Full-Coverage Foundation with SPF 50+: I was certain that this popular BB cream would make my list. It had really good coverage (and a fantastic shade range), but unfortunately, it didn't work as well with my skin as I would have liked. It settled into my pores, showing my texture too much, whereas the Dr. Jart left a much smoother appearance.
E.l.f. Hydrating Camo CC Cream: This other crowd-favorite was another suspected shoo-in for our best list, as it also has an extensive shade range, hyaluronic acid and SPF 30, but I had trouble blending it compared to our winners.
Burt's Bees BB Cream: This has a natural, skin-loving ingredient list — which I appreciate — but the texture just wasn't it. The product separated in the tube and came out weirdly oily, like salad dressing. No matter how much I shook it, I couldn't get it to mix properly.
CLE Cosmetics CCC Cream: This one comes out of the tube white and color-corrects as you blend. Unfortunately, it was harder to blend on my skin and felt a little bit tacky.
Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Diamond Perfector BB Cream: I really wanted this to be luminous, but it veered too hard into shimmer territory. The sparkly finish might be cute in the bottle, but I'm not hoping to have an Edward Cullen, glittery, Twilight-esque experience with my BB cream.
Coverage: Sheer is great, but buildable is better
BB creams are typically lighter than foundation, but that doesn't mean you have to settle for something barely-there. Look for a formula that gives you enough coverage to even things out, but is flexible. You want to be able to sheer it out or layer it up, depending on how your skin's behaving that day.
Skin type: Match your moisture level
If you're on the drier side (hi, fellow over-40 friends), the good news is, many BB creams will include hydrating ingredients. Oily skin? Go for oil-free options, like our Nars pick. And if your skin is sensitive or reactive, skip the fragrance and opt for one with mineral SPF, like our Maybelline winner. It's gentler and less likely to trigger irritation.
SPF: The higher the better, but it's not your only defense
Most BB creams include SPF, which is one of their selling points. Just know that unless you're applying a ton of it to your face, it's not enough on its own. Think of it as bonus protection, not your main sunscreen. And if you need some help looking for an ideal SPF, make sure to check out our list of derm-approved picks for the best sunscreens of 2025.
Skin care ingredients: This is where BB creams shine
Unlike most foundations, BB creams often include brighteners (like niacinamide), soothing agents (like centella asiatica or adenosine) and antioxidant-rich vitamins. Mature skin can really benefit from these, especially when your skin wants more glow with fewer steps.
Finish: Dewy, yes; greasy, no
Most BB creams have a natural or dewy finish, which plays well with dry or mature skin. But there's a fine line between glow and grease! Go for a satin finish if you're combo or prefer a more polished look.
What’s the difference between BB cream and foundation?
Foundation is makeup, first — its main job is coverage. BB cream is more of a skin care/makeup hybrid. It usually has sheer to light coverage, SPF and ingredients that hydrate, brighten or soothe. Think of it as your "lazy day" foundation that still shows up and does the work.
Are BB cream, CC cream, and tinted moisturizers the same thing?
They are similar, but they’re not identical. Still, keep in mind that many brands approach them as interchangeable. Technically, BB creams are all about multitasking: coverage, hydration and SPF in one, whereas CC creams usually offer more coverage and target concerns like redness or sallowness. Finally, tinted moisturizers are just what they sound like — moisturizer with a hint of tint. However, many of them include added skin care benefits (SPF, hydrating ingredients, etc.), like our NARS pick above.
Can I wear BB cream every day?
Absolutely, and a lot of us do. BB creams are ideal for daily wear, especially when your skin needs hydration and light coverage, but you don't want to do the whole 10-step glam.
Do I need primer or setting spray with BB cream?
Not always. Most BB creams are designed to be quick and easy, but if you have oily skin or want it to last longer, a lightweight primer can help. A setting spray can also add some glow or lock things in for the day.
How do I apply BB cream?
BB cream is usually best applied with your fingers, as the warmth of your hands helps it melt into the skin. A sponge or brush works too, for a more polished finish.
We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.
