Some things are just better than others. If you want a premium BB cream, you need to look at Asian brands.
Although this makeup was invented in Germany, it exploded into popularity in South Korea. Women there have been benefiting from it for decades (1).
It’s not hard to find the best Korean BB cream for every skin type.
Why you should try Korean BB cream
It’s versatile makeup that can take the place of moisturizer, primer, foundation, concealer, and sunscreen.
It shortens the time that it takes to get ready. But it’s not just a way to save money or Marie-Kondo your skincare regimen.
Select Korean BB creams offer specific benefits. They took the basic formula and customized it for a variety of situations.
For example, they may contain innovative anti-aging advantages. They smooth wrinkles and fade discoloration, also known as “whitening.”
Others may have sebum control ingredients to reduce shine.
Moreover, Korean BB creams often provide a higher sun protection factor (SPF) than US or European brands.
The goal is always the same: to perfect the complexion, yet leave it looking natural and as young as possible.
The only downside is that it’s hard to find Korean BB cream shades for dark skin tones. Although they may accommodate different undertones, it’s rare to find deep shades.
Best Korean BB Cream for Every Skin Type
Now, let’s discover the perfect Korean BB cream for your skin type.
All skin types or normal skin
Let’s begin with popular BB creams for any skin type.
MISSHA M PERFECT COVER BB CREAM SPF 42 PA+++
Here’s one of the first BB creams made in Korea. It’s retained its popularity for decades.
It offers medium coverage that blends naturally with only fingers (but you can use a brush or sponge). It sets to a radiant finish.
With hyaluronic acid, marine extracts, and botanical essences, it conditions and moisturizes. Then, ceramides help the skin stay hydrated.
SKIN79 Super Plus Beblesh Balm, Pink
SKIN79 has developed a variety of BB creams according to different needs. The different colored containers make it easy to get the one you want.
The pink version comes in shades as dark as “bronze.” It’s suitable for all skin types.
It offers the least amount of sunscreen, though, with SPF 25 PA++.
It has a creamy texture that disguises imperfections with light to medium coverage. The slight clean scent fades after a few moments.
Erborian CC Cream High Def Skin Perfector SPF25
The line between BB and CC creams comes down to color-correction. As you might guess, CC creams are better at neutralizing redness, dark circles, and freckles.
Although this one doesn’t have a potent sunscreen, it helps heal the skin. It’s infused with honey and vitamin E and other soothing ingredients.
It can leave your complexion radiant and refreshed.
Thankfully, it’s cruelty-free and does not contain harsh chemicals like oxybenzone or parabens.
purlisse BB Tinted Moisturizer Cream SPF 30
If you have medium to dark skin, take a look at what purlisse offers. Not only are there deep shades, but there are options for neutral, yellow, and pink undertones.
Furthermore, the company offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
It’s suitable for any skin type, including those with acne-prone complexions or rosacea. It has no parabens, and it’s been tested against common allergens.
The formula is packed with antioxidants to prevent premature aging. It uses a sugar maple to enhance the skin’s natural beauty.
Finally, this isn’t just a standalone product. It doubles as a makeup primer.
HolikaHolika, Face 2 Change Liquid Roller BB Cream
Skip the tubes, bottles, brushes, and sponges. This BB cream comes with its own applicator.
The roller simplifies putting it on, and it gives you a massage at the same time. But take note that the order of application is a little different. They recommend putting it on the cheeks first, then the forehead, then around the nose and mouth.
The formula provides 3 benefits: Whitening, wrinkle prevention, and UV protection. It’s rated for SPF 30 PA++.
Dry and/or sensitive skin
Which BB cream is best for dry skin? It’s a hard choice as most are moisturizing. But you may still need to put on face lotion beforehand.
Meanwhile, for sensitive skin, avoid BB creams with artificial fragrances.
Miba Ion Calcium Mineral BB Cream
If you have sensitive, dry skin, try this gentle BB cream. It’s perfect if your skin feels too dry when wearing foundation.
It’s buildable, and it doesn’t cake. You can mix it with foundation if you need more than medium coverage. Users say that it blends easily regardless of the method used to apply it.
With SPF 50 PA+++, it offers excellent UV protection.
Meanwhile, it corrects tone with niacinamide and fortifies the skin with ionized calcium and eucalyptus. There’s also adenosine to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45
Do you want to know what people are saying about this BB cream? They’re pleased that they don’t have to reapply it during the day.
But there’s more – they love how it moisturizes and still manages to clear up acne breakouts.
Moreover, it provides as much coverage as some foundations. This means you’ll need to shake or massage the tube before using it to distribute the pigment inside.
While you wear it, it doesn’t just disguise blemishes. It treats them with anti-aging ingredients.
For example, it contains arbutin, a natural alternative to hydroquinone. It fades discoloration like acne scars.
Then, there’s a bio-peptide complex to boost collagen synthesis and smooth wrinkles.
Even the sunscreen is good for you. It’s mineral-based.
IPKN Moist and Firm BB Cream SPF 45
This is a moisturizing, full-coverage BB cream. Even though it’s highly-pigmented, it looks and feels natural.
Ceramide and collagen benefit the texture of the skin, while vitamin E promotes healing.
Since it uses silicone to seal in moisture, it works well as a primer underneath foundation. It doesn’t get sticky or greasy.
One user was thrilled that the BB cream didn’t rub off on napkins, yet it was easy to wash.
Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream Moist
For maximum UV protection, try a BB cream like this one with SPF 50 PA+++.
If you’re not familiar with the PA rating, I can explain it.
Korean sunscreens filter out both UVA and UVB rays. The former causes premature aging, and the latter leads to sunburn.
Technically, the SPF number only applies to how well the sunscreen protects against UVB radiation. The PA rating shows how well it defends against UVA. The more plus signs, the better.
Therefore, this BB cream provides excellent protection. It comes in light to medium shades with pink, neutral, or yellow undertones.
Pacifica Beauty Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream
Although this cream has a light fragrance, it’s all-natural.
Pacifica Beauty only sells vegan and cruelty-free products that are free of parabens, phthalates, and other harmful chemicals.
It comes in only one color, a sheer tint that illuminates the complexion and blurs pores and lines. It is possible to build the coverage a bit, though.
It uses hyaluronic acid, coconut water, and florals stem cells to refresh and hydrate the skin.
Holika Holika Moisture Petit BB Cream
This brand makes a variety of BB creams appropriate for different skin types.
The moisturizing version offers sunscreen and anti-aging benefits.
It’s silicone-based, which means it leaves the skin feeling like silk. It’s not greasy or drying.
Combination and oily skin, or acne-prone
Which is the best Korean BB cream for oily skin? Check out the choices below.
Dr.G Gowoonsesang Perfect Pore BB Cream SPF 30 PA++
One of the advantages of shopping on the Internet is that search engines can fill in the rest of the word you’re trying to type. That’s a convenient feature when it comes to the brand name here. It’s one you’ll want to try.
This is a matte finish BB cream that controls excess sebum. It prevents the complexion from becoming greasy even after hours of wear.
The oil-control magic comes in part from cabbage and lime. Who knew?
Furthermore, the formula minimizes the appearance of pores. It offers medium coverage, which you can build up to hide acne scars.
But you should know that it’s not oil-free. Although it doesn’t have mineral oil or alcohol, it has rosehip oil, which nourishes the skin. It shouldn’t clog pores.
Holika Holika Pore Clearing Petit BB Cream
What’s interesting is that Asian BB creams don’t face the same restrictions that American versions do. They can combine sunscreen and acne-fighting ingredients in the same formula.
If you’re tired of pimples, try this solution for combination and oily skin. It provides SPF 30 PA+++ protection and so much more.
The sebum control powder mattifies the complexion to keep it fresh and clean. Users say the effect persists for up to 8 hours.
At the same time, tea tree oil fights inflammation to calm acne-prone skin.
I just wish it came in shades deeper than medium.
Hanskin Super 3 Solution BB Cream
If you’d like a velvet matte finish, consider this BB cream. It reduces shine for at least 5 hours.
It’s also kind to sensitive skin as it’s free of artificial fragrances, alcohol, gluten, and other allergens. There’s basically no scent whatsoever.
The lightweight mousse texture offers medium to full coverage with a brightening effect. Luckily, it doesn’t oxidize.
In fact, it fades discoloration with arbutin. Of course, you’ll have to use it daily to see significant changes.
Etude House Correct and Care CC Cream
This CC cream will make you look like you had a good night’s sleep. It minimizes dark circles and redness from acne.
It feels lightweight on the skin, yet it’s a bit too dry for anything other than an oily complexion. If you have combination skin, I suggest you moisturize the cheeks before applying it.
It offers SPF 30 plus “wrinkle care essence.” In a nutshell, it firms the skin and brightens the tone.
Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder
If you find that your BB cream just doesn’t mattify well enough, try this setting powder.
It features minerals and mint extract for sebum control.
What’s more, it doesn’t contain animal ingredients, perfume, talc, artificial colors, or parabens.
Mature skin
Yes, you can enjoy BB cream with mature skin. There are many choices available with potent anti-aging ingredients.
SKIN79 Gold BB Super Plus Beblesh Balm
SKIN79’s gold beauty balm offers 3 benefits. It smooths wrinkles, prevents UV damage, and whitens the complexion.
One of the critical ingredients is actual gold. Then, there’s caviar and niacinamide. These restore moisture and suppleness.
One reviewer in her forties with combination skin was delighted with the results.
Nature Republic SPF 30 Snail Solution BB Cream, PA++
Obviously, this isn’t a vegan product if it has snail mucin in it. But that single component makes remarkable things happen. It’s also kind to sensitive skin.
For one, it works hand-in-hand with the African Resurrection Plant to turn back time. Together, they speed up cell regeneration. The result is smoother, firmer skin with fewer blemishes.
Plus, snail mucin is packed with glycoprotein enzymes, peptides, and hyaluronic acid for deep nourishment.
You might compare this BB cream to a makeover in a bottle.
MISSHA Misa Cho Bo Yang BB Cream
Although MISSHA makes a variety of BB creams, this one is designed especially for mature skin.
It adds radiance to rejuvenate dull complexions. It also contains hydroxyethyl cellulose to firm the skin and disguise fine lines.
Even though it has medium coverage, it’s not just covering up the problem.
With wild ginseng, cordyceps mushroom, and other medicinal plants, it heals the skin from the inside out. The natural ingredients give it an herbal scent that quickly fades after application.
Conclusion
Whether you’re new to BB creams or not, I hope you’ll give Korean beauty balm a try. They offer superior performance, plus they are a pleasure to use.
Fortunately, there are Korean BB creams for all skin types. Once you’ve found your new favorite makeup, come back and tell us about your experience.
Source:
1. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/beauty-balms-bb-creams#1 by Shelley Leavitt, accessed September 1, 2020