A beauty balm or BB cream is a makeup product But, with all the benefits of a skin care product. It has moisturisers, sunscreen, primer, concealer and foundation, all of this in one tube. Below are some the best BB creams in the market.
I have done an ingredient analysis on all of the most top rated BB creams and those i have mentioned here proved to be the best. I have taken the cost into account and included products from every budget.
Note that as the coverage and sunscreen factor increases, the consistency also changes from light weight to heavy or thick. So choose according to your needs.
Although i have mentioned silicone as a negative point, Silicone’s give a smooth and even texture to the skin. It acts as a primer and makes your pores appear smaller and your skin flawless.
All the links that i have mentioned are either Amazon or Nykaa.
How To Choose A Good BB Cream?
Choose a BB cream that,
Suits your skin type
Does not contain pore clogging ingredients
Moisturises well as they contain glycerine or hyaluronic acid
Stays for a decent amount of time.
Contains brightening ingredients that help even out your skin tone
Infused with anti ageing ingredients/Antioxidants like Vitamin A,B, and E
Ponds White Beauty BB+ Cream SPF 30 PA++
Price ranges between 82/- for 9 grams and 390/- for 50 grams.
PROS
- Offers brightening and anti ageing benefits
- Budget friendly
- Two shades available
- Easily available
- Pleasant fragrance
- Light weight
- Not oily at all
- Glides easily without tugging
- Evens out the skin
- Contains Sunscreen
CONS
- Light coverage
- Does not cover blemishes/Dark circles completely
- Only two shades available
- May not suit acne prone skin (See Below)
Ingredient Analysis Of Pond’s BB Cream
Conclusion
Pond’s BB cream contains ‘Stearic acid’ which has a comedogenic rating of 3/5 and hence it may not be suitable for acne prone skin as it clog pores.
Garnier Skin Naturals BB Cream SPF 24/PA+++
Price falls between 75/- for 9 grams to 175/- for 30 grams.
Pros
- Suits oily/acne prone/combination skin
- Brightens the skin with consistent usage
- Spreads easily
- Build-able coverage
- Pleasant fragrance
- Blends evenly
- Imparts a glow to the skin
- Contains sunscreen
- Paraben and silicone free
Cons
- Contains alcohol
- Does not hydrate well for dry skin
- Not suitable dry skin
- Light coverage
- Comes in a single shade only
Ingredient Analysis Of Garnier BB Cream
Conclusion
Garnier BB cream contains alcohol hence may not suit dry skin and sensitive skin types
Lakme 9 to 5 Complexion Care Cream
Price for 30 grams is 315/-. It often comes on offers for as cheap as 215/-. It also comes in a 9 gram tube that costs 99/-.
Pros
- Four shades available
- Has sunscreen
- Provides anti ageing benefits
- Brightens the skin on long term usage
- Affordable
- No cakey made up look
- Blends evenly
- Medium coverage
- Imparts a glow
Cons
- Contains pore clogging ingredients
- Limited shades available
- Not suitable for acne prone skin or sensitive skin (See below)
Ingredients Analysis Of Lakme CC Cream
Conclusion
Lakme CC cream contains Stearic acid, palmitic acid and Potassium chloride and hence may not suit oily acne prone skin.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is not recommended to use on sensitive skin.
Nykaa skingenius bb cream
Price 349/- for 30 gram of product. It comes on offer sale for about 314/-
Pros
- Five shades available
- Offers sun protection
- Contains Aloe, cucumber and Green tea Extracts
- Moisturises the skin
- Light weight
- Promotes skin healing
- No cakey finish
- Evens out the skin
- Improves the skin texture (appearance)
- No Parabens/silicone/alcohol
Cons
- Tends to oxidise
- No anti ageing/brightening benefits compared to other BB creams
Ingredient Analysis Of Nykaa BB Cream
Conclusion
Nykaa BB cream is suitable for all skin types. Keep in mind that it does not contain any skin brighteners in it. I think this is more of a makeup product than a skincare product.
L.A Girl HD Pro BB Cream
Price is 700/- for 50 grams of product.
Pros
- Available in 8 shades
- Does not settle in to fine lines
- Infused with vitamins
- Hydrates the skin well
- Repairs the skin
- Satin finish
- Full coverage
- Staying power of 7 hours
- Easy to blend
- Build-able coverage
- Contains Vitamin B,C,E (Anti ageing benefits)
- No artificial fragrance
Cons
- No sunscreen protection
- Gets shiny even with primer, so need touch up
- Slightly heavy when compared to other BB creams
Ingredient Analysis Of LA Girl Pro HD BB Cream
Conclusion
Best suited for normal-dry skin types as it is slightly heavier than most BB creams. But oily and acne prone skin types can also use this as there aren’t any pore blocking ingredients in this BB cream. But, It also does get shiny after a few hours.
Best for those who want little more coverage.
Physicians Formula Argan Wear Ultra-Nourishing Argan Oil BB Cream SPF 30
Price is 1150/- for 35 ml of product. It does come on offers for 1000+ only.
Pros
- Comes in two shades
- Nourishes the skin
- Does not oxidise
- Contains tiny shimmer particles
- Dewy finish
- Provides skin brightening effects
- Anti ageing ingredients present in this cream
- Light consistency
- Staying power is about 5-6 hours
- Pleasant fragrance but not mild
- Has sunscreen
- Paraben free
Cons
- Two shades only
- Contains silicone’s
- Smells funny like after shave i guess
- Contains pore clogging ingredients and hence may not suit acne prone skin types
- Stronger fragrance when compared to all other BB creams
Ingredient Analysis Of Physician’s Formula BB Cream
Conclusion
Best suitable for dry skin types.
It contains Argan oil and Shea butter.
Physician’s Formula BB Cream contains ‘Glyceryl Stearate SE’ (comedogenic rating 3/5) which clogs pores and causes acne.
It also contains Shea butter and hence this bb cream is not suitable for oily acne prone skin.
Klairs Illuminating Supple Blemish Cream SPF 40 PA++
Price for 40 ml of product is 1710/- But this is worth the money spent. Offer price 1450/-
PROS
- Light weight
- Hygienic packaging
- Easy to blend
- Impressive ingredients
- Sunscreen of SPF 40
- Did not cause breakout
- Lasts throughout the day
- No irritation on sensitive skin
- Has anti ageing benefits
- Medium coverage
- Build-able coverage
- Blurs tiny pores
- Imparts a healthy glow
- Satin finish
- Has skin brightening ingredients
CONS
- Single shade available
- Does not help with oiliness
- Comparatively costly
Ingredient Analysis Of Klairs BB Cream
Conclusion
Suitable for all skin types, even sensitive and acne prone skin!
This is a true BB cream. If you can afford this Klairs BB cream, Choose this blindly. I have yet to find a BB cream as impressive as this one. 🙂
L’Oreal Paris True Match BB Cream
Priced at 699/- for 30 ml of product.
Pros
- Creamy consistency
- Adds glow
- Illuminates the skin
- Amazing coverage
- No cakey appearance
- Does not leave a white cast
- Blends pretty easily
- Dewy finish
- Contains brightening, anti ageing and skin repairing ingredients
- Improves skin tone and texture on consistent usage
- Contains Sunscreen
- Non irritating fragrance
Cons
- Contains alcohol and silicone’s
- Does not suit dry skin
- Not good for sensitive skin either
- Limited number of shades
- Not suitable for summer
Ingredient Analysis Of L’Oreal Paris True Match BB Cream
Conclusion
Best suited for normal-oily acne prone skin.
L’Oreal Paris BB cream contains ‘Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate'(Uv Absorber, Uv Filter) which is not good for sensitive skin
It also contains alcohol so this BB cream may not suit dry skin beauties as much.
That’s It For Now
These are the best BB creams in India. I have not included Clinique, Bobby Brown and MAC bb creams as they are too costly and does not fall under the budget friendly range. They are without a doubt good products.
If you have a friend coming from abroad particularly south east asian countries, you may get much better products that specifically targets skin brightening, anti ageing, dullness, acne, dark spots, marks and scars. They have a large variety of products and the products available in India cannot even compare to them.
The only Asian BB cream that is available in India is Klairs and the ingredients in it are so amazing. I do hope more brands launch their products in India.
Until next time, Have a wonderful day. 🙂
Klairs Illuminating BB Cream Review
