More and more of us are opting for a simpler, more natural look rather than piling on layers of full coverage foundation for a flawless finish. While youre likely familiar with the benefits of a lightweight BB cream for a dewy, fresh, and hydrating glow, how do you choose the right one for your skin type? Are the pricier options really worth the investment? And what if youre looking for a BB cream with more coverage?

　　We’re here to take the stress out of finding the perfect product for your skin. Whether you have sensitive, dry, or oily skin, and no matter your budget, we’ve got you covered. We’ve curated a list of our top BB and CC creams for every skin concern, need, and price range. Check out our top picks below, along with all the essential details to help you become a BB cream pro.

　　Closers pick of the best BB creams, at a glance What is a BB cream? BB cream stands for ‘blemish balm’ or ‘beauty balm,’ and it’s designed to moisturise, protect, and correct your skin. Essentially its a combination of a face cream, foundation, and SPF which has the consistency of a moisturiser.

　　Quick little history lesson: Although BB creams gained popularity in South Korea during the mid-1980s, they were originally created in Germany in the 1960s to aid patients recovering from laser treatments and surgery. The trend eventually made its way from the beauty hub in the East to Western beauty routines around 2011, quickly becoming a must-have in makeup bags everywhere.

　　Weve tried and tested some bestsellers on the market, plus you can scroll down to find out pro makeup artist Sarah Jane Frooms take on finding the perfect BB cream for you.

　　SHOP: Best BB creams, tried and tested 1. Erborian Super BB Full Coverage BB Cream

　　Best overall BB cream

　　SephoraPrice: £20.50

　　View offerAlternative retailersSephora£20.50View offerLookfantastic£20.50View offerBoots£21.00View offer This BB cream contains white ginseng, fermented ginseng flower and niacinamide, so, it has a noticeable smoothing effect on skin, while delivering natural makeup coverage. The light, non-cakey finish leaves you with a baby skin glow, which is like a velvety veil that covers imperfections without feeling heavy.

　　I was pleasantly surprised to find that the moisturised radiance lasted a full eight hours after application. Its a clinically proven formula that effectively covers blemishes, redness, and pigmentation spots. When I wanted a bit more coverage, I simply added a touch of extra concealer.

　　Pros ConsProsCovers imperfectionsSkincare ingredients includedNon-cakeyConsIncluded alcohol can be drying2. Kiko Daily Protection BB Cream SPF30

　　Best hydrating BB cream

　　KikoPrice: £13.99www.lookfantastic.com

　　View offer Available in five shades, this tinted cream provides a soft, illuminating effect that I found to be smoothing on my complexion. Its glossy texture adds a noticeable dewiness, leaving the skin feeling healthy and soft. For a subtle tint, just a small amount delivers a second-skin effect with a natural finish.

　　Skincare benefits include SPF30 and sea kale extract, while the formula itself feels fresh and energising. I was truly impressed by its staying power - this formula stayed in place for hours without any mid-day shine. It doesn’t cling to pores or settle into fine lines, instead, it provides a softly camouflaging veil.

　　Pros ConsProsEvens skin toneSmooths skinSofteningConsSome reviewers found that it was quite thick to apply3. Superdrug B. Enhance BB Cream

　　Best lightweight BB cream

　　SuperdrugPrice: £12.99

　　View offer In addition to its impressive moisturising effect, I loved how natural and glowy this long-lasting BB cream looked on my skin. It didn’t appear heavy, patchy, or highlight any dryness. It’s the perfect go-to when you want to even out your complexion and quench dryness in one quick step.

　　The consistency is lightweight, and the formula effortlessly melts into the skin. It contains vitamins C and E to brighten dullness and hydrate, but it’s not greasy or oily, so it holds up nicely throughout the day. Once set, it stays in place without fading, creasing, or emphasising fine lines or texture.

　　Pros ConsProsAffordableLeaves an even, glowing finishLong-lastingConsNot enough coverage to fade acne or pigmentation4. Kosas BB Burst Tinted Gel Cream

　　Best buildable BB cream

　　Cult BeautyPrice: £34www.cultbeauty.co.uk

　　View offer This next-level BB cream is the ultimate way to perfect the no-makeup makeup look - get ready for a flood of skin compliments once you apply it. It offers enough coverage to tone down rosy cheeks while still creating that my-skin-but-glowier effect. The gel formula builds effortlessly to your desired coverage, without a line or blotch in sight.

　　You can trust it to deliver a feather-light sheen, especially on dry or dull skin types.

　　Pros ConsProsWide shade rangeProvides ample coverage for a BB creamCares for skinConsSome shoppers reported that the scent could be better5. IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Natural Matte with SPF40

　　Best full coverage BB cream

　　Look FantasticPrice: £39www.lookfantastic.com

　　View offer I know, I know... it’s technically a CC cream. But let’s be real, there’s not much of a difference, and this one truly deserves a spot here. This fantastic formula offers the hydration of a moisturiser and the colour-correcting power of your go-to foundation.

　　The coverage is higher than most, and so is the SPF - it offers factor 40 to keep your skin protected. It gives a glowy, radiant look without crossing into greasy territory, with a natural matte finish.

　　Pros ConsProsFull coverage with a matte finishFeatures SPF40 to help protect against both UVA and UVB raysExcellent for oily skinConsPrice point may be unreachable for some6. Clarins BB Skin Detox Fluid SPF25

　　Best BB cream worth the splurge

　　SephoraPrice: £38

　　View offerAlternative retailersBoots£38.00View offer This non-comedogenic cream is the epitome of a glowy base as it primes and hydrates in tandem. It offers a well-balanced look and lightweight finish while giving my skin a flawless glow each time. If youre new to BB cream, Id recommend starting with this one.

　　I also love how it includes acerola seed extract to boost skins oxygenation, which will do stressed-out skin exposed to pollution and other aggravators some serious good. With SPF25, its glow-giving formula provides medium coverage with a natural-looking finish, and is available in a range of different shades.

　　Pros ConsProsGreat coverageAdded SPFInfused with skin enriching ingredientsConsLimited shade range7. Garnier SkinActive Oil-Free BB Cream

　　Best BB cream for oily skin

　　AmazonRrp:9.98

　　Price: £6.63View offerAlternative retailersSuperdrug£6.63View offerBoots£7.49View offerLookfantastic£7.87View offer As you can see from my photo, I am a big fan of this pick and am pretty much down to squeezing out the very last few drops from this tube. Packed with hyaluronic acid, aloe vera extract and ultra-thin mineral pigments, Garniers BB cream is a top choice for those with combination or oily skin. It provides ample coverage and an even finish, mattifying skin and reducing pores.

　　Its not easy to find a mattifying skin tint that doesnt feel heavy, but this strikes the ideal balance. Try it if you like a lightweight finish but find youre prone to midday shine when you use other tints.

　　Pros ConsProsMinimises poresNatural effectGreat coverageConsLimited shade range How to find the right BB cream Choosing the right BB cream for your skin type is key to achieving a natural, flawless look. When we asked pro makeup artist, Sarah Jane Froom, about this, she explained that different formulas will work better for different skin types.

　　If you have dry skin, look for formulas enriched with hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin to keep your complexion plump and moisturised, she says. For oily skin, opt for oil-free or mattifying formulas that control shine without clogging your pores. Those with sensitive skin should seek out BB creams with soothing ingredients like chamomile or aloe vera. If your skin is a mix of both dry and oily, a balanced formula will work best to hydrate without overloading your T-zone.

　　How to apply BB cream You can use a BB cream as part of your daily routine in place of foundation. To apply BB cream, start by prepping your skin with a moisturiser or primer for a smooth base, says Sarah. Dab small amounts of BB cream onto your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin, then blend it out evenly with your fingertips, a brush or a damp sponge. I personally recommend using a damp sponge to press the product into the skin, as this helps to create a seamless, natural finish that doesnt look too heavy.

　　What is the difference between BB and CC cream? BB cream and CC cream are often confused, but they do have distinct differences. BB creams (Beauty Balm or Blemish Balm) are multi-purpose products that provide lightweight coverage while offering skincare benefits such as hydration, sun protection, and anti-ageing ingredients, says Sarah.

　　Theyre perfect for those who want a natural, dewy finish. CC creams (Colour Correcting) are more pigmented and designed to address specific skin concerns such as redness, pigmentation, or dullness. They offer more coverage than BB creams and are ideal if you want to correct skin tone issues while still maintaining a lightweight feel.

　　Why use BB cream? We’re not saying that a BB cream can replace your skincare routine, but we do appreciate its multitasking abilities to streamline your beauty routine. Your skin absorbs everything it comes into contact with, including sunlight, pollution, and even the ingredients in your skincare and cosmetics. The biggest advantage of BB cream is that it provides smooth coverage without the chemicals typically found in most conventional cosmetics.

　　Phoebe Denman is Senior Style Writer for heat and Closer where she covers fashion and beauty content. She writes broadly across both for print and online, covering everything from trend reports and shopping pages, to product reviews and chatting to celebs about their style faves.