Well, the new kid on the beauty block is the BB cream (beauty balm). Much has been talked about this product, and a lot of women are confused over its actual usage. As the name suggests, a beauty balm or a blemish balm tends to hide the problem areas [READ: Skin Care Guide For Women In Their 30s] with a little extra skin care benefits. It nourishes the skin and also works as a base for your makeup. But, as all products are not perfect, these too have certain limitations. So, let us get to know more about this new skin care development.
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BB cream or beauty balm cream was developed in Germany by a dermatologist who wanted a single cream to protect the skin and also provide coverage after laser treatments. This single invention paved the way for the BB cream to take over the Asian beauty market, particularly Korea and Japan.
This versatile product promises to do the job of 5-6 varieties of creams, such as moisturiser, primer, sunscreen, skin treatment, concealer, and foundation. It contains sunscreen (usually around SPF 30), along with tints to conceal flaws. Some BB creams also contain anti-ageing actives like vitamin E and peptides. Some have skin brightening agents like licorice and vitamin C, while others contain moisturising ingredients like hyaluronic acid.
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While BB creams cannot replace everything in your beauty cabinet, they can be a great addition to your regime. Whether you are going to the market or getting ready for a party, a BB cream works well for all occasions. It can be a good replacement for your foundation. When you apply it, start with just a pea-size portion. Dab it on to your problem areas like under eye circles, dark spots and blemishes. Then slowly blend it in circular motions.
Once you are done, use a foundation brush to cover up the rest of the face. If you want your cream to last longer, finish it with a great setting powder. It is absolutely a fuss-free cream, which works just like your makeup base.
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Although BB creams sound like a miracle in a tube, unfortunately, there are some limitations to it. You can think of it more as a jack of all trades and master of none.
First of all, it is nearly impossible to load all the benefits into one cream, without causing it to become heavy and difficult to wear. And, wearing a heavy base can give your makeup a cakey look.
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Secondly, because these creams have so many ingredients, most people with oily or acne-prone skin cannot wear them easily. Too many ingredients together can lead to acne breakouts.
Finally, it is quite hard to find the right colour match for your BB cream, often resulting in poor coverage.
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So, now that you know what this new product is all about, we leave it to you whether you want to choose it or not.