We Rigorously Tested 13 of the Best BB Creams—These 8 Passed

Our Review: "To me, the formula is about as perfect as a tinted moisturizer can get. There’s no funky scent or heavy, oily consistency. It blends into my skin seamlessly without drying it out or making it break out. I can wear it every day (and honestly do), and my skin is actually better for it. I’ve actually already been using this product for two or three years now, and it’s my holy grail. I love how seamlessly it glides on, and it blends flawlessly. The formula is just right for my skin, so it never feels dry or flaky or, on the flip side, oily or heavy, like so many other BB creams I’ve tried have done. It also works as a wonderful base to makeup, and my cream blush, concealer, and bronzer all blend in well on top.” — Anna LaPlaca, senior fashion editor

Pros: Applies easily and provides a great makeup base

Cons: Two darkest shades do not contain SPF

Key ingredients: SPF 15

Finish: Dewy

Shades: 12

Our Review: "Since I was test-driving this BB cream throughout New York Fashion Week, I knew I needed lightweight, long-lasting coverage for running around the city and being photographed. Lightweight and long-lasting usually don’t go hand in hand, so I was skeptical at best. But shockingly, Covergirl blew me out of the water. It settled on my skin flawlessly and gave me a radiant, skin-like finish. I’ll admit I had much better skin days at the start of fashion week than at the end, so my first reactions were that it was incredible. Toward the end of the week, I was itching to get it off since my skin was starting to break out (too many slices of stress pizza will do that to you!), but it looked incredible sans textured skin or acne. Given how low-cost the CG BB cream is, I’d recommend everyone try it out at least once—at worst, you’re out the price of a latte in New York. At best, you’ve found an affordable formula that you can wear without worrying about the cost per wear.” — Ana Escalante, associate features editor

Pros: Offered at an affordable price point

Cons: Does not provide a dewy look

Key ingredients: N/A

Finish: Matte

Shades: 1

Our Review: "It did exactly what I wanted it to do. It glided onto my skin with ease, gave me a nice glow, and evened out most of my discoloration. I usually still go in with concealer for my under-eye area while using any BB cream, but I’d be okay with just applying this if I just wanted just a little something. Other BB creams either feel like they do absolutely nothing or they’re too close to a foundation. I think this product found that sweet spot right in the middle. And as someone with dry skin, I’ve had the issue of other creams cling to my dry patches and make my skin look even more dry, no matter how I moisturize. This makes it look like I have dewy and healthy skin, which I love.” — Yusra Siddiqui

Pros: Offers dewy and glowy skin-like coverage

Cons: None

Key ingredients: 100% Non-nano mineral zinc oxide, hyaluronic acid, licorice root extract

Finish: Dewy

Shades: 14

Our Review: "As someone who typically shies away from skin tints or BB creams for fear of looking too oily or not having enough coverage, I was surprisingly excited to try this one from Fenty. I see a ton of content creators using this product, and it has pretty rave reviews from people of all skin tones and skin types. I was hoping for the glowy finish I see all over my For You page. My biggest hope was for my skin to look like skin. It definitely met my expectations in terms of glow and finish, but I found that the product had such a red undertone that I looked a bit orange immediately after application. After a while, it oxidized, and the match felt right, but if I were going to take a selfie immediately after finishing my makeup (like I normally would), I might look a little orange. I will definitely use this product for those light-makeup days. It gives just enough coverage that I feel like my skin can breathe while my blemishes are concealed. It’s super lightweight and perfect for days when I’m running errands, hopping on a virtual meeting, or heading to lunch. I love that it’s available in so many different shades." — Aniyah Morinia, fashion and beauty editor, branded content

Pros: Provides a glowy, dewy finish

Cons: Some shades have a red undertone apparent immediately after application

Key ingredients: N/A

Finish: Blurred

Shades: 25

Our Review: "Even though it met me at a rough time, it delivered. I was quite tired during fashion week and tried it amid all the craziness. It is important to note that the shade range was impressive, and I loved seeing that it brought color to my skin and revitalized me after a rough night. While many BB creams disappear into my skin, this one sticks around with great coverage for a tinted product.” — Sierra Mayhew, fashion editor

Pros: Lightweight, breathable formula

Cons: None

Key ingredients: Mineral SPF 30, hyaluronic acid, olive-derived squalane

Finish: Natural

Shades: 20

Our Review: "There are three things I always look for in a BB Cream: sheer coverage, glowy finish, and blends well with the rest of my makeup routine. So far, we've hit the trifecta with the Cle CCC Cream. It brings such a healthy glow to my dull winter skin and feels weightless. After wearing it all day, the coverage stayed intact with no powdering involved. Other glowy-tinted moisturizers I’ve tried tend to transfer easily and wear off throughout the day. If you like decent coverage but hate the feeling of foundation, you need to try this product.” — Natalie Gray Herder, commerce editor, branded content

Pros: Hydrating formula and easy-to-blend formula

Cons: May not offer a glowy finish

Key ingredients: Titanium Dioxide, octinoxate, octisalate

Finish: Radiant

Shades: 9

Our Review: "I have been using this product for a couple of years now, and it’s one of my go-to base products, particularly in the summer when I don’t feel like wearing foundation and want an extra boost of SPF over my face sunscreen. (Always remember base products with sunscreen never have all the SPF you need to stay protected.) This tinted moisturizer applies easily and looks incredibly smooth on the skin while giving you a juicy, skin-like finish. My only qualm with this formula is sometimes I find the finish a little too dewy—it can border on glossy.” — Katie Berohn

Pros: Provided a glowy finish with buildable coverage

Cons: Not ideal for oily skin

Key ingredients: Non-nano zinc oxide, pricky pear extract, white sage extract

Finish: Natural

Shades: 17

Our review: "Believe it or not, this is the first BB cream I ever used. I never used to wear base makeup at all through high school and college (save for some concealer under my eyes to cover any blemishes). In the summer of 2016, I wanted to try something with a bit of extra coverage. I was interning in New York City, and I was also broke. I went to Duane Reade and picked up the cheapest BB cream I could find, and it ended up being this one. I love the formula and always have—it is a solid drugstore find that blurs and evens skin and leaves you with a radiant finish. My only qualm is that I found the shade to be a bit too dark and warm-toned for my skin, but it blends out enough to not be noticeable. I recommend applying this one with a brush for the most flawless finish. I wore this to dinner with my friends a few weeks ago for the first time since 2016 and got so many compliments on my skin—might be time for me to break this baby out of retirement.” — Berohn

Pros: Blurs and events the skin for a flawless finish

Cons: Strongly fragranced

Key ingredients: Titanium dioxide

Finish: Natural

Shades: 5