So, what are BB creams? Created by the trusted Korean (everyone knows they’re beauty and skincare experts, every single one of them), BB cream stands for blemish balm, which promises to moisturise, protect and correct the skin of any blemishes. As opposed to the regular tinted moisturiser or foundation, the BB cream is a skin-perfecting product that offers up broad-spectrum SPF, antioxidants and more. Meaning, you can care for your skin while priming it for makeup.
A BB cream coverage ranges from light to full and it is very buildable. Now a makeup bag stalwart, BB creams are great for use in our humid weather – you don’t clog up your pores with unnecessary layers of foundation yet you get to look fresh and flawless, score!
Yes, we are well acquainted with BB creams from major K-beauty brands like Dr. Jart, Innisfree, Etude House and more. What about brands like Aritaum, Hera, Missha? Those in-the-know wouldn’t want you to know this secret but these cult K-beauty brands offer up BB creams that are equally amazing, at a much more purse-friendly price (read: $50 and under). Want in on this? We’ve hand-picked 10 under-the-radar K-beauty BB creams that are effective and under $50.
This BB cream from BRTC is said to help in whitening while instantly brightening up your skin tone after application. Formulated with jasmine extract, it promises to deliver intense hydration and sweep away dullness of the skin. We love the lightweight texture that allows for a natural finish. The coverage is rather light, so you might want to work a two layers if you’re looking to conceal spots.
BRTC Jasmine Water BB Cream, $39.72 from Sasa
READ MORE: 8 steps to master the art of flawless eyeshadow applicaton
Aritaum, a cult K-beauty brand back in Korea, is known for its purse-friendly and high quality products. This BB cream promises to last all-day, offering full coverage for a flawless finish. On top of that, it helps in absorbing excess sebum. If you sport oily skin, we definitely recommend this tube of BB cream.
Aritaum Full Cover BB Cream SPF50 +++, $12.87
READ MORE: 8 steps to master the art of flawless eyeshadow applicaton
We love the refreshing change in packaging – a pot instead of the usual tubular ones. It contains eight types of vitamins that promises to moisturise, tone and smoothen your face, leaving you with a healthy-looking glow.
Skin79 Vita Glow BB Master SPF30 PA+++, $43.40 from Sasa
READ MORE: 8 steps to master the art of flawless eyeshadow applicaton
High in coverage, this BB cream from Missha promises to combat wrinkles and strengthens the skin against environmental aggressors with its sunscreen protection properties. It contains rosemary and camomile extracts that is said to soothe skin, simultaneously hydrating the countenance with a dose of hyaluronic acid and ceramide.
Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream SPF42 PA+++ Light Beige, $13.89 from Lazada
READ MORE: 8 steps to master the art of flawless eyeshadow applicaton
Yes, snail mucus. It’s no big surprise, snail mucus has been a favourite ingredient of K-beauty products. Infused with red ginseng extract that is said to nourish your skin, the BB cream is rather buildable.
It’s Skin Snail Mucus Extract BB Cream, $22.37 from Sasa
READ MORE: 8 steps to master the art of flawless eyeshadow applicaton
Love dewy finishes? Then try out Klavuu’s White Pearlsation Ideal Actress Backstage Cream. It promises to deliver a natural radiance with its pearl extracts, allowing your countenance appear like it’s glowing from underneath your skin’s epidermis. It comes with an added bonus of SPF30 PA+++ as well. Great for blurring pores, this is perfect for that natural ‘no makeup, makeup’ look.
Klavuu White Pearlsation Ideal Actress Backstage Cream, $40.60 from Sokoglam
READ MORE: 8 steps to master the art of flawless eyeshadow applicaton
Dermatologically tested, this multi-tasking BB cream will shield you with its sunscreen properties and it promises to brighten up your skin with a dewy finish. Plus, it includes anti-inflammatory properties that helps to even out skin tone, leaving you with a more radiant complexion.
Dr Oracle Shiny BB SPF30 PA+++, $45 from Sasa
READ MORE: 8 steps to master the art of flawless eyeshadow applicaton
A sister concept of Aritaum, Hanyul’s BB cream is more focused on whitening one’s complexion, giving a more radiant and fresh-faced look. The coverage is slightly on the sheer side, so you’d need to build layers if you’re looking to conceal obvious spots. Bonus: This multi-tasker promises to reduce fine lines as well.
Hanyul BB Cream, $30
READ MORE: 8 steps to master the art of flawless eyeshadow applicaton
Are you looking to reduce fine lines and brighten up your complexion? Then Elishay Coy’s Always Triple BB Cream is the one for you. Formulated with natural ingredients such as royal jelly and caviar that are said to be ultra nourishing, this BB cream also contains skin-soothing botanicals, making it suitable for even the most sensitive skin.
Elishay Coy Always Triple BB Cream, $50 from Sasa
READ MORE: 8 steps to master the art of flawless eyeshadow applicaton
Fortified with botanical extracts that promises to reinvigorate and refresh your skin, this BB cream is said to help in diminishing the appearance of large pores. Plus, it doubles up as a sunscreen as well.
Dr. G Perfect Pore Cover BB SPF30 PA+++, $45 from Sasa
READ MORE: 8 steps to master the art of flawless eyeshadow applicaton