Summer is on its way, which means it’s time to start thinking about sunscreen. If you’re looking for a product that will protect your skin and give you some coverage, you might be wondering if BB Cream or sunscreen is the better option.
Well, there are some significant differences between the two. In this post, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of each to help you decide which one is right for you. Keep reading to learn more!
BB Cream Vs Sunscreen- What’s The Difference?
A BB cream and a sunscreen both have different purposes. A BB cream is a beauty balm that provides light coverage. It helps to hydrate the skin, and it might include SPF protection too. Sunscreen is formulated to protect the face and body from harmful UV rays, so it doesn’t provide any coverage.
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What’s a BB Cream?
BB cream stands for ‘beauty balm’ or ‘blemish balm’ and it’s an All-In-One product that’s meant to simplify our beauty routine. Thanks to its nourishing ingredients, it provides light to medium coverage while hydrating and smoothing the skin. Some BB creams can include a built-in sunscreen to protect the face from harmful sun rays.
An example of a BB cream is this Radiant Glow Illuminating BB Cream. It helps to even out the skin tone and hide imperfections for a radiant look. It’s available in many different shades, and it has an SPF 30 protection. It’s also very moisturizing and looks natural on the skin.
Read More: BB Cream Vs Concealer
What’s a Sunscreen?
Sunscreens are designed to protect the skin from harmful sun rays. They come in lotion, spray, or gel form, and they usually have a thick consistency.
Wearing sunscreen doesn’t provide any coverage to the skin, and it should be applied every two hours if you’re going to be outside for an extended time. However, a tinted sunscreen can give the skin light coverage while protecting it from the sun.
There are two different types of sunscreens: Chemical sunscreens and Mineral sunscreens. Each one has a different technique to block the sun.
Mineral sunscreens like this sunscreen lotion with SPF 50 can have a thicker formula and they might leave a white cast on the skin. They sit on top of the skin and reflect the sun’s rays away from the face.
Chemical sunscreens like this SPF 50 sunscreen work by absorbing the sun rays before they penetrate into the skin. They convert them into heat and release them from the skin.
Can BB Cream Replace Sunscreen?
No, BB cream Can’t Replace Sunscreen.
According to Healthline, you approximately need a nickel-sized dollop of sunscreen to protect the entire face. That means you have to apply a thick layer of BB cream all over your skin to get the SPF mentioned on the label.
But as you may know, applying too much BB cream can make your face look cakey and oily. That’s why it’s essential to use a separate sunscreen if you’re looking for enough sun protection.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends using a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreen is essential during the summertime, and most BB creams don’t have high SPF. They can provide light coverage and hydration instead, so using a separate sunscreen is necessary.
What Goes On First BB Cream Or Sunscreen?
Sunscreen is the last step of your skincare routine, and it should be applied before BB cream or any makeup product.
To get the best results, apply a generous amount of sunscreen all over your face and wait a few minutes for it to dry before applying your BB cream. This way, you’ll be sure that your BB cream won’t rub off the sunscreen.
BB creams are considered makeup products, and they are great for hydration and light coverage. If you want to get a long-lasting look, you can apply a primer after sunscreen and before your BB cream to create a smooth canvas.
Read More: Do You Need a Makeup Primer?
CC Cream Vs Sunscreen
CC cream or ‘Color-Correcting Cream’ is also a combination of skincare and makeup, but it has more coverage than a BB cream. It’s often used to cover redness, blemishes, and dark spots.
An example of a CC cream is this All-Over Blur CC Cream SPF 30. It helps to minimize redness and other imperfections, and it gives the skin light to medium coverage. It’s also available in many different shades, and it has an SPF 30 protection.
CC creams are not meant only to provide sun protection, and they shouldn’t be used as a replacement for sunscreen.
As we mentioned before, you need to apply a big amount of BB or CC cream all over your skin to get the SPF protection mentioned on the label.
But unlike BB creams, CC creams often have high coverage, and they can be used to cover up redness, blemishes, and dark spots. So if you’re looking for more coverage, CC cream is a better option than BB cream.
Read More: Primer Vs CC Cream
Best BB Creams With Sunscreen
Although most BB creams don’t have a high SPF, some do offer an SPF that’s 30 or higher.
You can find below a list of the best BB creams with high SPF protection.
purlisse Perfect Glow BB Cream SPF 30
This BB cream has an SPF of 30, and it’s available in light or dark shades. It helps to moisturize the skin and hide dark spots and other imperfections. It’s also long-lasting and has a thick formula, so you only need a small amount to cover the entire face. It looks natural on the skin, and it can replace your foundation for an everyday natural look.
Pros: This BB cream is hydrating and looks natural on the skin.
Cons: The formula is a little bit thick so it’s better to apply it with a light hand.
Coola Rōsilliance® Tinted Moisturizer Organic Sunscreen SPF 30
This BB cream has anti-aging benefits and an SPF of 30. It has a thin formula that blends easily into the skin, and it doesn’t look cakey or heavy.
It has a slightly dewy finish, making it an excellent choice for dry skin. It’s also available in three different shades, and it helps to minimize the appearance of fines lines and wrinkles.
Pros: The formula doesn’t settle into large pores.
Cons: It’s only available in three shades.
Dr. Jart+ Premium BB Beauty Balm SPF 40
This BB cream has a high SPF of 40, and it helps to even out the skin tone. It gives light to medium coverage, and it’s available in three different shades.
It blends easily into the skin and doesn’t emphasize fine lines or wrinkles. It looks natural, and it gives a satin finish. If you have oily skin, you might need to set it with a loose or pressed setting powder to get a long-lasting look.
Pros: The formula is lightweight and it has a high SPF of 40.
Cons: It needs to be set with a powder for oily skin.
Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen
This BB cream has a high SPF of 30, providing sheer coverage. It’s also labeled as a primer so that you can wear it under foundation too. It doesn’t settle into the pores, and it’s available in nine different shades.
Make sure to pick the right shade to avoid your makeup looking grey or pink. You can use the Sephora shade finder to help you find your exact match.
It has a lightweight formula, and it doesn’t feel greasy or oily on the skin. It’s also long-lasting, and it doesn’t separate throughout the day.
Pros: The formula looks very natural on the skin.
Cons: The coverage is so sheer so it might not be the best option to cover dark spots.
Final Thoughts
Sunscreen and BB cream both have different purposes. BB creams are a great option if you’re looking for light coverage and hydration. If you want more coverage, go for a CC cream or a foundation.
Applying sunscreen should always be the first step in your skincare routine before any makeup. Most BB creams don’t have high SPF protection, but even if your BB cream has an SPF, it’s not enough to provide complete sun protection.
You need to apply a thick layer of BB or CC cream all over your skin to get the SPF protection mentioned on the label. So, if you’re looking for more sun protection, use a separate sunscreen that’s labeled as SPF 30 or higher.
I hope you’ve found this article helpful. Whichever product you choose, make sure to apply it generously for the best possible results.
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