The world of BB creams is quite vast in the universe of beauty and skincare, because there's now something for every skin type. But what is a BB cream? It’s a blemish or beauty balm that performs the tasks of correcting your skin tone, protecting your skin from the sun and the environment, and moisturizing it. But the thing is that not all these products are suitable for every skin type. Those who have to deal with skin irritation or sensitivities need the best BB cream for sensitive skin. Why not make the most of a product type that’s available and even specifically created for you, right?
So apart from providing your skin with broad-spectrum UV protection, antioxidants, hydration, color correction, etc., a BB cream for sensitive skin will also prevent skin allergies or reactions. So if this is the kind of daily skincare you demand, it’s time to get to the reviews.
13 Best BB Creams for Sensitive Skin
#1 Maybelline New York Dream Fresh BB Cream
Maybelline New York is a brand synonymous with beauty products. I’m sure you know that. The reason why I’ve picked their Dream Fresh BB Cream is because this particular beauty balm consists of the best combination of makeup and skincare. The cream offers sheer/light coverage along with SPF-30 for protecting your skin from skin-damaging sunrays.
With zero oils, the heavy ingredients don’t make the skin feel and look sticky, greasy, or oily. In fact, it’s a water-gel type of cream that leaves your skin feeling refreshed and looking dewy. And the part that it’s suitable for all skin types means the beauty balm works on sensitive skin too.
An oil-free product like this works wonders when it comes to minimizing and blurring the appearance of pores. And it has the ability to reduce the visibility of skin redness too, which is a form of skin sensitivity, isn’t it? So now you know why this Maybelline product is a good BB Cream for sensitive skin.
#2 MDSolarSciences Mineral Beauty Balm
What you’re now looking at is a multifaceted blemish or beauty balm cream that delivers sheer or light coverage. It’s a mineral beauty formula for protecting your skin by providing it with much-needed antioxidants. These antioxidants come from Vitamin E, Vitamin C, green tea, and CoQ10.
The beauty balm is lightweight, that’s for sure. It’s got ProVention-R elements like niacinamide and caffeine. What these special ingredients do is minimize the visibility of skin discoloration and redness to make your skin look well-balanced in terms of complexion. No doubt, the beauty balm also minimizes pores and clears up skin tone.
The UV protection here is mineral-based and naturally-derived. Your skin receives all the protection necessary for preventing sun-induced premature aging and dark spots.
And by the way, more antioxidants are added because of the inclusion of pomegranate extracts and cranberry fruit. As for the antioxidants from Vitamins E and C along with CoQ10, they also reduce wrinkles and fine lines while preventing photo-aging.
This beauty product by MDSolarSciences is worth your attention. Especially if your skin type is sensitive. It’s an innovative, lightweight formula with excellent anti-aging benefits and a non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic nature.
#3 Juice Beauty SPF 30 Tinted Mineral Moisturizer BB Cream
Why spend money on any beuaty balm product when there are options like the Juice Beauty BB Cream? You have to make it a point to find the best BB cream for sensitive skin. And not one that’s readily available just about anywhere. If you agree with me, then I think you might be interested in this review.
The Tinted Mineral Moisturizer here contains broad-spectrum sunscreen protection (SPF-30) and powerful antioxidants. The latter comes from grape, aloe, and apple botanical juices. So your complexion looks more radiant and even-toned while your skin remains protected against the potential aggressors of the environment.
Needless to say, this beauty balm prevents the development of signs and spots related to premature aging as well. Sun exposure often has such negative side effects. But not when you apply sunscreen on a daily basis. So it’s a great thing that this is equipped with broad-spectrum SPF 30.
The coverage the tinted cream offers is light and packed with moisture. The moisture comes from plant-extracted hyaluronic acid. Speaking of hydration, ingredients such as jojoba oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil are also included. Then there’s pomegranate as well for infusing your sensitive skin with antioxidants.
You can be fair-skinned or have sensitive skin with adult acne, and you’re still very likely to appreciate the current option. I mean the formula doesn’t cause any skin irritation nor does it clog pores. Even the sheer tinted coverage is a 100% praiseworthy characteristic.
#4 La Mav Organic BB Cream
Just the fact that this is an organic BB cream version is not enough when it comes to sensitive skin, correct? If you agree, then maybe you might find more relief in knowing that this La Mav formula is specifically designed for hypersensitive skin. It’s an ideal beauty balm for skin conditions like eczema, acne, and rosacea.
Every La Mav creation transforms into a best-selling product in the beauty and skincare industry. As for this product, it delivers anti-aging benefits along with natural sun protection. So you can apply the formula without a worry on a daily basis.
What’s even more impressive is that the cream is certified organic, all-natural, and also 100% vegan. No toxins have been used during the manufacturing process. So you know your sensitive skin is in safe hands.
Apart from sun protection, there’s also skin hydration and color correction. The former comes in the form of hyaluronic acid. Then there’s CoQ10 for providing protection against skin-damaging free radicals. And let me not leave out rosehip oil and Vitamin C that correct your skin imperfections.
In my opinion, it’s the best bioactive beauty balm perfect for you if you have hypersensitive skin. The formula is deeply hydrating because of the presence of hyaluronic acid. So it leaves your skin looking dewy and feeling replenished.
#5 Physicians Formula Super BB All-in-1 BB Cream
First off, let me clear the air by mentioning that this lovely Physicians Formula BB Cream is hypoallergenic. Actually, all Physicians Formula products are hypoallergenic. From primers and highlighters to BB creams and concealers, every formula is created without the use of even a single harsh additive or irritating ingredient. So worry not about your skin sensitivities.
The Super Beauty Balm Cream is super-hydrating and super-correcting. It works like a tinted moisturizer that also clears up and evens out your skin complexion. The coverage level is sheer or light. And after every application, your skin is bound to feel soft and look naturally glowy.
It’s a high-tech multi-tasking BB formula that contains broad-spectrum UV protection. Along with skin-firming and skin-moisturizing botanicals, complexion-correcting optical diffusers, and brightening antioxidants.
The miracle cream is also lightweight and ultra-blendable. So it glides on and penetrates your skin easily to infuse it with lots of moisture. And to refine the surface of your skin and protect it from potential environmental stressors.
#6 bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream
Every list of the most effective BB cream for sensitive skin has to include a creation by bareMinerals. In this case, meaning for sensitive skin, it’s Complexion Rescue. This tinted hydrating gel cream offers natural-looking radiant coverage to make your skin look dewy with light to medium coverage.
A smooth-looking and soft appearance is something you don’t have to work too hard to achieve with bareMinerals cosmetics. What’s truly remarkable about the brand is that it keeps its products free of parabens, artificial fragrances, phthalates, mineral oil, gluten, chemical sunscreens, SLS, triclosan, animal derivatives, formaldehyde, and talc.
In short, every bareMinerals innovation is 100% safe and non-toxic for your skin, which is great if your skin type is sensitive. The BB cream, no doubt, is non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic. Even if the brand doesn’t specify this!
The hydrating beauty balm has a lightweight, non-cakey texture. Even without delivering full coverage it makes the skin look even-toned and dewy. The fragrance-free nature is also another aspect those with sensitive skin might appreciate. So there’s no doubt this beauty balm cream is a brilliant, hard-to-find choice.
#7 Jane Iredale Glow Time Mineral BB Cream
Does it matter if the Jane Iredale Glow Time BB Cream was a part of the list of the best BB cream 2019? Of course, it does, if you ask me. And I don’t see why the same full-coverage BB formula cannot make it to every 2019 list too. After all, it is one of the best non-comedogenic, dermatologist-tested, and allergy-tested beauty balms.
The cream is packed with broad-spectrum sun protection. So your skin is protected against both the UVB and UVA rays. Plus, it's water-resistant too. It reduces the visibility of pores. And, no doubt, the formulation also hides wrinkles and fine lines. You don’t have to worry about brightening and smoothing your skin complexion either.
The product comes from a brand very popular for developing some of the best mineral-based cosmetics. So it’s only logical to assume that the current one is no exception. It’s the perfect choice for very sensitive skin that breaks out easily. The coverage you get with this is flawless and smooth. No acne to deal with at the end of the day, and no greasy feeling either.
#8 La Roche-Posay Effaclar BB Blur
The outcome of testing Effaclar BB Blur by La Roche-Posay is nothing but positive and favorable. This oil-free beauty balm is also a very good choice for oily skin. The formula has a magic-like ability to reduce the visibility of pores, even if they’re large. It also covers blemishes in the most natural manner.
But what’s truly remarkable is the capacity of the cream to absorb oil from your skin throughout the day. This brings into the picture a smooth, matted appearance. Speaking of which, it's also equipped with phenomenal smoothing mattifier airlicium. This ingredient is the one responsible for absorbing oil, as much as 150x its weight.
Another very useful ingredient included is perlite for absorbing sweat and humidity. Then there’s sun protection in the form of mineral-based SPF 20.
Moreover, this cream has a very lightweight texture and delivers medium coverage. And let’s not forget that it’s non-comedogenic along with oil-free, fragrance-free, and paraben-free. In short, an ideal pick for both oily and sensitive skin.
#9 MISSHA M Perfect Cover BB Cream
Now it’s time for me to review the best Korean beauty balm cream. It’s the best in the sense that no other Korean-made formulation is as well-equipped with natural ingredients as this one. Natural ingredients that are suitable for sensitive skin, or any other skin type for that matter.
Now let me tell you all about the wonderful ingredients of M Perfect Cover by MISSHA. Firstly, the special Korean formulation balances your skin complexion by concealing imperfections and visibly smoothening skin tone.
The hydrating and skin-softening properties of this cream score the highest marks in my opinion. Well, that’s what happens when you infuse BB creams with hydration-boosting ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. Along with Gatuline RC and ceramides.
Nourishing botanicals, nutrient-packed marine extracts, and emollient plant oils are also added for replenishing the feel and look of your skin. But it’s the combination of hyaluronic acid, Gatuline RC, and ceramides that makes the most impact. Because it’s these ingredients that infuse moisture to make your skin look firmer and younger.
And lastly, chamomile and rosemary extracts are a part of this product as well. And what these do is help in clearing up your complexion and also soothing your skin. The latter part is good for relieving skin sensitivities, isn’t it?
So if you want your BB cream for sensitive skin to offer these kinds of benefits, then you have to pick a formula loaded with these kinds of natural ingredients.
#10 Garnier SkinActive BB Cream
Would you believe me if I said that Garnier gives brands like La Roche-Posay and Missha a tough competition? And why would it when they have come up with the SkinActive BB Cream!
The Garnier beauty balm is an anti-aging, moisturizing formulation armed with tinted mineral pigments and Pro-xylane antioxidant apricot. It’s the perfect way to simplify your daily skincare routine.
Since this cream offers anti-aging benefits, you can expect it to minimize the visibility of your wrinkles and fine lines. You should also look forward to skin-firming action and a well-balanced skin complexion. The beauty balm also deeply hydrates your skin from within and prevents sunburn. The latter is brought forth by broad-spectrum SPF-15.
Not many BB creams do such an excellent job of priming and correcting sensitive skin while also boosting hydration.
#11 L’Oreal Paris Studio Secrets Magic BB Cream
It’s important to get rid of dead skin cells by exfoliating your skin before you put on this or any other blemish or beauty balm cream. Only then does the beauty balm work its magic the way it should. And a cream like this, after exfoliation, has the ability to hydrate your fresh, clean skin with the help of its moisturizing ingredients for boosting the natural process of skin regeneration.
The cream adds moisture, corrects your skin tone, and balances out your complexion. Much like any other product on this list, right? So what’s unique about this one? The fact that the formula is armed with Vitamin E, Vitamin C, thus plenty of antioxidants. On top of that, the texture is ultra-light for easy and smooth application.
The ingredients I just mentioned perform the tasks of hydrating, correcting, perfecting, and balancing. There are encapsulated pigments that carry the antioxidants Vitamins E and C.
It has redness-reducing properties too which are hard to come by. Even with the light coverage it provides, your skin is bound to look less red and more flawless all day long.
#12 Burt’s Bees BB Cream
The Burt’s Bees BB Cream strikes the perfect balance between a moisturizing face cream and a lightweight foundation. So if that’s the kind of beauty balm you’ve been looking for, you can put an end to that search right now.
Let me tell you that this special formulation offers as many as nine skin benefits. The first is providing sun protection with the help of broad-spectrum SPF-15. The second is moisturizing your skin from deep within. Smoothing your skin complexion. Visibly firming aging skin. Illuminating, evening out skin tone, concealing, color correcting, and reducing wrinkles/fine lines.
All the natural-looking BB shades by Burt’s Bees are packed with minerals and moisturizers. The latter is brought into the picture with the help of noni extracts. They have plenty of antioxidants for moisturizing your face. As for minerals, this cream is equipped with mineral pigments that deliver lightweight, sheer coverage.
So feel free to apply this tinted moisturizing, anti-wrinkle, SPF-packed cream under your makeup. Or you can wear it alone.
#13 The Body Shop Tea Tree Mattifying Lotion
If your skin type is sensitive and blemish-prone, you can rely on tea tree oil. Particularly the form of tea tree oil added to this Body Shop lotion. The product is lightweight, oil-free, and 100% vegan. It also doesn’t have any parabens or gluten. But, more importantly, the formulation boosts skin hydration while tackling excess oil.
It is not a legitimate BB cream, as you can see, but that doesn’t mean the mattifying lotion doesn’t clear up your skin. It visibly minimizes the stubborn appearance of blemishes to activate a mattified, clearer-looking finish.
After all, the lotion contains rich tea tree oil that offers amazing skin benefits. Such as treating acne, reducing redness, soothing skin, etc. If you ask me, it can also rank as the best BB product for acne. Now I know it’s not really a beauty balm, but it does work like one. And the shine-free, mattifying appearance is enough proof.
How Do BB Creams Work?
Think of a BB cream like a good tinted moisturizer. If you pick one developed by a known brand, it’s going to be loaded with ingredients that do nothing but nurture your skin. At the same time, products like these provide lightweight coverage.
The ingredients are often vitamins, antioxidants, botanicals, plant extracts, etc. They all combine to activate acne-fighting, anti-aging, moisture-boosting, and complexion-correcting action.
BB creams are lighter in terms of texture and feel than traditional foundations. But you can build coverage just like a foundation. However, the difference here is that it doesn’t clog your pores and cause breakouts. Now, this is something that often happens with heavy foundations.
You’re not likely to go wrong when it comes to picking a shade of cream either as any come in shades that suit most skin complexions. This is another major difference between BB creams and foundations.
Choosing a BB Cream for Sensitive Skin
If your skin type is sensitive, then you have to keep certain factors in mind when buying a BB cream. The first is lightweight coverage. You don’t want to expose your skin to heavy coverage as it often causes skin irritation. So always go for light-coverage or medium-coverage creams to bring about immediate cosmetic relief.
The one marker for sensitive skin is selecting products that are labeled hypoallergenic. Along with paraben-free, fragrance-free, allergy-tested, and dermatologist-tested. More often than not, these formulas are also infused with skin-soothing and calming ingredients such as aloe vera and chamomile extracts.
And if your skin type is a combination of sensitive and acne-prone, then make sure the cream is oil-free and non-comedogenic. You don’t want the miracle formula to clog your pores now, do you?
Another very important factor is sunscreen. Be it sensitive skin, oily skin, dry skin, or acne-prone screen, SPF is necessary during the day. Whether indoors or outdoors, it doesn’t really matter. Make sure you get a BB cream equipped with broad-spectrum sun protection. The broad-spectrum part takes care of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
In my reviews section, I have also shortlisted many BB creams that contain hyaluronic acid. This is a very useful ingredient for boosting your skin’s hydration level. It helps in retaining moisture to make your skin feel plump and firm.
Even antioxidants are essential. A cream without antioxidants, to be completely honest with you, is no good. What antioxidants do is bring about anti-aging and skin-brightening benefits. Common ingredients that deliver antioxidants are Vitamin C, Vitamin E, pomegranate, green tea, aloe, etc.
How to Make the Most of BB Creams
The first rule here is to apply your cream using a brush. Blending the cream into your skin with the help of a brush allows you to reap the most benefits. You can use a foundation brush instead of your fingers.
Another very useful piece of advice is prepping your skin with moisturizer first and then applying the cream. What the moisturizer does is create a smooth and hydrated base for you to layer the beauty balm on. It also keeps the pigments present in the product from sticking to the dry areas. This works wonders for those with dry skin as well as sensitive skin.
You can also apply another layer of sunscreen if you’re not so confident about the BB cream providing enough sun protection. To be honest, a little extra sunscreen never hurt anyone. Rather it does a better job at blocking the harmful, strong UV rays of the sun.
Using a BB Cream Properly
You can apply a BB cream in every season if that’s what you’re worried about. But these formulas are the most useful in hot weather. And that’s because beauty balms provide light coverage that controls oily skin in the summertime.
BB creams are also very popular for preventing pore-clogging, thus eliminating the chances of breakouts. As long as the cream is oil-free and non-comedogenic that is.
I have already mentioned in the section above this that the best way to apply a BB cream is with the help of a foundation brush. So in the case of a brush, build the coverage of the beauty balm lightly simply by blending it into your skin. Make sure you apply a moisturizer before layering the BB cream as it makes the process of application smoother and more even.
But if you still wish to use your fingers for application, then feel free to do that as well. Take the amount necessary for dotting your face with the cream. One dot on your forehead, one on nose, one on chin, and one on every cheek.
Then pat the formulation evenly using your index and middle fingers. Use a circular motion; starting from the forehead, then the sides of the face, and down to your nose and chin before getting to your cheeks.
Difference between BB Cream and CC Cream
CC (color correcting) creams perform the job of correcting the color of your skin. They are specifically crafted for delivering more coverage for concealing skin issues like dark spots, blemishes, redness, and the like. Since they provide heavier coverage than BB creams, CC creams are thicker in terms of texture.
More often than not, CC creams are the most suitable for aging skin. Because that’s when you demand more coverage for smoothing out the visibility of age spots like wrinkles and fine lines.
As for beauty balm creams, they offer more than just coverage. These formulas provide sun protection, boost hydration levels, and control shine. Unlike CC creams, they’re lighter in terms of both coverage and consistency.
A BB cream is meant to illuminate, moisturize, mattify, and color-correct. While CC creams only color correct, although to a large extent.
Difference between BB Cream and Foundation
Comparatively speaking, foundations create a flawless, smooth canvas and deliver superior coverage. They have the ability to stay put throughout the day.
The best part about foundations is that they come in a variety of shades. So you can pick one based on your skin tone. But the drawback to this is that you might end up choosing the wrong shade. Particularly if medium to full coverage is what you desire.
Now, this is something you don’t have to worry about with BB creams. Most of them are suitable for nearly all skin complexions. The options here are limited, thus it’s easier to make a choice.
In terms of effectiveness, BB creams, as you already know by now, hydrate your skin, even out redness, protect your skin from the sun, and offer sheer coverage. The added benefit of beauty or blemish balms is that they’re naturally suited for acne-prone skin. Unlike foundations of course!
Wrapping It Up
It’s as simple as this. BB creams are for sheer coverage. So if you want to ditch your heavy-coverage foundation for something light, then go for it. But for a BB cream for sensitive skin, make sure you choose a hypoallergenic formula.
Beauty or blemish balms work like tinted moisturizers. At the same time, they contain SPF, antioxidants, hydration boosters, and anti-aging, skin-friendly ingredients. So your sensitive skin can look well-balanced, dewy, younger, and less red in a matter of seconds.
