Now that we are finally seeing BB Creams on our shores I thought I’d take a second to answer the question, What’s the difference between Tinted Moisturizer and BB Creams?

I already see alot of questions rising up about how BB Creams are the same as Tinted Moisturizers or questions about the differences between the two….I want to emphasis that BB Creams and Tinted Moisturizers are too vastly different products. The concept is somewhat the same but the ingredients and performance of the two products are very different. Although I will say so far the US releases I’ve played with from Dr. Jart are quite disappointing and do indeed act more as a Tinted Moisturizer than a BB Cream.

BB Cream stands for Blemish Balm Cream. The product was originally created by Germany dermatologists to help patients who had gone through laser skin surgery. The product was meant to soothe and regenerate the skin tissue.

The craze was born in Korea (most BB Creams and the best performing ones in my opinion are from various Korean Brands) when famous actresses started wearing the cream on their faces. The product slowly started branching out from Korea to Japan, China, Singapore, and other parts of Asia thus creating a very hot trend.

Most BB Creams are created in one shade but some are created in two and if you’re lucky some even go so far as to offer three or four shades such as Missha. It’s rare though that more than one shade is created. I’ve heard alot of ranting about this but you do have to remember that BB Creams originated in Asia where there is one dominate skin tone…

Jump ahead for more.

The question I’d like to answer today is what’s the difference between Tinted Moisturizer that we already have ready and available to us versus the BB Cream fade that surely you’ll be seeing more and more of in the US.

Here’s some of the major differences you’ll see between BB Creams versus Tinted Moisturizers.

BB Cream/Blemish Balm Creams

Has Soothing, Healing Properties

May have whitening benefits depending on the brand you purchase.

Is suitable for most skin types (dry, oily, combination) although you can purchase specific BB’s to address your needs.

Very limited number of shades at best two color selections if you’re lucky.

Contains SPF of 35 and higher (most cases higher SPF are found in BB Creams that are purchased in Korea).

Has anti-aging ingredients.

Works as a foundation and concealer plus a moisturizer so no other base products are needed.

Pigmented, Thick, Creamy yet lightweight and breathable are some characters of a good BB Cream

Tends to not oxidize or fade away quickly (I’ve seen 8 hours or longer of wear time with a good BB Cream).

Very cheap (in Asia BB Creams have prices that start as little as $10)

Tinted Moisturizer

Normally a thin consistency compared to a thicker, creamy formula of a BB.

Has a range of shades to choose from (unlike BB Creams you’ll find better color matches with TM’s).

Available in drugstores and at high end counters (If you’re not in Asia, BB Creams are only available via high end brands so far. Hopefully drugstores will catch up soon).

No anti-aging ingredients (very rare for TM’s to have any anti-aging benefits).

No whitening benefits.

Lightweight formula but lacks pigmentation (BB Creams remain lightweight and are pigmented versus TM which have very minimal color pay off).

Normally have short wear times (I find TM’s oxidize and fade fairly quickly).

Very expensive (TM’s sometimes prove more expensive than foundations!)

Low SPF (SPF 15-30 versus BB Creams that start at 30 and go as high as 40 or more).

At present my experience with the releases here in the US aren’t nearly as good as experiences I’ve had with BB Creams from Korea however the product is just in its infancy stages where as Korea has had a few years to bring us a perfect product all around.

I do think our releases have some catching up to do particularly due to higher prices tags and ingredients that are lacking such as anti-aging and whitening benefits. I’m seeing more of a gloried tinted moisturizer so far in the two BB Creams I’ve tried from the Dr. Jart line available now at Sephora.

On a side note, I’d like to mention that MAC has some of it’s chat reps telling people that their new BB Cream is best used under makeup, as a primer of sorts. A good BB Cream acts as your foundation NOT as a primer. You do not need to follow up with foundation after using a BB Cream. The BB Cream is YOUR foundation.

I look forward to the evolution of the BB Cream in America. Hopefully we get it right because so far all I can say is….you’re doing it wrong!