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BB creams are a big deal. While it’s been a few years since the famed hero product made its way to American shores, it’s been a staple in Korean beauty for some time—and it’s no surprise why. “BB creams are skincare-infused makeup products that conceal small blemishes or uneven tones while also providing hydration, sun protection, or vitamins and minerals that nourish the skin,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Annie Gonzalez of Riverchase Dermatology in Miami.
What makes BB cream different from its counterparts—like foundation and concealer—is that it’s a hybrid of cosmetics and skincare. “While BB creams are not usually known for mastering either of those categories, they can provide you with a one-product option that streamlines your beauty routine,” says Dr. Gonzalez. To put it concisely, it’s a do-it-all wonder that’s easy to use.
We’ve rounded up the best Korean BB creams right here to help you decide which one is right for you.
Best Overall: Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream SPF 42 PA+++
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Walmart
SPF 42 for intense UV protection
Gives a soft, dewy look
Lightweight yet great coverage
May smell unpleasant to some
This formula is a power player, full stop. It has high SPF, contains good-for-the-skin ingredients (like moisturizing hyaluronic acid, calming chamomile, and nourishing plant oils), seamlessly covers up blemishes, and brightens the complexion—all while feeling weightless. Personally, what I love most about it is how it balances my skin tone in a way that looks and feels natural.
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate | Benefits: Blocks UV rays, whitens, and treats wrinkles | Dosage: Pump a pea-sized amount as needed | Size: 1.69 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Lightweight: Holika Holika Aqua Petit Jelly BB SPF 20
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Courtesy of iHerb
Jelly complex offers softness and bounce
Sebum control effect for long wearing makeup
Made with 80 percent hydrating mint water
Doesn't absorb super well
Infused with a combo of mint and marine jelly complex, this bouncy BB cream feels revitalizing on the skin. It even conceals pesky blemishes for an even canvas. And if you’re looking for a treat, pop this into the fridge overnight and use it in the morning. Your skin will thank you!
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide | Benefits: Adds bounciness to skin, instant hydration, and UV protection | Dosage: Pat a small amount with included spatula as needed | Size: 1.35 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Dry Skin: Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream Moist
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Provides broad SPF 50+ UV protection
Buildable
Lightweight
May feel dry to some
Reviewers describe this BB cream as smooth, buildable, and light. It feels silky to the touch and provides moisture to areas where you need it the most. Start by applying a dime-sized amount to areas of concern and continue to build where you need more coverage.
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide | Benefits: Protects and clears the skin through beautiful coverage | Dosage: Apply dime-sized amount as needed | Size: 0.04 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Mature Skin: SKIN79 Super+ Beblesh Balm Triple Function BB Cream SPF 30
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Courtesy of Amazon
Full of powerful antioxidants
Encourages collagen production
Smooths the skin's surface
Might not be suitable for sensitive skin
If you’re in need of a formula that delivers coverage and anti-aging benefits all at once, this is the BB cream for you. It works to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, all while brightening your complexion.
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide, Cyclopentasiloxane | Benefits: Provides skin adhesion and sebum control | Dosage: A moderate amount daily | Size: 1.41 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Oily Skin: Erborian BB Cream Clair Tinted Cream with Ginseng
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Sephora
Buildable and blends easily
Lightweight
Plumps the skin
Might cause breakouts for some
A fan favorite, this formula, made with ginseng, works wonders for your skin: It helps to reverse the signs of aging, counteracts oiliness in the skin, and brings down inflammation.
Active Ingredients: Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate/Octinoxate, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide | Benefits: Gives a plumping and illuminating effect | Dosage: A pea-sized amount daily | Size: 1.5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Dr. Jart+ Premium BB Beauty Balm SPF 40
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Sephora
Infused SPF 40 gives high UV protection
Two different color options
Very natural looking
Can feel sticky
For those wanting a higher SPF, Dr. Gonzalez recommends this formula for ultimate sun protection. “It also provides a good amount of blemish coverage while promoting cell turnover, which is a nice bonus,” she adds.
Active Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane | Benefits: Visibly perfects the complexion | Dosage: Apply a good amount as needed following toner and moisturizer | Size: 1.35 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Combination Skin: Innisfree Eco Natural Green Tea BB Cream SPF25/PA++
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Gives a dewy touch
Includes good-for-you green tea extract
Fights premature aging
4-in-1 concealer, moisturizer, rejuvenator, sunscreen
Spreads unevenly
This BB cream formulated with green tea is ideal for combination skin types. It does everything from fighting premature aging and reducing redness to balancing oil production and hydrating the skin.
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide | Benefits: Creates a bright look | Dosage: Dab a small amount | Size: 1.35 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Fair Skin: The Face Shop Power Perfection BB Cream
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Comfortable, light feel
SPF 37 provides solid UV protection
Adds radiance
Very watery consistency
With a light to medium coverage, this formula gives your skin a boost of coverage and radiance. Reviewers love that while there’s a comfortable, light feel, there’s still enough coverage for blemishes.
Active Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Oxide | Benefits: Calms the skin and evens tone | Dosage: Pat on a good amount as needed | Size: 1.41 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Olive Skin: MIZON Snail Repair Intensive BB Cream SPF 50+
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35 percent snail mucin extract for hydration
Infused with natural ingredients
3-in-1 functionality
Very thick and can be cakey
Wacky as it may sound, snail extract is a massively popular ingredient in Korean skincare, and this multifunctional BB cream is packed with it. This formula also feels soft a pillowy on the skin, plus the shade range is more encompassing than most—although not as much as we’d like. If you're more tan, olive, or golden, you’ll find better shade matches with this BB cream.
Active Ingredients: Snail Secretion Filtrate, Titanium Dioxide | Benefits: Corrects the tone, improves wrinkles, and protects against UV exposure | Dosage: Apply a moderate amount as needed | Size: 3.21 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Full Coverage: EverGlam K-Beauty Skin Perfector Korean BB Cream
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Heavy-duty coverage
Broad spectrum UV protection
Enriched with natural botanical extracts
Can be a bit chalky
Looking for heavy-duty coverage with the same great skincare benefits? Grab this multitasker—it delivers sun protection, minimizes the appearance of pores, brightens the complexion, and it’s long-lasting, so there’s no need for frequent touch-ups.
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide | Benefits: Smooths skin and retains moisture | Dosage: Apply an appropriate amount as needed | Size: 1.7 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Final Verdict
Our top pick is the Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream SPF 42 PA+++. It checks all the BB cream boxes—buildable coverage, high SPF, brightening benefits, and much more. A close second and third goes to the Erborian BB Cream Clair Tinted Cream with Ginseng, a favorite amongst the beauty community, and Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 40, which is especially great for those with acne-prone skin.
What to Look For in a Korean BB Cream
Coverage
Coverage can vary from formula to formula, but BB creams typically have a lighter coverage to start and can build up. Their consistency is similar to that of foundation, except more lightweight and sheer. This means that if you’re looking for stronger coverage, you may need to follow up with concealer.
Sun Protection
A great perk of a multitasking BB cream is the benefit of sun protection—making a BB cream an ideal product to use during the day. Generally, the higher the SPF, the better the overall protection.
Skincare Benefits
Hands down, what we love most about a good BB cream is all the skincare benefits. Depending on your personal needs, there are BB creams that tighten, reduce the appearance of pores, battle acne, mattify oily skin, and treat and prevent dryness. Find the concern you want to repair and choose a BB cream that targets it—chances are, it’ll target more than just that.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Syden Abrenica has years of experience in the editorial beauty industry. She’s written for magazines like Health, Good Housekeeping, Family Circle, and more. When she’s not following her seven-step Korean skincare routine, she’s renovating her century-old home and watching Disney movies with her husband, son, and three rescue dogs.
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