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7 Best Korean BB Creams I’ve Been Using Since My Teens
“What I love most is how effortlessly it makes your skin look healthy and refined,” she says. “It’s one of those products that instantly makes your skin texture look smoother and more expensive-looking while still feeling incredibly natural. It applies beautifully no matter what tool you use, whether it’s fingers, a sponge, or a brush. Another thing that makes it special is the skin care aspect. It’s a product I genuinely enjoy using on celebrities consistently, not just for coverage but for the overall skin experience.”
Glamour editor review: “I’m already obsessed with Glow’s concealer, which was one of Glamour’s Korean makeup picks for mature skin, and pairing it with this blemish balm makes my skin look incredible. It’s the most comfortably hydrating formula I’ve tried on my dry skin, and my face just drinks up every drop. I’m not one for complicated makeup routines and tend to just apply it with my fingers, but the finish looks good even if I don’t use beauty tools. There are currently three shades and you’re meant to blend them like mixing mediums to make your own. The formula is amazing, so I’d love to see even more shades in the future.” — Sarah Y. Wu, Glamour contributor
- Best for: Hydration.
- Coverage: Light.
- Finish: Glass-skin.
- Key ingredients: Green tea water.
- Shades: 3.
- Pros: Lasting hydration, great coverage, blends beautifully, photographs well.
- Cons: Limited shade range.
Your Korean BB Cream FAQs, Answered:
What are BB creams?
“A BB cream is an all-in-one hybrid product designed to bridge the gap between skincare and makeup,” shares Yeseo Cho, CMO / Head of Product Development at MISSHA. “While a standard moisturiser focuses solely on hydrating the skin and supporting the skin barrier, a BB cream goes several steps further – combining skincare benefits, SPF protection and sheer, natural-looking coverage in a single step,” Cho adds.
“Whether they can replace the moisturising step depends on each person’s skin type and needs,” explains aesthetic doctor Dr. Brendan Khong. “For oily or combination skins, a good quality BB cream might provide sufficient hydration. However, for drier skin types, it may not be enough,” he notes.
Why are BB creams so popular in South Korea?
According to Dr Shin-Young Cho, Medical Director and Consultant Dermatologist at Future Care Medical, “BB creams originated in South Korea as post-procedure recovery cream used by
dermatologists to soothe, protect, and camouflage the skin following laser and
aesthetic treatments, which gave them strong clinical credibility from the outset.”
“Their popularity reflects the Korean skincare philosophy of prioritising healthy,
naturally radiant skin through lightweight, skin-enhancing formulations rather than
heavy makeup coverage, while also offering the convenience of combined hydration,
sun protection, and skincare benefits in a single product,” she explains.
What makes Korean BB creams different from Western formulas?
“Korean BB creams are typically more skincare-focused, with lighter textures and
ingredients aimed at hydration, calming inflammation, brightening, and supporting
the skin barrier, reflecting the broader Korean skincare emphasis on long-term
skin health alongside cosmetic enhancement,” says Dr Cho.
“In contrast, many traditional Western BB creams historically function more like conventional foundations with added skincare claims, often with heavier textures and fuller coverage,” she adds.
What are the best ingredients to look out for in Korean BB creams?
“When choosing a BB cream, look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and ceramides for hydration, niacinamide for brightening, centella asiatica for soothing and adenosine for its skin-smoothing and anti-ageing properties,” advises Yeseo Cho.
Elsewhere, Dr. Brendan also recommends to look for peptides, fermented extracts and hyaluronic acid. Although some formulas come with added SPF protection, Dr. Brendan still suggests using a dedicated face sunscreen prior to using a BB cream “as one would typically not use the same amount of BB creams for the full SPF coverage.”
What should you avoid when shopping for Korean BB creams?
“It’s important to avoid choosing products purely based on trends without considering your skin type and concerns. Fragrance-heavy formulas, alcohol-rich products, or very occlusive textures may trigger irritation or exacerbate conditions such as acne, rosacea, or sensitive skin in some individuals,” warns Dr. Cho.