Your-Skin-But-Better: 5 BB Creams to Try This Spring if You’re Over Heavy Foundation
Once upon a time, BB creams—short for “beauty balm cream”—were the skincare-makeup hybrid we didn’t know we needed.
Part skincare, part makeup, a good BB cream can hydrate, protect, and smooth your skin while imparting a more natural coverage on the skin.
This makes it one of the perfect beauty products to take on travel too, especially Euro summer where a daily base needs to feel light and comfortable on the skin for daily wear.
Finding the best BB creams means looking for formulas that do everything from blurring imperfections to delivering benefits by way of skin-boosting ingredients.
But with so many options out there, how do you choose?
Below, we’ve rounded up five of the top BB creams on Adore Beauty right now.
As we move into the warmer months and switch our fuller coverage bases to more weightless ones, this is the perfect time to add a recommended BB cream to cart.
What Is BB Cream Used For?
BB cream (aka beauty balm/blemish balm) is used as a multitasking base to streamline your routine—think light coverage to even skin tone, daily hydration, blurring/priming, and often built-in SPF, plus skin-loving extras like antioxidants or humectants.
Most people wear it instead of separate moisturiser, primer, and light foundation for a natural, “your-skin-but-better” finish; just note you'll still need to apply a dedicated sunscreen to hit full protection.
Can I Use BB Cream Instead of Foundation?
Short answer: Yes — often. For everyday wear, BB cream can absolutely replace foundation if you want lighter, skin-like coverage plus skincare benefits.
Limitations: they usually provide less coverage and longevity than traditional foundations, so they won’t fully hide heavy redness, deep hyperpigmentation, or survive very long, high-humidity days without setting products or touch-ups.
Bottom line: reach for BB cream on casual days, travel, or when you want a streamlined routine; choose (or layer with) foundation when you need full coverage, maximum wear, or a very matte/photo-ready finish.
Top BB Creams
1. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra BB Cream Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+, $38.95
Looking for a bb cream with SPF?
Meet your new all-in-one “get ready in five minutes” hero: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra BB Cream SPF 50+.
This lightweight, hydrating cream delivers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection while effortlessly melting into skin with a universal tint—no white cast, just a glowy, even finish.
Infused with antioxidant-rich Baicalin and thermal spring water, it smooths texture and calms sensitive skin. Pump, blend, glow—and go.
2. Bali Body BB Cream SPF15, $31.95
Meet your new effortlessly glowy go-to: Bali Body BB Cream SPF 15.
This multitasking, Australian-made beauty balm hydrates, perfects, protects, and brightens.
Infused with hyaluronic acid, marine collagen, and antioxidant-rich green tea, it smooths, plumps, and gives you that “I woke up like this” skin vibe that's perfect for spring and summer wear.
And this before and after? Sold.
With sheer buildable coverage and a healthy dewy finish, this cruelty-free gem simplifies your routine without sacrificing radiance.
For more natural coverage complexion products, watch the YouTube video below on popular skin tints:
3. Nude By Nature Sheer Glow BB Cream, $32.95
For a glowy bb cream, look no further than the Nude By Nature Sheer Glow BB Cream.
Meet your new beauty shortcut: Nude by Nature Sheer Glow BB Cream. This multitasking balm is sheer perfection—light coverage meets instant radiance.
Powered by Aussie native heroes like Kakadu Plum, Quandong, Desert Lime, and hydrating Phytomoist, it brightens, softens, and fights early signs of ageing and leaves a glowing, natural finish.
Non-greasy and silicone-free, it’s the perfect “skin, but better” formula you’ll reach for, refill after refill.
4. Embryolisse Secret de Maquilleur BB Crème, $50
Meet your new “skin-but-better” triple threat: this velvety BB cream moisturises, primes, and protects—all in one luxe tube.
Formualted with hydrating hyaluronic acid, antioxidant-rich Vitamin E, and gentle AHA fruit acids, it blurs imperfections while delivering a lit-from-within, peaches-and-cream glow.
With self-adjusting pigments for a flawless match, it suits everything from dry to sensitive skin. Lightweight, dewy, and undeniably elegant, it’s your shortcut to flawless, dreamy skin in one swipe.
Can you use BB cream as a moisturiser? The Embryolisse Secret de Maquilleur BB Crème can be worn as a moisturiser, over a moisturiser or as your makeup base.
5. Bioderma Sensibio AR Anti-redness BB Cream for Sensitive Skin, $44.99
Say goodbye to redness and hello to your new BFF: Bioderma Sensibio AR BB Cream. It’s the ultimate multitasker—moisturising while colour-correcting and calming your skin all at once.
Formulated with soothing ingredient Rose-oregano, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and a subtle coverage tint, it instantly reduces redness and evens your complexion.
Lightweight with SPF 30, it’s sheer coverage meets skin-loving skincare.
Keen for more of the best makeup content, recommendations and reviews? Read these next:
