Best Korean BB Creams Guide - Glamour 'n Glow (2024)

BB creams are in a craze right now, with people opting for minimal makeup. The makeup product gives the skin a nice tint and light coverage. Also, it is great when you have errands but want to have minimal makeup. I love how it is not heavy on the skin and decently covers my blemishes.

Moreover, I like using BB creams for a lot of reasons. One, it feels light on the skin; and two, my makeup won’t be cakey. This makeup product is perfect when I want to spice up my look with the least effort. A BB cream acts as a moisturizer, sunscreen, and skin tint in one product—how cool is that?

Do you want to dive more into this makeup product? Read the rest of the article to see which BB creams work well for you.

Bottom Line Up Front

My pick for a Korean BB would have to be the Erborian BB Cream in the shade Dore. I specifically use it when I have to go somewhere casual and want to look a bit extra. Also, the cream has a matte finish, which I like considering I am on the oily side of the skin spectrum.

This BB cream contains SPF 20, which is great when I do not want to wear sunscreen. It is illuminating, and the cream also gives off a plumping effect on me. The Erborian BB Cream makes my skin glow from within but does not make me oily.

My Top Picks Up Front

• Erborian BB Cream
• Missha BB cream
• 9wishes Hydra Ampule Blemish Balm
• Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream Moist
• PI gene Dr. Gene PSI BB Cream
• SKIN79 Super Plus BB Cream
• Renoderm Day Long BB Cream
• Dr.G Gowoonsesang Hydra intensive blemish balm
• Dr. Jart Rejuvenating BB Beauty Balm
• Hanskin Super 3 Solution BB Cream
• Cell Fusion C Skin Blemish Balm Intensive
• Secret Key Finish up BB Cream
• Tonymoly Luminous Goddess Aura BB Cream
• Dear Klairs Illuminating Supple Blemish Cream
• It’s Skin Prestige Crème D’escargot BB Cream
• Purlisse Radiant Glow Illuminating BB Cream
• Amarte Natural Finish BB Cream
• Lioele Gold Snail BB Cream
• Dr. Oracle EPL Premium Medium BB Cream
• Thank You, Farmer Be Beautiful Natural BB Cream

Tips to Pick Out the Best BB Cream

This covers different Korean BB Creams with different formulas from various brands. It also includes different packaging and extra benefits when used. Have trouble with where to start on your BB cream? I am here to guide you in getting the perfect makeup product for your skin.

Find the Right BB Cream for Your Makeup

First, set your expectations with BB Cream. It evens your skin tone but does not offer the same coverage as a foundation. Expect that BB creams are for light coverage only and not for full coverage.

Second, you must be familiar with your skin tone. The last thing you want is a white cast on your face. If you cannot find the right shade, you can always mix two shades, preferably of the same brand. This is because you may not know how the two products mix.

Third and lastly, pick a BB cream that you can find yourself wearing and not just for the sake of the hype. Avoid impulse buying at all times, my pal. I have had my share of it—it did not end well.

Preferred Packaging

There are various packaging styles for BB Cream available today. It depends on which one you prefer. The first example is a cushion-type of BB cream. It comes in a compact and includes a makeup puff. This is the packaging I like the most because there is less chance for the product to leak. Moreover, I can control the amount I want to use.

The second one comes inside of a bottle. You pump the product to the size of a pea. A great thing about this type is that the product has a lower chance of coming into contact with air. This means that it will not affect the consistency of the product.

The third one is a tube-type BB cream. You squeeze a good amount of the product into your face. This is great because you can transfer some of the product to another small container when traveling.

Check the Ingredients

If you want your BB cream to merge your skincare and makeup, this should also be on your checklist when picking your makeup. Check for ingredients that benefit your skin, especially in the long run. I want BB creams with SPF, so I do not need to apply sunscreen.

Furthermore, be careful with your BB cream of choice. Look out for any allergens or irritants you may have that might be in the product. Avoid those at all costs so that you will not have any reactions.

Application

There are a lot of ways to apply this product. First, just like me, you can use your fingers. Put a decent amount of BB cream on your fingers and start from where you want to concentrate on the coverage. I like this method compared to the others because my fingers blend the cream better than the rest.

Second, use a damp beauty sponge to apply this makeup product. You can initially put the cream on the skin. Afterward, you wet your beauty sponge with water or a makeup mist and blend.Third, you can use a cushion puff to apply the cream. There is no need to wet the sponge to apply the product to the skin. Tap the BB cream in a gentle patting motion and blend it into areas where it needs coverage.

The fourth is using a flat brush to blend the product onto your face. Start by dipping the BB cream into the base. I suggest you start with a small amount for this method, as you do not want brush streaks to appear on your skin.

Pick Your Correct Shade

You may find the perfect BB cream that works well on you, but does it match your skin? Picking the correct shade is challenging because there is a limited shade range available on the market today. I have a few techniques to help you.

The first one is to find your undertone through your veins. If you have greenish to bluish veins, you probably have neutral undertones. If you have bluish to purplish veins, you may have a cool skin tone. For greenish or olive veins, you could have a warm undertone.

The second one is that you test a small sample of the BB cream on your neck. You can identify your shade if the product blends with your skin. Moreover, test it out by applying a small amount to your jawline. This is applicable if you are going to buy your BB cream in a physical store. For online, you eyeball it to check which one is closest to your shade using the undertone method.

Makeup Look

What look are you looking for? Do you feel lazy and want to wear the most minimal makeup you can? Maybe you want that glowy look for everyday wear. You probably want more coverage but do not want to wear foundation. These are some instances to take note of when buying BB cream.

Reviews

If you want to be extra sure if you are picking the perfect BB cream, then you can check out the reviews left by buyers. People are usually opinionated, which helps determine whether the product is worth it. A bonus point is finding a review with the same skin situation. I advise you always to check the makeup reviews with the same skin tone and type as yours for better comparison.

How I Apply BB Cream

First and foremost, I always start with my skin regime. I cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, and tone. This is to make sure that my skin is ready for makeup. The second step is to squeeze a tiny amount on the back of my hand. If I have a lot of time on my hands, I put the product directly onto my makeup on my mixing tray and apply the cream to my face using a makeup sponge.

The third step is to blend the cream using my fingers, a sponge, or a puff, depending on the situation. I bring it all towards the half of my neck to ensure everything looks seamless. When I feel too oily, I put some translucent powder on top.

How I Chose This: BB Cream

First, I look for a BB cream that is compatible with my skin type. I check the reviews on their websites and even articles from other sources.

Moreover, I view the ingredients indicated on the product. I want to make sure that the BB cream will not irritate my skin. I have acne-prone skin and an oily side. Second, I check if there is an available shade that matches my skin tone. I can get the two closest shades and mix them to match my skin.

My Favorite BB Cream

Finally, the long wait is over! Here is a breakdown of my top Korean BB creams that you can choose from.

Erborian BB Cream

The Eborian BB cream is my holy grail out of all the BB creams on the market. I obsess over this cream, and it is worth it at its price. Use this sparingly, as the consistency is thick. I like to put it first on my cheeks and blend outwards. The remaining product I put under my eyes and T-zone. This BB cream evens out my skin tone and makes my pores appear smaller.

A little bit of advice if you want to use this product. It is great for drier skin, but for oily ones, you need to pat a bit of powder throughout the day. Other people would find it greasy, but a quick fix of face powder would do the trick.

Pros

• Contains SPF
• Plumping and moisturizing
• Slight scent

Cons

• Expensive
• Small tube
• Thick consistency, would need to control the amount to apply

Missha BB Cream

A great thing about this BB cream is that it also heals post-acne scarring and other imperfections around the skin. It also contains SPF 42, which protects you from the sun! However, I feel its consistency is thicker than a foundation. It would take some time to blend the product into your skin. Despite this, it would be suitable for people who wanted a little more coverage.

Pros

• Weightless on the skin
• Natural and dewy finish
• Lasts for a long time

Cons

• Sticky finish
• A little cakey finish

9wishes Hydra Ampule Blemish Balm

This BB cream is a perfect balance of moisturizing and coverage. I love that it brightens the skin as well. It also contains coconut water in the ingredients that help hydrate the skin. The product works best for people who prefer a natural makeup finish.

However, people with dry or dry to combination skin will love this product. I find this BB cream too rich if I apply it to my oily skin.

Pros

• Pleasant scent
• Hydrating
• Contains hyaluronic acid and squalane, which help moisturize the skin

Cons

• Perfect for dry skin types

Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream Moist

What I love most about this is the perfect balance between UVA protection and coverage. It does not leave a sticky feeling on the skin compared to the other brands. Moreover, the BB cream is lightweight and great if you are in a hurry but want to wear makeup.

A bit of the downside is that it tends to be on the thicker product consistency. A little goes a long way, and it depends on how much you are using.

Pros

• Feels nice on the skin
• Contains SPF 50

Cons

• Does not last very long

PI Gene Dr. Gene PSI BB cream

I love how this BB cream moisturizes my skin and is so comfortable to wear. The ingredients include peptides, which can soothe the skin. This BB cream is awesome for sensitive skin since it will not irritate the face. For those with dry skin, this would be a perfect BB cream. However, I find it a bit too shiny for my taste.

Pros

• Contains hypoallergenic formula
• Skin looks healthy after application

Cons

• Ideal for dry skin

SKIN79 Super Plus BB Cream

The SKIN79 BB cream can brighten your skin and give you decent coverage that lasts the whole day. It gives off a nice matte finish with its formula that glides so easily on the skin. I love its packaging since it is travel-friendly, and the push button protects the product from the air.

However, I find its formula a bit heavy on the face. I feel like my pores clog up a few hours after application. This fits more on days when you want fuller coverage.

Pros

• Contains Niacinamide
• Evens out skin tone
• Hydrating

Cons

• Thick formula
• Some encountered breakouts after using

Renoderm Day Long BB Cream

This BB cream is inside a cushion-type compact packaging. It is lightweight, and the puff can control the amount of product. Furthermore, my skin looks radiant and fresh throughout the day whenever I use this brand. One thing to note is that this BB cream is not ideal for those with blemishes or who want something to cover up. This cream works best for light coverage and brightening the skin.

Pros

• Leaves skin smooth
• Moisturizing
• Lightweight

Cons

• Not ideal for medium to heavy coverage

Dr.G Gowoonsesang Hydra intensive blemish balm

Dr. G BB cream joins my top list of preferences. It gives such a nice glow finish and feels amazing. For someone who has acne like me, it does not irritate my skin. It also does not clog your pores, which is a plus for me.

One issue I encountered with this product is that it does not last very long. It only has one shade, so only a few people can use this product.

Pros

• Great coverage
• Lightweight
• Not flaky

Cons

• Need to reapply after a couple of hours

Jart Rejuvenating BB Beauty Balm

The Dr. Jart Rejuvenating BB Cream is best for sensitive and troubled skin. Its consistency spreads easily onto the skin. You will not have trouble blending the product.However, as time goes by, I need to retouch my base since it tends to fade. I could see my redness after a few hours of wear.

Pros

• Light formula
• Comfortable wear

Cons

• One shade available

Hanskin Super 3 Solution BB Cream

This is one of the BB creams that work nicely on oily skin. It also has SPF, which is a plus if you prefer not to wear sunscreen. When I apply this product, it gives off a nice matte finish.

I observed that it does not moisturize me. Also, it lasts around 5 hours, so you would need to reapply by that time.

Pros

• Voluminous glow
• Natural look

Cons

• Too sheer coverage

Cell Fusion C Skin Blemish Balm Intensive

This BB Cream is one of the most popular products on this list. It is perfect for those who have redness on their faces and sensitive skin. I love its natural finish on the face. Since the formula is a bit thicker, you need a little bit more time to blend it. I can see some of my imperfections after a few hours. But it is not something that needs a major touch-up.

Pros

• Skin blurring
• Lightweight

Cons

• Only one shade is available

Secret Key Finish up BB Cream

The Secret Key Finish-up BB cream glides easily onto the skin. It makes my skin look radiant and youthful-looking. I only need a small amount of it for my whole face.

The coverage is okay and covers my blemishes decently. However, for those who have more pigmentation on their skin, the coverage of this BB cream would not suffice.

Pros

• Hydrating
• Evens out skin tone

Cons

• Only has one shade

Tonymoly Luminous Goddess Aura BB Cream

This is another BB cream great for dry skin. It gives off enough moisture without being too shiny-looking. It is lightweight and gives medium makeup coverage.

I advise using your fingers first and then blending them using a beauty sponge to achieve a skin-like finish. For its name, I expected it to be more luminous on the skin.

Pros

• Brightens skin tone
• Plumps skin

Cons

• Not ideal for sensitive skin

Dear Klairs Illuminating Supple Blemish Cream

As a person with a lot of face textures, the Klairs BB cream did a great job smoothing it. This feels like a moisturizer on the skin. It is great for a natural type of look with its medium coverage.

Since it is a rich texture, it tends to settle under the eyes. I highly recommend this for drier skin if you want that nice glow even after hours of application.

Pros

• Glowing finish
• Evens out skin tone

Cons

• Does not cover pigmentation of the skin

It’s Skin Prestige Crème D’escargot BB Cream

I love how this BB cream makes me look fresh and gives me a dewy finish. It contains 21% snail mucin extract that helps moisturize and heal the skin. Also, it is great for hiding blemishes and wrinkles.However, I need to blot out oil every once in a while. It comes to show that for oily skin types, you need to be careful with this product. But with oil blotting sheets or powder, it is all good.

Pros

• Gives off a natural glow
• Provides UVA/UVB protection

Cons

• Only has one shade
• Dark marks or pigmentation will still appear

Purlisse Radiant Glow Illuminating BB Cream

I love how this BB cream evens my skin tone and makes my skin soft at the same time. I read in the ingredients that it contains Vitamin E and Asian herb extracts for skin nourishment. It is a water-based oil-free formula and does not make my pores clog upon application.

It offers good coverage but has too much glitter on the product. Moreover, this BB cream is not for those who have fine lines, as it tends to settle into them.

Pros

• Contains SPF 30
• Moisturizes the skin without making the skin too greasy
• Safe for sensitive skin
• Leaves skin with a soft, dewy, and radiant glow

Cons

• Not ideal on mature skin

Amarte Natural Finish BB Cream

True to its name, this BB cream is very natural on the skin. It applies sheer on my skin and is a great balance between dewy and matte. I love to use this as an option for no-makeup-makeup days.

However, my face, especially my T-Zone, ends up a bit oily at the end of the day. Since it offers very light coverage, I need to build the product more, applying another layer to cover up my imperfections.

Pros

• Contains SPF 36
• Nice scent
• Decent lasting power

Cons

• Not highly moisturizing

Lioele Gold Snail BB Cream

This is one of the BB creams on the list that is a good all-rounder for both normal to dry skin. It is a moisturizer and sunscreen in one single product. I also find it to have a dewy finish on my skin. The first downside that I can think about this product is that it has a strong perfume smell. The second one is that for dry skin types, you would need to moisturize before to avoid dryness.

Pros

• Contains hyaluronic acid
• Also great for sensitive skin
• Natural finish

Cons

• Does not spread easily

Oracle EPL Premium Medi BB Cream

This BB cream offers great coverage for imperfections. I love how it soothes my face, especially when environmental stress irritates it. It also contains carnosine, which can brighten the skin. It is perfect for dry and sensitive skin types. For people on the oily side, this product would be too rich for their taste.

Pros

• UV protection
• Helps regenerate and repair skin texture
• Natural finish

Cons

• Expensive

Thank You Farmer Be Beautiful Natural BB Cream

I like how this BB cream sits well on my skin. It has a natural finish and conceals some imperfections on the face. This makeup product lasts for a long time without any touch-ups. What I do not really like about this BB cream is the strong scent. It also tends to fade after a couple of minutes.

Pros

• Silky texture
• UVA/UVB protection

Cons

• Thick formula

Achieving the Korean Skin Look

Prep your skin well to get a good makeup base. Koreans are well-known for their skincare routines and light makeup. In addition, BB creams are buildable. Be careful not to overdo it. Take your time applying the product to your face. Remember, makeup is for enhancing, not covering.

Another piece of advice I can give you is to practice your blending. Place the product first where it needs more coverage. Afterward, you blend using any method of your choice. Then, if you prefer to hide some imperfections on your face, spot conceal.

Therefore, if your skin is ready and the BB Cream sets well, you are all set. Conquer the day looking fresh and beautiful using these few techniques.

FAQs

Best Korean BB Creams: Bottom Line

For a dewy finish without the weight of a foundation, you can pick the Erborian BB Cream. I highly recommend this BB cream for those who prefer a product that moisturizes the skin. The tube will last for a long time since you only need a small amount. Also, it plumps your skin so beautifully. SPF is another great thing that protects you from the sun’s UV rays.

Natural makeup is trending right now, and BB creams are the best products for this kind of look. This is great when you want to take a break from full-coverage, packed on makeup. I find it a great skin reboot from all the cosmetics I put on my skin.

So, if you are like me and want to try something new, something light on the skin, then go ahead and get yourself a BB Cream. I hope this helps you narrow down your preferences and buy a product that you will love and use for a very long time.