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Best BB Cream / Tinted Moisturizer

What's the best BB Cream/Tinted Moisturizer that you've tried?

I like the formula of Dr. Jart’s BB Creams, but the shade range doesn’t seem to suit me at all. For tinted moisturizer, I usually reach for It Cosmetics’!

— Christine

67 Comments

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kjh Avatar

Was just cruising the Jart…. Virtually all brands have chem sunscreen, most a mixture of mineral and chem. Some have aloe. Plus they are almost all too yellow..not too warm, too yellow. I use the Paula resist long name; don’t think that it’s marketed as a TM, and add Cover Fx BB antiacne pink lt-med, color drops, or brightening/color tints at will. I’ve all but given up on these. Almost as difficult as concealer. I hate looking jaundiced! Sure hope the KGD foundation brings me some relief. I liked the sample, both color and ingredients.

Wednesday Avatar

I know, right? If we all wanted to walk around looking jaundiced or orangey peachy, we’d be good to go. Was at the vet last week with one of my gang (Bernice my walker hound golden mix swallowed not 1 but 2 tartar bones in her control freak greediness.. Never done it before, but low and behold, there they were on the x-ray of her stomach.. argh.. she’s definitely ruined it for the other 3 now. Outcome scary for a few days but turned out good, she puked up one and passed the other) Digress: tech there whom I really like in her 30’s, great with the dogs ,gorgeous, Dutch, white blonde hair was standing next to me while vet examined Neicey and I reached out and put my arm beside hers because for the first time I saw someone who could serve as a very good comparison point for my skin.. It was strange, she didn’t look overly yellow to me as a whole, but in contrast to my arm, she was a total liver patient, It was good for me to see strong, but light yellow undertones. I thought the green in my skin would stand out against hers, but actually It made the pinky neutral beigeness pop. It also made me see how muted my skintone was compared to hers (I think the green contributes); It certainly delivered a message to me which was far more effective than looking at foundation swatches on-line. I was always told I had yellow undertones. I do have some yellow, but definitely not in the quantity you see in many base products. My tone is so much more complex, perhaps this muting business is part of aging and why so many foundation colours with differing undertones look so stark and saturated compared to real skin.

Natalia Avatar

Hi Veronica! I’m right with you on NARS tinted moisturizer! Tried quite a few, but each time it’s back to the classic. I especially love it combined with MAC Mineralize Foundation Loose! It gives more coverage, if needed and just such a beautiful finish! Can’t be beaten.

Nancy T Avatar

Lumene Vitamin C Illuminating Anti-age BB Cream SPF 20 in Medium is HG territory for me! It matches me very well, or perhaps it adjusts to my skin tone extremely well. Helps keep my skin in excellent condition all summer long by moisturizing without clogging up my pores or causing serious breakouts, protects my skin from aging sun damage, too. Considering that ive been using it for about 5 years and still love it says something about it!

Kat Avatar

I’m actually eagerly awaiting more comments on this post. I just got the (oil-free) Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer and it oxidized so incredibly badly on me, and the NARS one does as well. I’m the fairest shade, so I can’t just go down a shade to fix it. I have heard that the regular LM tinted moisturizer doesn’t oxidize as much, but now I’m leery of trying it. Both LM and NARS have gorgeous finishes and wear quite well, so if the shades work for you, I highly recommend both!

Leigh H. Avatar

My two favorites haven’t been added yet so maybe you’ll like them? First is the NYX BBCream (I use the lightest shade and it works lovely on me). The second one is Charlotte Tilbury’s TM in the squeeze tube (not sure if it’s called that but that’s pretty much what it is). I tried a sample about a year ago and loved it! Between moving and grad school applications though it’s been tough to afford something that pricey so I recommend a sample first. Neither of these has ever oxidized on me, which is very important as I am a neutral cool version of Nars Siberia in the winter.

Debbie Avatar

Another vote here for the NYX BB Cream, also in light. It worked for me, and I found that a little went a long way. I also enjoyed CoverGirl’s Clean Matte BB Cream in 520 Light.

Veerle Avatar

I haven’t tried of lot of BB creams and Tinted Moisturizers but at the moment my favorite is the Nars Tinted Moisturizer! I’ve been eyeing the It Cosmetics CC Cream for a while now so guess I’ll get that in the near future.

Janeen Avatar

The new Tarteguard tinted moisturizer is perfect for me as it is yellow-toned. Many tinted moisturizers are neutral, which I am not. It gives a nice coverage and has some SPF too, I just spot conceal on problem areas, use it for work all the time. Love it. 🙂 Holy grail tinted moisturizer

Anne Avatar

I love my Dr Jart, but I have cool undertones. This is a great formula: Coverage and SPF. I do have to add some lightening drops to the lighter shade, but that’s perfectly alright with me. Love this product.

Gwen Avatar

Nars Pure Tinted Moisturizer is a holy grail product for me. When I stopped using it (simply because I finished it) and started using other foundations, I really noticed the difference, and it wasn’t good. I had to spend the $45 and buy a new NARS tinted moisturizer, so here I am.

Paulina Avatar

I’ve only used Bare Mineral’s Complexion Rescue and UD’s One and Done, and out of those two, One and Done totally knocks Complexion Rescue out of the ball park. It sets pretty quickly, has a beautiful natural finish, and has decent medium light coverage, although I still use concealer on my acne scars. I only wish it has more SPF (it has 20) but other than that I’m quite enjoying it and I’m on my second tube. Eventually I want to try other tinted moisturizers but for now I’m content to repurchase One and Done again and again.

Erin Avatar

I have never used a true BB/CC/EE cream. For TM’s my favorites are: Bare Minerals and NARS. Bare Minerals is a slightly better match in Opal for me than NARS in Terra Nueve, though NARS smells amazing, has more coverage, and can be blended easier making it my go to. I may eventually replace it with something else but you get a decent amount in a tube so if you don’t wear it often it lasts forever.

I would like to try a few Korean brands!

Camille Avatar

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue. It’s probably not for everyone – it’s a true tinted moisturizer with minimal coverage, and makes my skin look smooth, healthy and radiant. It’s the only base that I’ve tried that does not clog my pores at all and truly improves the quality of my skin over time, so I come back to it again and again.

Deborah S. Avatar

I like the Boscia in light and Dr. Jart but the Dr. Jart is very yellow and it is difficult as I have a very cool undertone. For me, trying to doctor it enough to make it workable just isn’t worth it. Since I do have several Korean cushion foundations and several work very well for me, I usually use those if I am looking for a lighter foundation with sunscreen.

Anne Avatar

I’ve really fallen in love with the NARS “Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30” (wooo that’s a long one) as of late. I find it really lightweight and the shade Finland matches me perfectly, and the SPF doesn’t hurt to have in there.

I used to like the Dr. Jart gold one but I actually like this one better. Plus I prefer to shop where items have more of a shade range, as even if I have pale skin that works with most brands, it pisses me off when there is a super narrow range of shades and I’d rather cater to brands that want a more diverse customer base- TLDR I like to vote with my wallet.

HollyC Avatar

Liole BB cream. Never want to be without it. Super thick and quite white but the lovely sales associate told me it would meld with my skin and it does. I use it as a primer and my makeup and skin looks better and better throughout the day. This is some magic stuff! The trick for me is to use only a little, tap between my fingertips and pat over my face before foundation. This works equally well under cream, liquid or powder foundation. I believe it is 30 spf. Love it!

Tammy Jones Avatar

I tried a sample of IT Cosmetics CC Cream in medium yesterday and absolutely loved the formula, but it was too dark for me. Next time I’m in Ulta I’ll check out the lighter shade.

Lauren Avatar

Ooh Armani Luminessence CC cream! I knew I’d found a winner when someone said “your skin looks amazing!” ( Not “your MAKEUP looks amazing”)

Ellen Avatar

IT cosmetics runs very yellow. I love Bare Minerals’ Complexion Rescue Gel. It comes in a great variety of shades, I wear Opal, the lightest cool tones shade, and it matches my skin tone pretty perfectly. A light coat gives you a tinted moisturizer or a great primer with SPF 30. A slightly heavier application gives a great foundation. Its a great, multi-use product! I had never used anything from Bare Minerals before, but a presentation on QVC peaked my interest, so I tried it during one of Sephora’s sales. Great find!

Carolyn Avatar

Rather than give recommendations, I suggest you try samples of lots of different things to see what works for you. People are sensitive to many ingredients and it’s hard to know what’s going to react with your skin. E.g., I love the IT Cosmetics CC Cream’s coverage, color and staying power, but it has citrus oils and breaks me out every time.

Mary Avatar

The only one I’ve tried is by Juice Beauty , which is very hydrating and luminous , pretty sheer .I think it would be perfect for someone with dryer skin .

Lesley Avatar

I was in love with Lorac ProTect Tint in Tawny Temptress but it was discontinued several years ago. I have not found anything that I have liked as much. Lately I’ve just been sheering out my foundation with oil free moisturizer to get the effect.

Genevieve Avatar

I generally don’t wear BB Creme/Tinted Moisturisers, but in my Christmas goodies bag from Priceline (our major beauty budget shop here in Aus) there was the Garnier BB Creme in light, so I thought I would give it a try.
It goes on beautifully, doesn’t feel oily or greasy at all.
Turns out that it is half a shade darker on me that I would like (not bad), but then I found out that when I put my Rimmel Match Perfection in light porcelain over it – it really extends the wear of the foundation, without looking cakey or over made up.

bibi Avatar

It Cosmetics CC in light.
Not the perfect match for my fair & warm skin tone but it’s 50spf (which I need because I live at 5,000ft in altitude), goes on easily with my fingers, and looks gorgeous! I put off trying It Cosmetics for so long because of their cheezball Guthy-Renker commercials – but they really are great quality!

Silvia Avatar

I’m almost finishing a L’Oréal BB cream matches great with my skin. I use it very sparingly to even Out tone in face and neck both and as sun protection. It’ll check out next the Nyx and NARS never disappoints me.

Flicka Avatar

I have tried a lot of different products (mostly samples) and finally stumbled on Tarte’s BB Tinted Primer. The colour fair is perfect for me. All other ones I tried are too yellow or too dark, like the Nars TM, Dr. Jart, etc.

Carole Smith Avatar

I have fallen for the Burberry BB in medium, I have tried quite a few as I do not like heavy make up and for me this one gives my skin a glow and an almost soft focus look so nice for good skin days.

Linda Avatar

Shades are not good, but the Physicians Formula BB cream, SPF 30 works for me with a light setting of mineral powder. I love the IT but it made me breakout with tiny white bumps just under the skin. The Missha did the same thing. I think they both have heavy silicones. Has anyone else had this problem? I need the SPF because of hyperpigmentation.

Carolyn Avatar

I’ve had the same problem with the IT. Little milia/breakouts every time I wear it. Too bad because the coverage and color are great. I switched over to theBalm’s TM in light, which works well over an SPF.

lulu Avatar

I wear the Nars in St. Moritz. Loved Wendy’s comments re the the vet tech. I was in a color theory class recently and, based on my inner-wrist clearly green veins (the sure test!), the professor said I was the most yellow of anyone there. Except she called it “golden,” as “most people don’t like to be described as yellow.” It’s true, I can’t find a color match unless some forty shades are offered.

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