Learn your ABCs

31 January 2016
By Fashion Quarterly

skin-creams

Too many creams, lotions and potions in your beauty routine? Save time with a BB, CC or DD cream. Let us give you the d-low on BB, CC and DD creams.

If the cosmetics counter is starting to appear as an alphabet blur, never fear – we’re breaking down all you need to know about  BB, CC and DD creams.

BB creams
This is where all this alphabet madness started. Beauty balms, or BB creams, are designed to give busy women an all-in-one face coverage option with added skincare and anti-ageing benefits. They combine serum, moisturiser, primer, foundation and sunblock into one product. Originally created by a dermatologist in Germany who wanted to keep her patients’ skin looking dewy and supple after laser surgery, BB creams were then picked up by the Asian market, where porcelain skin is highly sought-after. They aim to cover up blemishes and create an even, natural skin tone.

Try:
Revlon PhotoReady BB Cream Skin Perfector, $27.95
Maybelline Dream Fresh 8-in-1 BB Cream, $19.99
Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream SPF 15, $17.99

CC creams
Also known as colour correcting creams, CCs offer the same benefits that BBs do, but have an emphasis on fixing specific pigment issues such as redness and sallowness. While BBs offer a sheer, light coverage, CCs promise a more opaque finish. They are also packed full of even more anti-ageing ingredients, and like BBs they are touted as nourishing for your skin. CCs are targeted at a slightly older demographic who are more concerned with fading wrinkles and reducing dark spots.

Try:
Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream Hydrating Colour Corrector, $50
Max Factor CC Colour Correcting Cream, $29.99
Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream, $64

DD creams
Finally, we have the next generation of these tonal perfecting creams. Daily defence or dynamic do-all creams claim to provide even more coverage and actually improve your skin over time. We sure like the sound of that! Makeup company Julep has released the first DD cream, and theirs contains hibiscus and olive extracts to keep skin hydrated and not one but two anti-ageing ingredients to help reduce fine lines. Wonder what’s in store for the rest of these alphabet creams?

Photos: Getty Images

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