The 15 Best BB Creams for Dark Skin Tones (2023) – Buying Guide
Hydrate and glow up your beautiful dark skin with these moisturizing BB creams.
Oyendrila Kanjilal Certified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 2 years
Oyendrila holds a master's degree in English Literature from the University Of Calcutta, West Bengal, and is a certified skin care coach. As a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience,... more
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Expertise: Makeup & Fashion
Experience: 2 years
Srijita De is a makeup and fashion enthusiast with a passion for empowering readers through practical tips and tricks to present their best selves with confidence. Armed with a postgraduate degree in ... more
Asmita DeCertified Style & Image Consultant
Expertise: Beauty & Lifestyle
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Asmita De is an associate editor with over three years of experience. She graduated in English Literature from the University of Calcutta. She has collaborated with several digital companies and reput... more
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Looking for the best BB cream for dark skin can be a challenge. Don’t worry. That challenge is about to end. Our list of recommended BB creams for dark skin can get your skin glowing in no time. BB creams may not seem like much, but they come with a host of benefits. They contain antioxidants that keep your skin hydrated and radiant without being too heavy on the skin. They make for a great addition to your daily skincare routine. Scroll down to check out the list of bb creams for more information!
In This Article
15 Best BB Creams For Dark Skin Tones
1. Best For Dark Spots:Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream
Image: Missha If you are looking for a good BB cream for dark skin with uneven texture that acts as a makeup base, a sunscreen, reduces the appearance of fine lines, and matches olive to medium skin tones, try the Missha M Perfect Cover BB cream. It contains hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and Gatuline RC, which keep your skin hydrated and soft.
This lightweight BB cream conceals dark spots, evens out the skin tone, and leaves your skin looking naturally youthful. It is also infused with natural formulas, like nourishing emollient plant oils, botanical essences, and nutrient-rich marine extracts. Natural ingredients like rosemary and chamomile extracts help soothe and relax the skin.
You can use the cream to create a no makeup makeup look or use it as a base before dabbing on a foundation. With so many skin-perfecting good ingredients and SPF 42 PA+++, you will get the perfect glow you have always wanted. This video takes you through this product’s details.
Pros
- Contains hyaluronic acid
- Contains ceramides
- Contains Gatuline RC
- SPF 42 PA+++ protects skin from sun damage
- Conceals spots and pigmentation
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines
- Plant emollient oils nourish the skin
- Marine extracts improve skin texture
- Rosemary and chamomile extracts soothe and relax the skin
Cons
- Only light-medium shades available
- Not for mature skin
- Does not suit dry skin
2. Best Non-Comedogenic:Cover girl Clean Matte BB Cream
Image: Covergirl When using a BB cream, the last thing you want is to look oily and sweaty. Get the oil-free Covergirl Clean Matte BB Cream that gives you a gorgeous natural skin-like matte finish. You can wear the cream as a makeup base or just as an everyday face cream.
The BB cream contains titanium dioxide, a sunscreen ingredient that protects the skin from sun damage. The dimethicone in the cream helps reduce the appearance of pores and fine lines.
The cream does not clog pores. It is good for sensitive skin. It is water based and lightweight, lasts all day, blends into the skin well, conceals skin imperfections, and evens out the skin tone. It has a soft, smooth consistency and doesn’t feel heavy on the face. If you have adult acne, don’t worry. this bb cream is non-comedogenic and does not clog pores. For a more detailed review of this product, here’s a video.
Pros
- Gives a non-greasy, natural matte finish
- Conceals spots and skin imperfections
- Gives an even complexion
- Non-come dogenic
- Perfect for oily skin
- Water-based
- Lightweight cream
- Does not oxidize
- Soft texture
- Light coverage
- Fills pores and fine lines
- Protects the skin from sun
- Pocket-friendly
Cons
- Not many shades for deep skin tones
- Not suitable for dry skin
3. Best For Daily Wear:Maybelline New York Makeup Dream Fresh BB Cream
Image: Maybelline When it comes to drugstore make-up, Maybelline New York does it the best. From foundations to eyeliners, Maybelline provides quality makeup in an affordable range. Its Dream Fresh BB cream has a sheer foundation-like coverage that is perfect for everyday wear. It offers this without the heaviness of a full-coverage foundation.
It has a water-gel texture that hydrates and leaves your skin feeling fresh. It blurs pores and smoothes fine lines. It hydrates your skin and makes it appear flawless and dewy.
This sheer coverage BB cream is oil-free, has SPF 30, and is available in five different shades. It’s more of a skincare product that helps you save time when you are on the go. You can also use this BB cream as a makeup base. Know more about this product in this video.
Pros
- Good for everyday wear
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy finish
- Water gel-like texture
- SPF 30 protects skin from harmful sun rays
- Blurs pores and smoothens fine lines
- Evens skin tone
- Hydrating cream
- Brightens skin
- Non-greasy
- Leaves the skin soft with a dewy finish
- Available in 5 shades
- Affordable
Cons
- Does not give full coverage.
- Deeper shades for darker skin tones are not available.
Quick Tip4. Best Hypoallergenic:Bella Terra Mineral BB Cream
Image: Bellaterra Cosmetics The Bella Terra Mineral BB cream is a blemish balm that brightens the skin, blurs pores, and conceals dark spots and scars. It is available in six shades. This BB cream for deep skin tones is lightweight and glides smoothly onto your skin to give you a flawless matte finish. It blends and works well with dry, oily, combination, acne-prone, and sensitive skin types and different skin tones.
This hydrating BB cream for combination skin in dark tones has pure minerals like zinc, mica, hydroxatone, and magnesium that add natural SPF to protect the skin from sun damage. It also helps slow down skin aging. There are no preservatives and harmful chemicals like parabens, sulfates, alcohol, additives, or synthetic dyes. It is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, and made in the USA.
The Bella Terra Mineral BB Cream comes with an expensive price tag. However, given the quality, smooth finish, and the end look you get, it could be a worthy investment. You can rest assured and say goodbye to dark circles, discoloration, dark spots, uneven skin tone, scars, and fine lines. Now get skin care and skin coverage in one product!
Pros
- Buildable coverage
- Protects from sun damage
- Brightens skin
- Blurs pores and fine lines
- Reduces the appearance of wrinkles
- Conceals spots, scars, dark circles
- Evens out skin tone
- Gives a matte, satin finish
- Lightweight
- Not heavy, cakey like foundation
- Lets your skin breathe
- No dry patches
- Hydrates
- Non-comedogenic
- Good for all skin types and tones
- Paraben-free
- Sulphate-free
- Alcohol-free
- No additives or synthetic dyes
- Hypoallergenic
- Cruelty-free
- Comes with a pump dispenser
Cons
- Expensive
5. Best Anti-Aging:Garnier SkinActive BB Cream
Image: Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector Bb Cream You know how some foundations exaggerate wrinkles, fine lines, and dry patches? You can say goodbye to those issues with the Garnier Skin Active BB cream. It is infused with antioxidants and tinted mineral pigments. The product is customized according to the skin type. This bb cream gives your skin a healthy glow while fighting the signs of aging. It evens out the skin tone instantly and gives sheer to medium coverage. It has SPF 15 that prevents sunburns. Plus it is dermatologist-tested for safety. This BB cream with anti-aging properties for dark skin is specially formulated for oily to combination skin types.
Apply the Garnier Skin Active BB cream after washing the face with a gentle cleanser to get a natural glow and matte finish and blur out pores and fine lines. Its mineral pigments will instantly brighten skin and cover spots.
Pros
- Powerful anti-aging benefits
- Hydrates skin for 24 hours
- Reduces the appearance of wrinkles
- Pocket-friendly
Cons
- Deeper shades not available.
- Not suitable for sensitive skin.
- Not suitable for dry skin.
6. Best Medium Coverage:Revlon Photo Ready BB Cream
Image: Revlon The Revlon PhotoReady BB Cream is one of the best drugstore BB creams. This BB cream for dry skin in dark complexions combines a primer, moisturizer, sunscreen, foundation, and concealer in one product to brighten the skin, conceal dark spots, and hydrate the skin. It also helps refine and blur out the pores and reduces fine lines and the appearance of wrinkles. SPF 30 protects the skin from harmful UV rays.
Its travel-friendly, sleek packaging makes it easy to toss it into your travel vanity. You can use it as an everyday face cream with a hint of tint or as a makeup base for a long-lasting makeup look. If you have medium, deep, or dark skin tone and need that extra boost to brighten and make your skin look youthful and flawless with this amazing cream.
Pros
- Moisturizing BB cream
- SPF 30 protects skin from sun damage
- Conceals dark spots
- Color corrects hyperpigmentation
- Blurs pores and fine lines
- Reduces the appearance of wrinkles
- Hydrates skin
- Sheer to medium coverage for everyday make-up
- Can be used as a base for a long lasting make-up look
- Very affordable
Cons
- Available only in 3 shades.
- Specifications of which skin type it suits best are not disclosed.
7. Best Paraben-Free:Purlisse Ageless Glow Serum BB Cream
Image: Purlisse Say no to aging and get a youthful glow with the Purlisse Glow Serum BB Cream. The cream gives flawless coverage and long-lasting moisturization, while repairing damaged skin. It contains the highly beneficial algae collagen protein that acts as an antioxidant and fights free radical damage while increasing skin elasticity. Antioxidant bakuchiol, a plant-based retinol alternative, reduces fine lines and wrinkles. This BB cream has brightening effects for dark skin as it is formulated with vitamin C that improves your overall skin health. The BB cream has an advanced sun protection factor (SPF) that shields your skin from UV radiation and sunburns. The BB creams come in 11 different shades to suit each skin type and tone.
Pros
- Increases glow
- Dewy finish
- Lightweight
- Easy to apply
- Absorbs quickly
- Suits all skin types
- Multiple shades
- Advanced sun protection
- Reduces aging
- Petrochemical-free
- Phthalate-free
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
None
Quick Tip8. Best Shade Range:L.A. Girl Pro HD BB Cream
Image: L.a. Girl The L.A. Girl Pro HD BB Cream is available in eight shades. It is a HD beauty balm that gives you a poreless, porcelain-skin finish. This multitasking balm acts as a primer that moisturizes and provides medium coverage. It offers a natural skin finish look. This anti-aging beauty balm instantly firms, brightens, hydrates, and evens out the skin tone. You can also build it to cover spots and hyperpigmentation. The HD or high definition formula makes you photo-ready and reduces the appearance of fine lines and uneven skin tone in photos.
This beautiful blemish balm is ideal for hyperpigmentation in dark skin and does not settle into the fine lines and perfectly conceals imperfections. The bb cream spreads on the skin evenly and gives a dewy finish without being too heavy or greasy. It is formulated with vitamins B3, C, and E to give your skin a healthy, youthful glow. It is fragrance-free and paraben-free.
Overall, this high-coverage BB cream for dark skin comes in an affordable range. However, the available shades have warm undertones. They may not suit you if you have a cool undertone. Here’s how to find your skin undertone.
Pros
- Available in 8 shades
- HD finish
- Makes you photo-ready
- Formulated with vitamins B3, C, and E
- Primes and moisturizes
- Reduces lines and wrinkles
- Doesn’t settle in the fine lines
- Gives a dewy finish
- Evens skin tone
- Moderate coverage
- Conceals spots and hyperpigmentation
- Paraben-free
- Fragrance-free
- Pocket-friendly
Cons
- No SPF
- Does not last long.
- Does not suit people with cool undertones.
- Gets shiny if not set with a powder.
- Not long-wearing without a primer.
9. Best Oil-Free:Black Radiance True Complexion BB Cream
Image: Black Radiance Black Radiance isa brand that understands diverse skin colors, tones, and types. It is a brand that exclusively creates makeup for women of color. This natural-looking BB cream for dark skin is a multipurpose skin perfector that evens out fine lines and wrinkles and gives a natural-looking radiance.
It is formulated for deeper skin tones and has 10 skin care benefits. The lightweight, oil-free formula glides on the skin like butter to prime, moisturize, and conceal. The best part is, you will not feel oily or uncomfortable wearing this BB cream for mature dark skin. It controls shine all day and has SPF 15, which protects the skin from the harmful sun rays.
Pros
- Formulated for deeper skin tones
- 6 shades available
- BB cream with SPF 15
- Lightweight
- Primes
- Conceals dark spots
- Moisturizes
- Good for everyday natural looking skin
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Gives the skin a natural-looking radiance
- Oil-free
- Controls shine all day
- Sleek packaging
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Not suitable for sensitive skin
10. Best With SPF:Smash box Camera Ready BB Cream
Image: Smash Box Camera Ready Bb Cream The Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream is available in eight shades. It gives an ultra-flawless finish to create a natural “no makeup” look (or a canvas for applying foundation). SPF 35 protects the skin from harmful sun rays, both UVA/UVB rays. It hydrates and moisturizes the skin without making it look oily and sweaty. It is free of parabens, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, oil, fragrance, and talc.
The Smash box beauty balm cream is a little up there in pricing. But it does a good job in hydrating, concealing, priming, controlling shine, and moisturizing. Hence, if you need an oil-free BB cream that matches your skin tone perfectly and gives your skin the due care it needs to look flawless, this BB cream is a good investment.
Pros
- Available in 8 shades
- SPF 35 protects skin from UVA/UVB
- Hydrates
- Conceals
- Primes
- Moisturizes
- Lightweight formula
- Doesn’t make your skin greasy and oily
- Good for a no make-up look
- Good for creating a smooth base for foundation
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Talc-free
- Fragrance-free
- Sodium lauryl sulfate-free
- Oil-free
Cons
- Expensive
11. Best K-Beauty Product:Kiss New York Aqua BB Cream
Image: Kiss New York For a complete skin care lotion, look no further than the Kiss Aqua BB cream, which has it all for a perfect look. It comes in multiple shades to suit every skin tone and gives perfect coverage with a lasting glow. The beauty balm is truly multifunctional as it brightens, corrects skin tone, and improves its elasticity.
The cream contains natural and beneficial ingredients such as argan oil, vitamin B, and vitamin E, which hydrates and reduces hyperpigmentation. The blemish balm is very gentle and lightweight, and comes at a budget-friendly cost without any compromise on quality. It does wonders to your skin after just the first few uses.
Pros
- Improves skin elasticity
- Repairs damaged skin
- Variety of shades
- Intense moisturization
- Corrects skin tone
- Boosts complexion
- Full coverage
- Suits all skin types
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Not chemical-free
12. Best Lightweight:e.l.f. Cosmetics BB Cream
Image: E.l.f. If you just want a wash of color and an even toned skin, try the e.l.f. Cosmetics BB Cream. It works as a BB cream and as a foundation and is suitable for both dry and oily skin types. It is weightless and yet provides good coverage to conceal hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
Its SPF 20 provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. The e.l.f BB cream is formulated with enriching ingredients, like vitamin E, aloe vera, jojoba, and cucumber, which nourish and soothe the skin for a healthy glow. This hydrating BB cream for dark skin is vegan and cruelty-free.
Pros
- Different shades available
- Can be used as BB cream as well as a foundation
- Suitable for oily and dry skin types
- SPF 20 protects from UVA/UVB
- Vitamin E, aloe vera, jojoba, and cucumber soothe and nourish skin
- Weightless
- Gives a healthy glow to the skin
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Deeper shades are not available.
13. Best Multipurpose:Pacifica Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream
Image: Pacifica Give your skin radiating vibrancy and ultra-smooth texture with the Pacifica Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream. Its lightweight fluid formula gives you a misty, glowing appearance. The formula is extremely versatile; you can blend it smoothly into the skin. It can also act like a moisturizer, primer, illuminator, and skin corrector. It is loaded with beneficial ingredients such as coconut water and hyaluronic acid that offer deep, long-lasting hydration to your skin. It comes in light, medium, and dark shades and you can choose the right one based on skin tone.
Pacifica BB cream contains plant stem cells, aloe Vera leaf juice, and white tea extract. These reverse skin damage and rid of dead cells to give you a youthful appearance. The BB cream is a perfect product to correct your uneven skin tone, reduce fine lines, and reduce the appearance of pores. It offers buildable coverage and has a soothing scent, which is a mix of coconut, rose, and pomegranate.
Pros
- Corrects uneven skin tone
- Comfortable texture
- Conceals fine lines
- Suits all skin types
- Lightweight
- Soothing fragrance
- Long-lasting results
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
None
14. Best In Budget:Iman Cosmetics BB Crème
Image: Iman Cosmetics If you do not have the budget to buy a luxury brand like Bobby Brown BB cream, don’t worry. Iman Cosmetics has got you covered, it offers impeccable quality. It is lightweight, paraben-free, glides on the skin like a dream, it takes away the dullness and brightens the skin instantly. It complements the natural skin tone of dark-skinned women.
This trusted brand formulates bb cream with vitamins A, E, and C. It contains Iman skin tone evener complex, licorice, grape seed, kokum, almond, and aloe vera to even out the skin tone, hydrate, conceal dark spots, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Its SPF 15 protects the skin from UV rays.
Pros
- Contains vitamins A, C, and E
- SPF 15
- Formulated for women with a deeper skin tone
- Contains Iman skin tone evener complex
- Contains licorice, grape seed, kokum, almond, and aloe vera
- Soothes and hydrates skin
- Lightweight
- Sheer coverage for a natural skin look
- Conceals, brightens, and blurs pores
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Not suitable for covering hyperpigmentation.
- Not many shades are available for darker skin complexions.
15. Best Matte Finish:Erborian BB Cream
Image: Erborian Eborian blemish balm cream gives you perfect skin with a smooth texture, creamy feel, and lightening glow. It contains many rare ingredients like wild yam,white ginseng, horsetail plant, and kigelia plant extract. These nutrients help to improve skin complexion and offer deep moisturization. The cream also contains glycerin and licorice root extract, which soften the skin and give it a perfectly long-lasting glow.
This matte finish BB cream for dark complexions is extremely light on the skin. It minimizes pores, and corrects all the skin imperfections such as pimples, dark spots, and fine lines. The lotion comes in multiple shades and is equipped with SPF 20, which protects your skin from UV rays.
Pros
- Ultra-smooth cream
- Deep moisturization
- Long-lasting glow
- UV rays protection
- Conceals aging signs
- Minimizes pore openings
- Multiple shade options
- Lightweight
- Easy to apply
- Fast absorbing
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Phthalate-free
- Coal tar-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
None
These are the 15 best BB creams for dark skin tones. In the following section, we will explore the actual need for a BB cream.
Why Do You Need BB Creams?
BB creams do an excellent job at priming, blurring pores, hydrating, concealing, and giving a smooth, skin-like finish. If you do not like to wear foundation every day and want to let your skin breathe, BB creams allow you to achieve that. You can use BB creams in your regular makeup routine without looking like you are wearing a ton of makeup.
The tint covers and conceals spots and helps in color correction. Pore perfectors reduce pores and make your skin look pore less. BB creams help you get that wash of color and add life to dull and pigmented skin. Also, a BB cream is better than a tinted cream as it moisturizes without making the skin feel greasy. The natural skin-like appearance looks good in both artificial and natural lighting. You will always be photo ready!
How Do BB Creams Benefit Women With Dark Skin?
BB creams are great for all skin tones and have numerous benefits. However, the main challenge that women of color face is to find a BB cream in dark skin shades. The BB creams available in dark shades have solved that issue. Now, women with darker complexions can also flaunt a flawless no make-up look, have pore less skin, and enjoy non-greasy and fresh feel without depending on a foundation.
The following are the factors you need to consider before choosing the best BB cream.
How To Choose The Best BB Cream
- A good BB cream should prime and hydrate your skin and conceal blemishes.
- It should contain SPF to protect the skin from sun damage.
- It must have enough shades to choose from.
- Check if it is non-comedogenic and if it is good for acne-prone skin.
- See if it contains vitamins and plant extracts.
- A good BB cream is paraben-free, sulfate-free, and talc-free.
- It must moisturize without making the skin look greasy.
- It should be long-wearing.
Infographic: Evolution Of BB Creams
A BB cream is a must-have in your makeup vanity. It conceals the imperfections on your face, making your skin appear flawless. A BB cream not only evens out the skin tone but also hydrates, moisturizes, and freshens up the face. But do you know how it came into being and the secret behind its popularity today? Check out the infographic below for the answers.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
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The Bottom Line
BB creams are a great way to conceal blemishes, dark spots, and other imperfections without the need for two or three makeup products. They are available in various shades, and are also enriched with skin-nourishing ingredients. Use the Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream for its excellent coverage of dark spots and uneven skin tones. Try the Cover Girl Clean Matte BB Cream, if you have oily or acne-prone skin, or pick the Maybelline New York Makeup Dream Fresh BB Cream for your daily rush-hour makeup or for natural touchups throughout the day. However, people with darker complexions often find it difficult to find their shade and not look ashy in it. Well, brands now offer a wide range of shades for various skin tones. Carefully pick non-greasy, non-comedogenic, lightweight, and hydrating creams, avoiding the ones that are not long-lasting or have a strong fragrance.
Why Trust Stylecraze?
Oyendrila Kanjilal is a content writer with expertise in skin care products. She has put together an articulate list of the best bb creams for dark skin available across cosmetic stores. Her content is well-researched and backed by expert recommendations from the skincare industry. Hence, you can trust her suggestions to pick the right products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BB cream suitable for dark skin?
Yes, BB creams are suitable for dark skin. They cover blemishes and dark spots, and deliver flawless skin. However, selecting a shade similar to your skin tone for best coverage.
What’s the difference between BB cream and CC?
BB creams have a hydrating formula and are ideal for people with dry skin. They cover skin tone issues like blemishes, dark spots, and acne scars. On the other hand, CC creams provide light coverage to your skin. They exhibit bacteria-killing properties and are ideal for oily, acne-prone skin.
Do you need a primer before BB cream?
No. BB creams comprise the benefits of a foundation, primer, and moisturizer. Therefore, it is not necessary to apply primer before BB cream.
What do you put on your face before BB cream?
BB creams comprise the benefits of moisturizer, primer, and foundation. So, you can either use these creams directly on the face or apply a moisturizer before it.
Can we use BB cream on dark skin daily?
Yes, you can use a BB cream on dark skin daily to achieve a radiant glow.
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