BB cream vs. foundation vs. cushion, what’s the difference? Which one should you use? And if you are a cosmetic reseller, which of the three should you stock the most?
The thing with BB cream, foundation and cushion is that they are all makeup products that essentially serve the same purpose. Alongside coverage, they also even out skin tone and improve skin texture.
You, however, need to choose the one that’s most suitable for your face and skin. That’s because all three are just as different as they are similar. Thus, you might get entirely different results from each. Here’s a closer look at each:
BB Cream
BB cream is short for beauty balm cream. Some people also call it a blemish balm cream. Regardless, most of us immediately think of K beauty when we think of BB cream.
That’s because it was perfected and commercialized in South Korea. Granted, the original formula was invented by the German dermatologist, Dr. Christine Schrammek, to protect her patients’ skin after laser treatment. However, Korean beauty brands took the formula and made it more helpful to the ordinary person.
What is a BB cream used for?
It offers skin coverage along with skincare benefits like sunscreen, antioxidants, hydration and a ton of skin-nourishing ingredients. The exact list of benefits that you get varies depending on the formula of your BB cream of choice.
The typical BB cream is a tad bit heavier than a tinted moisturizer but lighter than foundation. And it provides sheer-medium coverage, which makes it perfect for everyday use. In fact, the easiest way to describe BB cream is that it’s foundation with a load of skincare benefits.
Can BB cream replace foundation?
Absolutely, and you’ll probably feel more comfortable that way. Unlike full coverage foundations that are heavy, BB creams lay a silky, sheer layer of tint on the skin. It’s, therefore, the perfect middle-ground between a moisturizer and foundation.
So, is BB cream better than foundation? The biggest benefit of using BB cream alone is that it gives your face a natural, evenly-toned finish. Hence, you can use it in place of foundation. It also replaces primer completely.
That said, if you have dark spots and blemishes, you’ll still want to throw a concealer in your beauty regimen. Similarly, BB cream doesn’t entirely replace your sunscreen.
How Do I Choose the Right BB Cream?
Pick a BB cream based on your type of skin. If you have an oily skin, you’ll want to go with a BB cream that has a matte finish. That’s a non-shiny cream whose formula is oil-free. Why? Because if you opt for an oily BB cream, it will leave your skin feeling and looking greasy.
Similarly, if you have a sensitive, acne-prone skin, you’ll also want to pick an oil-free BB cream. It will hide most – if not all – the redness on your skin.
In case you have a dry skin, choose a BB cream that has a moisturizing formula. It will help hydrate your skin.
Our Favorite BB Creams
Rich in Dimethicone, this BB cream offers light coverage. It’s perfect for concealing blemishes and treating dull areas. For that reason, it is a great pick for anyone who wants their face to look brighter, smoother and flawless. It’s also one of the best cushion foundation for acne-prone skin.
The Face Shop Yehwadam Hwansaenggo BB Cream SPF35 PA++
Best for dry skin, this BB cream is from the Yehwadam Hwansaenggo range – a godsend anti-aging product line. In addition to covering blemishes and spots, this cream offers UV protection and anti-wrinkle effects.
Foundation
This is probably the first thing you learned in beauty. And – you guessed it – it’s the base upon which you build your makeup.
Just like BB cream, foundation is a coverage. It, however, comes in varying levels of heaviness. Thus, you can get foundations that offer sheer to full coverage.
The goal of using foundation is to create a layer of tint that can even out your skin tone and conceal spots and blemishes. For that reason, you want to use a foundation whose shade looks like your actual skin tone. It will leave your face feeling moist (not greasy) and looking flawless.
How to apply foundation for beginners
It’s simple, really. Start by adding two pumps to your palm and then use a brush (there are special foundation brushes for this) to dab it onto your face. The best practice is to start at the center of your face and then work your way outward.
Most of the time you’ll be fine just wearing a foundation and concealer. But, remember that a foundation’s main purpose is to act as a “set” for makeup. That means you can put makeup on top of foundation and that makeup will stay in place.
What is the difference between BB cream and foundation?
In addition to being heavier, foundation tends to offer a wider variety of shades than BB cream. You also get various level of coverage with foundation. That’s why they it’s primarily used to improve skin tone – because you can have a layer as thick as you need. And that means you can conceal blemishes and spots more effectively. That’s why foundation is an excellent pick for fancy photos or events where you need your skin to look flawless.
How Do You Pick the Right Shade of Foundation?
First of all, swatch the foundation on your skin to see if it matches your natural skin tone. Most people do that on the forearm. The problem is, the forearm is often darker than the face. Therefore, it’s recommended that you do the swatch on your chest.
Next, think about your preferred coverage. In other words, how much pigment are you going for? If you prefer a thin layer, then you’ll want to pick a foundation that offers sheer coverage. On the contrary, if your skin is rough or has many dark spots, then you’ll want to go with a full-coverage foundation.
Consider the formula of the foundation. There are five main options, namely, cream, liquid, powder, whipped and stick foundation. Finally, choose a finish that you like best. Your options include radiant, glowy, matte and natural.
You also need to know that most modern foundations – particularly K beauty foundations – are packed with skincare benefits. Some brands offer as many benefits as BB creams, including UV protection, antioxidants, hydration properties etc.
Our Favorite Foundations
Holika Holika Hard Cover Glow Foundation SPF20 PA++
Formulated with Pollu-Barrier, this 6-color foundation adheres to the skin so effectively. It enhances hydration while at the same time offering a glowy finish. Your color options include tan, honey, sand ivory, warm ivory and petal.
The SAEM Eco Soul Bounce Cream Foundation Matte SPF30 PA++
If you would rather a matte finish, then you’ll like this cream foundation. It doesn’t just “set” your skin, it also offers UV protection, anti-wrinkle benefits and skin brightening among other advantages.
Cushion
Fun fact: the cushion originated from Korea. Yep, it’s another K beauty gift to the world. More often than not you’ll hear people call it a BB cushion or cushion foundation.
Regardless of how you call it, the BB cushion is basically a liquid formula that comes in a sponge. In other words, the sponge is soaked in the formula and then housed in a compact. Also included in the kit is another sponge applicator. All you need to do is press the applicator to the cushion and then tap it on your face to blend.
Because of its small size, the BB cushion is perfect for throwing in the bag or even pocket when stepping out. You can then use it for minor touch-ups on the go. The added benefit is that it comes with most of the skincare benefits of BB cream.
What is the difference between BB cushion and foundation?
While foundation creates an even tone and covers spots or blemishes, a BB cushion offers sheer coverage with additional skincare advantages. The most standout benefits of BB cushions are skin hydration and luminosity. Because of that, cushions tend to make your skin look supple and dewier.
But you can also use a BB cushion purely for coverage, albeit light to medium coverage. Therefore, if your skin has some redness or inflammation, you can easily get rid of it with a cushion touch up.
The one problem with BB cushions is that there aren’t many shades available. That’s where foundation gets an edge. However, many Korean beauty brands are working to avail additional shades. When they do, we will be sure keep you updated.
How to Choose a Cushion for Your Skin
Start by thinking of the coverage you’re going for. Most BB cushions offer light to medium coverage but you’ll also get some K beauty products that have full coverage. Of course, light coverage has a more natural look while full coverage is best for hiding blemishes and spots.
Next, think of the finish that you want. Dewy makeup is the most popular these days thanks to Korean beauty trends that are shaping the cosmetic world. More importantly, a dewy cushion can easily hide any skin imperfections. Unfortunately, it’s not always the best for oily skin. If you’re in the oily skin group, you’ll want to opt for a matte finish.
Pick a suitable shade. As is the case with any other makeup product, you’ll want to choose a shade that’s similar to your skin tone. To do that, simply apply a swatch on your jawline. If it blends with your skin tone, then that’s the shade to go with.
Our Favorite Cushions
Clio Nudism Velvetwear Cushion SPF50+ PA+++
This is an awesome cushion for providing a light and buildable coverage. It does an excellent job in concealing blemishes, spots and uneven skin tone, leaving you with a dewy skin.
Dr. Althea Aurora Cover Cushion
The Aurora Cover is the best cushion foundation for dry skin. It not only brightens the skin, but it also offers protection against UV and can adjust the oil and moisture balance of your skin. It’s an excellent pick if you’re looking for a cushion that offers both skincare and makeup effects.
In Summary…
While BB cream is lighter and focuses on skin care, foundation is heavier and offers more coverage when you need to conceal flaws. BB cushion, on the other hand, is BB cream that’s soaked in a sponge so that it provides lightweight, buildable coverage. It’s designed for the lady (and gentleman) on the go.
Looking to stock the best BB cream, best foundation, or best cushion foundation from Korea? UMMA has you covered. We partner with K beauty resellers and wholesalers all over the world. In doing so, we provide the best Korean cosmetic products at affordable prices with the added advantage of keeping you up to date with the latest news and products in Korean beauty.Sign up today and get free 50 UMMA points that you can use on your first purchase.
