9 Best Korean BB Creams with SPF for No Makeup Look

Are you sometimes in too much of a hurry or too lazy to put on makeup, but you still want to look beautiful? Here's a little beauty secret that will make your life easier and faster: BB cream.

You may have watched Instagram Live videos or YouTube videos of actresses, influencers and K-Pop idols and wondered how they could wake up in the morning with such clean, clear and flawless skin. And you probably wished you had these faces when your boyfriend or someone special suddenly visits.

Don’t worry, we've got you covered. Sure, we're all beautiful in our own way, but a little effort and a magical BB cream will turn you into an incredible natural beauty.

What is BB cream?

BB cream stands for "blemish balm" or "beauty balm". It is a hydrating cream containing pigments that even out skin tone, blur imperfections and enhance the natural look of the skin, giving you a healthy glow.

It is a kind of alternative to foundation that adds an extra layer of moisture to the skin, gives it a light, luminous hue and provides light to medium coverage for a more even skin tone.

This wonderful innovation has long been a mainstay of Asian beauty, especially in South Korea, and is now one of the skincare secrets to creating an all-natural look that is making waves in global makeup and beauty trends.

Are Korean BB creams good?

Yes, BB creams are a staple of Korean beauty — they are skincare-centric and are designed as all-in-one products that are suitable for all skin types.

Korean products tend to contain various beneficial features, such as more plant extracts for nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants, greater UV protection, and more emollient benefits.

Why is Korean BB cream popular?

In Korean dramas and movies, many of the big-name stars, actors and actresses wear natural-looking makeup, but their skin is always flawless and glowing on screen.

This naturally beautiful skin became a sensation among Korean women (and men), and then the craze slowly spread to Japan, China, and other Asian countries. Today, the BB cream has gotten so popular that it has even migrated to the United States and Europe.

What are the benefits of BB cream? 

• It evens out skin tone
• It covers redness and signs of fatigue
• It visibly blurs any imperfections: dark circles, acne scars
• It hydrates and illuminates complexion
• It saves time as it simplifies the skin care routine
• It is light on the skin
• It can protect against UVA and UVB rays

Can men wear BB cream?

Of course, men can definitely wear a BB cream - in fact, it's perfect for anyone who doesn't have time to indulge in a thorough extensive skincare routine but wants to improve their complexion instantly.

Some people still think it is not usual for men to use cosmetic products, but it is completely normal for men to wear makeup, as good male grooming is also fundamental in today's society.

According to a survey on male beauty trends in South Korea in 2021, about 11.8% of respondents said they use BB cream. This extremely popular product is a very suitable item for guys, as it is convenient and easy to use and can even out discolorations and even hide unwanted blemishes.

Can BB cream be used daily?

The answer is simple: yes, Beauty balm are lightweight and safe for regular use. You can use it as part of your daily makeup routine in place of foundation.

How do I apply BB cream?

First of all, clean your hands and face and follow your daily routine of skincare including toner, serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen.

Place a dollop of the blemish balm about the size of a dime on the outside of your hand, then gently and evenly blend it into your skin all over your face with your fingertips, using a brush, or a damp make-up sponge/beauty blender. The cream should also be carefully buffed into the skin so that the texture is invisible.

How to choose the right BB cream for your skin?

It is important to pay attention to the formula to choose the right cream for your skin type. If you have dry skin, you need to find a cream with moisturizing ingredients, and if you have oily skin, you need to look for a non-comedogenic product.

Also, if you have specific skin problems such as fine lines, wrinkles, acne, or pigmentation spots, you may want to look for a cream that addresses these issues.

While there are a wide variety of BB creams on the market, they only offer a handful of shade options. The best way to choose the right product is to select the shade that most closely matches your natural skin tone— it can be divided into three categories: warm, cool and neutral. The skin’s undertone remains constant, even if your skin tone changes with the seasons.

If you choose a shade that is too light or too dark for your skin, it will end up looking unnatural and fake. You can apply a little cream on your neck or face to choose the right shade.

⭐️ 6 Best Korean BB Cream with SPF

BB creams are such useful, minimalist, multi-tasking products that they are a must-have in any makeup bag. Here are some of our favorite Korean BB creams with SPF protection that hydrate, plump and perfect skin with a natural-looking finish.

Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream SPF 42 PA+++  

This longtime bestseller offers a novel skin care concept that helps conceal blemishes, dark circles, visible wrinkles, and discoloration with dewy, hydrating coverage.

Packed with hydrolyzed collagen, hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil and ceramides, it intensely moisturizes, nourishes, and softens the skin, making it a top choice for those with dry or dehydrated skin.

This multi-tasking product combines skin care, makeup, and sunscreen in one step for a flawless foundation. It also acts as a tone-up cream, brightens and evens out skin tone while providing UV protection.

It's perfect for those who want high coverage but prefer a natural, no-makeup look with a flawless finish. Missha's most popular product, it has sold over 30 million units worldwide.

Erborian Super BB with Ginseng Nude SPF 20

With its light texture and buildable coverage, this non-comedogenic cream effectively camouflages and conceals imperfections, including pimples, blackheads, sun spots, and hyperpigmentation of the skin.

It is formulated with white ginseng and oleracea extracts, fermented ginseng flowers and kigelia africana fruit extracts, which help provide deep hydration and fight the signs of premature skin aging.

This fan-favorite product also contains niacinamide and licorice root extract, known for their brightening and anti-inflammatory properties that help lighten discoloration and dark spots and reduce itching, irritation and redness of the skin.

The face cream offers SPF 20 protection against UVA/UVB rays with 100% mineral sun filters. It's perfect for oily skin with a matte finish that leaves skin feeling velvety soft.

Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm, SPF 40 with Niacinamide

Combining standout hydrating and soothing ingredients, 2% niacinamide and 5% glycerin, this multi-action tinted moisturizer calms, hydrates and prepares skin for a glowy no-makeup look or as a smooth, luminous base under foundation.

The comfortable texture of the cream spreads smoothly over the skin and provides healthy coverage and a refreshing finish. This lightweight, chemical and mineral sunscreen with broad spectrum SPF 40 is also bolstered with SPF for ultimate daytime sun protection.

Mizon Snail Repair Intensive BB Cream SPF 50+

Powered with 35% snail mucin, this hypoallergenic beauty balm moisturizes and brightens skin for a hydrated glow, corrects uneven skin tone and provides full coverage for all types of blemishes such as age spots and pigmention.

This fragrance-free cream is soft a pillowy and gentle on skin, and offers SPF 50 with added sun protection. It allows you to adopt the "no makeup" look with a long-lasting natural finish. Free of parabens and artificial fragrances. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive, and acne-prone skin.

Purito Cica Clearing BB Cream

An everyday beauty balm is ideal for those who don't want a bare face, but want a hint of all-natural makeup look when they go out for the day, as it provides sheer coverage that corrects and blurs the appearance of uneven skin tone.

The star ingredient, Centella Asiatica (also known as, cica), is rich in amino acids, antioxidants and vitamins A, B and C. All of these nutrients and acids help stimulate collagen, which is ideal for treating acne and calming irritated skin.

This cruelty-free product also contains niacinamide and adenosine, which are responsible for skin brightening effects, strengthening the skin barrier and reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

In addition, it protects the skin from UVA and UVB rays. Free of artificial fragrances, dyes, sulfates, essential oils, phenoxyethanol, sulfate, and parabens, this worry-free formula is suitable even for sensitive skin.

Holika Holika Aqua Petit Jelly BB SPF 20

Infused with 80% mint water - a blend of mint and marine agar complex - this blemish balm offers natural coverage and oil control benefits, and conceals pesky blemishes for an even canvas while providing hydration and a cooling effect.

This water-based formula has a bouncy jelly texture that helps spread evenly and add and retain moisture, leaving your skin lustrous, dewy, and plump with a natural, lightweight finish that won't clog your pores or look cakey on your face.

Missha Men's Cure All Day Natural Fit BB Cream SPF50+ PA++++

Most BB creams are unisex, for both women and men, but this all-in-one cream was developed for men, making it the ultimate solution for brightening, wrinkle reduction and UV protection.

Innovatively formulated with various types of skin-nourishing ingredients and eleven different types of hyaluronic acid that hydrates, soothes the skin, and controls the skin's production of sebum, which can cause acne and pimples.

The high coverage offered by the triple layer also means the cream will last longer and work best as a base for other skin care products. Suitable for all skin types, this cream is ideal for those who want to revive dull skin and eliminate unwanted redness and oily skin.

Purlisse BB Tinted Moisturizer Cream, SPF 30 

If you want to achieve the ultimate "no makeup" makeup look with a matte AND dewy finish, no look further. This versatile Korean product works best for oily, combination, and sensitive skin, and those who has concerned about discoloration, redness, uneven skin texture, and dark spots.

Enhanced with anti-aging botanicals, Gogi and Hawthorne berries, which help protect against environmental damage and UV rays, reduce wrinkles and signs of aging, and promote collagen production for youthful and elastic skin.

IPKN Moist and Firm BB Cream SPF 45  

A hydrating BB treatment is packed with vitamin E, collagen and SPF 45 protection for perfect matte coverage, rich hydration and nourishment.

This tinted sunscreen promotes a brighter, more even skin tone and supports skin elasticity. It applies perfectly to the skin and leaves a non-sticky feel for velvety soft perfection.

** If you're not sure what your skin type is, how to know which product is right for you, please read our blog post : How to determine your skin type and how to take care of it?