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The endless amount of liquid formulas for your skin makes for an overwhelming beauty shopping experience, to say the least.

As we’re venturing into warmer temps, we’re noticing an uptick in more lightweight formulas. But, lightweight formulas shouldn’t compromise on well-balanced coverage.

That’s why our go-to product to beat the heat is the classic BB cream. Not to be confused with CC creams, tinted moisturizers, skin tints or bronzing drops.

“A BB cream is a product meant to hydrate, illuminate, protect or mattify the skin,” Ernest Robinson, a professional NYC-based makeup artist, told the New York Post. “BB cream is basically a multitasking skin care-makeup hybrid that offers sheerer coverage than foundation.”

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Uniquely, BB creams differ from tinted moisturizers “due to the fact they prime and moisturize,” Robinson told us, and also for its fuller coverage effect, compared to tinted moisturizers which don’t necessarily balance the skin with even color.

BB creams, in some ways, double as a makeup primer and a facial SPF. Its texture, consistency and application reign supreme because of its versatility.

As a full-time beauty formulation tester who has tried virtually every brand, BB creams is finally a product category I did a deep dive into. After using them for weeks on end, I can say with confidence that they’re a staple in everyone’s makeup bag — especially for summer — and are one of the most budget-friendly items you can score in the beauty department.

And, the award for best BB cream goes to…the tarte BB blur tinted moisturizer SPF 30. Though a splurge, it’s one of the best formulations to achieve a well-balanced, full complexion.

When I unscrew the matte bamboo cap, the lightweight tint that disperses is not too oily or creamy. Instead, it’s a lovely matte texture that is about medium-coverage yet buildable.

The brand offers this BB cream in a rich variety of colors to match fair and dark skin tones alike. Its soft texture is even complete with broad-spectrum SPF 30 to help protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Think: your best moisturizer with SPF, but with more of an even, makeup-esque complexion.

I’ll be honest, I don’t use drugstore beauty products all too often because my skin is so sensitive and can become acne-prone as a result. However, the Maybelline Dream BB Fresh Skin Hydrating Beauty Balm completely blows it out of the water, especially because it doesn’t clog my pores and compares with more expensive BB creams I’ve tested.

With more than 19,000 rave reviews on Amazon alone, it has reached peak best-seller status. Interestingly enough, it’s labeled as a beauty balm, and it feels exactly that before it’s fully blended. It’s also one of the quickest to blend. Whenever I’m rushing out the door, it’s the sheer tint I need.

For a premium BB cream that borders on a lightweight foundation, the Dr. Jart+ Premium BB Beauty Balm SPF 40 is yours for the taking. It’s a dermatologist’s dream, too, as it contains the recommended ingredient niacinamide and sun protection — just like your favorite facial sunscreens.

Because the shades blend onto my skin so well, the brand can get away with only offering four shades. I love how its creamy finish offers a natural result, too, and this is one of my most-used options, by far. I love how it feels like second skin while feeling like my favorite skincare products at the same time.

I’ve been a fan of MDSolarSciences for quite some time and its MD Mineral BB Crème SPF 50 is one of my tried-and-true beach bag essentials. While plenty of BB creams on this list offer sun protection, the brand is renowned for its SPF offerings I love to use, like the Daily Perfecting Moisturizer SPF 30 ($68) and Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50 ($41).

As for this product specifically, it’s oil-free while offering a quite long-lasting tint. Also epic? Its ability to mute redness and discoloration. My mom who has vitiligo loves using this cream for discoloration and I love it as well as I’m highly sensitive to sun spots. Plus, it was developed by dermatologists and worth every penny.

The L’Oreal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream is the closest formulation to a balm that I tested. It’s the epitome of a glowy base as it primes and hydrates in tandem. With its price point added to the mix, it’s pretty much a home run.

For a drugstore product, this BB cream wins the game. It offers a well-balanced look and even finish while giving my skin a natural glow each time. If you’re new to BB cream, I’d recommend starting with this one.

Relatively new and already TikTok-buzzy, the Kosas BB Burst Tinted Gel Cream hit the market of lightweight skin cover-ups that excel in both quality and longevity.

What’s great about this BB cream is its consistency. The reason I’d recommend it for oily skin in particular is because it almost bounces when it’s applied, helping to draw out sweat and moisture from the skin. However, my dry skin is quite hydrated all day.

I also love how it includes copper peptides to support collagen production, which will do your skin some good. However, I wouldn’t recommend it for acne-prone skin as it tends to clog my pores sometimes and may cause minor breakouts.

After testing BB creams for at least three months and foundations, skin tints and tinted moisturizers for up to four years, here’s the testing criteria I kept in mind for each formulation:

This article was written by Victoria McDonnell, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what’s truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria’s latest conquests include testing the best sheet masks on the market, and a rinse-and-repeat review of the best shampoos for all hair types and budgets. Victoria, who received a beauty industry essentials certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology, has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.

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