The key difference between foundation and BB cream is that foundation is thicker and gives more coverage, whereas BB cream is light and gives sheer coverage.
Foundation and BB cream are two popular face makeup products in the market. Unlike foundation, which focuses on coverage and colour, BB cream can give sun protection and hydration to the skin. It gives you sheer coverage and, therefore, a more natural look.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Foundation
3. What is BB Cream
4. Foundation vs BB Cream in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Foundation vs BB Cream
What is Foundation?
Foundation is a cream, liquid, or powder makeup that is applied to the skin to create an even skin tone. Foundations are applied after the primer, and they cover the flaws on your skin and provide a clear base for makeup application. Some even cover scars and wrinkles. But you have to select the correct shade of foundation based on your skin type, colour, texture, and the amount of coverage required.
Liquid foundation comes in bottles or tubes and is applied using sponges or brushes. This variety sticks to the skin well. It creates a thin and natural look. But it has a somewhat low concealer level since it is water-based. The cream variety is thick, has a high coverage, and is applied with a sponge. Powder or mineral varieties come as loose powder, and they are applied with a fat, diffusing brush. They also control oils on the skin.
There are various types of foundation formulas. They are water-based, oil-based, water-free, and oil-free. Water-based products are good for all skin types, while oil-based products are best for dry skin, and water-free foundations (also called anhydrous) are used for theatrical purposes. Oil-free foundations are ideal for oily skin.
Irrespective of the type and form, all foundation products often contain the same types of ingredients, like colourants, moisturizers, and fillers. The most common type of filler is talc, and it helps the colour spread on the skin evenly. Generally, the base is water, oil, or wax. Iron oxide and titanium oxide are included in various shades of red, yellow, and black, and they recreate the natural skin tone.
What is BB Cream?
BB cream is a beauty balm and a face makeup product. It is also referred to as blemish balm. It acts as a 3-in-1 foundation because it works as a foundation, primer, and moisturizer. BB creams blur imperfections, even the skin tone, hydrate, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and enhance your look. Some even give you SPF protection. They have ingredients like antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and E, and anti-redness ingredients. They improve the appearance of the skin and protect it at the same time.
These creams are silky and light-textured, and depending on your skin type, climate, and activities that you do, BB creams last on your skin for 6-8 hours. But if you top this with powder, you can make it last longer. BB creams do not have a wide range of shades; instead, they come in basic colour ranges like fair, medium, and dark. Therefore, you have to mix them to get the colour you want.
BB creams were founded by German dermatologist Dr. Christine Schrammek in the 1960s. It was invented to conceal scars. Then it gained popularity in Korea, and now it has spread worldwide as a must-have cosmetic product.
What is the Difference Between Foundation and BB Cream?
The key difference between foundation and BB cream is that foundation is thicker and gives more coverage, while BB cream is light and gives sheer coverage. Moreover, foundation products are available in many shades suitable for different skin tones, but BB creams only have a limited number of shades.
The below infographic presents the differences between foundation and BB cream in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Foundation vs BB Cream
Foundation is a cream, liquid, or powder makeup that is applied to the skin to create an even skin tone. They are thick, have high coverage, and cover blemishes, redness, and discolouration of the skin. They also have many shades suitable for different skin tones. BB cream is a beauty balm that is light and gives sheer coverage to the skin. They are available only in basic colours and do not have a wide range of shades.
So, this is the summary of the difference between foundation and BB cream.
Reference:
1. “BB Cream.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
2. “Foundation.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Day 205: BB Cream” By Sodanie Chea (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
2. “Foundation Bottle Beside Pink Rose Petals” (CC0) via Pexels