Q. Increasingly beauty creams are referred to with abbreviations - but what do these actually mean and are they really that different? A.
There is little difference between the different types of cream; they are basically tinted
moisturizers with added benefits.
BB = “beauty balm” or "blemish balm"
- Texture is creamy and moisturising.
- Offers daily sun protection, extra hydration, and a touch more coverage than a tinted moisturizer.
- They tend to be a bit heavier and better for dry skin, with a
focus on prevention and maintenance.
CC = “color correcting”
- Texture is lightweight and fast-absorbing.
- They contain a skin
brightening primer, light foundation, moisturizer, sunscreen, anti-aging
ingredients and sometimes collagen boosters.
- They tend to be slightly lighter in texture (so better for acne-prone skin) and focus on concealing
existing issues.
DD = "daily defense"
- Texture is creamy and moisturising.
- Offers daily sun protection, extra hydration, and a touch more coverage than a tinted moisturizer.
- Overseas DDs were created for dry areas like feet, knees, and elbows.
Are they worth it? They are a quick fix to give your skin
a boost, but don’t have as much impact as applying separate products. They don’t cover up skin
imperfections as well as using a proper foundation, and they don’t come
in many shades. Useful if you are in a hurry but that's it.
