Editor’s Rating:
MISSHA M is a Korean skincare giant known for their makeup line and skin healing ointments. It’s no wonder that one of their formulae tops our list of recommendations for Best Korean BB Creams.
The MISSHA M Perfect Cover BB Cream formula number 27 is a lightweight cream that provides perfect coverage even as it blends in flawlessly with other makeup products. In addition to using plant extracts and oils to provide an even skin tone, it also includes:
It is a mildly fragrant BB cream with pleasant notes of Chamomile and Rosemary. Avoid it if you’re allergic to scented makeup creams.
It’s the perfect BB Cream for outdoor wear and summer and provides best-in-class protection against UVA and UVB rays. Although it provides good to medium coverage, it isn’t a standalone cream and is best used in combination with other cosmetics.
Pro tip – If you can’t find the best color match for your skin tone, combine it with the Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream #23 or #21 to arrive at the right shade. This is a very yellow toned BB cream.
Finish: Soft, dewy, and moisturizing.
Recommended for: Dry and Combination Skin.
Editor’s Rating:
In contrast to our first choice, the SKIN79 Super Plus Beblesh Balm Original Gold BB Cream is a heavy formula with a thick texture. Even a single layer of it provides excellent blemish coverage. It’s USP however is the inclusion of Arbutin.
Arbutin inhibits the growth of melanin cells that are responsible for skin pigmentation. Over an extended period of usage, you’ll notice brighter skin with reduced dark spots, lightened freckles, and a more even skin tone. It also contains Niacinamide that’s known to improve skin conditions like acne by controlling sebum activity, reducing skin inflammation, and slowing down skin aging.
Since its emphasis is on skin whitening, it has grey undertones and makes your skin appear a shade or two lighter – similar to the effect of having your skin bleached. It’s more suitable for people with pale skin. Give it a few minutes to settle in after application as the pasty gray tint gives way to a clear and bright skin tone.
This BB Cream is perfect for ladies who are 30+ as it also contains anti-aging and anti-wrinkling ingredients that do work with consistent and long term usage.
Pro tips – You can use it as a standalone cream for a natural finish instead of moisturizer as well as makeup. Use overnight and wash your face with water the next morning for bright looking skin all day long.
Finish: Mildly dewy, matte finish.
Recommended for: Dry and Combination Skin. Use sparingly for oily skin.
Editor’s Rating:
The MISSHA M Perfect Cover BB Cream number 21 differs from our first choice in that it is a more beige toned cream suitable for darker skin shades. Also, this formula caters to those with skin problems like acne and breakouts. It is more long lasting than the #27 formula. There’s very little oxidizing action happening here so you get a natural finish that matches your exact skin tone. Although it says the finish is dewy and matte, it actually provides a very dewy and glossy finish. It works well with problem skin but doesn’t control oil secretion. You can use it for all day wear along with makeup. It blends in very well and keeps your makeup in place for an extended duration.
This line of MISSHA M Korean BB Creams is available in 5 different shades. Apart from the #21 and #27 reviewed here, there’s #13, #21, and #31. Choose one or several to blend in together to create the perfect match for your skin tone.
Pro tips – Set it with powder to obtain a slightly matte finish. Use it in combination with a primer and powder for oily skin.
Finish: Dewy finish.
Recommended for: Dry and Combination Skin.
Editor’s Rating:
The SKIN79 Super Plus Beblesh Balm Pink BB Cream is a triple action formula that provides blemish coverage, skin whitening, and anti-aging benefits. It is geared towards those with oily skin, pores, acne breakouts, and scars. This has a much lighter texture than the SKIN79 Super Plus Beblesh Balm Gold BB Cream. It also provides sheerer coverage and can be used in combination with other cosmetic creams to build up coverage.
It works well with beige to pale skin tones as it has pink undertones. The color adjusts to your natural skin tone once it settles in. It provides medium to light coverage for a natural and smooth finish. It is especially good at covering splotchy red spots. This is the best Korean BB Cream for those with oily skin and pore problems as it has active ingredients that control sebum secretion and regulate the appearance of pores.
Pro tips – To improve coverage, mix it with a little foundation cream before application. Dab it on with your fingers and pat lightly into skin to avoid a cakey appearance.
Finish: Natural finish. Neither too dewy nor too matte.
Recommended for: Oily and Combination Skin.
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The Holika Holika Petit BB Cream comes in five different varieties:
Each of these ‘flavors’ has a different SPF value and PF rating. Between them, they cover all skin types and provide medium to light blemish coverage.
Use sparingly – just a pea sized dollop goes a long way. Highly recommended for women in their 40s as it helps with the reduction of wrinkles and pores even as it brightens the skin tone.
These formulae are neither heavy nor light in texture. They’re just about average and have a soothing effect on the skin on application. Very mildly scented and the fragrance fades away within an hour.
This is a fuss free product that is lightweight, easy to apply, can be worn all day, provides decent coverage for up to 16 hours, nourishes the skin, heals acne, lightens scars, works on dark circles and provides ample protection from sun damage.
Pro tips – Can be used as a standalone product. Just apply a thin layer and you’re good to go. For a party ready, iridescent and shimmering glow, apply a layer of the Shimmering flavor underneath your foundation.
Finish: Varies with the product – all kinds available.
Recommended for: All Skin Types.
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Strictly speaking, purlisse isn’t a Korean brand. It’s manufactured right here in the US of A. It just happens to be created and helmed by a Korean CEO who brings age-old Korean wisdom and values to the brand. It uses all natural ingredients, promotes cruelty free testing, and relies on Asian herbs and natural oil extracts in its formulae to maintain authenticity and proximity to Korean cosmetics concoctions.
Purlisse BB Tinted Moisturizer Cream is a blend of moisturizer and blemish balm that’s non-comedogenic, oil free, tinted, and vegan. It is a very thick formula that provides medium coverage along with the benefits of a moisturizer and foundation.
It comes in 8 different shades and caters to all skin colors. The formula is hypoallergenic and suitable for all skin types. Although the texture is thick, once it settles in, it is neither runny nor too dry. It provides a good natural finish when worn as a standalone product as well as creating a perfect base for makeup. The tint doesn’t oxidize so the color stays the same once the product is absorbed.
Pro tip – Set it in with a little finishing powder – preferably a mineral powder, for a perfect finish that stays all day.
Finish: Flawless natural finish.
Recommended for: All Skin Types. Especially recommended for sensitive skin.
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IPKN is an American-Korean brand that’s well known across all continents for its cosmetic creams. The IPKN Moist and Firm BB Cream makes it on our list due to its gel like consistency that’s excellent at moisturizing and keeping the skin hydrated for long durations.
It promotes collagen growth and contains ceramides that reinforce and restore the skin’s natural barriers against inflammation, dryness, and sensitivity. It also contains a healthy dose of Vitamin E that helps in healing damaged skin cells. SPF 45 ensures all day long UV protection.
It comes in five different shades from medium tan to fair that cover most skin colors. The application is super smooth as the product gets absorbed into the skin and disappears completely, providing sheer to light coverage, and improving skin texture and appearance immediately.
Although coverage lasts for only a short period – between 2 to 4 hours, its health benefits for the skin keep working round the clock.
Pro tip – Set it with a little finishing powder to avoid a greasy look.
Finish: Dewy and Glossy.
Recommended for: All Skin Types. Avoid if you have sensitive skin.
Editor’s Rating:
Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm means business when it comes to providing skin care benefits. It stands apart for its use of Titanium-dioxide to provide an SPF value of 45. It simply means that the formula is really safe for the skin as micro titanium particles sit lightly on the skin and never penetrate the dermal barrier as they do their work of protecting against UV rays. It also uses Zinc Oxide instead of sulfates and phthalates to act as an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory agent. In addition to these safe for the skin chemicals, it also contains Arbutin.
It’s a five-in-one formula that protects, heals, moisturizes, rejuvenates, and enhances skin appearance. It has a light-weight texture which is smooth and easy to apply, provides medium to high coverage and has a dewy and slightly glossy finish. It can be used without makeup. It has great staying power and doesn’t require frequent reapplication.
Pro tips – Mix both the shades – medium deep and light, in different ratios to get the perfect match for your skin tone. If you’re using it on oily skin, set it with a generous helping of powder.
Finish: Dewy and Glossy.
Recommended for: Dry and Combination Skin.
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EVERGLAM is a well-known brand in South Korea and is only just making its presence felt on the American continent. The EVERGLAM BB Cream Skin Perfector with SPF 30 has a light and creamy texture that glides on easily when applied and provides medium to high coverage.
It also contains Zinc oxide as an antioxidant to reduce acne breakouts and scarring. It works better when used in combination with other products rather than as a standalone cream. A small dollop is enough to cover the entire face.
Long term usage is recommended to improve skin texture, tone, and appearance. It provides excellent coverage for sun spots, acne scars, redness, dark circles and fine lines. The result is a very natural looking appearance with minimal makeup.
Pro tips – If you have dry skin, use with a generous helping of moisturizer to avoid flaky and pasty looking skin. Use a blending brush instead of applying with your fingers to improve coverage. For a longer lasting effect, set it with translucent powder.
Finish: Mildly dewy matte finish.
Recommended for: Oily and Combination Skin. It should be used in conjunction with a moisturizer for dry skin.
Editor’s Rating:
Dr. G. Gowoonsesang BB Creams come in a couple of different formulations for different skin types:
All these variations also differ in their shades from beige to neutral tones that offer widespread coverage. These formulae are also made up of all-natural ingredients like cabbage extracts, lime tree water, and Rosehip oil.
The creams are feather light and easy to apply. They’re best used in combination with a concealer or tinted foundation as they provide very light to medium coverage. A natural looking even skin tone is what you get with the initial application. The product oxidizes gradually turning your skin a shade or two darker in appearance. Keep that in mind when you’re blending it with other makeup products.
Pro tips – Apply it with a blender for more economical usage. Mix it with a tinted foundation, bronzer, or concealer to improve coverage. Just dab it on as opposed to blending it in. Set it with a face mist or finishing spray in summers. Skip the moisturizer and use it on top of an oil free serum in winters for a better finish.
Finish: Matte Finish.
Recommended for: Oily Skin. Pore+ is not recommended for dry skin.
Now that you know what BB Creams are, what makes Korean BB Creams so special, and what the ten best Korean BB Creams available online are. Here are some more details regarding BB Creams and their usage, application, and benefits in order to help you make the best use of this information.
Here’s a quick look at what kind of BB Cream should you buy based on your skin type:
BB Creams come in a very limited number of shades and tints. The color and tone of the BB Cream should match with the color of your face and neck. Do not try a swatch on your hand as that can be misleading.
If you can’t find a good match, try blending in two or more creams to get your perfect match. You can also lighten or darken their tint by combining them with color correctors, concealers, and tinted foundations.
When you’re testing the color, observe it in daylight as well as under artificial lights. You’ll notice a stark difference in the way light reflects off your skin under different kinds of lights. Choose a shade according to the time of usage.
BB creams are best used in combination with other cosmetics like concealers, CC Creams, foundations, primers, and moisturizers. Even though they provide decent concealment for skin blemishes while also hydrating the skin, the specialized products enhance the effect of the BB Cream and provide additional benefits like deep conditioning and total coverage.
Having said that, there are some BB Creams that can be used as night creams like the IPKN Moist and Firm BB Cream. Alternatively, there are standalone single-product, quick-fix solutions to your skincare problems like the Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm.
However, for complete and long lasting coverage, these are best used as a layer of makeup after the primer and before the application of concealers/color correctors/foundation creams.
Note: You can also use a Blur Cream for this step but a Primer is the better option.
Your skin is now prepped and primed and all set for the application of a BB Cream.
Following the directions on the tube/jar is usually the best way to apply BB Cream on your face.
You can skip the last step if you’re using the BB Cream as a standalone product.
And that’s that. Nothing more to it. Here’s a good Youtube tutorial that shows 7 different ways of wearing BB Creams.
Pro tip: If you have oily skin, use a sponge to apply BB Cream. Spritz the sponge with a facial mist before adding a drop of BB Cream so it spreads easily and evenly on your face. It isn’t the most economical way but it’s better for your skin as using fingers to dab in the cream makes your face more oily.
We hope you enjoyed this list of Korean BB creams and it has inspired you to think differently about your makeup process and how to take it to the next level. The creams we’ve listed here are all exceptional quality and will make your skin look and feel great while protecting you from the sun.