The Best Korean BB Creams (2022 Reviews)

The beauty product industry is a giant– a $600+ billion giant to be exact– which all but tells us everything we want to know about people in general. After all, who doesn’t want to look good?

Some of the best beauty products are made in Korea. They are popular in making BB creams which makes your morning makeup routine faster and easier. So that’s why we’ve looked for the best Korean BB creams and sorted them out for you to compare!

Top 4 Korean BB Creams For 2022

The table below shows the results of our comprehensive research in the Korean BB cream field. You can find the best Korean BB cream for you in 2022 by using the list below.

Brand NameSPF/PASkin TypeSpecial Ingredient 
Missha M Perfect Cover #21 (Editor's Pick)SPF 42/ PA+++AllJojoba, Rosemary, Camomile
Dr. Jart Waterfuse Beauty BalmSPF 25/ PA ++Sensitive, Acne-ProneHibiscus, Argania Spinosa, and Rosa Multiflora Flower Extracts; Niacinamide
Skinfood Aloe SunSPF 20/ PA+AllAloe Extract
Holika Holika Aqua Petit Jelly BB CreamSPF 20/ PA ++Combination/Oily SkinAloe, Peppermint, Marine Jelly
SKIN79 Super Plus Beblesh BalmSPF 30/PA ++Dry/CombinationRooibos Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Caviar, Gold

We hope the list above has helped you pick the top Korean BB cream for your needs and skin type. Let’s now continue by asking: who doesn’t want to look good?

Now, here’s the catch: While people like you and me want to look good, we seldom have the time for it. Work, family, dogs, kids, whatever– they all demand a little bit of our time that ultimately, we’re left with nothing to ourselves. That’s just terrible news for beauty buffs. But not for long, though.

MISSHA M Perfect Cover BB Cream – Best Korean BB Cream

best korean bb cream for dry skin

The company MISSHA has a motto that would tickle the stingiest ears: “Quality should be affordable.” The MISSHA M Perfect Cover BB Cream is the epitome of quality and affordability into one, hence its reputation as the world’s best-selling BB cream, with over 30 million and counting of these sold worldwide!

The MISSHA M Perfect Cover BB Cream has both anti-aging and whitening properties, and suitable for all skin types including the more sensitive, acne-prone ones.

The best thing about this BB Cream is that it doesn’t only cover skin blemishes, it really treats them! Most BB creams, unfortunately, come in only two shades, leaving people with extreme skin tones (dark and pale) frustrated. That won’t be a problem with the Perfect Cover BB Cream, however, because it comes in FIVE different shades to make sure every skin tone is covered.

Definitely, the MISSHA M Perfect Cover BB Cream makes the cut as one of the top rated BB Creams in 2022.

What We Liked

  • Affordable
  • High SPF
  • Amount of product (even with frequent use, a 50 ml bottle should last up to 6 months)
  • Coverage

What We Didn’t Like

  • Mediocre Oil Control
  • High SPF makes it a no-no to flash photography (unless you want to look like a ghost)
  • Thick

Dr. Jart Waterfuse Beauty Balm SPF 25 – Excellent Beauty Balm for Breakouts

best korean bb cream for combination skin

The Dr. Jart Waterfuse Beauty Balm has all the makings of a BB Cream superstar– it’s a treatment serum, moisturizer, and a sunscreen.

However, the most amazing thing about the Waterfuse BB is it’s tailored for women with sensitive skin. It is water-based so it leaves the skin with a cool, hydrated feeling without being greasy, while the non-fragrant lotion neutralizes irritation.

The lightweight formula is also perfect if you want to give your skin a break after going on with heavy makeup, concealers, and foundations for an extended period of time.

There’s no doubt that the Dr. Jart Waterfuse Beauty Balm is the perfect match for every woman struggling with dry and unhealthy skin.

What We Liked

  • Gives that natural look
  • No parabens and sulfates making it perfect for sensitive skin
  • The tint makes it easier to hide minor imperfections
  • Super hydrating

What We Didn’t Like

  • Minimal coverage
  • Available in only one shade (Surprise, surprise!)
  • It has alcohol which could be an issue for certain skin types
  • Could be tricky to apply

Skinfood Aloe Sun – Best BB Balm For A Natural and Make-Up Free Feel Look

bb cream korean celebrities use

Skin Food has been around since 1957 so the fact that it’s still here for the better part of six decades is a testament to the quality of its products.

The SF Aloe Sun BB Cream is no exception. It contains aloe vera for a soothing, moisturizing, and hydrating effect on the skin. When applied with the right amount, it feels very light and natural.

The scent, too, is nice– not very old-fashioned and not too strong either. Because of the ingredients and specifications, the Skin Food Aloe Sun BB Cream might be suited to the warmer glow of summer rather than the cold winter.

What We Liked

  • Affordable
  • Doesn’t break out
  • Solid wear time
  • At 50 g, it will take a while before you buy another one

What We Didn’t Like

  • Sun protection is a little on the low side
  • Fragrant cosmetics like the SF Aloe Sun may cause allergies on some people
  • Lighter coverage than most BB creams

Holika Holika Aqua Petit Jelly BB Cream – Best Jelly BB Cream

holika holika clearing bb cream of 2018

Holika Holika is a strange and funny-sounding name but if it works, it shouldn’t matter, right? The Aqua Petit Jelly is the only one of its kind in the market– a BB cream with a jelly texture that makes it easy to blend and work with.

And really, how can you say no to that bottle cap? On a more serious note, though, the Aqua Petit Jelly’s ingredients include a lot of vitamin-infused stuff like peppermint, wild mint, and apple mint leaf.

These components produce a pleasant, cooling effect on the skin while the peppermint and the fact that it’s water-based makes the Aqua Petit one of the best BB creams for oily skin out there in the market.

And we’re not done yet. The Aqua Petit Jelly claims to also contain what is called “Marine Jelly”, an amalgam of 7 plant collagen extracts taken from seaweeds! It is literally packed with untold amounts of highly potent anti-aging substances which could only be so good for the skin.

What We Liked

  • No Oxidation (Won’t Fade Into An Orange-y Color)
  • Matte/Semi-Matte Finish
  • Quickly Dries
  • Comfortable

What We Didn’t Like

  • Glass bottle is heavy, making it less portable
  • Available in only two shades
  • Not for dry skin as it offers little to no moisturization
  • The spatula

SKIN79 Super Plus Beblesh Balm – An Excellent Pick

korean bb cream for oily skin review

The SKIN79 Super Plus Beblesh Balm promises to whiten, UV protect, and improve wrinkles and it has the exact ingredients for that. The cream itself has a soft and invigorating texture and you can almost tell it is one of the best illuminating BB creams because of the moisturizing, dewy effect it has on the skin.

Even so, the health benefits on the skin makes it a favorite choice, as it is one of the best BB creams for acne-prone skin. However, this BB Cream may be more suitable for medium skin tone rather than fair to pale because of its grayish accent.

 You will also notice that this product’s skin protection is very good, with an SPF 30 and a PA++ that intercepts both the UVA and UVB rays.

The SKIN79 Super Plus Beblesh Balm has a cult following in South Korea and once your skin proves to be an exact match, you’ll be hooked.

Don’t say we didn’t warn you! This has to be a top contender for being the best Korean BB cream.

What We Liked

  • Won’t turn your face orange
  • Healthy Ingredients
  • Hygienic Packaging
  • Lasts a decent amount of time

What We Didn’t Like

  • Not best with oily skin
  • Heavily scented; not for people with sensitive skin
  • While the packaging is elegant and hygienic,the bottle itself makes it hard to tell how much of the product is left
  • Sheer coverage

Korean BB Cream Buying Guide

There’s no such thing as a perfect beauty product because we have different skin types, skin tones, and what it may ultimately boil down to– different preferences.

However, to those who are just getting their feet wet to the colorful world of BB creams, don’t you worry. We are here to show you the right direction and help you decide which product/s fits your needs.

Before answering “How to choose a BB cream”, let’s first get one fundamental question out of the way: What is BB cream supposed to do?

BB cream is short for Beauty Balm (also called Beblesh Balm, Blemish Base, or Blemish Balm) and it was basically discovered by German dermatologist Dr. Christine Schrammek when she was looking/developing for a single product to use for her skin procedure patients.

It was eventually introduced to the Asian market– especially in South Korea– and it has gone on to dominate the South Korean beauty industry. Today, BB creams comprise 13% of the cosmetic market in that country.

From its origin alone, it is clear why BB creams exist. It is supposed to be a beauty multi-tasker, a jack-of-all-trades if you will, able to replace a foundation, primer, and a sunscreen. With BB creams, the usual 10-step, hour-long beauty process is a thing of the past.

But of course, if you believe the hype on BB creams being portrayed as a “miracle on a tube”, you will be utterly disappointed. After all, there is no such thing.

Why Use BB Creams

BB Creams are insanely popular for a reason. Some of the reasons are mentioned above but it offers more than that. It is easily the best beauty product a busy woman could own because of its convenience and cost-effectiveness.

You are guaranteed to fall in love with the swift application, the healthy ingredients, and its versatility.

They say companies simply create a need to sell their products but in the case of BB creams, the opposite is true: All women—beauty junkies or not—need this and so the beauty industry did us a favor and made an amazing product. Take a long look at some of the  advantages of using BB creams:

  • Because the formula is lighter, BB Creams often give off a natural look and feel
  • Have natural ingredients that help maintain a youthful look
  • Many BB creams provide ample coverage but unlike a foundation, it does not close the pores allowing the skin to “breathe”
  • The tinted variety acts a concealer to hide discolorations
  • Also serves as a moisturizer, sunscreen, and an anti-aging cream

How To Choose The Best Korean BB Cream For You

BB Creams do have limitations but what doesn’t? The key is choosing something that suits you and something that is tailor-made for your beauty needs. There are 7 basic factors that could help you decide the best Korean BB Cream for you:

#1 Color type

Korean BB creams target, well, Koreans, which means most of the shades available are on the lighter side of the spectrum. If you are darker-toned, it would be best to turn your attention to brands that have more color options. (The MISSHA M Perfect Cover, for instance, offers five different shades.)

For fair-skinned individuals, most products are legitimate targets and you might want to look at other factors to narrow the search down. Admittedly, though, the lack of color options is one of the most frustrating things about BB creams.

#2 Skin type

In the case of BB creams, there’s no such thing as “one size fits all.” Despite what packages claim, specific BB cream formulae cater to one skin type more than another.

For example, some products have a water-based formulation that is heaven-sent for those with dry, sensitive skin while others have ingredients suck as aloe vera and peppermint that makes it highly suitable for individuals with an oily/combination skin type.

#3 Replacement

Even the fairest of us need to hide something, right? Most BB cream users utilize the product as a replacement for foundation and if you’re planning to do the same, it’s imperative that you have a clear understanding of how much coverage a specific cream can provide.

Different products supply different levels of coverage so this factor right here should be on the top of the list as far as must-knows in BB creams are concerned.

#4 Fragrance

This is obviously not for the girls who have sensitive skin or allergic to perfume but to those don’t, isn’t there anything like a fresh zest in the morning when you’re in the middle of a beauty routine? Naturally, you wouldn’t want something too strong but a little light fragrance wouldn’t be so bad either.

#5 Protection Factor

We all understand what prolonged and unprotected exposure to the sun can do to the skin. This makes the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) and Protection Grade UV-A (PA) an important factor in choosing a BB cream. If not, you better have your umbrellas handy.

#6 Your Age

As a rule of thumb, younger women (probably in the ’20s to early ’30s) should choose the thinner BB creams because it readily absorbs into their skin. At this age, women could use a BB cream with a noticeably less coverage.

For the older demographic, opting for a fuller coverage should serve them well along with BB creams with healthy, anti-aging ingredients. It is good to know that a number of the Korean brands are rated highly as the best BB creams for women over 50.

#7 The Season

Consider the season. During summertime, the skin tends to become oilier than usual and winter proves to be the opposite. Take into consideration the seasonal changes and choose a BB cream accordingly.

Some of the aforementioned factors require a little research beforehand from the company itself and reviews from customers. It never hurts going a little deeper from the surface before shedding out money on a purchase because, at the end of the day, we want something that works for us.

Additionally, there are a number of fake products circulating especially on the web so check if you are negotiating with a bona fide company that is authorized to distribute actual products.

Legit South Korean company brands like MISSHA, Skin Food, and Dr. Jart has existed for decades and has developed a good reputation in the beauty product industry.

A customer’s critique, too, can prove to be valuable in gaining insight into the product. Keep in mind, however, that most of these reviews are personal and that while they may have an unsatisfactory experience with a particular product, it may be due to several factors that could be unique to a certain individual.

Proper Way To Apply BB Cream

A lot of BB Cream newbies make fundamental mistakes in applying the product. Because they have often used moisturizers and foundations in the past before moving on with the BB Creams, they are likely to deal with it the way they do those products and apply too much of it. This often results in a thicker, heavier look that would feel as if you’re wearing a mask.

BB creams are supposed to replace the thick, heavy look with a lightweight, more natural one, that’s why you don’t need too much of it to begin with.

Most BB creams go a long way for so little an application. You can start by squeezing a tiny amount onto your fingers, your palms, or at the back of your hand and apply to certain areas of the face like the forehead, nose, chin, and cheeks in that particular order.

Some types of BB cream achieve the best results when applied with a foundation brush or a sponge. This requires more skill and technique, though, but works best on certain types of skin.

For women with oily skin, the sponge could neutralize the excess oil while dry-skinned individuals could benefit from applying BB cream using a foundation brush.

Spread the BB cream using circular, patting motions until it becomes invisible. The problem parts– discolorations, pigmentations, acne scars, etc– may call for more application and you may do so if desired.

In applying the BB Cream around the eyes, a more gentle patting pressure is required to prevent the appearance of fine lines due to the circular motions that may strain the skin around the eyes.

If you wish to add another layer, wait for the initial coating to dry and then apply as desired.

Conclusion

best korean bb cream

Taking extra care of your skin is imperative if you want it to look its best even as you age. Sometimes, “lying” about our age is fun especially if we do it through our vibrant, young-looking complexion. And we are positive that you will find exactly what your skin needs with our list of the best Korean BB cream products.

Though admittedly not perfect, using the right Korean BB cream will help you achieve a youthful-looking skin while helping hide and get rid of uneven skin tone, wrinkles, dark spots, acne marks, and more.

The purpose of this guide is to help you comprehend exactly what to look for in a BB cream, what is BB cream supposed to do, and how to identify which BB cream is right for you.

The list above, which includes 5 of the best Korean BB creams in the market, may hopefully be the last thing you’ll ever need as far as beauty balms go.

Out of all the products mentioned, you may have noticed one that particularly stood out because of three things: the number of items sold worldwide, its price, and the number of shades available.

Yes, I’m talking about the MISSHA M Perfect Cover BB Cream here and while “perfect” may be a reach of a declaration, it certainly comes close.

All of the good things a BB cream is supposed to pack and the fact that it is probably available in the shade of your preference makes it the top choice for us and obviously 30 million more people throughout the world.

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Jennifer Webb
Jennifer Webb

A little over a year ago, Jennifer quit her job as a PR consultant to backpack through Europe and Southeast Asia, where she decided to turn her passion into a business and launched JustWomanThings.

Jennifer Webb

A little over a year ago, Jennifer quit her job as a PR consultant to backpack through Europe and Southeast Asia, where she decided to turn her passion into a business and launched JustWomanThings.