If you want to teach your kids the alphabet you can either let them watch Sesame Street or show them your make up stash.
No doubts that after the great success of BB, CC, DD and EE creams we will one day arrive to ZZ.
Some consider them just a marketing hype, some the “where have you been all my life” products.
So what is the difference and which should you consider?
BB cream
BB stands for Blemish Balm or Beauty Balm. In origin, it was meant to treat skin recovering from surgical procedures.
BB creams are supposed to be packed with moisturizing ingredients and even out the skin tone by offering a coverage that can vary from sheer to medium.
They are often formulated with sheer micas to lend a dewy look, and silicones to “fill” in skin texture, giving a smoother appearance.
Another very important characteristic is that they offer protection from sun damage. To this regard, we have to raise a warning sign, not all BB creams are equal!
A study compared 21 commercial BB creams and tested them in order to reply to these 2 questions:
- Does the claimed sun protection correspond to reality?
- What is their photostability: how well do they keep protecting from sun during sun exposure?
In few words, do they work well and do they keep performing after some time from application?
The study found that:
It was shown that 70% of the products tested have an SPF which matches the SPF displayed on the product. For the remaining 30%, it can be seen that products have SPF values of between 2 and 10 times lower than those indicated on the products. It can also be noted that there is a large disparity in terms of photostability since, under the same experimental conditions, however, some products only lose 5% of their photoprotective efficacy, whereas others lose 60%)
When to use: Best for dry skin, looking for sheer coverage, sun protection and moisturizing ingredients
CC cream
CC stands for Colour Correcting. Their texture is lighter than BB creams and absorbs quickly, being many times oil free.
They contain pigments to correct discolouration, brighteners like Vitamin C, anti-oxidants like Vitamin E and other anti-ageing ingredients.
It is not rare to find green CC creams against redness or purple, against sallow complexion.
As BB creams, they also contain sunscreen and soft-focus ingredients, to diffuse light and even out skin tone.
When to use: Best for oily skin and skin with light blemishes. Aimed to neutralise discolouration like redness or sallowness.
DD Cream
Initially, DD –Daily Defence– creams were heavy moisturizers for body and feet. Then the meaning of DD got somehow associated to “Dynamic Do all” and they became face cream products. They are kind of in between BB and CC creams, with anti-oxidant and colour correcting ingredients. They also include ingredients that defend from sun damage and pollution.
When to use: Best for dry to normal skin and for whom wants a hybrid between BB and CC creams with protection from sun and pollution… city boys and girls, I am looking at you!
EE creams
Of course EE creams were also introduced to the market…except no one really knows what they are.
In fact, there is no common definition and you can find very diverse products, ranging from the EE –Even Effect– skin tone corrector by Estée Lauder to the EE –Extra Exfoliating– cream by the Jojoba Company.
Dear cosmetic industry, make up your mind! Otherwise there is no way you can convince us we need yet another alphabet cream.
So, what is your opinion on the alphabet creams? And, is FF cream going to be “fast and fabulous” or “for fools”?
Vavoom Me 