9 best BB creams 2025, for oily, dry and combination skin

If fresh, healthy-looking skin is your goal, this BB cream from Kosas is a brilliant choice. The gel consistency of the formula is hydrating without being oily, and gives the skin a fresh sheen. Though not heavy in coverage, this imparts enough colour to blur over any discolouration. The formula is unusual and separates a little, which is something to keep in mind, so we would advise applying it first to the back of your hand, mixing it together and then applying straight to the skin – we found that the result is worth the faff. It wears well through the day and keeps the skin feeling hydrated, so is a great option all year round.

Garnier is home to many variations of its BB cream, but the oil-free version was our favourite. This offers slightly more coverage than its counterparts from the brand, leaving the skin looking healthy and perfected. The formula feels like a creamy gel, offering moisture but drying down to keep the skin free from shine. It lasted well throughout the day and was the most budget-friendly of the many we discovered. Be mindful that the scent is rather prominent, and the shade range is limited.

With Korean skincare roots, the Dr. Jart BB cream works as a simple, everyday skin enhancer that sits virtually undetectable on the skin. For someone busy who wishes to create a slightly more even skin tone, but doesn’t necessarily want to look made up, this is a great lightweight choice. It dries down to a sheer, skin-like finish, and while it’s only available in four shades, these are said to adapt to your skin tone, meaning they will suit a range of skin tones. The formula provides a high level of sun protection (SPF50) too, and has a gentle citrus scent.

Perhaps the most well-known of the BB creams we tried, and indeed Hammer’s favourite, it’s easy to understand why this one is so popular. This gel-like formula will work well for dry, combination or oily skin types, and applies evenly and quickly using just fingertips. Available in five adaptable shades, it remains lightweight and fresh whether you use a small amount or build up to a fuller coverage. Skin looks healthy and not overly done, but still perfected. There’s a very soft powdery scent to this too.

If you are hoping to add radiance to dull or tired-looking skin, this BB cream will be great for you. Available in eight adaptable shades, it gives an instant and lasting glow to the skin, yet still dries adequately so as not to feel too heavy. Due to the richer coverage in this formula, the fade in the wear was slightly more noticeable as the day went on. It’s also worth noting that if you have textured skin, you may prefer something with a less luminous finish. You might also wish to use a setting powder to minimise shine in any areas that can be prone to becoming oily.

Something that Clarins complexion products seem to have in common is adding radiance to the skin in a way that doesn’t look artificial. It would be brilliant to see this in a wider shade range, as anyone with the fairest or deepest of skin tones will be unlikely to find a close match. A lightweight yet rich formula, this cocoons the skin in moisture but dries down to a low maintenance satin finish. It would be ideal for city living, as the skincare base is designed to protect the skin against environmental aggressors such as pollution.

If your skin is more prone to becoming oily throughout the day, the soft matte finish of this BB cream will work well for you. Though not entirely velvety, this dries to an egg-shell finish and creates a more even-looking skin tone. We also found that it was lightweight while delivering a natural-looking finish. The lack of dewiness in this formula will make it an ideal option for anyone hoping to avoid drawing attention to any texture in the skin or fine lines, and the added vitamin B3 will be especially great for those susceptible to dark spots. This is a hydrating cream that feels comfortable, lightweight and easy to wear.

For those who travel a lot or like to touch up make-up throughout the day, this stick formula BB cream is easy and quick. Though rich in hydrating ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil, this goes on creamy and dries to a satin matte finish. Keep this in mind for a weekend away, a no make-up day or simply a complexion refresh. When it comes to application, our recommendation is to ensure you have thoroughly moisturised before applying it, to avoid any product gathering in dry areas. But we like that this is available in 16 adaptable shades.

A very specialised choice but one that we felt deserved a mention, the most unusual BB cream of those we tried was the Glow breathable blemish balm. A popular choice in the Korean beauty market, this simply comes in three shades: a pure white, a soft beige, and a chocolate brown. Upon initial inspection it would appear these shades alone are in no way suitable for most skin tones. The idea, however, is that they are designed to be adaptable, so each shade can be sheered out and will span various skin tones. For everyday ease they wouldn’t be the most practical choice. But if you like the idea of customising your everyday foundation, these are designed to mix well and can add skincare benefits and a glass skin finish to your favourite base.