Oh dear. As the years go by, there are more and MORE products in the market claiming to work all sorts of miracles. While it may be great for the companies selling these products, it's a nightmare for us beauty junkies because we just don't know what's what and which ones really work! I'm sure you agree that it can be very overwhelming.
See I'm almost running out of my daytime moisturiser and have been hearing and reading LOTS about tinted moisturisers, BB creams and CC creams. What?? What on earth are BB creams and CC creams?!? They're all over the place! Gone were the days when moisturisers were simply that: moisturisers.
Fret not, Lil' Missy comes to the rescue as I've done my fair share of research on this. To help clarify, these are the fundamental differences:
Tinted Moisturiser
- Moisturiser with colour that helps even out your skin tone.
- Provides sheer coverage.
- Hydrates like a moisturiser.
- Typically lightweight on the skin compared to a foundation.
- Includes an SPF of at least 15.
BB Cream
- Also called as Blemish Balm, Benefit Balm, or anything you want the "BB" to stand for.
- Amped up tinted moisturisers.
- All-in-one product that replaces your serum, moisturiser, primer, foundation, and sunscreen.
- You can expect the look/feel of a tinted moisturiser with antioxidants, acne fighting ingredients and some whitening ingredients.
- Includes a hefty broad spectrum of SPF.
CC Cream
- Also called Colour Correcting, Colour Control, or anything you want the "CC" to stand for.
- Newest addition to these range of moisturising products.
- All-in-one product that replaces your serum, moisturiser, primer, lightweight foundation, and sunscreen.
- Works like a BB cream, but with a lighter texture and lighter coverage.
I currently use Herbalife Nourifusion Multivitamin Moisturiser with SPF 15. I have combination skin, so I use the one for normal to oily skin. I've been using it for about 4 months now and it's hydrating. Overall, it's alright. I'll write another post about this product soon.
Since "alright" is hardly ever good enough for us, I thought of trying out "better" products. Sigh, the curse of satisfying our beauty needs.
Anyhow, I went to Sephora at Paradigm Mall over the weekend and gave the sales assistant very specific instructions. The conversation went something like this:
Me: "Hi! I need a moisturiser that hydrates, minimises pores, is lightweight, and gives a dewy look without looking oily. It must contain SPF. Oh, and I'm willing to try a CC cream. Could you help me?"
Sales Assistant: (looking at me like I'm a nut) "Err.. Sure. Okay.. we have Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation, which is a tinted moisturiser, and Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Dark Spot Correcting, which is a CC cream."
Me: "I've not used either before, but I'll give it a shot. Could you please try each product on each half of my face (half of my face with one product; the other half with the other product). I have sensitive skin and need to try them on for several hours to see if there's a reaction."
Sales Assistant: (now looking at me with a nervous smile like I'm some kind of psycho) "Okay, miss. Have a seat and I'll bring the products to you."
Me: (grinning like a Cheshire cat) "Great! Let's do this!"
Poor girl. She seemed confused yet intrigued. She was pleasant, though. I'm glad that Sephora caters to needs like mine (kudos, Sephora!).
After a couple of minutes, she comes over with some products and cleans my face with a Sephora make-up remover, then uses a Sephora toner. Then, she begins applying the products she mentioned.
The comparison table below describes how I find the look and feel of the products:
Thing is that companies are running a business, so they're not to blame that we are overwhelmed with countless products on the shelves. As harsh as it sounds, the beauty business isn't charity, and these companies need to market and sell their products.
Here's my take on it: do your research, check the ingredients list, and ignore the claims on the packaging. It's important to try different products on before deciding which ones work best for your skin, and makes you look and feel pretty. I know it's simpler said, but different products work differently for people because of the different skin tones, skin textures, skin conditions etc.
It's also best to see how the products look on your skin under white light or even better, in broad daylight. Most cosmetic/beauty shops have yellow lights and it can be very deceiving how you look under yellow light.
Make informed decisions and stay moisturised, folks! :)
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