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At the risk of sounding dramatic, the best BB creams with SPF are some of the hardest-working products in my make-up bag – despite being among the easiest to apply. Short for beauty balm, the best BB creams are the product I reach for when I want my skin to look fresh, even and healthy, without the weight of a full coverage foundation. As a beauty writer, I’ve always been drawn to that glowy, my-skin-but-better finish, and BB creams have long been my shortcut to exactly that.
While they're not exactly a new invention, formulas have come a long way since I used to apply them in high-school (over 12 years ago, ahem). Nowadays, the best ones are packed with skin-loving ingredients – think hyaluronic acid, peptides and, of course, SPF. That's where this guide comes in: I'm chatting BB creams with SPF today specifically. These skincare heroes are hydrating, plumping and protecting your skin as you wear them. Talk about multi-taskers.
“As a facialist, I always look for a formula that combines broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher with skin-supporting ingredients like antioxidants, hyaluronic acid or niacinamide,” says Joanne Evans, founder of Skin Matters and expert facialist. She adds: “For oily or acne-prone skin, a lightweight, non-comedogenic formula is key whereas drier skin types will benefit from more hydrating textures.”
Below, I’ve done the trying, testing and daily-wearing for you to find the best BB creams with SPF out there – from glowy, barely-there formulas to those with a little more coverage, but still that fresh, skin-like finish. These are the ones genuinely worth adding to your beauty bag.
The best BB creams with SPF I've tried, at a glance:
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How I tested BB creams with SPF:
At Glamour, we don’t just swipe something on once and call it a review. Every product is worn properly – for weeks, sometimes months – to see how it actually performs day to day. For me, that means testing on real-life, busy days: press appointments, long hours at my desk, dinners, and everything in between, paying close attention to how a BB cream with SPF sits on the skin, layers over moisturiser or primer, and how well it lasts.
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When it came to BB creams with SPF, I focused on formulas that genuinely deliver on both coverage and skincare. I looked closely at ingredient lists (I was keeping an eye out for hyaluronic acid, squalane and peptides as heroes) and spoke to experts to narrow down the ones worth your time. SPF was, of course, a key factor – I only included formulas with at least SPF 30 in this edit, although it’s worth noting you’ll still want to pair them with a dedicated sunscreen for face for full protection.
All of the products in this edit accompanied by videos have been thoroughly tested by me, while a couple of standout formulas have been included based on strong recommendations and ingredient credentials. I’ll be putting those through their paces next, so bookmark this page for further testing. Read more about how we test here.
Why you can trust me:
Not to toot my own horn, but after six years as a beauty journalist – five at The Mirror and the past year at Glamour – I know what’s actually worth putting on your face. I’ve been using BB creams with SPF for as long as I can remember, too. When make-up wasn’t allowed at school, a tinted BB cream was my go-to – especially when my teenage skin entered the chat. Enough coverage to cover my pimples, but sheer enough to still look like my skin, so I stayed out of trouble – a win, win.
Even now, I’ll almost always choose a BB cream, skin tint or tinted moisturiser over a heavier foundation. I’m very much into fresh, glowy make-up that still looks like skin, so I’m picky about texture, finish, how a formula wears through the day, and of course, how much SPF protection it’s offering me. If it’s in this guide, it’s because it genuinely impressed me.
Ahead, the best BB creams with SPF to shop right now...
At a glance: This is one of those BB creams that really does feel like an all-in-one. You’re getting skincare, make-up and SPF 50 in the same step, with a healthy, glowy finish and enough coverage to properly even things out. It’s also packed with ingredients like niacinamide for barrier care, glycerin for hydration and adenosine to help support skin elasticity.
Glamour editor review: “This was easily my favourite BB cream of the lot. I went for Medium-Tan and it was such a good match for my olive skin tone. It blended in so easily, gave me really decent coverage and made my skin look so healthy and glowy. The kind of finish that makes you do a double-take in the mirror.
What I loved most is that it really feels like it’s doing everything. It gives you the coverage of make-up, the comfort of skincare and SPF 50 in one, which, for me, is exactly what I want from a BB cream. Honestly, I don’t really have a bad word to say about it - other than the fact that so many shades seem to be sold out everywhere, which tells you all you need to know.”
- Best for: All skin types
- Coverage: Medium
- Finish: Glowy, skin-like
- Key ingredients: Niacinamide, glycerin, adenosine
- Shades: Four
- Pros: Great coverage, blends beautifully, high SPF offering
- Cons: Hard to find in stock, and not a big shade range
2. Best K-Beauty BB Cream: erborian Ginseng BB Crème
At a glance: A true hybrid formula, this BB cream blends skincare and make-up with a Korean white ginseng complex to hydrate, smooth and create that signature ‘baby skin’ effect. Expect light-to-medium coverage with a naturally dewy finish.
Glamour editor review: "I’ve been a fan of Erborian for a while now – their CC Red Correct has firmly earned a place in my everyday routine – so I couldn’t wait to put this BB cream to the test. I also recently went to a K-beauty event where I learnt more about the power of ginseng in skincare, a Korean ingredient known for its smoothing and revitalising properties, so I was especially curious to see how this would perform. I went for shade Doré, which turned out to be a really good match for my skin tone.
In terms of texture, it’s slightly thicker than some of the other formulas I’ve tried, so it does take a bit more effort to blend – I found it worked best when properly buffed into the skin. That said, once it’s in, it does a great job of smoothing texture and giving a more even, perfected finish while still looking like skin. It feels nicely hydrating and leaves a soft, dewy glow. The only things to note: the bottle is on the smaller side for the price, so I’m not convinced it’ll last ages, and with SPF 20, it’s the lowest protection in this edit – so I’d definitely pair it with your usual face sunscreen underneath."
- Best for: Normal to dry skin
- Coverage: Light to medium
- Finish: Dewy, skin-like
- Key ingredients: Korean white ginseng complex
- Shades: Five
- Pros: Smooths texture, hydrating, natural glow
- Cons: Takes longer to blend in, lower SPF (20), and not a huge shade range
3. Best Affordable BB Cream: Beauty of Joseon Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen SPF 30
At a glance: I’d describe this as more of a skin tint than a BB cream. It’s a lightweight, fluid formula with SPF 30 and a fresh, natural finish, enriched with ingredients like Artemisia capillaris (mugwort) extract to soothe and olive-derived lipids for added hydration. Coverage is sheer, but it leaves skin looking healthy and hydrated.
Glamour editor review: “This one has a really watery texture, so it glides on easily and feels lovely and hydrating on the skin. That said, it dries down quite quickly, so you do need to be fairly fast when blending it in. I went for shade MP200, which was a bit too dark for me and pulled slightly orange, so I could definitely have gone one or two shades lighter.
It gives a nice sheer wash of coverage, but I wouldn’t say it layered brilliantly over serums – I found it went a little patchy in places. Still, if you like a very light, skin-tint-style finish, this is a nice everyday option.”
- Best for: Normal to dry skin
- Coverage: Sheer
- Finish: Natural, slightly dewy
- Key ingredients: Artemisia capillaris (mugwort) extract, olive-derived lipids
- Shades: Twelve
- Pros: Lightweight, hydrating, skin-soothing
- Cons: Dries quickly, can go patchy, shade ran dark
4. Best BB Cream For Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 SPF 50
At a glance: If you’ve got sensitive skin and want your tint and SPF in one, this is a good one to know about. The formula is fragrance-free, SPF 50+ and made with Mexoryl 400, La Roche-Posay’s UV filter for high broad-spectrum protection. There's also just one shade, which supposedly adjusts to different skin tones.
Glamour editor review: “I have pretty sensitive, reactive skin, so La Roche-Posay is already a brand I know and trust. I’m also a big fan of the Anthelios UVMune 400 SPF50+, which I wear under make-up most days, so I love that this gives you that same high protection with a tint built in.
Texture-wise, this felt more like a cream than some of the other formulas I tried, so I applied it with my hands. It wasn’t the easiest to blend on bare skin, and I actually think it would sit better with a serum underneath to help it spread more evenly. Coverage is very light, so my texture and blemishes still showed through, but if you want something lightweight with proper SPF 50+ protection, it does the job."
- Best for: Sensitive skin
- Coverage: Very light
- Finish: Natural
- Key ingredients: Mexoryl 400
- Shades: One universal shade
- Pros: High SPF, good for sensitive skin, fragrance-free
- Cons: Quite thick, not the easiest to blend, very sheer coverage
5. Best Coverage BB Cream: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Blurred Matte SPF 30
At a glance: While technically a tinted moisturiser, I’d say this absolutely works as a BB cream too, thanks to the light, buildable coverage and skin-blurring finish. It has SPF 30 and a skincare-infused formula with French rose clay, Eijitsu rose extract and white rose extract to help smooth, hydrate and keep excess oil in check. If you like your base to feel lightweight but still make your skin look more polished, this is a very good one.
Glamour editor review: "I first tried this when I had my make-up done by a Laura Mercier artist for the Glamour Women of the Year Awards, and I remember being obsessed with how my skin looked. It gave me that glowy, healthy finish I always want, but what really sold it for me was how well it lasted. For a tinted moisturiser/BB cream-style product, the staying power really impressed me.
When I tested it properly for myself, I used shade 3N Sand, which was a great match for my olive skin tone. I applied it straight onto my skin and blended it out with my double-ended REFY brush, and it melted in really nicely without feeling heavy or sitting on top of the skin. The coverage is light to medium and buildable, so it evened everything out while still looking natural. It also worked really well with the rest of my make-up, layering nicely with concealer, bronzer and blush. My only note is that it came up a little glowier on me than expected, so I added a touch of powder – but overall, it wore beautifully throughout the day."
- Best for: Normal, combination and slightly dry skin
- Coverage: Light to medium, buildable
- Finish: Natural-looking soft matte
- Key ingredients: French rose clay, Eijitsu rose extract, white rose extract
- Shades: 20
- Pros: Lightweight, long-lasting, skin-like finish
- Cons: May look a little shiny on oilier skin types
Not tested by us, but dermatologically-tested:
6. Best Multi-Purpose BB Cream Kiko Daily Protection BB Cream SPF 30
While I haven’t properly tested this one yet, it’s been on my radar for a while – and with hundreds of five-star reviews on the KIKO website, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. At this price point, it feels like one of those easy, everyday BB creams you can throw on and go. I also like that it leans into skincare, with ingredients like sea kale extract and glycerin to help keep skin hydrated, rather than just sitting on the surface.
From the reviews, it seems to apply really nicely with fingers and blends well with a sponge for that smooth, glowy finish that lasts throughout the day. It’s also meant to work well both on its own and under make-up, without pilling – which is exactly what you want from a BB cream. The only thing I’d be cautious of is the shade-matching tool online; I tried it, and well, it's definitely not accurate.
- Best for: Normal to dry skin
- Coverage: Light to medium, buildable
- Finish: Natural, smooth
- Key ingredients: Sea kale extract & glycerin
- Shades: Seven
- Pros: Comfortable, hydrating, long-lasting formula (according to reviews)
- Cons: Strong scent & limited shade range
Your FAQ's, Answered:
Meet The Expert:
| Joanne Evans | Founder of Skin Matters and expert facialist. |
What is the best BB cream with SPF?
“This really depends on your skin type and concerns. As a facialist, I always look for a formula that combines broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher with skin-supporting ingredients like antioxidants, hyaluronic acid or niacinamide. For oily or acne-prone skin, a lightweight, non-comedogenic formula is key whereas drier skin types will benefit from more hydrating textures. Ultimately, the best BB Cream is one that protects, evens the complexion and supports your skin barrier without clogging pores. My go-to is the Erborian CC Cream as it is enriched with skincare heroes, including Centella Asiatica, whilst also offering SPF 30. It's great for providing a light coverage and giving your skin a healthy glow.”
What is the difference between CC and BB creams?
“BB Creams are designed to provide light coverage while hydrating and protecting the skin - think of them as a tinted moisturiser with skincare benefits. CC Creams, on the other hand, are more targeted towards colour correcting and neutralising discolouration. They often offer slightly more coverage and a more perfected finish.”
What is BB cream used for?
“A BB Cream is often used as a multitasking complexion product. It hydrates, lightly evens out skin tone and often includes SPF for daily protection. I would recommend a BB Cream to clients who want a more natural, breathable finish compared to traditional foundation, especially for everyday wear or if the skin doesn’t need a heavier coverage.”
Is BB cream better than foundation?
"It’s not a matter of one being better than the other but rather about what your skin needs. BB Creams are ideal for a natural, skin-like finish with added skincare benefits which makes them perfect for day-to-day wear. Foundation typically provides more coverage and longevity, which may be preferable for events or when you want a more polished look. From a skin health perspective, BB Creams are often the better choice for maintaining balance and avoiding congestion, particularly if you’re prone to sensitivity or breakouts."
Do you need to apply SPF as well as your SPF BB cream?
“Yes, this is something I emphasise strongly in clinic. While BB Creams that contain SPF are a helpful added layer of protection, most people don’t apply enough product to achieve the stated SPF level. For proper protection, you should apply a dedicated broad-spectrum SPF first, then layer your BB cream on top. Think of the SPF in your BB cream as a bonus, not your primary defence. It’s also important not to rely on your BB Cream alone throughout the day, as SPF should be reapplied every two hours when you’re out and about. Ideally, removing your makeup and reapplying your SPF from scratch will give you the most reliable protection but this isn’t always practical on the go. A more convenient option is to top up your SPF over your BB Cream using a lightweight sunscreen, mist or powder, making reapplication quick and easy without feeling too heavy.”
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