7 Best BB Creams for Oily Skin in 2022 (Makeup Artist-Reviewed)
Looking for a foundation alternative that gives you light and natural coverage and is less likely to make your skin look greasy? Consider a BB cream formulated especially for oily skin! In addition to covering up blemishes, a BB cream has many other skincare benefits. It can also act as a primer to prepare your skin for makeup or as a lightweight moisturizer to keep your skin healthy without being overly greasy.
Choosing a BB cream for oily skin can be difficult as you have to find a formula that doesn't clog your pores or cause the overproduction of oil on the skin. For some references, take a look at our list of favorites. Pūrlisse Perfect Glow BB Cream was our favorite, as it's offered in 11 shades to suit all skin tones, has a formula designed specifically for oily and combination skin, and provides SPF 30 sun protection. If you still find it tough to choose the right product, scroll down to our buying guide, which was reviewed by a makeup artist, for some tips and tricks!
Quick List - Top BB Creams For Oily Skin
Natalya is a professional makeup artist based in Los Angeles and has been trying new products to find what is best for each individual's skin tone and type. She is self-taught but wanted to further her education, and she went to a makeup school in Los Angeles to learn the ins and outs of makeup. She has tried many makeup brands and products and can proudly say she has found some of the best and longest-wearing products. As a freelance makeup artist, she wants her clients not to worry about their makeup not lasting as long as they need it to.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
- How to Choose BB Creams For Oily Skin
- Look for a Formula That's Suitable for Oily Skin1
- Choose a Coverage Level That Meets Your Needs2
- Pick a Shade Based on Your Skin Tone and Undertones3
- Go for a BB Cream With a Matte or Dewy Finish4
- Protect Your Skin With a BB Cream With SPF5
- Consider Additional Skin-Nourishing Ingredients6
- Natalya's Recommended BB Cream for Oily Skin
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Is BB cream considered foundation?
- What's the difference between BB cream and tinted moisturizer?
- Ways to Keep Your Oily Skin Healthy
- Amazon's Best Selling BB Creams
- Buying Guide Reviewed by Professional Makeup Artist Natalya Lowe
How to Choose BB Creams For Oily Skin
Choosing a BB cream, or beauty balm or blemish balm, for oily skin can be tricky. The right product can help you cover up blemishes and reduce excess oil, but the wrong one can aggravate your oily skin by clogging your pores. But fear not! This buying guide will help you find the best BB cream.
Look for a Formula That's Suitable for Oily Skin
To keep your oily skin under control, you need to look for ingredients that won't clog your pores and can reduce excess oil. It's also important to avoid comedogenic ingredients, since they can make your face even more oily!
A Non-Comedogenic Formula Won't Clog Pores
Comedogenic ingredients are pore-clogging ingredients. Some examples include avocado oil and apricot kernel oil. While these ingredients are often in skincare products to hydrate the skin, they are the sworn enemies of oily skin! They can lead to breakouts and oil buildup.
An easy way to avoid comedogenic ingredients is to choose a BB cream labeled as "non-comedogenic." Consider BB creams with the "oil-free" label, too! They contain absolutely no oils and are less likely to give your skin an oily look.
However, keep in mind that not all oils will clog your pores or aggravate your oily skin. In fact, oils like jojoba, hemp seed, and grapeseed can help nourish your skin without leaving behind a greasy residue.
Lightweight Moisturizers Can Prevent Oil
Oily skin is caused by the oversecretion of sebum by the sebaceous glands in the skin. And to keep sebum production under control, it's important to keep your skin moisturized.
Some people mistakenly assume that adding moisture might make their skin oily, but it's actually the contrary. Not giving the skin the moisture it needs might stress it out and cause it to produce more oil.
Go for lightweight moisturizers that won't clog your pores or leave a greasy film on your skin. Some good examples include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and dimethicone.
These ingredients will keep your skin moisturized without causing more oil production. In addition to moisturizing your face, these ingredients can also help with improving your skin elasticity, minimizing pores and reducing breakouts.
Acne-Fighting Ingredients to Reduce Blemishes
People who have oily skin tend to have large pores and experience acne breakouts. So, look for ingredients such as rosemary essential oil and green tea extract. These have strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can remove stubborn impurities from the skin and help treat and prevent breakouts.
Astringents, such as salicylic acid, lime extract, and lemon extract, also work well for oily skin, as they unclog and tighten pores, reduce excess oil, and treat acne. Salicylic acid can help to clear out excess oils and reduce sebum levels by clearing out oil build-up and breaking down dirt.
Acne-prone and oily skin types should reach for a BB cream. Many foundations are so thick and contain oils that clog pores, especially for oily skin. A BB cream is a multipurpose product that is not heavy on the skin and creates that smooth skin look to cover any pores. Many BB creams have pimple-fighting ingredients, and they can also reduce and heal blemishes over time.
Not only will it cover up your pores, but also has ingredients like hyaluronic acid that are in your daily skincare routine. It's the best of both worlds! Since a BB cream is lighter on the skin, this may be the best light coverage, hydrating, and anti-aging product for mature skin. A BB cream is so light that will not crease in any fine lines or settle on the skin, looking cakey.
Oil-Absorbing Ingredients to Prevent Shine
To fight off excess oil production, you should also keep an eye out for BB creams with oil-absorbing ingredients. Ingredients that can do this for you include clays, charcoal, and talc.
Clays and charcoal are excellent oil-absorbing ingredients. Clays like kaolin and bentonite draw out impurities, dry up blackheads, and absorb excess oil. Meanwhile, charcoal can also absorb oil from the skin, leaving you with a shine-free complexion.
Talc can help in absorbing excess sebum production and moisture. It is an ingredient that can help prevent caking and control the shine on the face. Other oil-absorbers you may see on the ingredient list are starches like rice or cornstarch, aluminum starch octentylsuccinate, or silica.
Choose a Coverage Level That Meets Your Needs
Just like foundations, BB creams offer three levels of coverage: light, medium, and full. However, most BB creams for oily skin provide light to medium coverage to avoid clogging your pores. Light- and medium-coverage BB creams are also great for people who prefer a natural look.
But for some people, the coverage might not be enough to cover imperfections. In that case, use a concealer for blemishes. You can also look for a BB cream that can be built up to full coverage.
Building up a BB cream to give you the desired coverage can be tough since it's meant mostly to moisturize and add a light, smooth finish. If you want to build up the BB cream, layer it on until it is medium-coverage.
If you try to build up to full coverage, you'll run into the risk of creasing or looking cakey. For full coverage, add a drop of your liquid foundation or concealer to the mixture. BB cream can help cover redness, and concealer can hide any blemishes.
Pick a Shade Based on Your Skin Tone and Undertones
Many BB creams offer a wide range of shades to suit the needs of different skin tones. To choose the right shade for your skin, keep in mind your skin tone and undertone! Skin tones are categorized into three types: light, medium, and dark. So start by looking for a BB cream that's intended for your skin tone.
The next step is to make sure the BB cream also works for your skin undertones. As a rule of thumb, the shade of the BB cream should have the same undertone as your skin.
To determine your undertones, take a look at the veins on your wrist. If they appear blue, you have cool undertones and should wear a BB cream with pinkish or bluish hues. If your veins look greenish, then you have warm undertones. In this case, go for BB cream that has beige, gold, or yellow undertones.
Go for a BB Cream With a Matte or Dewy Finish
If you have oily skin, you will want to avoid a BB cream with a shiny finish as it will make your skin look overly greasy. Instead, choose an oil-controlling BB cream with a matte finish. It will help reduce shine and leave your skin looking smooth.
However, some matte BB creams might dry out your skin too much. So pick a formula that contains lightweight moisturizers to keep your skin healthy and give it a natural, dewy look.
Protect Your Skin With a BB Cream With SPF
Many BB creams are formulated with SPF to shield your skin from damaging UV rays. If you tend to forget to apply sunscreen after your makeup, a BB cream with SPF might be a great two-in-one solution.
But remember to take note of the SPF number. According to dermatologists, the SPF number should be 30 or higher to adequately protect your skin from the sun's rays.
Consider Additional Skin-Nourishing Ingredients
BB creams come with a lot of skin-nourishing ingredients like antioxidants and retinoids. Antioxidants like vitamin C and plant-derived ingredients help with free radical damage that can contribute to excessive oiliness. One example is aloe vera, which can help moisturize the skin while controlling oil.
Not only that, but antioxidants help with signs of aging, and they prevent and correct wrinkles, fine lines, and loose skin. They also help skin repair itself by reducing inflammation, stimulating collagen production, and helping brighten the skin tone, blemishes, and dark spots.
Another example of an antioxidant is retinoid. It is a type of vitamin A that will not only control excess sebum production and make your skin less greasy, but is also known to help brighten the skin and give anti-aging effects. It can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles too.
Overexposure to the sun might cause blemishes, such as wrinkles and fine lines, too. You can try choosing a formula with antioxidant-rich ingredients like green tea and fruit extracts, since some antioxidants have been shown to reduce the appearance of fine lines and blemishes.
7 Best BB Creams For Oily Skin Ranking
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Pūrlisse Perfect Glow BB Cream | | Best BB Cream for Oily Skin With a Wide Shade Range | |
2 | MDSolarSciences | | Best BB Cream With Matte Finish | |
3 | Physicians Formula Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream | | Best BB Cream With a Dewy Finish | |
4 | Maybelline New York Dream BB Pure | | Best BB Cream for Acne-Prone Skin | |
5 | Covergirl Clean Matte BB Cream | | Achieve a Natural, Shine-Free Finish with Lightweight, Matte Coverage | |
6 | bareMinerals | | Best BB Cream for Mature Skin | |
7 | Dr. Jart+ BB Dis-A-Pore | | Best BB Cream for Textured Skin |
Best BB Cream for Oily Skin With a Wide Shade Range
Pros:
- Has a light coverage and dewy finish
- Comes in 11 shades
- Oil-free formula
- Infused with nourishing antioxidant ingredients
- Has SPF 30 for sun protection
Cons:
- Might be too drying for some people with combination skin
Pūrlisse's BB cream comes in 11 shades to suit all skin tones. It has an oil-free, lightweight formula. It's infused with a variety of antioxidant-rich extracts like jasmine, gogi and hawthorn berry to nourish and brighten your skin while adding moisture.
Some buyers found the BB cream a bit hard to blend. On the other hand, those with oily skin were glad that this BB cream doesn't make their skin feel greasy and instead leaves it looking natural and smooth. Reviewers add that a small amount is enough to cover blemishes.
Best BB Cream With Matte Finish
Pros:
- Has a light coverage and matte finish
- Contains green tea, which may reduce sebum production
- CoQ10, vitamins C and E, and fruit antioxidants help fight wrinkles and aging
- Oil-free and fragrance-free formula
- Has broad spectrum SPF 50
Cons:
- Limited shade options
If you are looking for a BB cream to use on a daily basis, opt for this one with light coverage and a matte finish. It is also infused with green tea, which may help decrease oil production. On top of that, it contains nourishing and hydrating ingredients like vitamin C, squalene, cranberry extract, and pomegranate extract.
However, some people said the tube allows the product to dry out easily. Still, a lot more of them shared that the BB cream was light and stayed on the whole day without making their skin oilier. Many also said that the cream kept their skin moisturized without weighing it down.
Physicians Formula Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream
Best BB Cream With a Dewy Finish
Pros:
- Has a light coverage and dewy finish
- Enriched with moisturizing, oil controlling, and anti-inflammatory ingredients
- Has SPF 30
- Hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and dermatologist approved
Cons:
- Only has 2 shades available
- Shades may not suit pale skin
This BB cream provides light coverage to give your skin a radiant, natural look. It also works as a moisturizer thanks to the infusion of shea butter and glycerin. It has willow bark extract, which can help reduce acne and excess sebum production, and perilla oil with anti-inflammatory properties.
Some buyers with lighter skin tones complain that the BB cream looks orange on them. Still, many reviewers love its lightweight consistency. They say it evens out their complexion and makes their skin look more youthful. People with oily skin are also satisfied that the cream doesn't turn their skin into a greasy mess.
Best BB Cream for Acne-Prone Skin
Pros:
- Has a light coverage and a matte finish
- Contains two percent salicylic acid for acne care
- Perlite and kaolin clay absorb oil
- Has an oil-free formula
- Dermatologist tested and non-comedogenic
Cons:
- Has no SPF
Containing two percent salicylic acid, this BB cream can reduce acne by removing dead skin cells and dissolving oils that can clog pores. Kaolin clay and perlite absorb excess oil and draw out impurities from pores, making your oily skin clearer and less greasy.
Some buyers find the coverage too light to cover their blemishes completely. Yet, many buyers like that it helps even out their skin tone and can be built up easily. Those with oily and acne-prone skin further mention that this BB cream doesn't clog pores and helps reduce acne.
Achieve a Natural, Shine-Free Finish with Lightweight, Matte Coverage
Covergirl Clean Matte BB Cream is a water-based formula specifically designed for oily and sensitive skin types. This lightweight BB cream provides breathable coverage that evens skin tone and conceals blemishes without clogging pores. The oil-free, non-comedogenic formula helps control shine throughout the day, leaving a matte finish for a fresh, natural look. Its smooth texture ensures easy application and seamless blending for a flawless complexion.
Formulated to prevent breakouts, this BB cream is ideal for individuals with oily skin who prefer light coverage that controls excess oil without feeling heavy or greasy. The product delivers long-lasting results, keeping your skin matte and shine-free for hours. With its easy-to-blend consistency and breathable finish, Covergirl Clean Matte BB Cream offers a solution for those seeking a minimal, natural makeup look that doesn't compromise on oil control or coverage.
Best BB Cream for Mature Skin
Pros:
- Has a light coverage and a matte finish
- Has SPF 30 for sun protection
- Vegan and dermatologist-tested
- Contains vitamin C, E, silica, aloe leaf, chamomile, and licorice root
Cons:
- Only has two shade options
- May not provide enough coverage by itself
This product is great for people with mature oily skin. On top of broad spectrum SPF 30 for sun protection, it contains silica to absorb oil and create a diffused look, vitamin C and E for nourishing, and aloe leaf, chamomile, and licorice root to soothe and soften the skin.
Some people found the coverage too sheer for their liking. Still, a lot more of them thought that the BB cream had a good consistency and was lightweight. They loved how it blended in smoothly and how it didn't make their skin oilier.
Best BB Cream for Textured Skin
Pros:
- Has a medium coverage
- Leaves a soft matte finish
- Contains mastic gum and powder to control sebum
- Has a broad spectrum SPF 50
Cons:
- Might leave a gray tint on some people
This BB cream combines mastic gum and non-nano powder particles to control oil production, improve your skin's elasticity and reduce wrinkles and fine lines. It also contains bergamot fruit oil and okra extract, which are rich in vitamins and can neutralize free radicals to revive your skin. Plus, it has SPF 50.
According to a few users, this BB cream is rather sheer, and it won't conceal imperfections. Nonetheless, most reviewers compliment the staying power of this BB cream and report that it helps with their acne problems. They also appreciate its light consistency, saying it doesn't make their skin feel greasy.
Natalya's Recommended BB Cream for Oily Skin
The new ONE/SIZE BBB cream is a beauty blur balm (a three-in-one foundation) that has a blurring effect on the skin. For oily skin, it absorbs oil and boosts hydration. Not only is it good for your skin, but it also gives a lightweight smooth skin texture.
This product is oil-free, long-wearing, cruelty-free, and great for acne-prone skin. I use this on myself mostly during the summer when I don't need a whole face of makeup on but enough to smooth out my skin, add some color, add some hydration, and absorb oils on my face.
Frequently Asked Questions
In addition to reviewing and commenting on our buying guide, Natalya also took the time to answer some commonly asked questions about BB cream.
Is BB cream considered foundation?
"BB cream can be used as a primer or moisturizer, but it's technically not considered a foundation," Natalya says. "Building up BB cream can give you the same coverage as a foundation, but it's recommended to use concealer to hide trouble spots since BB cream only adds a light tint rather than full coverage like foundation.
On the bright side, BB cream can even out redness and give you smooth coverage, along with acting as a sunscreen, skincare, and light coverage with antioxidants."
What's the difference between BB cream and tinted moisturizer?
Natalya explains, "A BB cream can be buildable to create light to medium coverage, whereas a tinted moisturizer doesn't necessarily add coverage. Instead, it gives you lightweight, sheer coverage that adds some color to your skin. If you're looking for a product to add moisture to the face but also even out your skin, reach for a BB cream over a tinted moisturizer."
Ways to Keep Your Oily Skin Healthy
Oily skin needs extra care since it's highly prone to breakouts. If you need a little help finding the right skincare products, we have many recommendations for you!
Buying Guide Reviewed by Professional Makeup Artist Natalya Lowe
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary, as well as extra tips and advice. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
Top 5 BB Creams For Oily Skin
No. 1: Pūrlisse｜Perfect Glow BB Cream
No. 2: MDSolarSciences｜
No. 3: Physicians Formula ｜Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream
No. 4: Maybelline New York ｜Dream BB Pure
No. 5: Covergirl ｜Clean Matte BB Cream
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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