Garnier BB Cream Review and Guide
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Pros
- Makes skin look youthful.
- Keeps dry skin moisturized all day & is super blendable (even with thicker consistency).
- Affordable and offers great value for money.
Cons
- Limited color selection.
- Thick formula might not be suitable for oily skin.
- Has a fragrance, which might not be preferred by everyone.
If you love the idea of a functional foundation, I highly suggest you try BB creams. BB creams have multiple uses. They contain moisturizing ingredients to keep your skin hydrated all day. Many BB creams also include powerful skincare ingredients that evens skin tone, hides dark spots, and minimize pores.
Usually, when asking me for BB cream recommendations, I would jump to recommending Smashbox or Tarte. However, I recently came across one of my new favorite BB creams: Garnier BB Cream. I have to say, Garnier Skin care products are never my favorite. Their hair and skincare products do nothing for my skin.
But I was visiting my brother and had no travel foundation. Last minute, I ran to Pharmaprix and picked up this Garnier BB cream. It’s just under 3 ounces, and the tube is convenient for travel. I wasn’t expecting a lot but was actually impressed by the coverage and quality. Plus, it doesn’t break out my skin!
This revolutionary hybrid cream is the first to-mass product of its kind. It combines intense hydration with tinted minerals and Vitamin C for results you can see and feel instantly.
Features
- Reduces the appearance of wrinkles
- Made with antioxidants such as apricot
- Firms skin in four weeks
- 5-in-1 benefits for youthful and healthier skin
Pros
- Makes your skin look youthful
- Reviewers have said their skin improved with this product (though I haven’t noticed a difference)
- My dry skin is moisturized all day
Cons
- Lacking a good color selection
- Very thick formula, not good for oily skin
The Good
I absolutely love this BB cream because of all of the great things it offers. Keep in mind, the BB cream is different from the Garnier Skinactive CC cream! However, it’s not perfect and isn’t a good fit for everyone. Still, I will first start with the good.
Impressive Coverage
I honestly wasn’t expecting much with this BB cream. Just figured it would give me a bit of sheer coverage to make my acne, dark spots, and dark cicles scars less noticeable. I was wrong.
When I applied this BB cream, it reduced the redness of my acne and nearly covered my acne scars! I was so impressed. I almost had perfect skin! It seriously covers as much as the Tarte BB cream, and that one is as close to full coverage as you can get with a BB cream.
The best part? Since this is a BB cream, the result is so natural-looking. While I do suggest wearing a foundation or concealer if you want full coverage, you could honestly wear this BB cream and powder for an easy foundation look. After all, that’s what I did for two weeks when visiting my brother.
Moisturizes Skin
Okay, I have to first explain that my skin is either normal is SO DRY that it hurts! And visiting my brother in Texas, I mean, I might as well dunk my face in hyaluronic acid for the entire two weeks. Even in the fall, my skin was cracking and crusty dry. Even my lips were so dry they hurt!
However, this BB cream SAVED my skin. I was only really dry around the lip area, nowhere else. Even my chin wasn’t dry, and that’s usually the worst place. It’s by far the most hydrating BB cream I’ve ever used.
Blends Well
While the formula is on the thick side, it’s very easy to blend. The BB cream doesn’t look splotchy or patchy; it has a lovely natural finish with impressive coverage.
If your face looks dewy after applying the BB cream, don’t worry. That’s normal. I don’t like dewy finishes, but you can go over it with a setting powder (I will discuss this more later). It’s also not glimmery, fortunately.
Great Price
Anyone familiar with Garnier’s products knows that they’re pretty affordable. The Ulta website has this listed at $15, but I think I paid even less than that in Montreal. Still, this is pretty cheap compared to other BB creams on the market. If you’re looking for a cheap dupe to Tarte or similar brands, I highly suggest this product.
Other Thoughts
While I really do like the Garnier BB cream, it’s not a miracle product. There are some areas where it falls down on the scale, and there are some facts about this product you should know first.
Best for Those With Dry and Mature Skin
As I mentioned earlier, the Garnier BB cream leaves a very dewy finish. I have dry skin, and I don’t even like this, so I absolutely wouldn’t recommend this product for oily skin types.
But since I have dry skin, this BB cream complements my skin type perfectly. It’s very nourishing, and your skin will feel hydrated all day. This BB cream, in particular, contains ceramides that moisturize and protect the skin. Your skin will look dewy, yes, but very healthy.
In addition, I would recommend this BB cream for mature skin. Anti-aging skincare and makeup get expensive, so the Garnier BB cream is a great option if you’re on a budget. There’s enough coverage to even out skin tone, but the healthy ingredients will also minimize the look of pores and other imperfections. The product doesn’t settle into lines, giving you a youthful finish.
Not a Diverse Shade Selection
This is really my biggest beef with the Garnier BB cream. They only have two colors: light/medium and medium/deep.
From my experience at Sephora, I noticed that whenever brands made “deep” shades, they really weren’t deep in color at all. This is a shame, especially since women of color have difficulty finding foundation that matches their skin tone.
In the review, Alexisjayda says the medium/deep is a little light for her skin tone. I think it does look good on her, but use this video as a reference to see if the darkest shade will work for you. I’m pale, so the light/medium matches my skin perfectly.
No Sunscreen
Okay, remember that Garnier DOES make a BB cream with sunscreen. The one from Ulta I linked earlier has SPF 15. Unfortunately, mine doesn’t.
I think I got mine in Canada (who needs sunscreen in Canada anyway?), so their formulation is slightly different from the BB cream you get in the US. I just like using a BB cream with sunscreen. But I use a moisturizer with an SPF, so it’s not a make-or-break situation.
Wear a Setting Powder
As stated previously, I wore setting powder with mine. I hate the dewy look, even though I have dry skin. Fortunately, the Garnier BB cream works well when worn with a powder. This can be one with coverage or a translucent setting powder. I used both with this BB cream, and they work great.
If you want more coverage, you can easily wear a full-coverage powder over this BB cream. However, if you don’t need the extra coverage, a translucent powder is all you need.
Has a Scent
I should note that this BB cream has a scent. It is a very light, clean, and pleasant scent, but I personally don’t like it when makeup and skincare products have fragrances.
That and I know scents irritate sensitive skin types. If you’re allergic to fragrances, I advise you to stay away from this BB cream. Luckily, the scent does fade after application.
Tips When Using the Garnier BB Cream
If you plan on using the Garnier BB cream, follow these tips to get the best results from your product!
This revolutionary hybrid cream is the first to-mass product of its kind. It combines intense hydration with tinted minerals and Vitamin C for results you can see and feel instantly.
Use a Makeup Brush
When I first got this BB cream, I was applying it with my fingertips. However, I heavily advise against this. Because of the thick formula, it blends easier with a foundation brush.
Many people love using Beauty Blenders and similar sponges. I personally don’t use them, so I can’t recommend or advise against using them with this BB cream.
Wear Under Foundation
I know I read some reviewers who say that they only wear this BB cream for coverage. Unfortunately, I’m struggling with some breakouts now, so I need more coverage.
I first apply this BB cream as a primer and wear my Make Up For Ever HD Foundation over it. This not only gives me the coverage I need but makes my face look smoother and helps the makeup last longer.
Alternatives
For the alternatives, I’m trying to stick to the price range of the Garnier BB Cream. But I do have to say, I love the Tarte BB Cream, which is a bit on the pricey side.
Tarte BB Tinted Treatment Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
First, I have to say Tarte is generally one of my favorite brands ever. Like Garnier, this BB cream has impressive coverage. There were many times when I only wore this without any foundation or concealer. It’s also light enough to wear under foundation. With an SPF 30, you don’t have to worry about wearing a separate sunscreen.
Plus, this BB cream is made with a triple-B complex and other healthy ingredients that reduce the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and pores.
Indulge your skin with this powerful multitasker that works as a primer, moisturizer, light foundation, antiaging treatment, and sunscreen to give you a youthful-looking glow. 
L’Oreal Skin Beautifier BB Cream
Like the Garnier BB Cream, this is an all-in-one product. It primes, hydrates, and corrects skin for a flawless finish. But unlike the Garnier, the L’Oreal one has a very lightweight texture. It’s formulated with the antioxidants vitamins C and E, so your skin will benefit for the long term.
While I don’t think it has as good coverage as the Garnier BB Cream, it’s a good product if you’re looking for minimal coverage or a good primer that’s affordable.
Multi-tasking skin beautifier BB cream delivers 4 beautifying actions in 1 - Hydrates, Corrects, Evens, and Perfects.
Burt’s Bees BB Cream With SPF 15
Burt’s Bees’ BB cream offers many skincare benefits. This BB cream is not only extremely moisturizing but is made with anti-wrinkle technology to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The SPF 15 will continue giving your skin protection. While the coverage is pretty light, it is a good option if you’re looking for a primer or want an all-in-one product.
It’s also made with 98.9% natural ingredients. While it only has three shades (Ulta is only listing two), it still has a gorgeous finish.
A lightweight foundation and hydrating lotion come together as one in this Burt's Bees BB Cream that firms, conceals, smooths and perfects skin
FAQs
Question: Does Garnier Have a Discontinued BB Cream Shade?
Answer: Yes, they discontinued the medium/deep shade. However, I can’t find any information as to why they discontinued this color.
Question: Can I Use the Garnier BB Cream Daily?
Answer: Absolutely. It’s made with many safe and skin-friendly ingredients to improve your skin for the long term. You can either wear it alone or under foundation for extra coverage. Keep in mind, if your skin is very dry, you should wear another moisturizer with this product.
Question: When Should I Use BB Cream Over Foundation?
Answer: Do you want to switch to a BB cream but aren’t sure if you should stick to your foundation? Other than the skincare benefits, BB creams are best if you want a richer formula with coverage. However, if you want fuller coverage, then I suggest you choose foundation.
Question: Is Garnier BB Cream Safe?
Answer: It’s definitely one of Garnier’s safest products. It’s 82% allergen-free. It doesn’t contain preservatives, nickel, MCI/MI, lanolin, dye, and soy. The main thing is it does contain fragrance, so be aware of that before buying this product.
Question: Will Garnier BB Cream Break Out My Skin?
Answer: It hasn’t done that with mine, so I assume it won’t for you! Garnier promises this is a non-comedogenic formula that won’t clog pores. It’s lightweight and won’t feel heavy on the skin. It’s also gentle and dermatologist-tested.
Question: What’s the Best Way to Take Off BB Cream?
Answer: I first start with a makeup wipe and then wash my face with Pond’s Cold Cream Cleanser, then I wash my face again with my traditional face wash. I should really stop using the makeup wipes, but I use them as a first step because they take off all pigment from the surface. You can also put your makeup cleanser on a cloth and remove your makeup that way. I personally use my hands.
Garnier BB Cream Review: Bottomline
BB creams offer many benefits other than coverage. With so many great BB creams from high-end brands, I’m shocked I liked Garnier’s BB cream so much. It has excellent coverage, and your skin looks amazing. This BB cream is also packed with skincare benefits. I just wish they offered a better color selection.
For the price, I highly recommend this BB cream. But if they don’t have your shade, I suggest looking into some of the alternatives I mentioned.
This revolutionary hybrid cream is the first to-mass product of its kind. It combines intense hydration with tinted minerals and Vitamin C for results you can see and feel instantly.
Before you go, you might be also interested in checking out the Best Korean BB Creams that might work for you as well…
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