Blemish Balm Cream

26/06/2009, Friday
Wow wow... Today I learnt about Blemish Balm Cream, a.k.a BB Cream. Got the below information from http://blogshopr.com/20090131/blemish-balm-cream/. I've pasted the information here just in case it gets lost one day.

After reading the below, BB cream is just like a god send. Act like a make up while providing nutirents to the skin? Sounds good? I think so. Now I'm thinking of getting BB Cream for light make up. Haha. But still deciding which brand to get... Skinfood? Hanskin? or Dr Jart? Ermmm... think I shall get Skinfood Mushroom BB Cream.

The BB Cream, aka Blemish Balm, is *the* hottest beauty product in Asia right now. The product was originated in Germany and used by dermatologists to help patients who have gone through laser skin surgery soothe and regenerate the skin.
Soon after, Korean celebs started using the cream and a craze was born. Big companies then took the idea and turned it into a product widely available to the public. The new product is suitable for all skin types, especially those with sensitive and acne-prone skin. It has the advantages of both a makeup and skincare product. It can even out skintone, camouflage undereye circles, acne scars and add radiance to the skin without the heavy mask-like effects of a foundation. Prolonged used of the product will also help improve the overall texture of the skin and fade acne scars.

What is BB cream for?
BB cream acts as:
1. A liquid foundation/primer/concealer that not only conceals blemish, scars, uneven skin tone, age spots, sun spots, dark circles
2. Also heals , moisturize, treat, controls oil, tighten pores, hydrates skin over prolong use
3. Has Sunblock UVA & UVB, wrinkle free, whitening abilities
4. Doesn’t clog pores
5. Made of natural ingredients.

Who should be using BB cream?
BB cream is a skincare product and also a cosmetic product. BB cream is unisex product as it comes with only 1 shade which is natural color. BB cream gives a nude makeup as it blends into your skin tone giving you a natural healthy look. Therefore its hard for people to notice that you are wearing makeup. Troubled skin user apply BB cream to calm and cover their blemish/acne yet treat the problems at the same time. Usually skin texture is improved and blemish are healed over 1-3 months.

How do I apply BB cream?
BB cream is a foundation, therefore it should be applied in this basic routine [ Cleanse -> Tone -> Moisturise -> BB Cream
1. Squeeze a drop about 1 cm wide on palm/back of hand
2. Dip a small amount from your palm and target on all T-zone the forehead, nose, two side of cheeks and chin
3. Spread out the 5 points to your whole face by soft pushing, padding

Which BB cream Brand is the best for me?
There are probably 100 different BB cream out there. Just the same as asking which cleanser is the best for you. You probably have tried 10 over different cleansers and the next cleanser you have bought probably is going to be left aside half bottled and replaced with another new one.
Choosing the right BB cream has to be own preference and goals. There are different shades of natural color, more yellow or more pink, there are different texture from sheer to thick, different spf, some shiny, more coverage.. etc.
Reading reviews on internet and using samples may be the best guide to choose the right BB cream for yourself. On top of that you have to know which skin type are you. Oily, dry or combination skin.

Which BB cream is for Men?
Most of the BB cream are unisex but of cause you do not want to look too fair/pale and glossy. There are BB cream cater for Men only due to popular demand in Korea. They are slightly darker shade, without whitening, waterproof, with SPF, varies. They are sometime brand as color lotion, BB UV, Sunblock, BB fluid but all of them are BB cream. None of them uses the word ‘Blemish’ on their brand as one of the company has registered ‘Blemish’ as their patent resulting in other company to stop using ‘Blemish’ Balm on the product.

Where can I buy BB cream?
In Singapore, The Face Shop, Skin Food, Watson and Guardian. SaSa carries BB cream. The Face shop has their own brand of green tea and color lotion, Skin Food has Aloe and Ginger BB cream, Watson has Rojukiss and BRTC and Guardian has BRTC series, SaSa has missha .. etc. They priced from $30 - $60 in average.
Another way is to buy from sprees or online blogshop where they have more brands that retailers are not selling locally. They priced from $20+ - $60 in average.

What are the brands that I should be looking for?
The most popular search is Skin79, BRTC, Dr. Jart, Gowoonsesang, Hanskin, Missha, Etude, Coogi.Here we are going to discover new brands or exclusively brands suitable for men. If you found a shade that birghtens your dull face and brings a slight radiant to you and keeps oil in control, you probably got the correct shade. If you look pale, greyish, over pinkish, then that shade doesnt suit your skin tone. Some brands has better healing abilities like tightening pores, lighten acne and scar, regulate oil sebum control. For ultra sensitive skin, use dermalogica BB cream.