Editor's Pick: Maybelline BB Cream Review

Looking for a lightweight, natural-looking foundation with skin care benefits? Try one of our favorite drugstore BB creams from Maybelline. From Dream Pure BB to Dream Fresh BB, one beauty editor shares her reviews of Maybelline’s affordable BB creams, below.

The world of Korean beauty deserves many thanks for introducing those of us Stateside to innovative— read: life-changing—beauty products and trends such as compact cushions, double cleansing, essence, and our ultimate ride or die: BB creams. A cross between makeup and skin care, BB creams—also known as, “Beauty Balms”—are tinted makeup formulas that contain skin care benefits. From SPF to antioxidants to hydrating ingredients such as aloe vera these hybrid cosmetics are ideal for those looking for a lightweight, natural-looking foundation that can protect, prime, hydrate, and more! The only downside is that there are SO many different formulas to choose from. Fortunately, one of our favorite drugstore beauty brands—Maybelline, of course!—sent over complimentary samples of their beloved Dream Pure BB, Dream Bronze BB, and Dream Fresh BB for the Skincare.com team to try and review. Spoiler alert: These inexpensive BB creams did not disappoint! 

MAYBELLINE DREAM PURE BB CREAM REVIEW

Recommended For: Combination and blemish-prone skin types

Formulated with combination and blemish-prone skin types in mind, the Dream Pure BB cream from Maybelline is a lightweight, oil-free, non-comedogenic BB cream that can simultaneously work to clear breakouts, mask blemishes—even your peskiest pimples!—temporarily conceal redness, as well as create the illusion of smaller, less noticeable pores. And since all skin types require some extra hydration—yes, even oily, blemish-prone skin types—this skin-clarifying BB cream can keep the complexion looking and feeling moisturized throughout the day. On top of all that, the Dream Pure BB cream is formulated with  salicylic acid, which can help to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin and gently exfoliate clogged pores. Use it on its own on days when you want to rock the “no makeup makeup” trend or as a base for your daily makeup.

Why We Love It: I can’t stress enough how important it is for me to find makeup products that offer some sort of skin care benefit—after all, my makeup lives on my complexion for 8+ hours a day! With that being said, BB cream is a must-have item in my beauty arsenal. When Maybelline sent over their BB creams for us beauty editors to test and review, I was especially excited about the Dream Pure BB, as I have never tried a BB cream formulated with salicylic acid before! I’m pleased to report that after two-three weeks my skin felt smoother, softer, and radiant with and without the Dream Pure BB cream.

How To Use It: After cleansing, moisturizing, and applying sunscreen to your complexion, apply a thin layer of the Dream Pure BB using the tips of your fingers or a damp beauty blending sponge. Follow up with your concealer, blush, mascara, and so on.

Maybelline Dream Pure BB, $8.99 MSRP

MAYBELLINE DREAM BRONZE BB CREAM REVIEW

Recommended For: All skin types wanting a sun-kissed glow and SPF protection

Looking for a BB cream that can promote a faux sun-kissed glow and protect your complexion? Look no further than Maybelline’s Dream Bronze BB Cream! Formulated with SPF 25 and hydrating glycerin, the Dream Bronze BB is ideal for any skin type looking to boost their complexion with skin illuminating pigments and dewy hydration. In addition, the lightweight, water-gel formula can veil imperfections, temporarily even the appearance of the skin’s tone and is non-comedogenic and fragrance-free, so it won’t cause breakouts and is even safe to use on sensitive skin types.

Why We Love It: Our little BB cream care package from Maybelline could not have come sooner, as the Dream Bronze BB cream has remained one of my must-have skin care-inspired makeup products since I first tested and reviewed a sample of it and I was beginning to run low! As someone with fair skin, I take my sun protection (and faux glow) seriously. I love the Dream Bronze BB cream because it is an inexpensive way to both protect my skin and provide my complexion with a touch of believable sun-kissed color all year round. As far as application goes, I like to apply a few dabs of the Dream Bronze BB to the tops of my cheekbones (after applying the Dream Fresh BB cream, reviewed below) or all over to warm things up a bit and enhance my pale complexion.

How To Use It: After cleansing and moisturizing your complexion, apply a thin layer of Maybelline’s Dream Bronze BB cream all over your complexion to give your skin a warm glow, or enhance your cheekbones by applying a few dabs of the illuminating beauty balm to the tops of your cheeks.

Maybelline Dream Bronze BB Cream, $8.99 MSRP

MAYBELLINE DREAM FRESH BB CREAM REVIEW

Recommended For: All skin types

When it comes to a daily BB cream that can be worn on all skin types—including oily and blemish-prone—the Dream Fresh BB cream from Maybelline meets the criteria. Lightweight, oil-free, and formulated with broad-spectrum SPF 30, this daily 8-in-1 water-gel textured beauty balm can temporarily brighten, smooth, hydrate, protect, illuminate, and improve the overall appearance of the skin. Resulting in skin that appears soft and supple with a dewy and healthy-looking finish.

Why We Love It: If I’m being honest, I’ve been using the Dream Fresh BB cream from Maybelline long before becoming a beauty editor. I love this daily BB cream because not only is it hydrating, it has a high SPF, and can give my complexion the protection it needs from the sun’s harmful UV rays, too! Formulated with hydrating ingredients including glycerin and aloe vera leaf extract, the daily Dream Fresh BB cream leaves my skin looking and feeling hydrated and well-nourished upon application and throughout the day!

How To Use It: After cleansing and moisturizing your skin, apply a thin layer of Maybelline’s Dream Fresh BB cream all over your complexion using either your fingertips or a damp beauty blending sponge. Wear it on its own for a fresh look or follow up with your daily makeup application.

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB, $8.99 MSRP