Why are BB creams harmful to the skin? 

Article By - Rajkumar Raikwar

What is BB Cream?

BB stands for stain balm or beauty balm. It is advertised as an "all-in-one" beauty product that acts as a serum, moisturizer, foundation, skin repair, foundation, and sunscreen. Stop the press! It looks like the best beauty product ever! But wait, does it do everything it promises?

The original BB cream was developed in the 1960s in Germany and was given to patients after treatments with a board-certified dermatologist to cover the redness and protect the skin layer as it heals. From there, it gained popularity as it was touted as the reason why Korean actresses have flawless pale skin. These days, it's on the shelves of Western products that claim to be the all-in-one product of the century.

But don't believe the hype.

A simple perusal of BB cream ingredients will reveal the truth: you're not buying a magic potion for flawless skin, but a glorified tinted moisturizer.

Another cosmetic staple for lazy girls, BB Cream took the world by storm when it was launched about a decade ago, flying off the shelves when it hit western markets. Many beauty brands have jumped on the BB bandwagon, hoping to take advantage of the abundance of customers vying for the product. Like CC creams, they are marketed as an "all-in-one" beauty product that works as a serum, moisturizer, foundation, skin repair, foundation, and sunscreen. Unfortunately, BB creams can be a no-no for people choosing options like Aveeno Clear Complexion BB Cream, Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Skin Perfector, and e.l.f. BB cream.

In addition to flavorings and oxybenzone (already mentioned in this list), all of these items contain methylisothiazolinone, which means they are harmful to your health. Methylisothiazolinone is a widely used chemical that causes hypersensitivity reactions and irritates the skin, eyes, and lungs. This is another substance banned in Europe in leave-on products, such as BB cream, which stays on the skin all day. Another caveat about this terrible substance is that lab tests have revealed it to be a potential neurotoxin. Aside from their chemical makeup, these creams don't deliver what they promise because many of them are made with cheap synthetic ingredients and aren't designed to nourish the skin.

Why are BB creams bad?

They contain harmful ingredients: silicones, alcohol, talc, mineral oils and the madness continues. Next time you're in the beauty aisle, compare the ingredients of the top 3 BB creams (judging by the ads on your face). Chances are the top 10 ingredients on all 3 labels are the same and on our prohibited ingredients list. For more specific information on harmful ingredients, see our Greenify Your series, which includes this article here.

They can wreak havoc on your skin: If you have sensitive skin or are prone to breakouts, be aware that these products can make the issues you're trying to address worse. Especially since many of them contain alcohol which you don't want because it's too dry. They also contain ingredients known to clog pores and create an oxygen-deprived layer on the skin, such as silicones.

They don't do the magic they claim to do: use the latest BB cream for a week or a month, but you won't see any improvement on your skin. In this case, the positive change comes from something else, like your diet or another beauty product. The ingredients in these BB creams are nothing special. They are cheap and synthesized and not designed to nourish your skin.

Now, we're not trying to say that all BB creams are bad for you. There will be some that contain safe ingredients, but unfortunately, these are few and far between. Always read the ingredients.