Taking a stand and opting for a specifically cruelty-free BB or cruelty-free CC cream is important. With the animal testing requirement imposed on all cosmetic products that are sold in China, avoiding products that undergo animal testing is one step that we as individuals can take to help. The idea of “voting with your dollars” means that by buying only cruelty free BB creams, you deny companies who trade ethics for international market share. Below, we’ve created a curated list of cruelty-free BB cream options that you can try!
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Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream SPF 35-40
Supergoop! is a newer brand with a range of high-quality sun protection products to fit the needs of its buyers. The Daily Correct CC Cream provides the right amount of coverage for those seeking a foundation, but light enough to act as a tinted moisturizer. A mixture of botanicals helps keep your skin from free radicals with minerals for healthier skin. It’s also a mineral sunscreen with a high SPF, meaning that it consists of titanium and zinc oxide to deflect the sun’s harsh rays away from your face to ward off premature aging. It has a color-correcting formula that blends in easily, smoothing out harsh lines and reducing the appearance of pores. According to reviews, it’s gentle enough for their hyper-pigmented, sensitive acne-prone skin.Pros:
- Gentler mineral-based SPF.
- It provides a smooth sheer-to-medium coverage to help even out skin tone.
- No harsh fragrances to irritate the skin.
Cons:
- Price tag is not for the feint of heart.
- It may oxidize and give an orange tinge to the skin.
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NYX Professional Makeup BB Cream
NYX, a popular makeup company, is recognized for its quality products at an affordable cost. Professional Makeup BB Cream is a blend of an oil-free, mineral-based formula designed to soften and brighten skin. It can also improve your skin’s overall appearance by retaining moisture. With how lightweight and silky smooth it goes on, NYX’s BB Cream makes for a great primer underneath the rest of your makeup or applied by itself for an extra bit of color to your complexion. Reviewers mention combining this product with a face lotion of your choice to make it the perfect “no makeup” makeup.
Pros:
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- Long-lasting.
- Oil-free makes it a nice addition for those seeking oil control.
- A gentle, pleasant scent.
- Great price at $8.99.
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Cons:
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- Low enough SPF that you’ll need to use a sunscreen with it.
- Some users experienced breakouts on their T-Zones.
- It has the tendency to leave a white cast behind for many.
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Physicians Formula Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream
Physicians Formula started in 1937. Their line of hypoallergenic skincare products has made them a household name. The Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream is no different. It’s easy to apply or blend, leaving a satin-matte finish that’s great for any skin type. Antioxidants brighten skin, botanicals firm and moisturize while the added SPF protects the skin from harmful rays. This BB cream is a reliable, long-lasting addition to anyone’s morning routine and leaves a dewy afterglow. It’s rated highly among beauty gurus and sellers alike; 4 stars out of 5 stars on Amazon and 4 out of 5 on Influenster.Pros:
- Great price.
- Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream is fragrance-free, ideal for sensitive skin.
- Foundation-like coverage without the heaviness.
- Added SPF for well-needed sun protection.
Cons:
- The tube it comes in is semi-transparent and can make its light-sensitive ingredients unstable if exposed.
- Some reviewers complain of it oxidizing to an orange tint.
- It smells like sunscreen.
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e.l.f. Cosmetics BB Cream, Light Coverage Foundation
e.l.f. Cosmetics is a 100% cruelty-free and vegan company that offers a variety of inexpensive products for those who want quality without breaking the bank. e.l.f. ‘s BB Cream, Light Coverage Foundation works well as a primer or even a moisturizer because of its lightweight formula. It has a blend of anti-aging ingredients like aloe, cucumber, jojoba, and vitamin E to keep skin hydrated and supple. The formula is a blendable, silky-smooth application that evens out fine lines, minimizes pores, and adds a touch of natural color for seamless coverage. Opinions on this BB cream vary. Some love it and swear by how great their skin looks and feels, while others state that it could clog pores.Pros:
- Easy to blend with a natural finish.
- Inexpensive
- Lightweight texture.
Cons:
- In-order for it be considered an adequate sunscreen, its SPF needs to be over 30.
- A strong scent that may be overpowering to sensitive noses and eyes.
- Contains a small amount of a preservative that, if combined with sunscreen, may cause further skin sensitivity and irritation.
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Cover FX Mattifying Primer with Anti-Acne
Cover FX’s skincare line is lauded by makeup experts all over the world. They pride themselves in that their makeup is free of gluten, mineral oil, talc, fragrance, and parabens—making it an excellent choice for varying skin types and skin tones. Their Mattifying Primer with Anti-Acne Treatment is a gel foundation primer that blurs out the appearance of enlarged pores. 1% salicylic acid soothes redness, something that most primers don’t do. Reviews vary, some say it works well for their oily skin type, while others say it’s nothing special and does its job.Pros:
- Formula is full of soothing ingredients to help soothe and improve your skin’s appearance.
- It blends easily and leaves your skin an even, silky matte canvas for makeup.
- Salicylic acid provides soothing comfort to reddened, acne-prone skin.
Cons:
- A bit more spendy than we’d prefer.
- May contain some skin irritants from botanical extracts.
- The medicinal smell may be off-putting for some.
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Andalou Naturals Perfecting BB Beauty Balm Natural Tint
Andalou Natural’s line of personal care products is vegan-friendly, vegetarian-friendly, gluten-free, and cruelty-free. They’re the first beauty brand to be Non-GMO Project Verified, a nonprofit third-party verification program for product quality control. Their Perfecting BB Beauty Balm Natural Tint is a lightly tinted moisturizer consists of a variety of plant oils that moisturize, as well as hyaluronic and fatty acids for skin-repairing properties. Reviewers liken this product to a daily tinted daytime moisturizer with sunscreen instead of a foundation or BB cream. Fruit stem cells are also added to the ingredients list, and while it’s beneficial, more research should be done.Pros:
- Fragrance-free plant oils are great for normal to dry skin.
- Great SPF while still being gentle.
- An extensive list of skin-repairing antioxidant ingredients.
- A great price for all it can do.
Cons:
- Those with acne-prone skin may react negatively due to some of the ingredients, so testing skin is important.
- Reviewers say the tint can rub off on clothing.
Final Thoughts
If you are interested in helping to support cruelty free brands and changing the landscape for animal testing policies internationally, buying cruelty free BB cream is a nice first step. Even better, make sure that your cruelty free buying habits extend to all of your health and beauty choices. You can stay up-to-date on the status of animal testing laws by keeping up with Cruelty Free International.