BB creams explained - Telegraph Buying skincare is turning into a alphabet conundrum, so here we give you the simplified lowdown on what a BB cream really is Alphabet creams are big news right now; we've had BB creams, then CC creams came along and they werefollowed by EE creams. Essentially, each acronym refers to a skincare and make-up hybrid, but if you want the real lowdown on BB creams specifically, the product that pioneered the alphabet trend, read on. What does BB stand for? Confusingly a few terms; blemish balm, blemish base, beauty balm. In the West though, it usually refers to 'beauty balm'. Where did they appear from? Originally created by dermatologists for patients with super sensitive skin post-procedure, BB creams actually shot to fame in the Asian market, where the art of layering your skincare is seen as the key to better skin. BB creams made their way to the UK in 2011, spearheaded mostly by Garnier's offering. WATCH: Beauty School - what is a CC cream? What does it do? In simplified terms think tinted moisturiser with benefits; it's safe to say that BB creams unanimously offer hydration, some level of coverage and one skincare benefit or another, whatever brand you plump for. Each beauty house will then go on to pump in its own skincare ingredients, so bear in mind that not all BB creams will do exactly the same thing; some might fade darks spots, some soothe and repair, others focus entirely on hydration with added hyaluronic acid, while others might focus on wrinkles and age reversal with added anti-oxidants. Read the label to get a real understanding of what a BB cream specifically does. In terms of coverage, again not all BB creams are made equal. In truth there is a BB cream out there for you, but you need to shop around to find the moisturiser-to-coverage ratio your skin gets on with. Some are more sheer, including Bobbi Brown's, so work for the ultra natural look or as a great primer, while others, including Clinique's and Kiehl's , give good coverage. So do your research, and ask to trial samples at the counter. READ - Do we really need a BB cream for nails? How do I use it? With your fingers, just like a moisturiser. But treat it like a foundation to ensure there are no tide marks around your jaw. So I don't need a separate moisturiser? Essentially no, but in our experience dry-to-normal skin types might still need moisturiser underneath, while oily-to-combination skin should be fine without. But again, just to make things confusing, some BB creams will be more moisturising than others, so it's trial and error. But I will need a separate foundation? That depends. Firstly on what BB you've picked up (some, including Estee Lauder's, act like primers, evening out your complexion with a super sheer base, while others give more coverage) and secondly, on what kind of finish you're after (strictly speaking a BB shouldn't be as thick as a foundation, though some, including Clinique's and MAC's, do offer a pretty good base). The general rule of thumb though is that a BB's coverage should be lighter than a foundation and heavier than a tinted moisturiser. Some make-up artists still suggest a little concealer over the top of your BB on the areas that need most help with redness whatever finish you're after, specifically around the nose and eyes. Also good to know is that most BB creams can be layered and topped up without that dreaded cakey effect if you need more coverage during the day. READ - Beauty Lab: CC creams Does it have sun protection in it? Never assume any skincare or make-up has sun protection inside unless it says so on the label. If it doesn't have an SPF or UV shield flagged up on the tube, it's safe to say what's inside doesn't have any sun protection, in which case you need to add your own. For the record, even if your BB cream does contain a UV filter, you might still want to add a separate sun protection cream. Designed to be used sparingly, skin doctors worry that only applying a sheer layer of BB cream means a far lower level of sun protection factor once it reaches our face. Either mix in your block with your BB, or wear it underneath.