Dr. Jart+ makes some of the best BB creams I've ever tried — they use ingredients regularly found in skincare to treat and cover blemishes, plus they have SPF (2024)

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• Dr. Jart has two unique BB creams: the Black Label Detox BB cream, and Premium BB cream.
• The high-SPF, mineral sunscreen formulas work so well that my skin revolted when I removed them from my everyday routine.
• They both offer sheer coverage and use ingredients commonly found in skincare to help treat long-term issues like uneven skin tone.
• While the 30 SPF Black Label Detox is more geared towards sensitive and blemish-prone complexions, the 45 SPF Premium BB cream focuses on sun protection and moisturizing dehydrated skin.
• I spoke to a board-certified dermatologist to learn more about the skin benefits of both formulas and their ingredients

At the start of quarantine, I found the thought of not having to keep up with my daily makeup routine deeply enticing. Besides digital meetings where any small skin imperfections would be masked by a pixelated screen and low camera quality, I was ready to fully embrace a new bare-face lifestyle and had even hoped to see an improvement in my mildly acne-prone skin.

However, after my first makeup-free month, I was surprised to notice that not only did my breakouts start emerging more consistently, but my skin was feeling drier and appearing flushed. Since I hadn't added or removed anything besides makeup from my daily beauty regimen, it became clear my skin was dearly missing the one thing I used regularly: Dr. Jart's BB Beauty Balms.

The texture and coverage of Dr. Jart's BB creams

While there are lots of BB and CC creams out there that I like, such as Nars' radiant tinted moisturizer or It Cosmetics CC+ cream, I always go back to Dr. Jart's Black Label Detox and Premium BB creams in the end. Neither of the lightweight formulas leave me with a greasy finish, and both act as sunscreens — though the Premium formula has a higher SPF.

The biggest benefit that these BB creams provide is, of course, their color-correcting ability, which seemingly erases any redness I tend to wake up with. The coverage is definitely on the lighter side, but they supply instant hydration and a natural, glowy finish to my tired-looking skin. If I want fuller coverage or a less dewy look, I use the BB cream as a color-correcting base and then apply a thin layer of foundation or dust a powder on top.

The creams apply smoothly and feel lightweight, so I often forget I'm wearing any makeup at all. Though you can use a brush or damp beauty blender, I find the same effect can be achieved by using my hands to work the product into my skin.

How the two stack up against each other

Asking me to choose just one of the products would be like asking me to choose between my left or right hand. But, there are some subtle differences between the formulas. Both use popular mineral sunscreen ingredients titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to deliver different degrees of sun protection as well as skin-improving perks.

Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose, a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in skin cancer, rosacea, acne, eczema, and psoriasis, says that zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are natural ingredients with excellent broad-spectrum sun protection and UV light-blocking properties. Both are safe, gentle, and non-comedogenic, meaning they won't clog pores and are ideal for sensitive skin.

Black Label Detox BB Cream (SPF 30):

I have sensitive, combination skin and tend to break out more in the winter, so when it's cold, I gravitate towards the Black Label Detox, which contains a higher concentration of titanium dioxide and has a slightly lighter formula than the Premium BB cream. "Titanium dioxide may be less likely to clog pores because it is lighter weight than zinc and can minimize excess oil — therefore an excellent choice for acne-prone skin," says Dr. Murphy-Rose. In fact, if I'm experiencing any sort of major breakout during the summer, I'll often switch back to the Black Label Detox because I find it's better for my problem skin days.

She also explained that while titanium dioxide protects against all sunburn and skin cancer-causing UVB rays, it won't shield your skin from all UVA rays, which penetrate deeper than UVB and are responsible for sun-induced skin aging. Though, another positive of the ingredient is that titanium dioxide is invisible to the naked eye and won't leave a white cast. "While zinc scaled down to nanoparticles is nearly invisible, titanium wins in this comparison."

Premium BB Cream (SPF 45):

In summer weather, when I'm out in direct sunlight for longer periods of time, I use the more protective Premium BB cream. "Generally, I recommend daily sun protection with a mineral block (i.e. containing zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide) of SPF of 30 or higher," says Dr. Murphy-Rose. "While both contain a combination of zinc and titanium, the Premium BB Beauty Balm is the more sun protective formula."

Zinc oxide has the broadest range of UV protection, so it effectively blocks all UVB and UVA rays and may be better at protecting against long-wave UVA light than titanium dioxide — though Dr. Murphy-Rose notes both individually still provide highly effective broad-spectrum coverage. She also points out that zinc oxide has antimicrobial properties and is gentle, making it an especially good choice for rosacea-prone skin.

Skin-enhancing benefits

"Both contain niacinamide, or vitamin B3, an excellent skincare ingredient that has been shown to smooth skin and decrease the appearance of pores," says Dr. Murphy-Rose. "It is a multifunctional, skin-restoring ingredient that boosts the hydrating ability of other moisturizers in the product and helps to prevent moisture loss." The two formulas also balance skin-nourishing ingredients like eucalyptus leaf oil and citrus oils, which work to directly reduce inflammation and fight acne-causing bacteria. These nourishing properties, along with fairly high SPF counts, supply protection that I ultimately find make my skin look brighter and healthier even on the occasional days I skip makeup altogether. After prolonged use, I even notice my acne scars appear lighter and my redness dissipates.

Cons to consider

One of my main and only grievances with Dr. Jart's BB creams is the limited color selection. Dr. Jart only offers one universal shade for the Black Label Detox and three of the Premium BB cream, though the formula is sheer so the creams adapt well enough to a wide variety of skin tones. Another thing to note is that while my skin tends to be on the drier side, oily skin types may find the ultra-hydrating formula emphasizes any shininess or oil build-up.

The bottom line

Dr. Jart's Black Label Detox and Premium BB creams make good on their promises of healthy skin benefits packed into an everyday face makeup. If you're searching for something with light coverage that not only masks imperfections but simultaneously treats your skin, look no further.

At just under $40 for a 1.7-ounce tube, the price tags on both products are in the realm of reasonable and they last a long time. Trust me, your skin will thank you later.