The beauty alphabet: BB, CC, DD, and EE creams

MANILA, Philippines – BB, to CC, DD, and now EE. Alphabet creams are becoming a beauty staple – not just in Asia, but all over the world.

Alphabet creams are one of the beauty market’s most popular items these days due to their natural-looking finish and for some types, the promise of better skin with continued use.

Which cream is which? Choose the right one for you.

1. BB Cream

This is the cream that started it all. BB stands for “blemish balm” – a cream formulated in the 60s by a German dermatologist to help protect a patients’ skin during surgery. It made its debut in Japan and South Korea in the late 80s, and it now occupies a relatively large share in the cosmetics market.

The BB cream invaded Western markets around 3 years ago and continues to gain a following.

The BB cream claims to be an all-in-one product that can replace your light coverage foundation while making sure your skin is hydrated.

With continued use, many BB creams also promise these effects:

• Can be used as a makeup primer while hydrating your skin
• Evens out skin tone while enhancing complexion
• Minimizes pores and brightens skin

2. CC Cream

Otherwise known as “color control”or “color correcting” cream, the CC cream is said to be a refined version of its predecessor with almost-instant results.

• Reduces appearances of dark spots, sun spots, age marks, and acne scars 
• Moisturizes and primes your skin before makeup but can also be a substitute for light coverage foundation
• Smoothens complexion
• Minimizes redness and evens out your skintone

3. DD Cream

Also known as the “daily defense” or “Dynamic Do-All” by Julep, the brand to first release it. This lightweight cream is also said to have buildable coverage and has 15 benefits for your skin:

• Self-adjusting coverage
• It has anti-aging components
• Hydrates and moisturizes
• Defends skin
• Evens out skin tone
• Minimizes pores
• Soothes blemishes
• Reduces redness
• Firms skin
• Brightens
• Can be used as a primer
• Enhances skin vibrancy
• Refines
• Mattifies and reduces oil
• Nourishes

4. EE cream

Some predicted that the DD cream is where the alphabet would stop, but with constant innovation, the coming of the EE cream should have been expected. However, it seems it will be leaving the makeup-skincare fusion that its forerunners had.

Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) reported that Previse Skincare is coming out with their “extra exfoliating” this spring. It is said to be “a travel-friendly, natural alternative to a Clarisonic-type implement,” according to WWD. 

Induchem Companies also announced on their website that they will soon be launching their own “energy enhancing” cream made from a “new, renewable energy source” and is slated to function as a night cream that will “provide the right level of energy to bring major skin properties back to life” while you sleep.

Are you using any of the alphabet creams? If it becomes widely available, will you try the upcoming EE cream? Let us know in the comments section below. – Rappler.com

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