Newswise — The $53.7 billion cosmetics market now features a new product called BB Cream that has some serious skin in the skin-care game.
“Beauty Balm, or BB Cream, is a facial skin cream that has: a moisturizing component; a pigment or tint that blends into all skin tones, as well as a sunscreen,” explained Julie Anne Moore, MD, dermatologist at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital. “The cream is usually mineral based.”
BB Creams may contain ingredients such as peptides, antioxidants, vitamin C, E or A, which are all proposed anti-aging components. “Some have soy or licorice, which are natural ingredients that are effective in lightening skin pigment,” said Moore.
Available in a wide price range including $10 drugstore varieties to luxury brands costing more than $100, BB Creams have their niche. “Several of my employees wear this type of product to work daily because it is not heavy and gives them good coverage without that thick make-up look,” Moore said. “A dusting of light powder completes the look.”
Moore says BB Creams are ideally suited for women on the go. “A person who doesn’t like numerous steps to put on make-up and doesn’t have a lot of time will like BB Cream,” she said.
With the full range of make-up bases now mineral based, and available with sunscreen and moisturizers, Moore doesn’t see BB Creams as being that unusual. “They are likely more moisturizing than a regular base,” she said of the difference.
But they are not ideally suited for everyone. “BB Creams do not give complete coverage for scars or pigmented areas (red or brown) on the face,” warned Moore.
Of the global cosmetics market, skin care is the largest segment at 31%. The United States is the biggest cosmetic market in the world with a total revenue of $53.7 billion reported in 2011.
Moore has been a dermatologist for 23 years and says she sees an increase in patients requesting skin-improvement treatment. “Skin damage that is caused by exposure to the sun or tanning beds plus natural aging are remedied through readily available office procedures ranging from chemical peels to injections such as Botox,” she said. “Skin care is popular because more treatments are available plus people are living longer, are in better health and continue to be socially active. Especially in today’s competitive job market, men and women feel more confident when they look their best.”
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