Face BB & CC Creams Price Comparison
Compare 140 BB & CC creams from Erborian, Clarins, Clinique and more — find the best price across top UK retailers, from 18 £ to 42 £.
Face BB & CC Creams price comparison UK
BB and CC creams occupy a curious middle ground in the beauty market — part skincare, part makeup — and that dual identity is precisely what makes choosing one so tricky. Our catalogue of 140 products spans everything from budget-friendly GOSH formulas to Erborian's Korean-inspired range and the eye-watering luxury of Sensai, with prices stretching from 18 £ right up to 42 £. The spread tells a story: most shoppers will find what they need well below 25 £, but the premium end has a devoted following that's hard to argue with once you've tried it.
Erborian dominates this category by sheer volume — 43 products, all rooted in K-beauty philosophy, with a price point that sits comfortably in the mid-range. Their Super BB Cream has become something of a cult product in the UK, and the number of competing offers we track reflects genuine retailer interest rather than just hype. Clarins and Clinique follow with more restrained catalogues but strong reputations for shade consistency and SPF reliability — Clinique's SPF 40 formula in particular stands out as one of the better-value options we've spotted. At the budget end, GOSH and L.A. Girl prove that decent buildable coverage doesn't require a significant outlay.
One thing worth flagging: the distinction between BB and CC creams matters more than many shoppers realise. A BB cream — short for Blemish Balm — delivers medium, buildable coverage with skincare actives woven in. A CC cream (Colour Correcting) goes lighter on coverage but works harder to neutralise redness, sallowness or uneven tone. If your main concern is skin texture rather than discolouration, a BB cream is almost always the better call. For redness-prone or post-blemish skin, CC is worth the switch. You'll find both formats across our face moisturisers and face day and night creams categories too, if you want to compare hybrid options.
SPF is the other variable that separates a genuinely useful product from a cosmetic shortcut. Plenty of BB creams advertise sun protection but deliver only SPF 15 — barely adequate for a British summer, let alone a holiday abroad. We'd steer most people towards SPF 30 as a minimum, and SPF 40+ if you're relying on your BB cream as your sole morning sun protection. Pair with a dedicated face oil underneath if your skin runs dry, and you've got a genuinely efficient morning routine in two steps.
How to Choose Your BB or CC Cream
With Erborian alone accounting for nearly a third of this category, it's easy to assume the market is settled — but shade range, SPF level and finish type vary wildly even within a single brand's lineup. Here's what actually matters when you're comparing options.
BB or CC — and does the distinction matter for your skin?
BB creams (Blemish Balm) offer medium, buildable coverage with skincare actives — hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides — blended in. They suit most skin types and work well as a foundation replacement for everyday wear. CC creams (Colour Correcting) are lighter in coverage but specifically formulated to neutralise discolouration: redness, sallowness, post-blemish marks. If you're after a natural finish with a skincare benefit, BB is usually the right choice. If uneven tone is your primary concern, CC earns its keep. Mixing up the two is the most common mistake we see — buying a CC cream expecting foundation-level coverage leads to disappointment.
SPF level — the number that most people ignore
SPF is arguably the most important number on the packaging, and it's frequently undersold. SPF 15 — common in budget formulas — blocks roughly 93% of UVB rays. SPF 30 blocks 97%, SPF 50 blocks 98%. That gap matters over years of daily use. For a product you're applying to your face every morning, we'd call SPF 30 the minimum worth considering, and SPF 40+ the sensible default if this is your only sun protection step. Clinique's SPF 40 formula and several Erborian options hit this threshold. Be aware that SPF in makeup is only effective if you apply a generous, even layer — most people under-apply, which halves the stated protection in practice.
Shade matching and oxidation risk
A shade that looks right in the tube can oxidise — darken or shift orange — within an hour of application, particularly on oily skin. This is one of the most frustrating and expensive mistakes in this category. Always test on your jawline, not your wrist, and check the result in natural daylight after 20 minutes. Undertone matters as much as depth: warm (golden/peachy), cool (pink/red) or neutral. Erborian's range skews towards lighter, neutral-to-warm tones reflecting its Korean heritage — if you have a deeper or cooler complexion, Clinique or Clarins typically offer better shade diversity. Brands with limited shade ranges (sometimes just 3–4 options) are a red flag for anyone outside the fair-to-light spectrum.
Finish type matched to your skin type
Matte finishes control shine and suit oily or combination skin — but on dry skin they can look flat and emphasise texture. Dewy or luminous finishes add radiance and work beautifully on dry or mature skin, but can make oily skin look greasy by midday. Satin sits in between and is the most forgiving across skin types. If you're unsure, satin is the safer starting point. Worth noting: a dewy BB cream layered over a hydrating face moisturiser can replace a full foundation-and-highlighter routine for many people.
Price per millilitre — where the real value lies
The sticker price is misleading in this category. A 15ml tube from Erborian at around 21 £ sounds reasonable until you realise that's roughly a month's supply for daily use. The 40ml version of the same formula works out significantly cheaper per application. GOSH and L.A. Girl sit at the budget end (from 18 £) and offer 30ml formats — genuinely good value if you're new to BB creams and want to test the format. At the other extreme, Sensai's luxury cream tops 42 £ for 40ml, which is a different category of product entirely. For most people, the sweet spot is a 40ml formula from a mid-range brand — better cost-per-use than the travel sizes that dominate the top of the bestseller list.
- Entry-level — worth trying (From 18 £ to 21 £) : GOSH and L.A. Girl dominate here, offering 30ml formulas with basic coverage and minimal skincare actives. SPF is often low or absent. Fine for occasional use or testing the BB cream format for the first time, but don't expect longevity or a wide shade range.
- The sweet spot (From 21 £ to 25 £) : Where most of the action is. Erborian's 15ml travel sizes, Clinique's SPF 40 formula and Bioderma's AR BB Cream all sit here. You get genuine skincare benefits, reliable SPF and better shade options. The 15ml formats are convenient but watch the cost-per-ml — the value calculation shifts quickly.
- Mid-to-premium — the 40ml argument (From 25 £ to 32 £) : Erborian's 40ml Super BB Cream and Clarins options occupy this band. Spending more here often makes sense purely on a per-use basis — a 40ml tube at this price point typically costs less per application than a 15ml tube from the tier below. Formulations are more sophisticated, with better active ingredient concentrations.
- Luxury — a different proposition (Over 32 £) : CHANEL and L'Erboristica appear here, alongside the extraordinary Sensai Ultimate at the very top of the range. These are products where the skincare credentials are as important as the coverage — expect advanced actives, premium textures and packaging to match. Hard to justify purely on coverage grounds, but compelling as a skincare-makeup hybrid for those who'd otherwise spend this on a separate serum.
Top products
- Clinique Face Cream SPF40 (Clinique) : The most-compared product in this category for good reason — SPF 40 is a genuine differentiator, and Clinique's shade consistency is reliable. A strong everyday choice, though the shade range is limited.
- Bioderma AR BB Cream 40 ml (Bioderma) : The standout pick for sensitive and redness-prone skin. Formulated specifically for reactive complexions, it's one of the few BB creams with genuine dermatological credentials. Not the most exciting finish, but it does what it promises.
- Erborian Super BB Cream 40 ml CC cream (Erborian) : The best value-per-ml in Erborian's lineup. The 40ml format makes the price-per-use argument compelling compared to the 15ml travel sizes. Korean-inspired formula with a natural finish — excellent if your skin tone falls in the fair-to-medium range.
- GOSH BB Cream Foundation 03 Warm Beige 30ml (GOSH) : The budget pick — straightforward coverage at a price that makes experimentation low-risk. Don't expect meaningful SPF or skincare actives. Best suited to those new to BB creams who want to test the format before committing to a pricier option.
- Erborian BB Cream Nude 40 ml (Erborian) : A reliable everyday BB cream with a natural, skin-like finish. The Nude shade is the most versatile in Erborian's range for fair-to-light neutral complexions. Worth comparing prices across retailers — we regularly see meaningful variation between merchants.
Related categories
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the actual difference between a BB cream and a CC cream?
A BB cream (Blemish Balm) provides medium, buildable coverage with skincare actives like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide blended in — it functions as a lightweight foundation replacement. A CC cream (Colour Correcting) offers lighter, sheerer coverage but is specifically formulated to neutralise discolouration such as redness, sallowness or post-blemish marks. In practice: if you want to even out skin texture and get some coverage, choose BB. If uneven skin tone or redness is your main concern and you prefer a barely-there finish, CC is the better fit. Many people buy the wrong one simply because the names are used interchangeably in marketing.
Is the SPF in a BB cream enough to replace a separate sunscreen?
Technically yes, if the SPF is 30 or above and you apply a generous, even layer — but most people don't apply nearly enough product for the stated SPF to be effective. Studies consistently show that people apply roughly a quarter of the amount needed to achieve the labelled protection. If sun protection is a priority, layering a dedicated SPF underneath your BB cream is the safer approach. At minimum, look for SPF 40+ in your BB cream and be generous with application.
Why does my BB cream look darker after an hour of wear?
This is oxidation — a chemical reaction where the formula darkens or shifts in tone after exposure to air and skin oils. It's more pronounced on oily skin types and with certain pigment formulations. To minimise it: test the shade on your jawline (not your wrist) and wait 20–30 minutes before judging the match. Setting with a light translucent powder can slow oxidation significantly. If a shade consistently oxidises on your skin, it's worth trying a half-shade lighter rather than switching brands entirely.
Are there BB creams suitable for sensitive or acne-prone skin?
Yes, but you need to check for specific formulation claims rather than relying on the BB cream label alone. Look for non-comedogenic (won't clog pores), fragrance-free and hypoallergenic on the packaging. Bioderma's AR BB Cream is specifically formulated for reactive and redness-prone skin. Avoid silicone-heavy formulas if you're acne-prone, as they can cause buildup. Erborian's range uses plant extracts and tends to be well-tolerated, though individual reactions vary — patch testing on the inner arm for 24 hours before full facial use is always worth doing with a new product.
Should I avoid very cheap BB creams — are they a false economy?
Not necessarily, but the trade-offs are real. Budget options from GOSH or L.A. Girl (from 18 £) typically offer minimal SPF, a limited shade range of 3–4 options, and basic coverage without meaningful skincare actives. For occasional use or testing the format, they're perfectly reasonable. Where they become a false economy is if you're relying on them for daily sun protection or expecting skincare benefits — you won't get either at the lowest price points. The bigger risk is buying a cheap formula in the wrong shade and spending more correcting the result.
How do I stop my BB cream from pilling on top of my moisturiser?
Pilling — those annoying little balls of product that form on the skin — is almost always caused by incompatible layering or applying BB cream before the previous layer has fully absorbed. Wait at least 60 seconds after your moisturiser before applying BB cream, and use a patting motion rather than rubbing. Silicone-based BB creams are particularly prone to pilling over water-based moisturisers. If the problem persists, try a gel-based or lighter moisturiser underneath, or switch to a BB cream with a compatible base. Less product is almost always better — a thin, even layer blends more smoothly than a thick application.
Which BB cream shades work best for deeper skin tones?
This is where the category has historically underserved shoppers — many BB creams, particularly those with Korean heritage like Erborian, are formulated primarily for fair-to-light complexions. For medium, tan or deeper skin tones, Clinique and Clarins offer more reliable shade diversity within their BB ranges. Always check the specific shade descriptions (not just the product name) and look for warm or neutral undertone options at the medium-to-deep end of the range. If a brand offers fewer than 6 shades total, it's unlikely to cater well to anything beyond light skin tones.