Introduction: Diy Bb Cream

About: Hi! I'm a slightly feral mountain hermit that likes to be helpful. I do community management at Instructables & Tinkercad. 🙌 Want to hear me chat about making? Search "CLAMP Podcast" on YouTube or your favorit…
BB cream is one of those things I started using and then wondered why I didn't just make my own. This DIY version is super easy to make, and you can use all your favorite products - things that you know play well with your skin!

I have oily skin, so I was able to make my BB cream to reflect that. :D

I highly recommend giving diy BB cream a try - it's easy to apply (you can just rub it on like moisturizer!) and gives great coverage, and the way I've made it is super long wearing.

Step 1: What You'll Need:

your favorite sunscreen -
sweat and water resistant is best, try to find something that isn't too greasy so there's less chance of it clogging your pores. Plus, your BB cream will stay on forever if you use a water resistant sunscreen.

your favorite moisturizer -
if you have dry skin, use a creamy one; if you have oily skin, try an oil free lotion.

your preferred foundation -
I had the best luck with liquid/cream foundation. Powder was hard to mix and did not blend well.

Monistat chafing gel -
this sounds crazy, I know! But its main ingredient is the main ingredient in several makeup primers, and it makes your BB cream go on smooth and stay nice and matte. A warning about this - I have heard of this causing breakouts in some folks. If you're breakout prone, go a little lighter on it or leave it out. I haven't had any problems but I can't promise it will be the same for you.

a bottle to put it in!

Step 2: The Magic BB Cream Mix

I did some practice runs - mix up a little, wear it all day, see how it went. I kept finding out I had too much of certain ingredients. Too much sunscreen makes it oily and it never dries properly - to much gel makes it dry too fast and it gets splotchy. Too much foundation made it too dark for my skin! The ratio below is what I came up with and I've been super happy with it - I'm going to make it this way forever.

This version also kept me oil free for the longest - my first versions left me really shiny right away or after a few hours. I've slept in this version and woke up with very little shine. It's awesome!

the amounts:
  • 1/3 foundation
  • 1/3 moisturizer
  • 1/6 chafing gel
  • 1/6 sunscreen

I did not measure, so I decided to break it down into amounts like the above. That way it can be easily scaled. :D So, for example, it you did two teaspoons each of foundation and moisturizer, you'd do one teaspoon of chafing gel and sunscreen.

Combine these in whatever container you'd like and shake or stir until thoroughly combined. :)

Step 3: Applying the Bb Cream

Above, from left to right:
no moisturizer/makeup - with only the BB cream on - BB cream set with powder + blush & mascara


I use the BB cream like I would moisturizer, but avoiding my eyebrows and lips. It does take a little extra care to cover everything consistently, but it's really quick! It covers mild acne pretty well and evens out my skintone!

If you're feeling fancy, you can add a little powder on top to set it. I like to do that to help with oil. :)