3Lab

There’s a (pseudo) new kid on the beauty block here in the US, and from the looks of it, BB creams—otherwise known as Beauty Balm, Beauty Benefit, Blemish Base, Beblesh Balm, or Blemish Balm--are quickly becoming the crème de la crème of the cosmeceuticals (skin care + makeup) industry. BB creams can be traced back to 1950s Germany, when Dr. Christine Schrammek created a salve to aid skin healing in post-peel and laser surgery patients, while also masking splotchy, inflamed redness and shielding sensitive skin from the sun. Fast forward 50+ years, when BB creams exploded in popularity in Asia, Japan, and Europe--thanks to drop-dead gorgeous Korean actresses like Song Hye Kyo singing its praises--and suddenly everyone is clamoring to introduce their own to the US market. Why?