A mattifying BB cream is a light base that absorbs oil as the day goes on. Useful — and worth pairing with the right skincare underneath, because the usual approach to shine makes it worse.
The shine cycle
The instinct with oily skin is to strip it: foaming cleansers twice a day, no moisturiser, powder through the day.
That damages the barrier, and skin frequently responds by producing more oil. So the routine designed to reduce shine increases it.
What actually helps:
- A gentle cleanser, twice a day maximum
- A light moisturiser, morning and evening. The step most often skipped, and the one that reduces shine over a few weeks
- Blotting papers rather than more powder
- Consistency rather than constant experimentation
A mattifying base sits on top of that. On top of a stripping routine it is managing a problem the routine is creating.
Applying it
- Moisturiser fully absorbed first. A minute or two — base on fresh moisturiser slides
- A small amount, centre outward. BB creams are sheer by design and applying more does not increase coverage, only thickness
- Fingers work well. Warmth helps it melt in
- Set the T-zone only, lightly
Through the day
Blot, do not powder. Blotting paper removes the oil; powder layers on top of it, and by afternoon that combination looks thick.
If you must powder, blot first.
BB cream versus foundation
A BB cream evens out and blurs. A foundation covers. If you need to hide redness or marks, this is not the product — layering it on to try produces thickness rather than coverage.
Concealer on the two or three things that need it, over the BB cream, is the better approach.
Shade
Fewer shades than a foundation, since BB creams are semi-sheer and adapt. Still match against your jaw and neck in daylight.
The current shade range is in the Faberlic catalogue. For oily-skin skincare, see the skincare section.