Garnier recently came out with a new BB Cream in their Miracle Skin Perfector range that is oil-free and aimed at oily & combination skin types. I paid AUD$11 for this during Priceline's 20% off sale (as of today it's still on!). I've been wearing it for a few days and I thought I'd give you an initial impressions review.
I was not a fan of the original Garnier BB Cream. It is very emollient and I found it never really set on my combination skin. It also has practically no coverage. I am pleased to say the Oil-free version is a completely different beast.
Left: Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector (original), Right: Garnier BB Cream Oil-free
The packaging is quite an elegant slimline squeezy tube with a pointy tip. It doesn't scream cheap and I prefer it to the original one. Scent wise - it is fragrance free so doesn't smell much, which is a massive bonus as the original has that awful fake "fresh" scent.
The texture of the Garnier Oil-free BB is very runny, not thick and creamy like the original. It is exceptionally easy to spread and doesn't set too quickly so you have time to work it.
Left: Original, Right: Oil-free
Colour wise, I have both these creams in Light and I prefer the yellow tone of the Oil-free version. The colour is also slightly lighter than the original. If you are super pale then Light will be too dark for you, it is leaning on too dark for me but I can work with it.
Left: Original, Right: Oil-free
The finish is surprisingly beautiful. It's a nice soft matte, very skin like. It is light to almost medium coverage and is particularly good at hiding areas of redness. The oil control is good, but not fantastic. I am oily on my nose and I still need to apply a mattifying primer to this area before applying the cream. I love the finish of this. Count me very surprised. It lasts around 8-10 hours and makes my skin feel so silky. I would happily wear it as an everyday natural coverage make up if it weren't for a couple of drawbacks for me.
Garnier BB Cream Oil-free Ingredients
Firstly, the only sunscreen I see is ethylhexyl methocycinnamate. This does not give any UVA protection that I can see (let me know if I'm wrong... they don't actually list the "actives"). Maybe a tiny bit of titanium dioxide - but that doesn't cover all UVA rays and I'm not sure if there's enough for it to be active. UVA rays age you and cause skin cancer. A separate sunscreen is a must, which is frustrating for an all-in-one product. Secondly, there is a high concentration of alcohol, which I am not happy with putting on my skin everyday as it dries my skin out and sensitises it.
Ahhhhh this is such a shame because I really love the formulation. Because I love the formulation so much I will use it on the sneaky, maybe if I'm just popping out to the supermarket or something and don't need the SPF. Overall my review is mixed. I'm sorry I can't come up with a more conclusive opinion.
Have you tried it?
