BB cream craze - Dr. G or BRTC?

Gosh, i had been busy working over time, my skin condition is at it’s worst! Skin is dry, dehydrated, dull and fine lines appearing!!! Got me thinking of trying out BB (Blemish Balm) creams that are oh-so-hot now. And since my Lancome neuroshield sun block is finishing, I’m considering whether should I get a sun block by itself + a separate BB cream for light coverage, or to get a BB cream with SPF properties.

Hmm… So what’s in my mind? Due to the Korean craze of BB cream that had infected Malaysian, we were introduced with so many brands/types of BB cream. Naming the famous ones, Dr. G, BRTC, Dr. Jart Silver, Skin Food, The Face Shop, Ettude House, Skin79, L’egere and the list goes on. After some intensive research, friend’s recommendation, intensive survey plus cruel elimination, I’ve came down to only Dr. G and BRTC to choose from.

Saturday, 22-Aug-09

Dr. G Brigthening Balm SPF 30 PA++ (BB cream)

Size = 60ml
Price = RM95
Available at = Sasa outlets

From the net “contains hydrophilic and lipophilic ingredients, each of these unique formulations works on a cellular level to help face skin achieve and maintain a clearer, healthier look. It contains Sun Protection Filter 30 PA++, ideal as a daily makeup base or sun block. Used alone or as a makeup base before foundation.”

Due to unavailability of samples, I went all the way to Sasa, Midvalley at 10am with my bare face to try out Dr. G BB cream. Colour wise, it looked grayish, slightly darker than other tinted sunblock. However, after applying it on my face, patiently waited for 5 minutes, the cream fully sinks into my skin, amazingly blended well with my skin tone giving me a natural look. My gal friend who has very fair skin tone, tried it on as well, but the colour was a lil dark for her. Not too good for very fair girls.

Coverage wise, its only medium, slightly better than tinted moisturizer. Acne scars / blemishes are slightly difficult to hide with this cream, managed to cover it after 3^rd layer of application, and then it started to look cakey. To counter this problem, stick with one thin layer of BB cream, followed by adding on some concealer on needed area. Poof! I looked radiant and fresh! After the BB cream, I dabbed on my Ettusais Day Amulet loose powder to control shine. I went shopping the whole day with my gal friend, had coffee at dome (outdoor), and my face still looks dewy and fresh. Oil control is goodie-good! There’s less shine on my T-zone area compared to if I’m using my usual sunblock + foundation. I’m thrilled!

Until evening, I only had to blot my face with tissue paper, reapply a thin layer of Dr. G BB cream + loose powder, and off I go again. I guess I’ve found myself a substitute to my liquid foundation :) Reached home, did my routine double cleansing (both Clinique), and I don’t find any pore-clogging issue. To proof that, I had a good night sleep, woke up, eagerly checking my face, and found no-spots, no eeky pimple popping up. YAY, I’ve found my Mr. right!!

Sunday, 23-Aug-09

To complete my mission, I woke up early and off I go again, this time, to 1 Utama with my lazy boyfriend. He was dragged out of the bed this morning, grumbled the whole morning, but in the end, still accompanied me there. *muaks* Ok, back to business, I head towards Watsons’s to hunt for:

BRTC Protect Multiplex Balm SPF 20 PA++ BB Cream

Size = 50ml
Price = RM 130.90
Available at = Watsons

This BB cream claims to be for all skin type. How does it feel / look? Texture wise, it’s like a thick paste, thicker than Dr. G’s. Colour wise, grayish, similar to Dr. G but with pink undertone, looks dark, but lighter than Dr. G. It absorbs quickly into my skin, but it left a pinkish tone which didnt look so natural on my skin. Though thick and pasty, surprisingly this cream gave me a more radiant look compared to Dr. G, most possibly due to the pink undertone. It should be a nice colour on not-so-yellow-skin.

Disregarding its thick texture, it gave fantastic oil control! It’s great news to girls out there with acne-prone skin. And what’s more, no clogging of pores, no pimple out-break when the cream was applied or after the cream was removed.

So what’s my justice???
The things I do not like about this BRTC Protect Multiplex Balm SPF 20 PA++ BB Cream:

1. It’s slightly-too-thick-texture. Too creamy I felt.


2. colour oxidizes into a darker colour which it did not happen when I was using Dr. G’s BB cream.


3. SPF indicator (20++) is lower than Dr. G’s (30++)


4. Price wise, not such a big issue, but good to point out that BRTC (RM130.90) is more expensive to Dr. G (RM95)


5. BRTC's pink undertone brough radiance but look fake on me :(

What’s my conclusion then??? Definitely going for Dr. G Brightening Balm SPF 30 PA++ BB Cream!!! I’m sorry BRTC, I know you have great products like the super-famous Whitening & Wrinkle Repair Cream. Just that it doesn’t contain SPF protection… Since I’m hunting for cream with sunblock properties, I did not put BRTC Whitening & Wrinkle Repair Cream into consideration. Might blog about it some day…

Lancome Sun screen PROMO

Gals, check this out. Lancome is doing some sun screen exchange promotion. Apparently if you bring your old or empty sun block (face) bottle to any Lancome counter, they would exchange it with a brand new Lancome UV Expert Neuroshield SPF 50 worth RM55 for FREE. The condition is that your old bottle shall worth RM100 or more (But the sales assistant aren't that strict, so you can ignore the value)

Quote from Lancome website:

"UV & pollution sensibly worsen skin damage, this environmental stress causes hyperpigmentation and premature skin ageing. To fight back, LANCÔME creates its new-generation daily protection to actively defend your skin cells against UV rays & Pollution. Ideally protected and lastingly hydrated, skin is preserved from spots & freckles, its inner future beauty is maintained. The more you protect, the more fair skin blossoms. Also available in SPF 30"

"The potent Mexoryl ® filtering system protects skin against UV rays for 12 hours and help prevent skin from UVA-UVB induced dark stubborn spots. Enriched with the NeuroShield™ System, the formula forms an invisible shield to help protect skin from damage due to pollution and other environmental stress"

Today, i approached the Lancome counter in Mid Valley Mega Mall, handed over my half-filled sunblock... sob sob i still have half left to be used... But still, i chose to sacrifice it and here's what i've got in return:
1st hand on experience: not so greasy, as it is more liquified unlike the previous product, and the texture is good to feel. It does not irritate my skin as not much sebum production as what i used to experience last time.

Final words: it worths a try, at least my RM100 sunblock but further experiment is yet required

So Girls, approach the nearest Lancome counter with your already abandoned sun block and redeem this precious baby! Promotion while stocks last! HURRY!