It's no secret that I'm a fan of multi-tasking skin care products. However, when it comes to BB and CC creams, I must confess that I have yet to jump on that bandwagon. There is no disputing the popularity of these creams. Yet, after trying countless versions, the perfect BB cream continues to be elusive and I am beginning to wonder whether these double-letter creams really can deliver.

With all their promises, am I the only one who remains unconvinced of the BB cream's ability to be all things to all people? The three areas where BB and CC creams appear to fall short are:

1. Limited range of colors and shades. Finding tinted products that match skin tone is difficult at the best of times, but when there is often only a choice between two or three shades by any given line, the chances of finding a suitable color decreases drastically.

2. Not enough sun protection. The importance of daily UV protection using a stable, effective, broad-spectrum sunscreen and the tendency for most people is to [Link Removed] leads me to doubt whether a BB or CC cream is enough to protect the skin from those aging and damaging sun rays. A study showed that most sunscreen users only apply between 20 and 50% of the amount necessary to deliver the SPF rating. If you're applying a product with low SPF, how much protection are you getting?

3. Inadequate concentration of active ingredients. When it comes to anti-aging treatments, active ingredients must be present in [Link Removed] to deliver results. Do BB creams contain the required amounts or are they just 'dusted' with minute quantities that are unlikely to do much good?

The quest isn't over yet – I am still trying to find the BB cream that will satisfy all my skin care demands. I haven't even worked my way through the alphabet to get to CC and DD creams, yet the latest news is that EE creams are ready to hit the shelves. There is some confusion, however, as to what EE actually stands for. Extraordinarily exfoliating? Exceedingly emulsifying? Or perhaps energy enhancing? Your guess is as good as mine.

Have you found your dream BB cream or is it a case of try, try again?

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care and women's wellness. She owns and operates an online skin care store at [Link Removed]

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