Why Kanebo Media BB Cream is still a Japan-must-buy after 6 years

Do you often break out from using BB cream? If you do, check out Media BB Cream as it has been proven to be safe on my pimple-prone skin. I like it so much I’ve repurchased this every time I visit Japan or Taiwan. 

As you see, I’d never had much luck with BB cream. Most of them caused me to breakout even if the product was labelled as ‘non-comedogenic’, such as those from The Face Shop, Etude and Ettusais. It took me a long time to find one that is pimple-safe and I’m happy to share more about this great BB cream with you.

Update (May 2023): I’ve just came back from Tokyo and bought a few more tubes. 6 years on and I’m still loving this Media BB cream.

 

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About Media BB Cream (媚點) 

Originated in Japan, Media (媚點) is a sub-brand under Kanebo. As with many Japanese brands such as Integrate, I was able to get Media cosmetics in Taiwan probably due to the proximity between the two countries.

What’s Media’s target audience? Based on the age of celebrity ambassador ‘Selina Jen’, I believe this product caters to women in their 30s to 40s.

 

Media BB Cream comes in a 35g lightweight tube and is available in three colors. In the face shots that you see in this post, I was wearing the lightest shade – Color 01 for my skin tone (Mac NC20 / Lancome P0-03).  

What does Media BB Cream do? According to the company, this product is said to:

1. Conceal pores and dark spots
2. Reduce dullness
3. Boost skin radiance and luminosity

Let’s see if this product lives up to her marketing claims.

 

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What’s Good about Media BB Cream? 

1. Non-greasy

Media BB Cream doesn’t leave behind a greasy after-feel. The skin feels just like how it is after applying a light lotion. There’s no need to set it with powder unless you want a better coverage.

2. Safe on Pimple-Prone Skin

Many BB Creams I’ve used in the past have caused me to break out, but not Media BB Cream. It’s pretty awesome to finally be able to finish a tube of BB cream than throwing them away after just a few applications.

3. Sufficient Coverage

This BB Cream offers sheer-to-medium coverage by BB cream’s standard (and extra-sheer coverage by foundation’s standard). It does well in minimizing pores and fading redness and dark spots.

I feel confident wearing Media BB Cream when attending casual and brief outings (e.g. grocery, going for haircut, errand-running). 

In the photos below, I happened to suffer from a pimple breakout after using C20 Vitamin Serum. You can see that the redness and pore size were less obvious after applying Media BB Cream.

4. Perfect Balance between Matt & Dewy Finish

Media BB Cream doesn’t have the dewy finish of Integrate Liquid Foundation or the glossy finish of Innisfree’s Waterglow Cushion. I’d wanted to say it is matt, but it isn’t.

Perhaps, it’s more apt to describe it as a semi-matt finish? Whatever it is, it is certainly very natural-looking. 

Here’s the swatch of colors 01 and 02. I have no problem wearing both colors since they are quite sheer and don’t make a great deal of difference. But I lean towards color 02 as its slightly darker shade gives me a more natural look without any white cast.

> RELATED: See how Integrate Gracy Essence Base BB works its magic

5. Sunscreen Protection

It’s good to know that Media BB Cream comes with medium sun protection factor of SPF 35PA ++ which acts as a good double protection when used above a layer of sunscreen.

Did you know? SPF in make up is hardly sufficient to protect us from the sun’s harmful effect. We would need a thick layer to make it work which is generally impossible unless we like to walk around in super thick makeup. Hence, do remember to use a specialized sunscreen lotion and treat makeup that comes with SPF as a double protection.

 

6. A Moisturizing BB Cream

We’ve said earlier that the finish isn’t greasy. Neither is it drying as my dehydrated skin feels comfortable wearing Media BB Cream.

From the official Taiwanese website, I gathered that this product contains Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid. No wonder the skin feels sufficiently moisturized.

7. Media BB Cream is Travel-Friendly

Media BB Cream comes in a lightweight and compact 35ml tube which makes it travel-friendly.

8. Wallet-Friendly Price

At Y1100 or NTD280, this Japan BB Cream is value for money for all the benefits that it offers (view latest price). I’m lucky to see it on 30% discount during my last two visits to Japan. 

 

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What’s Not Great? 

1.  Too Sheer for Some

For those who expect flawless skin, Media BB Cream may disappoint. Though it’s able to provide decent coverage, it is not able to hide all imperfections. I tend to use it only for brief casual outings.

Actually, I like its sheer coverage because I thought that’s what a BB cream should do. If I want heavier coverage, I would reach out for my foundation. So theoretically speaking, this shouldn’t be counted as a con. I’m listing it here so that you guys are aware.

2. Smaller Quantity

Some other brands such as Etude, Innisfree or Lancome may offer 40 to 50ml for their BB Cream. You get only 35ml from Media BB Cream.

It’s not an issue to me because this is one of the few BB creams I could empty tube after tube, right to the last drop. I can’t say the same for other BB creams even if they may come with more quantity.

3. Listed as a 6-in-1 Product? Not really

Media BB Cream has marketed itself as a convenient 6-in-1 product multi-tasking as a Serum, Emulsion, Moisturizer, Sunscreen, Makeup Base and Foundation. It says that you can use this immediately after applying toner.

I don’t quite agree. It’s sheer coverage definitely doesn’t qualify itself as a Foundation. And we just said earlier that makeup SPF shouldn’t replace a real SPF product. So it’s a bit of a stretch to call it a super multi-tasker.

> RELATED: Cezanne BB Cream All in One Foundation – It’s cheap, but is it worth it? 

Having said that, I think it’s indeed a convenient product for outings that don’t require you to be under the sun for too long.

 

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Recommendation: Should you buy Media BB Cream?

Are you looking for a sheer-to-medium coverage BB cream that would likely not clog your pores? Do you like a natural finish? If yes, we may be on similar spectrum as I’ve been repurchasing Media BB Cream for 6 years and counting.

I’m surprised but happy that the packaging didn’t change a single bit since I first purchased it in 2017. While it may not feel “refreshing”, I’m glad I could just grab and go since my last visit to Tokyo was a rather hectic trip.

This product remains in my Japan-Must-Buy and Taiwan-Must-Buy lists, and I’ve upgraded its rating in 2023. Rating: 4.5/5.

 

To find out the latest price on Amazon, click HERE. 

 

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(This post was first published in Sep 2017 and updated to include latest opinion.)

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