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 or Etude. 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 (Aug 2026): This post was first published in 2017. I’ve since repurchased this countless times. Even my mom is asking me to get her more, as she favours this over other more expensive BB creams.
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:
- Conceal pores and dark spots
- Reduce dullness
- Boost skin radiance and luminosity
Let’s see if this product lives up to her marketing claims.
What’s good about Media BB Cream?
1. Non-greasy
Media BB Cream doesn’t leave 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.
>> RELATED: Thinking of trying other Media cosmetics? Explore all the Media product reviews on myBeautyCravings before you buy
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 minimising 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. 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
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? The SPF in your makeup alone isn’t enough to provide adequate protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays. For it to work, you would need to apply a thick layer (thicker than what is considered normal for makeup).
Hence, do remember to use a dedicated sunscreen before your makeup. Think of SPF in your foundation or BB cream as an added bonus—not a replacement.
6. A moisturising 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 moisturised.
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
The price has since increased from NTD280 to NTD340. Still, I think it’s good value for all the benefits that it offers. By the way, it’s not unusual to see it on big discount in Japan (e.g. I see it on 30% discount during my last two visits to Japan).
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, moisturiser, sunscreen, makeup base and foundation. It says that you can use this immediately after applying toner.
I don’t quite agree. With its sheer coverage, I don’t think it qualifies as a foundation. And we just discussed earlier that SPF in makeup shouldn’t be relied as our primary sun protection. 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.
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, you may love Media BB Cream as much as I do.
I’m surprised that the packaging has remained the same for almost a decade. While it doesn’t feel “refreshing”, I’m glad I could just “grab and go” the same familiar product without having to decipher a new product.
This product remains in my Japan-Must-Buy and Taiwan-Must-Buy lists. Rating: 4.5/5.
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(This post was first published in Sep 2017 and updated to include latest opinion.)
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Hi beauty, may I know where can I purchase this media bb cream in Malaysia?
Hi there, I don’t think Media BB Cream is available in Malaysia. You should be able to get it online, or in Japan and Taiwan.
Hi where do you get your kanebo bb media cream from? I am thinking of trying too..
Hi Jasmine, I got it in Taiwan and Japan. If you like to order it online, I’ve included an ebay link in the last paragraph. Hope this helps!