What: Utena’s newest product from its Simple Balance range, the BB Essence Cream, boasts a five-in-one function. It provides sheer coverage, acts as a moisturiser, pore minimiser and essence. It is also said to have beneficial additives like hyaluronic acid, collagen, ceramide and eight kinds of animo acids. Free of mineral oils and fragrance, with SPF 16 PA++, it prevents spots and freckles.
Simple Balance BB Essence Cream retails for $26.90 from selected Watsons’ stores.
Review: I was hesitant to test another blemish balm, because most of them I’ve tried have felt thick and cakey on the skin. However, I was quite impressed with Uteno’s version of a BB cream. It came out of its tube like a liquid dream, and smoothed over nicely on the skin. I appreciated that little effort was required to distribute it evenly, simply because the texture was just perfect.
The formula was as promised: moisturising and pore-minimising (of course, I have crater pores, but I appreciate how well the BB cream did when matched against them). The best part: it really did provide sheer coverage, and it’s great for people who don’t want or need much makeup on their face. I could even use an anti-ageing face cream under it, and a light powder over, without any cakey repercussions. Lesson of the day? Never doubt the Japanese.
4/5