Not to brag, but I’ve spent the last 43 days getting nearly daily compliments on my skin. Strangers in bars tell me how glowy I look, fellow beauty editors ask me what new serum I’m using, and friends poke through my excess products after spotting the juicy shine of my mid-January complexion. No, I’m not telling you this to gloat—I’m informing you of what should be a scientific celebration after my Sahara-dry dermis began rivaling Nam Vo’s dewy dumpling glow once I incorporated the brand-new It Cosmetics Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm into my daily routine.

Let me start by saying that I have almost every barrier to entry for healthy, hydrated skin right now: a dry skin type (duh), rosacea, and winter-exacerbated eczema flare-ups. (Did I mention that it’s the middle of January?) I got my hands on this little jar at an exclusive preview in early December, where a makeup artist stippled it onto my skin after noticing that I looked a bit dry. She gave me a mirror to peer into as she swept the cooling formula across my face, and I watched, slack-jawed, as the product revived my creased concealer and dehydrated skin into something sumptuous.

From then on, there wasn’t a day that I didn’t use this magical four-in-one balm, and it was easy to stay true. My spendy foundations collected dust as I opted for this face tint for long office days, evening events, holiday parties, and more—earning compliments left and right each time I stepped out the door. And now, I can finally share the $34 secret behind my facial-level glow that even my highest-end foundations couldn’t replicate.

The Formula

First things first, this balm is a whopping 92% skincare. The solid, yet easy-to-blend formula is comprised of a skin-softening and hydration-boosting concoction of hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and biosynthetic collagen peptides, which are infused with pigment to form the line’s 15 flexible shades. From fair with pink undertones to deep with cool undertones, there’s a bevy of options for everyone to use, and the product can be layered or worn sheer for varying levels of coverage.

As for its four-in-one claims, the brand calls out its uses as a skin tint, face balm, hydrating and serum, and anti-aging agent—but I’d go so far as to add “foundation” to its list of accolades. I’ve personally swapped my face makeup (even concealer, on some days) for this buildable formula, and I’m not looking back until I hit pan.