I have a confession to make: as a beauty editor, my daily base routine is usually a complete non-starter. For years, I’ve given foundation, cushion compacts, and heavy BB creams a wide berth. When you’re dealing with the lingering texture of old acne scars and unevenness, thick pigments tend to do the exact opposite of what they promise. Instead of disguising texture, traditional bases cling to rough patches, settle into fine lines, and magnify every single dip and bump on my face.
Instead, I’ve relied almost entirely on spot-concealing. In fact, IT Cosmetics’ Bye Bye Dark Spots™ Concealer + Serum has been my holy grail for as long as I can remember—I swear by it for brightening under my eyes and erasing stubborn dark spots. But when the brand announced the launch of its new Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm, I just had to try it.
Could a face balm actually work for someone who despises full-face coverage? I headed down to Sephora at ION Orchard to find out.
Finding My Match at Sephora ION
Stepping up to the counter, I had one of the lovely Sephora beauty advisors colour-match my skin tone. After testing a few swatches along my jawline from their 12-shade spectrum, we landed on Light Neutral (210)—a seamless match that literally melted right into my complexion without leaving a line of demarcation.
The packaging is compact and travel-friendly, but it’s the formula inside that truly blew me away. Packed with a 92% skincare base—featuring hyaluronic acid to plump, vitamin E to nourish, and collagen peptides to firm over time—it feels far more like a decadently balmy daily moisturiser than a makeup product. Crucially for sensitive noses, it’s completely fragrance-free.
The Ultimate Stress Test: Flu Face vs. Sheer Balm
I put this balm through the ultimate trial during a week when my skin was at its absolute worst: right in the middle of a miserable bout of the flu. My complexion was dull, dehydrated, and looking utterly lifeless.
I scooped a tiny amount of the solid balm with my fingertips and smoothed it across my face. The texture is sublime—it literally melts on contact with the skin, transforming into a velvety, weightless veil.
Here’s what immediately won me over:
- Zero Grease, Pure Hydration: Despite the rich “balm” moniker, it absorbs instantly without leaving behind an oily or sticky film. It just feels like a cooling drink of water for dry skin.
- No Clinging to Texture: Because the formula is so emollient and sheer, it glides right over my scar texture without settling into pores or dry flakes.
- “Your Skin But Better” Finish: The coverage is genuinely sheer. It doesn’t mask your real skin; it simply diffuses redness, evens out dullness, and gives you a soft, natural radiance.
Even while feeling thoroughly unwell, two minutes with this balm and my trustworthy under-eye concealer transformed my face. I looked fresh, rested, and genuinely pulled together—without looking like I was wearing a stitch of heavy makeup.
The Verdict
If you’re someone who loves a full-coverage, matte finish, this isn’t for you. While buildable, I don’t think you can get a mask-like finish if that’s what you are after. But if you hate the feeling of foundation, struggle with textured skin, or simply want a quick, mistake-proof product that keeps your skin hydrated all day long, the IT Cosmetics Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm is an absolute triumph.
Consider my foundation boycott officially broken. This little pot has earned a permanent spot on my vanity. IT Cosmetics Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm $43 (18g) is available exclusively at Sephora Singapore stores (including ION Orchard) and online.