My skincare routine started in my pre-teen years after a few too many pimples led to a daily application of blemish-fighting products powered by benzoyl peroxide. While I meticulously cleansed and toned, I always avoided the last step: moisturizer.

I (falsely) believed that finishing my streamlined routine with moisturizer would actually clog my pores once again, rather than replenishing my skin with critical moisture. As a result, constant washing and toning let my skin dry and damaged.

When I turned 20, I decided to quit harsh acne-fighting cleansers for good. Instead, I chose all-natural products—including paraben-free cleanser, witch hazel toner, and tea tree oil—to treat my blemish-prone skin. Unfortunately, my search for an all-natural moisturizer that didn’t feel as if it was suffocating my pores was unsuccessful.

As I began to dive deeper into the world of skincare a few years later, I finally accepted that skipping this critical step was a huge problem—even if it left my skin feeling slimy and heavy. Begrudgingly, I tried moisturizer after moisturizer in hopes of finally discovering a product that worked for me.

Then one day, it finally happened. I stumbled into the *expensive* skincare aisle at Sephora, where popular brands like Drunk Elephant and La Mer are stocked. I was pulled towards Japanese beauty brand Tatcha, used by celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Meghan Markle.

I curiously picked up the Tatcha Water Cream ($68, tatcha.com) and cautiously opened the chic, aquamarine packaging. A delightfully coastal scent greeted me, and I couldn’t help but drop a finger into the creamy, whipped moisturizer.