I woke the following day with a strong suspicion the night’s festivities had taken a toll on my face. Four hours of early morning German grammar drills did nothing to help that situation. By the time I got home, drastic measures clearly needed to be taken. Hobbling into my room, I suddenly spied a previously forgotten pot of the Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream hanging out under my bed (this job comes with certain perks) and recalled all the fervent steamed-dumpling praise it had inspired. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to put those claims to the test.

This is the part where I admit that everyone was correct, and I now feel as though I’ve spent my entire life being lied to about the true potential of face cream. The formula is packed with purple rice bran, which does way more than lend the contents a charming lilac hue. The ingredient is rich in anthocyanin, an antioxidant that helps your complexion recover from stress and pollution. Other botanical extracts, such as algae, thyme, and marjoram, are added to intensely hydrate, reinforce your skin barrier, and retain more water. There’s also ginseng, which contains the same amino acids found in collagen.

Apparently, when you mix this up — and sprinkle in whatever magic Tatcha adds at the end — you get the first moisturiser that has ever made an instant, dramatically noticeable difference to my face. This is not one you have to use patiently for many days and nights in a row to reap the rewards, although you certainly could. And unlike some other products that are billed as “glowy,” it doesn’t contain microshimmers or light-reflecting particles to accomplish any of these results. I pat it on, my face drinks it in, and then I simply look better. Shadows recede, signs of life come flooding back, and my skin takes on a freshly watered, luminous quality.

Denise Primbet agrees. I wanted to cross-reference my findings with those of another Glamour contributor – and pleasingly, she loved it as much as I did. “My complexion soaks up the Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream like a dream, resulting in the dewiest and glowiest skin that peeks through my makeup,” Denise Primbet told me. It’s truly miraculous.

The glimmering purple tub, like that of all of Tatcha’s moisturisers, comes with a miniature golden spoon tucked on top. You’re meant to use it to scoop tiny amounts of the cream, if you’re someone who prefers not to stick their bare fingers in their skincare. I have never once used a spoon for this purpose, but it now serves as an excellent reminder that I can eat a tub of late-night ice cream, chase it with wine, and still appear fresh-faced in the morning.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go root through my freezer.

Courtesy of brand

Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream 50ml

What is Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream?

Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream is Japanese skincare brand Tatcha’s hero moisturiser, a formula which is formulated with antioxidant-full Japanese Purple Rice (this ingredient helps fight against damage caused by stress, pollutants and UV damage), as well Okinawa algae and hyaluronic acid to captures water and help maintain the skin’s natural moisture reservoir.

What is Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream used for?

According to Tatcha, The Dewy Skin Cream should be used on dry skin or dull skin to hydrate and plump. If you have combination skin, fret not – it can also be used on your skin type, particularly if you prefer a richer texture.

When should you use Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream?

You can use The Dewy Skin Cream daily, in both the morning and night. It isn’t greasy and sits well under foundation. Just remember, it doesn’t contain SPF, so you’ll want to use a dedicated face sunscreen on top of it.

This story originally appeared on Glamour US.