I use this gel tint in place of foundation most days — it evens out my complexion and stays on all day

Pixi Beauty’s H2O SkinTint ($24.49) provides coverage without feeling heavy or dry.
After hours of wear, the gel tint stays on my skin. It’s one thing I can do and then forget about for the rest of my day.
It can withstand hot summer days and doesn’t irritate sensitive skin.

Summer presents a lot of challenges to wearing foundation. Sunshine, ocean breezes, swimming pools, sweat, and air conditioning can all make a foundation crack, crease, pill, oxidize, or fall off completely. It can be hard for me to enjoy this time of year when I’m distracted by thoughts of checking my makeup throughout the day.

I have redness and acne-prone, sensitive skin, so I want something that will make my skin look even without feeling heavy or cakey during the summer. And because I’m often on the go with limited time, a product that doesn’t take multiple steps to apply is a big plus for me. I also look for products that don’t contain parabens and are cruelty-free, meaning my skin is safe and no animals were harmed on my behalf.

I was already a huge fan of Pixi's Glow Tonic toner, so I was curious to see what they offered in terms of makeup. I knew Target carried a ton of Pixi products, so I headed there. Phone in hand to check product reviews, I looked at a bunch of different formulations. Then I found the H2O SkinTint and was immediately intrigued.

The packaging describes it as a water-based gel tint, which sounds a lot lighter than any foundation I've ever used. I was excited to see the product included green tea, rose water, and lavender - ingredients that provide hydration and antioxidants and have soothing properties. A little skincare added in with my makeup? I'll take it. I always like to leave my skin better than I found it rather than sacrificing my skin's health to look good for a night out with friends.

Fondly remembering the BB cream craze of 2014, I figured this gel would feel and look similar on my skin. So after I took a look at the all-positive reviews on the Target app, I grabbed the lightest shade and made my purchase.

When I first applied the H20 SkinTint, I was impressed by the upside-down pump at the bottom of the tube. It makes for a less messy application than using a traditional cream foundation. The texture is similar to a BB cream, but it also feels incredibly whipped and mousse-y. There's no discernible fragrance either.

I used a pump and a half because a little seemed to go a long way. As I slowly worked it into my skin, it blended to a basic match of my skin tone. The Pixi H20 SkinTint only comes in six shades, so I assumed that it could only provide a guesstimate of my undertones. But it disappeared so quickly into my skin and left behind a subtle glow that I couldn't be mad at it. While I could still see some freckles, my skin just looked even, without creasing or cracking and then falling into dry patches.

To test the tint's limits in terms of coverage, I applied a little more and saw that my normally stubbornly large pores appeared smaller. So the coverage definitely felt buildable. I also really liked that I could just blend in the tint with my fingertip in a matter of seconds instead of using a brush. It really is the kind of product that is ideal for rushing off to work. And unlike a full-coverage foundation, my skin looks natural when I am wearing it.

After hours of wear, the H2O SkinTint stays on my skin. It's one thing I can do and then forget about for the rest of my day - no touch-ups needed. Even better, it's breathable and leaves my skin feeling pretty soft. A lot of foundations dry out my skin, but this product feels as though it's actually helping. There is no telltale redness or blemishes when I wipe it off.

The bottom line

At $25, Pixi H20 SkinTint is less expensive than many foundations. It's also widely available - you can find it at any Target. While it would be nice for them to expand their shade range, I'm happy that this gel works so well, and it will be something I use for years to come.