When it comes to makeup, I’ve always had high standards. In the past, I only cared about finding the perfect product in the perfect shade. But after becoming fed up with mainstream makeup brands and their unhealthy ingredients, I started looking for a healthier, safer line of cosmetics and came across Beautycounter.
To be honest, I was skeptical at first because it was an MLM. Even after joining the company and becoming a consultant, I wasn’t sure I had made the right decision. I loved the company’s mission of getting safer products into the hands of everyone. This is something I can easily get behind…
But I’m not easily won over by a clever marketing slogan, so I started to investigate the company’s products and practices a little deeper. After giving their products a chance, I’m happy to say that I love and use some Beautycounter favorites in my daily skincare and beauty routine.
Where to Buy Beautycounter Products in 2024
In the Spring of 2024, Beautycounter’s website went down while the founder, Gregg Renfrew, was in talks to repurchase the company from investors. The plan was for Beautycounter to revamp under its new (old) leadership, and the company took several months to do so. During their restructuring, the company wasn’t accepting new orders, and you could only shop Beautycounter products at Ulta while supplies lasted. They sold out pretty quickly.
Thankfully, Beautycounter is OFFICIALLY BACK under Gregg’s leadership and you can shop online again. I am SO happy and relieved to see my favorite Beautycounter products back in stock.
Beautycounter Must-Haves (and Product Alternatives)
It’s always been important to me that my makeup is high-performance. It’s disappointing to try out a natural or organic makeup brand and have the mascara smudge under your eyes or the foundation not work well.
Beautycounter’s makeup line feels just as luxurious as the brands I was already accustomed to, such as Chanel, MAC, and Lancôme. But more importantly, Beautycounter’s commitment to testing its ingredients, along with the long list of ingredients and chemicals that will never make it into its products really stood out to me.
Is the company perfect? No—most makeup products still require some preservatives, and I would still encourage you not to use any products excessively while pregnant or nursing. But Beautycounter is committed to improving the beauty industry, and I rest assured knowing that they disclose their ingredients and each ingredient goes through a rigorous screening process.
Here are the key reasons I trust Beautycounter enough to even use {some} of their products while breastfeeding.
- Better Ingredients. While only 30 chemicals are banned from use in personal care products in the United States, Beautycounter has voluntarily banned 1,500 ingredients from their products, including formaldehyde, polyethylene glycol (PEG), sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate, parabens, and triclosan (see the full list here). Is this just marketing? Sure, to some degree, but it’s also very helpful when you see some of those icky ingredients on there.
- Material Safety. Before allowing an ingredient in their products, Beautycounter evaluates every ingredient for human health hazards (cancer, endocrine disruption, developmental toxicity).
- Thorough Testing. Heavy metals are naturally occurring but can also be found as contaminants in ingredients used to add color to cosmetics. Beautycounter uses independent third-party testing to screen every batch of color cosmetics for heavy metal contamination, and their allowable limits are below the most conservative standards found anywhere in the world: Beautycounter strives for non-detectable limits of heavy metals in their products. A lot of companies can claim to be organic or pure, but I am more impressed by a conscious, proactive company that chooses ingredients well and tests for impurities and contamination.
- Transparency. Beautycounter voluntarily discloses every ingredient in each of its products; this is definitely not the case with most other cosmetics companies.
I’m really picky about the products I allow into my daily beauty routine, which is why I’m glad I found a few I can rely on from Beautycounter. I don’t use a lot of their products, and I don’t use a ton of beauty products in general. I try to keep my beauty routine simple.
Here are my go-to Beautycounter products! And because the company is being restructured, some of these products may be selling out fast. So I have also included some alternative recommendations for you, just in case.
Beautycounter Must-Haves: Skincare Favorites
Beautycounter is definitely known for its skincare regimens, but I can’t say that I’ve tried all of them! Before I dive into my favorite skin care products from Beautycounter (the ones I actually use), let me just go over their different skincare lines:
- Countertime Regimen: This is Beautycounter’s anti-aging skincare line and is great for minimizing the appearance of fine lines and emerging wrinkles. It features a plant-derived Retinatural complex, also known as Bakuchiol, which is a plant-based alternative to retinol (without the side effects and skin irritation). This line is really popular with my readers!
- Countermatch Regimen – Nourishing and hydrating, this skincare set replenishes and revitalizes your skin. It’s designed to offer advanced hydration and long-lasting moisture to the skin. (Try the
Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotionfor dry legs and arms. - Countercontrol Regimen: This is Beautycounter’s line for acne and blemish-prone skin. It’s pretty popular with teens as well as adults dealing with acne or patchy skin.
If you are looking for a full skincare regimen, these are a great choice because they are well-made and effective. Do not use a full regimen while nursing or pregnant; keep it simple with minimal-ingredient products like jojoba oil or tallow balm instead.
Beautycounter Skincare Favorites
If they are out of stock, you might want to try 100% Pure’s skincare products, Crunchi’s skincare line, Wildling, Primally Pure, or Alitura’s skincare products. These brands are going to be more on the natural side than Beautycounter, but they are also very effective.
I personally never really got into Beautycounter’s cleansing balms, but those are popular as well. I also haven’t used Beautycounter for cleanser but I know they have a few quality options. I tend to prefer masks and serums to some of the other products, but I can’t say I wouldn’t try them as well! Here are the Beautycounter skincare products I personally use and love…
Counter+ Overnight Resurfacing Peel
This product is the entire reason this article was written. I have been using this peel for some time now, and my skin looks so much happier and healthier. I love the results I am getting with this product and I couldn’t recommend it enough. Love, love, love! Do not use while breastfeeding or pregnant.
If you’re unable to find this product at Ulta, consider:
Charcoal Face Mask
I’ve been using Beautycounter’s charcoal mask for years now, and it is still a favorite. I keep at least two bottles of this on hand: one in the shower and one in my medicine cabinet. Their charcoal mask always makes my skin look and feel cleaner, brighter, and healthier. I notice a difference instantly after using it. I’ve also had luck using this as an armpit detox mask in the shower — highly recommend!
Need alternatives? If this product is out of stock, consider the following products:
No. 2 Plumping Facial Oil
Super moisturizing and truly plumping, the No 2 face oil from Beautycounter is another one of my must-have products. I always keep one in my medicine cabinet and find that my skin feels radiant and well-moisturized after applying this oil.
This product was discontinued, which is so disappointing! However, there are a few good alternatives:
- Primally Pure Plumping Serum
- Oliveda F06 Cell Active Serum
- OGEE Natural Retinol Elixir
- True Botanicals Pure Radiance Serum
Countertime Ultra Renewal Eye Cream
Part of Beautycounter’s Countertime collection, the Ultra Renewal Eye Cream feels silky and luxurious. It is truly a high-performance eye cream (talking about crow’s feet!) that is a must-have for tired mamas.
If this product stocks out, try these alternatives:
- Oliveda F09 Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream
- 100% Pure Coffee Bean Eye Cream
- DIME Beauty Luminosity Eye Serum (code YASMINEM20)
All Bright Vitamin C Serum
I think face serums are my new favorite type of skincare product. The All Bright C serum from Beautycounter is exceptional and it really boosts the radiance of your skin! It always makes my skin look glowy and brighter, almost instantly. Vitamin C is a great antioxidant, and that applies for your skin too. I like to use this before bed and it feels amazing on my face.
Their All Bright C serum is made with a few key soothing ingredients, including two different forms of vitamin c, turmeric, and camu camu extract. It’s a powerhouse product for your skin!
This product has a high sellout risk, so keep these alternatives in mind:
- Crunchi Vitamin C Facial Serum
- Alitura Gold Serum
- Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum
- OGEE Vitamin C 20% Elixir
- 100% Pure Vitamin C Serum
Countersun Daily Sheer Defense Sunscreen
If you’ve been reading the site for some time, you probably know that I like to use baby sunscreen on myself and the entire family when we’re at the pool or the beach. I don’t use sunscreen daily, but when I need face sunscreen, I do like this one from Beautycounter. It’s a full-spectrum sunscreen (works against UVA and UVB rays) that’s lightweight and doesn’t have a strong smell.
This product seems to be out of stock online, so consider these alternatives:
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- Crunchi Facial Sunscreen
- Beauty by Earth SPF 20
- Beauty by Earth Tinted SPF Moisturizer
- Cocokind Facial Sunscreen
Beautycounter Must-Haves: Body Care
Beautycounter Clean Deodorant
I waited a long time before trying Beautycounter’s deodorant. I was mostly against the idea of using it and was pretty committed to some of the other deodorants I was using. But I got frustrated with hand-applying my deodorant and I needed to try a clean deodorant stick. I gave Beautycounter’s a try and actually love it! I use the Lavender and Rose scents, but Rose is my favorite; it’s more subtle than Lavender.
You might be able to find this in-store, but it looks like it’s sold out online as of the time we published this update. Instead, consider:
- Rowe Casa Organics Deodorant
- Magnesium oil as deodorant
- Bubble and Bee
- Earth Mama
- Little Seed Farm
- Milk + Honey
- Toups and Co.
Charcoal Cleansing Bar
This is a great soap bar for the shower. It also makes a great gift for the man in your life! If this product is sold out, try these alternatives:
Countermatch Adaptive Body Moisturizer
I use this when my legs get really dry and I do notice an improvement in the appearance of my skin. It boosts my skin’s hydration and makes it feel nice and smooth. The lotion itself has a really unique kind of feel and texture — I love it!
Some body moisturizers that you might like include:
- Rowe Casa Body Butter (tallow-free but oh so soft)
- Just Ingredients Body Lotion
- Andalou Naturals
- Organic Jojoba Oil
- Primally Pure Body Butter
- Toups & Co. Tallow Balm
Beautycounter Must-Haves: Makeup
I have medium to oily skin, so cream-based products like their Cheeky Clean Cream Blush, Lid Glow Cream Shadow, and Illuminating Cream Highlighter are not the best choices for my skin. I wish they were!
Here are the makeup products I use from Beautycounter regularly… and I would feel comfortable using all of these makeup products while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Skin Twin Featherweight Foundation
For light, smooth coverage, definitely try Skin Twin! It’s a lightweight, creamy foundation that gives you flawless, light coverage without feeling heavy or cakey. And it’s really easy to apply. It has a nice open pump so you don’t need to remove a cap, and it pumps nicely onto your finger or an applicator. (I usually use my finger to apply it.)
Skin Twin comes in 27 different shades, from Fair 110 to Deep 660, making it easier to find a true match for your skin tone. If you’re looking for a foundation that contains SPF, try Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer instead.
Here are a few other foundations I love that you might want to consider:
Beautycounter Brilliant Brow Gel
This is the best product in the history of eyebrows. Beautycounter’s brilliant brow gel is so easy to use, and it enhances your brows with just a quick swipe of the wand. I use this almost daily!
If you need an alternative, here are a couple to consider (I use and love both!):
Beyond Gloss
Beautycounter’s Beyond Gloss lip glosses are part of my daily routine. The colors are so subtle and pretty. I almost always have mine on when I’m out of the house. I have warm olive skin and dark hair, and I’m almost always wearing a nude lip, so my personal favorites are Beige Shimmer or Clove.
Some great Beautycounter alternatives to their gloss are:
Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick
Another favorite is Beautycounter’s Lip Sheers. They’re like lipstick but far more moisturizing. And easier to apply. I think this was one of the first products I tried and I have been buying them up ever since. I fully use these in place of lipstick, but FYI — they are not long-lasting.
The colors are beautiful and pair really well with their lip glosses. Each shade of lipstick is tested to complement different skin tones, so you almost can’t go wrong when picking out a shade. My personal favorites are Terra, Petal, and Twig.
My only complaint is that Beautycounter doesn’t make lip liner, and I like to have a little definition on my lips when I use their Lip Sheers. So I just use the So Sweet lip liner from Toups & Co. to go with my Beautycounter Lip Sheers.
To be honest, these are hard to replace. I love Beautycounter’s conditioning lipsticks and haven’t found anything that truly compares. BUT, if you are not able to find these at Ulta, consider these alternatives:
- Crunchi Lip Crayons WITH their Lip Glosses
- Toups and Co. Lipstick
Shop Beautycounter Alternatives
As you can see, I’ve integrated many wonderful Beautycounter products into my beauty routine. I still use as few products as possible to minimize the toxic load on my skin and body, but I feel comfortable using these products regularly — even some while pregnant or breastfeeding. I highly recommend checking out Beautycounter products and adding some into your self-care routine… if you can locate them!
Otherwise, here are my favorite Beautycounter alternative brands:
Makeup
Skincare
And you can find even more beauty brand recommendations here and favorite skincare and beauty products on the master list.
Which Beautycounter alternative products did you choose? Let me know in the comments below!
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