beautycounter review

I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about my thoughts on Beautycounter products. I  reviewed a few for this piece, but haven’t tried anything from the brand since. I got to try out a few new Beautcounter offerings, thanks to my friend JoDee, a wife and mother of three who was motivated to make a change in her personal care products for herself and her 3 littles.

“Beautycounter products have not only changed my skin but also made me more aware of all things that could be potentially harmful, that go not only on my body, but into my body. As far as my favorite product, I would say the Cleansing Balm and face oils.  The Cleansing Balm has so many uses! My favorite oil is the No.1. Vitamin C does wonders for your skin!”

I was excited to try more Beautycounter products since one of my all time freaking favorite skincare brands, NUDE (rest in peace), was purchased by Counter Brands, who own Beautycounter. More on the acquisition here. Beautycounter also had partnerships with both Target and JCrew earlier in the year. All of these factors have made me sit up and take notice of the brand more.

Summer is the perfect time for me to test out these products as they address many of the concerns that come up in the sunny months like sun protection, dark spots and oily or congested skin.
What I Tried
No.1 Brightening Facial Oil
Protect All Over Sunscreen SPF30
No.3 Balancing Facial Mask
Cleansing Balm

No.1 Brightening Facial Oil
There are 3 oils in the Beautycounter lineup and they all appear to share the same base blend of oils but differentiate with a key ingredient. No.1 has the addition of vitamin C, No.2 has jasmine and No. 3 has Ylang Ylang.

I’ve been using the No.1 Brightening Facial Oil for a week and I really enjoy several things about it.

  • I enjoy it’s fresh, true citrus scent.
  • I like the texture, though described as an oil, it feels very lightweight. If you’re afraid of oils feel heavy or making your skin feel greasy, you’ll enjoy this.
  • I also really like the ingredients as it contains many proven, powerhouses like marula oil, vitamin C-rich rose hip, meadowfoam, argan oil, sea buckthorn, to name just a few.

Though I’ve only used it a week, I do think my skin looks firmer and more even. It wears well under makeup and didn’t irritate my eczema.

I think $68 is a totally fair price point considering the wealth of omega and antioxidant rich ingredients you’re getting. Anything below $80 for a quality facial oil is quite good, in my opinion. I definitely recommend it.

Cleansing Balm
I had tried this back when I first reviewed Beautycounter and was turned off by the strong rose scent. I swear, either they’ve changed it or my nose has become less sensitive because this time around, I didn’t notice it at all? I’d love to know if anyone else noticed a change or if it’s just me being a weirdo.

I really enjoy cleansing balms and oils because there is no violent water splashing to destroy your bathroom and they moisturize while cleansing. Beautycounter Cleansing Balm has a rich, coconut oil-like texture that breaks down makeup and softens skin. You can also use it as a hydrating mask or overnight sleeping mask.

The only thing I can criticize about this product is the price. Coming in at $80, this appears to be the priciest single product Beautycounter sells. There are certainly some cleansing balms that cost more, but more that cost less. I think this will last you a while but I can’t honestly say I’d ever spend $80 on a daily cleanser. Unless baby kittens came out of the jar every time you opened it.

If you want to try it though, now would be the time as it’s free with a $150+ purchase. That’s a hell of a deal but only lasts until the 30th. 

Protect All Over Sunscreen SPF30
When I recently reviewed Glossier’s new sunscreen, I was surprised to see so much criticism about it being a chemical vs. a physical sunscreen. To be honest, I didn’t understand why people were so up in arms. Now I do, thanks to this video. The part about most sunscreens containing the equivalent of a daily dose of hormone replacement therapy shocked me. I’m now all about trying chemical-free sunscreens and Beautycounter’s fit the bill.

  • I like that it can be used on the face and body and a little seems to go a long way.
  • It feels hydrating, but soaks in and doesn’t retain a sticky or greasy feel.
  • It fully absorbs and doesn’t leave a white cast.
  • The scent is nice and subtle.
  • The $30 price for the size is very fair in my opinion.

Upon application, it can feel a little greasy, but it doesn’t last. My skin is dry, so perhaps my skin just soaks it up better too. I definitely recommend it.

No.3 Balancing Facial Mask
As a founding member of the dry skin club, I don’t always reach for clay masks. They often make my desert skin more desperate for moisture. I tried this out mostly in my t-zone as I do struggle with blackheads on my nose, cheeks and chin, despite my dryness. I like how quickly this dried, far quicker than most. It made my skin feel tighter and cleaner, but it was pretty uncomfortable once dry. I definitely felt like I needed some heavy hydrations afterwards.

Ingredient wise, because this contains kaolin clay, salicylic acid and charcoal powder, it’s nice to use as a blemish treatment, for me, that’s the week before my period. If you’re combo/oily, I think you’ll really like this. A thin layer works best so the 2 oz. size will probably last you a while.

Is this the most economical charcoal mask? Definitely not at $48. For comparison, this one is $20 for about the same size and contains similar ingredients. Another comparable would be this one, still cheaper for more product. I recommend it for oily skin and people who are balling, but not on a budget.

Overall Thoughts
Beautycounter makes safe, effective, high quality products in luxurious-feeling packaging. The prices of some products can be at a luxury level for some, which may prevent many from making the switch to safer products. I think there are a few Beautycounter products that are not necessarily unique to the brand but if you don’t mind spending a little more, you can rest assured you’ll find clean, safe products all in one place. I really love the oil and sunscreen and will continue using them.

Products were provided for review purposes. If you choose to purchase through the links here and shop under the Wake Up For Makeup Social, I will earn credit to redeem for product. No financial compensation was received.

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