Beautycounter Countertime Review: My current skincare routine + the other products saving my dry, aging skin

Beautycounter has been discontinued! Read about what happened to Beautycounter (and when it might come back) here. In the meantime, I have lots of great recommendations for Beautycounter product swaps linked in this post. Also, be sure to join my email list so you can be the first to know when your Beautycounter favorites come back.

Beautycounter Countertime Review

If you’ve read my blog for a while, you know that I really love Beautycounter products. And if you’ve read my blog for a really long time, you know I’m obsessed because I struggled with my skin for YEARS –– until I found Beautycounter and that all changed. (The Dew Skin tinted moisturizer was my gateway product!)

Countertime is an anti-aging skincare line that is legitimately the most impressive skincare that I have ever used. And I’ve tried a LOT of high-end skincare lines, including Trish McEvoy, Origins, Colleen Rothschild, Skinceuticals, Ole Henrikson, Boscia, Dr. Brandt, the list goes on and on.

I have never had SUCH quick and noticeable results with skincare so quickly. What’s even more impressive is that when I started using it, I felt like my skin was already in pretty good shape thanks to Beautycounter’s old Rejuvenating skincare line I’d been using for a couple years. (It was the first skincare line that legit changed my skin after struggling with breakouts and reactions for years, but now it’s been discontinued.)

But I noticed changes in my skin’s appearance within a couple days after switching to Countertime.

So, what’s all the buzz about with Countertime?

There are a few reasons this line is getting a lot of press (and is even being compared to La Mer, a brand whose products each cost hundreds to THOUSANDS of dollars):

• It’s extremely high-performing skincare line that is much more affordable than comparable brand. I mean, I can’t personally spend $500+ on a moisturizer!!
• Countertime is inspired by Asian skincare. And if you’re into skincare at all, you know they are famous for their routines with oil-based cleansers, essences and, as a result, gorgeous skin!
• Beautycounter developed a Retinatural Complex, which is plant-derived, using Bakuchiol and Swiss Alpine Rose. (More on those below.) These two ingredients give results like retinol but are safer options.

What’s especially impressive about Countertime’s hero ingredient, the Retinatural Complex, is that it’s in every product in the line. Most high-end skincare lines have a hero ingredient, but it’s only in one of the products, e.g. in a serum or moisturizer. Not in a cleanser. Not in a toner. But Beautycounter includes it in every product, which is likely part of the reason why I saw such impressive results.

I really like to know why and how things works (I was a GREAT kid I’m sure, “but whyyyyy mom?” 😉 ) so I explain a lot of the ingredients in this post. If you’re not into that, skip to the bottom of the post where I shared some before and afters and what I personally noticed with my skin when I started using the line!

Countertime Carry-On

For over a year, Countertime was only a full sized collection. There were a few limited edition small sets but nothing permanent…until now. Beautycounter finally came out with a travel sized collection! While the full size bottles are all glass (which I love), they aren’t as easy to travel with. The carry-on set is made of plastic and they are refillable, so you can always add to them as you continue to use the set.

This Carry-on set is also a great way to try out the collection without purchasing full-size since it’s much more expensive. The Carry-on set is $148 and the full sized collection is $422.

What’s wrong with retinol?

Retinol is a go-to ingredient in most anti-aging skincare products, but Beautycounter has it on their Never List due to potential safety concerns. As you may know, Beautycounter doesn’t take risks when it comes to ingredient selection. And since some studies show that retinoic acid can have harmful side effects (like irritating skin and making skin more sensitive to the sun’s damaging rays), they don’t use it.

Interestingly, both the EU and Canada have restricted the use of retinol. Beautycounter has never allowed it in their products but didn’t have anything quite as comparable, but now they do. (Although I personally found the Overnight Peel gave similar results to retinol – read my review here.)

I found this comparison really helpful! (Here’s the skindeep website where you can check your products’ safety rating scores.)

So what makes Countertime so special?

It using Bakuchiol and Swiss Alpine Rose in each Countertime product (not just one or two, like I mentioned above). And what are those?

• Bakuchiol is traditionally used in Chinese and Ayurvedic skin-care remedies. It produces similar results as retinol (improving fine lines and dullness) without irritation. Bakuchiol is the new “it” ingredient in skincare, so you’ll be seeing this a lot in high-end brands.
• Swiss Alpine Rose is grown at the highest altitudes of the Alps and is known for its ability to protect itself against environmental stressors. How does this relate to your skin? It helps your skin defend itself against dehydration and also helps boost skin’s defense against free radicals.
• These two ingredients makeup their hero product – Retinatural Complex – to visually plump and firm skin, while also increasing it’s resilience to damages.

What products are in the Countertime line?

• Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil

This product is cool and a little different from other cleansing oils I’ve used in the past. You apply the (very lightweight) oil to dry skin, massaging it into your face. Then, you wet your hands and massage your face again and it turns into a milky cleanser before you rinse it off.

My skin feel SO clean without feeling stripped AT ALL. (It can also be used to remove eye makeup – and it’s get off my toughest waterproof mascara!)

• Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence

I never used an essence before this but I’m hooked. It feels a little bit like a toner, an essence has higher levels of active ingredients to increases hydration, reduces the appearance of pores, improves dullness.. It’s also a little thicker and milkier.

I can feel a difference in my skin’s hydration right after applying it – and that’s not always the case with toners. And rather than rubbing it into your skin or applying it with a cotton pad, you pour a little into your hand (dime-sized) and then press it into skin. I love the smell of this product especially!

• Tripeptide Radiance Serum

This serum increases firmness, improves elasticity (giving skin that youthful snap back when you press it) while reducing fine lines (yes!). It goes on so smoothly and absorbs quickly. I used this for years, but have recently switched my skincare routine up a tad and I’ve been using this serum instead.

• Antioxidant Soft Cream (Day)

I love the texture of this too! (Noticing a theme here?) It’s not too lightweight (which I don’t really like in a face lotion) but still layers well under makeup. The ingredients include Nasturtium Flower Extract and fermented sugars to soothe skin, improve hydration and defend from environmental stressors (sun exposure, dry air from AC, pollution, etc.). Science and nature is cool, y’all.

• Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream (Night)

The night cream is UNBELIEVABLE. And I am VERY picky about night creams. I like them to be thick without feeling greasy. The texture of this is incredible – it’s like a thick frosting but applies so smoothly and absorbs easily. It’s almost bouncy…not creamy like other night lotions. Despite the extra thick texture (which I personally love), it doesn’t feel heavy. And I only use a TINY amount. A little bit goes a LONG way.

• Ultra Renewal Eye Cream

UPDATE: This is the one product that I was a little hesitant to try since I’m super sensitive to eye creams, I actually can’t use any of the other Beautycounter eye creams since I react to them, even though most people love them. But, I’ve now been using it for three months without ANY issues. And, I seriously LOVE it. I’ve tried dozens of brands over the years (including some CRAZY expensive ones) and I never felt like any  actually made a difference. This one does. My under eye circles are immediately brightened, making me look more alive in the morning. And my little crows feet have definitely improved! This will be my go-to eye cream from now on.

My top picks

If I was only going to get ONE product, I’d go for the night cream.

If I was going to get two, I’d go for the cleansing oil next.

Then I’d get essence.

But the line works best as a complete regimen and you’ll get the best results when it’s all used together. The set is here.

What type of skin it’s best for

• Mature Skin

This is THE line I’ll recommend to people who want help reducing the signs of aging – fine lines, dullness, elasticity, etc. It costs more than Rejuvenating (which I used previously) because it has more active ingredients, meaning you’ll see more results. You also get more product since the containers are larger than the Rejuvenating ones.

• Dry Skin

I personally have very dry skin and even though I was happy with Rejuvenating, I still used a face oil multiple times a day. And when I visited family in Utah, I carried an oil in my purse. So on my last trip to Utah, I knew it would be the ultimate test of just how hydrating Countertime really is. And I didn’t have to use my face oil ONCE and I didn’t feel like my skin was tight and pulling at all.

Honestly, it has been hard trying to help my friends and family who struggled with dry skin living in the desert since I was giving them solutions to help, but weren’t really game changers. This line WILL be a game changer for anyone with dry skin or anyone living in a very dry climate.

• What about oily/combo/normal skin?

It is designed to work well for all skin types (yes, even oily) but depending on your skin needs and goals, there may be another line that’s better for you. Shoot me an email if you have questions or are unsure! ([email protected])

Before and After Countertime

Before I started using Countertime, my skin was clear and even using the Rejuvenating line. My breakouts were finally gone, acne scars were reduced and I was feeling pretty good about my fine lines considering I’m in my mid-30s!

But after using Countertime? I feel like my skin GLOWS. I can easily tell from this photo how much more hydrated my skin is. And I particularly notice it on my cheeks and around my mouth, where I’m especially prone to dryness.

And I can FEEL a difference. My skin doesn’t feel super tight and parched all the time. Before Countertime, I used to apply a face oil AM and PM, and would usually apply a mist in the afternoon to rehydrate my skin. I haven’t felt the need for any of that since I started using Countertime.

Oh, you wanna see a real kicker? Here’s what my skin looked like before I was using Beautycounter, nearly 2.5 years ago. I SWEAR I look younger now. Definitely less dull and fewer spots! (I’m wearing only Dew Skin in both the photo above and below.) These photos blow my mind!

I updated my skincare routine page to show how I’m still incorporating a few other skincare products into my routine, including the peel! (All my makeup is linked there too.)

Hopefully this review is helpful for ya! And I have BEEN THERE, struggling with skin issues, so I would be more than happy to help you if you’re there right now. The worst feeling is spending hundreds of dollars on products that don’t work. If you have any questions, please leave a comment, shoot me an email at [email protected] or fill out my skincare questionnaire and I’ll get back to you!

Cheers to all the glowy skin ahead!