I’ve been using Beautycounter alongside a handful of other brands for a few years now, but as a skincare and makeup junkie, I was always trying new brands so I have some great recommendations for the best replacements for your Beautycounter products.

Fingers crossed we’ll get our Beautycounter favorites back later this year after Beautycounter gets sorted out, but until then, the show must go on for our skin, ha! (Here’s a post about what happened to Beautycounter.) The best brand I’ve found for Beautycounter swaps is Oliveda. I’ve been using their products in place of all of my Beautycounter stuff for over a month now, and I can confidently say they are great alternatives (and even better in some cases) for your favorite Beautycounter products. Oliveda is a European brand that focuses on waterless skincare, so it’s extremely potent and the results are SO wild. I noticed a change in my skin within 72 hours!

I know that it’s a LOT simpler to order from one place vs. multiple retailers, so the majority of the links below are to Oliveda with a few Colleen Rothschild additions. And for the makeup section, almost everything is ILIA since that is currently making up the majority of my makeup routine. If you aren’t familiar with those brands, I have a review of Oliveda here, a Colleen Rothschild review here, and a review of ILIA here.

Oliveda’s website can be a bit confusing, and since the products aren’t organized the same way that Beautycounter organized theirs, it can be hard to know what to order for your skin type! The list below should help, but feel free to fill out this skincare survey and I will email you back with personalized recommendations! You may also notice that a lot of Oliveda products are sold out (things have been going somewhat viral!) but I’m sharing in-stock alerts in this Instagram Broadcast Channel, so be sure to join that for alerts.

I also send out text updates about Oliveda restocks. If you want to join my list, click this link and the hit send when it populates the word “oliveda” in your text composer. I know not everyone checks email or FB and/or IG all day (ahem) so hopefully this helps those of you who haven’t been able to get things when they restock before they sell out again! These are text messages that I send (not the company!) and I won’t blow up your texts unless it’s time sensitive or I think it’s important!

If you’re reading this post on a computer, that link won’t work. Just text OLIVEDA to 336-554-7262 to join.

The Best Replacements for your Beautycounter Products

Countertime

Countertime Cleansing Oil

The Oliveda Arbequina Cleansing Oil (F78) is the best swap for the Beautycounter cleansing oil. It smoothes, refines, and provides lipid defense, but it also removes impurities without destroying your skin’s natural barrier function.

Countertime Essense

The Corrective Facial Tonic (F67) is Oliveda’s toner for dry, aging skin. It works to soothe your skin while also getting rid of dead skin cells. It has hydroxytyrosol and the vitamin C booster camu camu which protect your skin from environmental stressors AND gives your skin a radiant/youthful glow. Nothing will ever be my beloved Countertime Essense, but this is a great alternative.

Countertime Radiance Serum

I wasn’t a huge fan of the Beautycounter Radiance Serum anyway. I tried the Oliveda F59 Corrective Face Serum a few weeks ago and my mind is blown. This is what people call “botox in a bottle”. It’s made with para cress which has a lifting effect similar to botox, but’s clean and safe. It targets fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. I’ve noticed a significant difference in my smile lines since I started using this.

I also just got the Oliveda Green Retinol Face Elixir and I’ve been adding a few drops to my Corrective Face Serum at night. This is a natural retinol made with bakuchiol, which is the same retinol alternative that Beautycounter used. This reduces fine lines and pore size, improves complexion, contracts pigmentation, AND protects against free radicals. If you’re only getting one serum, get the Oliveda F59 Corrective Face Serum, but add the Green Retinol to your wishlist since you can add it to your routine at any time.

Countertime Soft Cream

The best Soft Cream swap is the Oliveda F42 Corrective Face Cream. It’s ideal for dry/aging skin because it has extra hydroxytyrosol in it (a super powerful antioxidant). It’s smoothing, super hydrating, improves elasticity and reduces fine lines. It contains a sun protection factor!

Countertime Supreme Cream

I was worried it would be hard to find anything as great as the Beautycounter Supreme Cream, but the Oliveda F74 Regeneration Intense Face Cream has blown me away. It’s actually more hydrating than the supreme cream. The texture is weird and it takes some getting used to how it’s applied and massaged in, but now I love it.

Countertime Eye Cream

The best swap for the Countertime Eye Cream is the Oliveda F60 Corrective Eye Cream. It’s hydrating, boosts collagen, and gives you a smoothing effect around your eyes. But the real game-changer is when you add a few drops of the Oliveda F64 Corrective Eye Elixir underneath the eye cream. It It has a triple hyaluronic acid structure and a ton of antioxidants, so it hydrates and plumps while also giving your eyes a more lifted, radiant look. You apply a few drops under your eyes, massage it in, and then follow with the Corrective Eye Cream.

Countermatch

Countermatch Foaming Cleanser

For the Countermatch Foaming Cleanser swap, you’ll want to use the Oliveda F71 Corrective Cleansing Gel. It’s made with hydroxytyrosol (this is the superstar of antioxidants, mainly found in olives and olive oil) and gives you a deep clean while counteracting pigmentation. It’s super gentle and very hydrating (I can even use this on my very dry skin). It smells amazing, but the smell is very natural and not super strong. (I’m sensitive to scents and love this.) I can use this morning and night and my very-dry skin isn’t stripped at all.

Countermatch Toner

The Oliveda Activating Facial Toner is the perfect toner for normal or combination skin because it’s non-drying and does not strip your skin, but rather helps restore your skin’s natural balance.

Countermatch Serum

The best recommendation for an alternative for the Countermatch serum is the Oliveda F86 Corrective Vegan Hyaluronic Acid Serum. Hyaluronic serums are great for dry and aging skin because they deeply moisturize and hydrate. This serum also repairs oxidative damage and makes your skin look and feel more elastic/tight. This can be used in the morning and night.

For something a bit more affordable (and almost as good), I’d recommend the Colleen Rothschild Hyaluronic Serum.

Countermatch Adaptive Moisturizer

The most similar in terms of benefits is the Oliveda F05 Anti Oxidant Face Cream but it will feel different. The consistency feels much thicker, but it’s not heavy on the skin. It protects, balances, and hydrates your skin, but it has antioxidants in it too that fight the effects of environmental stressors on your skin. This is lightweight (in terms of hydration, not feel!) and plumping.

Countermatch Eye Cream

The best eye cream option for de-puffing and brightening is the Colleen Rothschild Illuminating Tinted Eye Cream. It contains hyaluronic acid to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and caffeine targets puffiness and water retention. I wouldn’t use this at night though, since it also has coverage that you wouldn’t want to waste. For PM, use the Oliveda F09 Anti-wrinkle Eye Cream. I love the texture and it’s completely non-irritating. It tightens and reduces fine lines around your eye area. You can use it in the AM too, but I just love that Colleen Rothschild Tinted Eye Cream.

Countercontrol

Countercontrol Cleanser

A great cleanser for oily or breakout prone skin is the Oliveda F38 Purifying Cleansing Gel. This gives you a super deep cleanse while also supplying your skin with highly concentrated antioxidants that help prevent signs of aging.

 Countercontrol Toner

The Oliveda F11 Activating Facial Toner is perfect for oily/acne prone skin. It helps clear away impurities while also soothing your skin with chamomile extract. It also refines pores and gives your skin tone a more radiant glow.

Countercontrol Serum

The Oliveda F81 AHA + HT Serum Face is a true hero product. It’s similar to the Overnight Resurfacing Peel in terms of benefits: reduces scarring, improves elasticity, reduces and fights hyperpigmentation, and boosts collagen. It’s great for breakout prone skin because it gentle exfoliates and sloughs off dead skin which can cause build up and breakouts. This is pretty potent though, so I’d only use it once a week to start!

For a daily serum, you’ll want to try the Oliveda F06 Cell Active Serum . This serum helps smooth your skin and reduce pore size, but it mainly reduces dark spots and smoothes wrinkles! What I love most about this is that it has a skin-tightening effect! It’s just a great all-around serum for most skin types.

Countercontrol Spot Treatment

For a spot treatment, you’ll want to use the Oliveda F85 SOS Face Drops. These drops unclog pores, balance sebum production, and reduces acne-causing bacteria.

CounterControl Gel Cream

The Oliveda F07 Anti Aging Face Cream is a great face moisturizer for oily/acne prone skin. It’s lightweight, improves skin elasticity, and overall just balances the skin’s hydration. It’s important to use a moisturizer, especially when you have oily skin since drying out your skin causes it to produce more oil to overcompensate.

Other Favorites

Cleansing Balm

I preferred the Colleen Rothschild Cleansing Balm anyway. I’ve been using it for years. I have a full review of the CR Cleansing Balm here.

Vitamin C Serum

We all loved the Beautycounter Vitamin C serum for good reason, but I think you’ll love the Oliveda F83 HT + Vitamin C Serum more. It’s made with hydroxytyrosol which is a super powerful antioxidant, and it also contains camu camu, just like Beautycounter. This has 1300% more power than vitamin C alone. It improves fine lines and wrinkles, neutralizes free radicals, and gives you a super radiant complexion.

Overnight Resurfacing Peel

The Oliveda F81 AHA + HT Serum Face is just like the Overnight Resurfacing Peel. It’s a chemical exfoliator that visibly reduces the signs of aging. It also reduces scarring, improves elasticity and firmness, reduces and fights hyperpigmentation, and boosts collagen. Everyone should have this in their skincare routine.

Sunscreen

Supergoop Glowscreen is my favorite face SPF, but it’s not a zinc-based sunscreen. If you want zinc, then the Acure Radically Rejuvenating SPF 30 Day Cream is perfect since it’s a clean option! (This post with non-toxics sunscreens has even more ideas.)

AHA Mask

I actually didn’t love the Beautycounter AHA mask as much as I already liked both the Colleen Rothschild Dial Enzyme Polish and Oliveda Honey Enzyme Face Mask. They’re similar, but the Oliveda Honey Enzyme Face Mask has a warming sensation that I love. It’s also green which is fun! It’s especially beneficial for dry and/or aging skin since you’re paying more for those types of products and you want to get the most out of them. (The women who give me my facials have been telling me for years that I need to use an enzyme mask regularly to see improvements in my fine lines and deeper wrinkles).

Bamboo Face Polish

I haven’t found anything like this, but the Oliveda Olive Core Face Peeling is also a physical exfoliator and it’s a great option even though I love the powder form of the Bamboo Polish.

#3 Balancing Oil

If you were a Balancing Oil fan, then the F25 Neroli Face Oil Serum from Oliveda is a great replacement.

The Clean Deo

All natural deodorants tend to stop working for me after about 12 months, including the Clean Deo. This is actually an issue that women commonly run into if they use natural deodorants, since our body chemistry changes over time. (It’s also why some clean deodorants work for some people but not others. For example, I CANNOT use Native but some people love it.)

Anyway, when one stops working, I switch to a new one. The one that has worked for the longest amount of time is the Nécessaire The Deodorant Gel. I’ve used it for 6 months without stank.

(If you do get stank with a natural deo, use the Bella Skin Probiotic Underarm Toner and it will help a LOT! I use it just once a month or so.)

Body Lotion

Wink Llama All Over Lotion, hands down. Yes, it’s a kids lotion but it’s so good. Tommy and I have both used it for years since it smells just as good as the Beautycounter Body Lotion (although it is a different scent) and it’s more affordable.

Shampoo / conditioner

I’ve been using the Colleen Rothschild Shampoo and Colleen Rothschild Conditioner for over a year now. The Colleen Rothschild hair mask is legit too. I use it in place of my conditioner a few times a week.

Body wash

Primally Pure Citrus Mint Body Wash is a 10/10. So hydrating and smells amazing.

Makeup

Skin Twin Foundation

The ILIA Skin Rewind Complexion Stick is SUCH a good foundation, but if you want a liquid foundation, the ILIA True Skin Foundation is a good option (I have an ILIA foundation review here).

Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer

I wasn’t in love with the Dew Skin tinted moisturizer anyway (it too drying as my skin aged), but I DO love the ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 because it’s more hydrating. I have a full review of the Skin Tint on the blog here.

Cheeky Cream Blush

I’m super sad to loose the Beautycounter blush but the ILIA Multi Stick is just as good.

Cream Bronzer

I hate it because Beautycounter was set to launch new bronzers that I had tried and they are SO GOOD. I haven’t found an alternative yet, but the Tarte Shape Tape Contour works well as bronzer if you use just a touch and blend it out. I also love their Tarte Park Avenue Princess powder bronzer if you want to go that route.

Mascara

As much as I wish I could wear a regular, oil-based mascara, they always smudge on me. So I always shop for tubing mascaras that are water soluble. (Read more about tubing mascaras and how they work here.)

However, if you were a Beautycounter mascara fan and it didn’t smudge on you, you’ll really like the Tarte Maneater mascara. If you need a good tubing mascara recommendation, you can’t beat Tarte’s Tartelette Tubing mascara (read my Tartelette Tubing Mascara review here).

Concealer

The ILIA Concealer is a great (super clean) alternative. My preference is the Tarte Shape Tape Radiant concealer though since I only really use it under my eyes.

Lip Sheer

I just got the Ravie Beauty Effortless Lips in the mail a few weeks ago and they are UNREAL! They apply very much like the Lip Sheer (actually, better). See how each Ravie Beauty shade looks on me in this video. Go for Dahlia for the best everyday shade.

Lip Intense

I like the ILIA Colorblock Lipstick. It’s not quite as good as the Beautycounter lipsticks but it’s similar and a clean option. My all-time favorite lipstick is Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk.

Brow gel

ILIA Brow Gel is very similar to Beautycounter’s brow gel, but it doesn’t dry out as quickly.

Discount Codes

One silver lining to trying new products is that you can typically get a discount on your first order (and I believe all of my codes work on every order).

• Colleen Rothschild – Use code TERILYN20 for 20% off
• Tarte – Use code terilyn15 for 15% off
• Wink – Use code TERI for 15% off
• Primally Pure – Use code TERI for 10% off

Oliveda doesn’t have a promo code, but they do have good perks.

1. A freebie when you take the Oliveda skincare quiz and order 2+ of the recommendations. I have to note that I think their Skin Quiz results can be a little confusing to understand, so if you fill out my skincare survey here, I can help get you personalized recommendations.
2. Free shipping on $50+ orders (ALWAYS!)
3. 365 day product guarantee.

Okay, that’s all I have for now! Like I mentioned above, if you have good recommendations for Beautycounter swaps, please drop them below!

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The post The Best Replacements for your Beautycounter Products appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

Beautycounter has been discontinued! In the meantime, I have recommendations for the best Beautycounter replacements 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.

On May 6, Beautycounter consultants found out that Beautycounter and its products won’t be returning until late 2024. That also means that thousands of Beautycounter consultants no longer have a source of income. I am disappointed since I love and use their products, and financially, it’s a big hit to our household. I’ve been with the company for 8 years and have consistently been one of the top 3-5 sellers in the entire company.

While most consultants who made a significant income built teams to do so (and worked their booties off to support them), I made the vast majority of my paycheck from my own personal sales. (You can read more about my thoughts on the lost income in this post about the aftermath of the Beautycounter shutdown.)

What Happened to Beautycounter?

In short, the founder of Beautycounter, Gregg Renfrew, sold the company to a private equity firm, Carlyle, a few years ago — I think that was the biggest mistake. However, I’m not certain Gregg wanted to sell to Carlyle. The rumor mill has said she was outvoted by the board, mainly one key investment group who wanted to divest.

So why did Carlyle buy it? My thought when they bought it was that their plan was to increase margins and then sell it to a larger company, like Johnson & Johnson, who wanted to get into the clean beauty business, using an established player rather than create their own formulations.

Beautycounter Controversy

While I disagreed with who Gregg sold the company to, as a business owner, I can understand why she did it. Growing a business is exhausting — exhilarating and rewarding, yes, but also exhausting. Add 30,000 women to the mix and yowza, that’s a lot of pressure (and drama). I don’t fault Gregg or the board for wanting to sell and make a substantial profit — companies do that all the time. When you start a business, an exit strategy is very often planned at the same time. The problem was with who purchased the company. If you know who Carlyle is, the massive implosion that followed can’t have been a surprise.

I don’t think Carlyle fully understood the consultant business model (which is why the compensation plan changes didn’t go over well), and when they couldn’t make the money they anticipated they planned to exit. They stopped funding the business (that part has been confirmed) and that is why Counter Brands went bankrupt.

Gregg Renfrew purchased back the intellectual property (IP) — the Beautycounter name, the formulations, etc. — but getting the company back up is much more complicated than a Poshmark transaction. When that happened, the original return date that was communicated of May 1 was laughable. I never even shared that date with my clients because it was truly unrealistic.

When that relaunch didn’t happen, I still never shared a return date since we didn’t have one. When companies have launches — whether it’s a new product, a new website or a new arm of the business — nothing is confirmed until it happens. And these types of transactions and ownership changes typically take MONTHS to iron out, not a week like Gregg communicated when she bought it back.

What happened with Beautycounter consultants?

They essentially lost their jobs. Gregg said Beautycounter will come back in Q4, but essentially, the company is gone. Counter Brands (which is different from Beautycounter) filed bankruptcy and went into foreclosure (which isn’t as dramatic as it sounds but rather a business move that makes sense financially) and Gregg’s new company – G2G – is just kind of a shell. It’s an LLC name that owns some assets (the IP, mainly); it’s not a functioning business where consultants can make money. “How Beautycounter Fell Apart, Sinking Almost $700 Million With It” was the name of the New York Times article that was published right after we learned about everything.

I didn’t realize I had so many Beautycounter consultants following me on Instagram but I’m getting lots of DMs about what this all means — I guess because I have shared my thoughts on it and been vocal that Beautycounter is NOT my only source of income — so while I had a call for just MY team, I also hosted a call for consultants who were on other teams. I will send you a link to the recording if you fill out this form.

I have so many more thoughts about all this from a business perspective– I worked in finance for 15 years, including at Goldman Sachs – and the fastest way to share information will be through a Zoom call for Beautycounter consultants. I also have thoughts for Beautycounter consultants and what their next steps should be.

Where can you buy Beautycounter?

While I get to try a lot of beauty brands for my job (and have a few I love), Beautycounter was my go-to when someone asked for help with a skincare routine. As you know, their products are clean and work VERY well for almost everyone.

Unfortunately there’s nowhere to buy Beautycounter anymore, but I did discover a new-to-me skincare brand that I’ve been absolutely loving. I shared more about the brand (Oliveda) in this post, and also wrote a post with the best Beautycounter replacements that you can read here. If you aren’t one of my clients, you can sign up for my beauty emails here. And, of course, my blog will be updated with that information ASAP too.

While many people lost their jobs in May — myself included — I have always found a way to be successful, even when things looked very dire in my personal and professional life. This will be no different. It will be stressful, for sure, but we aren’t the first people to lose our jobs and there is always a viable next step. Let’s go.

The post What Happened to Beautycounter? appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

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, but this Oliveda Vitamin C Serum is the best alternative I’ve found.. Also, be sure to join my email list so you can be the first to know when your Beautycounter favorites come back.

While I had a solid skincare routine for years, I never really thought about a vitamin C serum, other than trying random samples I got years ago when I still used BirchBox. But when Beautycounter launched a vitamin C serum a few years ago, I quickly tried it since I love all their skincare.

Fast forward a few years and I’ve been using the serum consistently since I first tried it. It’s a MUST in my skincare routine. I thought my skin was bright – I mean, honestly it was. But now I feel like it glows so easily, with or without makeup. AND I feel like it helped keep my melasma at bay this past year while I was pregnant with Charles. I didn’t notice it popping up at all!

Since the weather is starting to heat up and summer is on the horizon, Vitamin C is an extra important step for your skincare routine, so today I’m re-sharing this post with my detailed review of the Beautycounter All Bright C Serum (since it’s the most effective Vitamin C serum I’ve ever tried). The best alternative I’ve found is this Oliveda HT + Vitamin C serum.

Let’s dive in!

Beautycounter Vitamin C Serum Review

Before I get into all the details, I thought a little “before and after” of the Beautycounter All Bright C Serum would be fun. The difference was SO impressive after just a couple weeks.

Before and After

After Vitamin C Serum

Here is a photo of me after using the All Bright C Serum for a few weeks when it very first launched. And you can see from the picture above, my skin has even more of a glow after using it for a few years.

Before Vitamin C Serum

This photo was taken about two months before the All Bright C Serum. My skin looked great, but I immediately notice that my age spots on my cheeks and nose are a LOT lighter now. And my skin just looks like it has a true glow and is almost bright from within in the photos above.

What does the Beautycounter Vitamin C Serum do?

• Brightens and evens skin tone.
• Defends against environmental stressors and free radicals that negatively impact skin’s appearance.
• Helps prevent and reduce dark spots and discoloration (e.g. age spots, melasma, acne scars) to boost and brighten skin.
• Supports the skin’s natural collagen production to make skin look more youthful.

Beautycounter All Bright C Serum Key Ingredients

• 5% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate – This form of vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and boosts skin brightening to reveal more youthful-looking skin.
• 5% Bis-Glyceryl Ascorbate – This form of vitamin C moisturizes while also providing antioxidant benefits that protect skin from damaging environmental stressors—and this helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Turmeric Root – Helps even your skin tone and improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
• Camu Camu Fruit Extract: This helps reduce the appearance of dark spots while brightening to visually improve signs of skin fatigue.

What is the best Vitamin C serum?

When people ask about the “percent” of vitamin C, they often think higher is better, but actually, super high potency can cause irritation. And, while most brands on the market use 15%, you also have to look at the stability of those products and the type of vitamin C used in them. Many brands that claim 15% actually don’t live up to the percentage claim when they are tested. When tested off the shelf, the Vitamin C in them aged and degraded, even before they sat in a bathroom at home.

What Percent Vitamin C Serum is Best?

Most popular, high-end vitamin C brands use a less stable form of Vitamin C, 15% L-Ascorbic Acid. Alternatively, the Beautycounter All Bright Serum uses a total of 10% of ultra-stable Vitamin C from Japan. The two types are 5% bis-glyceryl ascorbate and 5% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. These were specifically selected for their stability and efficacy over time.

Additionally, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate is effective at lower concentrations, which means less potential for irritation. This formulation is also lipid-soluble, so its effects are deeper and longer-lasting in the skin. It actually penetrates the skin, which is a much better delivery system. L-Ascorbic Acid, on the other hand, is tricky to formulate with. It loses efficacy when it comes into contact with water. That’s why you are seeing high-end brands sell DIY products that mix the Vitamin C with the serum at point of use to help avoid that.

So, all that to say, when you look buying a vitamin C serum, make sure you look at the type of vitamin C used, not just the percentage.

How much does Beautycounter Vitamin C Serum cost?

One of the leading Vitamin C serums on the market (which is considered the gold standard in Vitamin C serums) sells for for $166 for 30 ml, while the Beautycounter Vitamin C serum is $90 for 30 ml.

Bottom line: I think Beautycounter’s All Bright Serum is your best bet in terms of efficacy, cost, and lower risk for irritation.

Beautycounter’s Vitamin C Serum Benefits

Packed with antioxidants

The all Bright Serum uses Turmeric Root Extract to give the serum its bright yellow hue. They never use dyes.

Turmeric (curcuma longa) is an antioxidant superstar that helps even skin tone and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also contains Camu Camu Fruit Extract to help reduce the appearance of dark spots while brightening to visually improve signs of skin fatigue.

The ingredients in this serum (especially the curcuma Longa (turmeric) root extract, myrciaria dubia fruit extract), are powerhouses.

Stable and won’t oxidize

Like mentioned above, Vitamin C products can be very unstable and lose their effectiveness quickly. Beautycounter’s vitamin C serum is a blend of two ultra-stable forms of vitamin C. If you’re currently using a Vitamin C product, check to see what form of Vitamin C it contains. Most on the market contain the L-ascorbic form, which turns brown. The Beautycounter All Bright C Serum won’t oxidize and lose its potency.

10% Potency for results without irritation

When a serum’s concentration of vitamin C is too high, there’s a chance of skin irritation—but when it’s too low, it doesn’t deliver as many benefits. Beautycounter’s vitamin C is the best of both worlds: effective without irritation. It uses:

• 5% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate: This antioxidant helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and boosts skin brightening to reveal more youthful-looking skin.

• 5% Bis-Glyceryl Ascorbate: A second form of vitamin C, this ingredient moisturizes skin while providing antioxidant benefits known to protect skin from damaging environmental stressors—and helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

Safer

The All Bright C Serum is formulated without ethoxylated ingredients (including PEGs) due to reproductive and developmental concerns (as well as toxicity to the aquatic environment). It’s also formulated without dyes. As always, every ingredient used by Beautycounter has gone through rigorous raw materials screening and testing to ensure it’s safe.

Absorbs quickly

I’ve tried a ton of different vitamin C serums over the past few years, and I always go back to Beautycounter because it feels better on my skin. It absorbs quickly, feels natural, doesn’t leave a sticky or tacky residue, and my makeup applies perfectly on top. Some other brands I’ve tried either feel a little tacky or sticky as they dry, or they don’t look great under makeup. I also really like the slight scent – it’s not strong, but smells a little bit like summer.

All Bright C Serum FAQs

How do I use the Vitamin C Serum?

Use the All Bright C Serum as a “treat” step with any regimen. After cleansing and toning in the morning, use your regimen’s regular serum, wait about 30 seconds, then layer All Bright C Serum on top. Apply to face, neck, and décolletage. Follow with your moisturizer, eye cream and sunscreen. If you’re looking for a more in-depth how-to for a skincare regimen, you can join my skincare course (for free!).

Should I use Vitamin C Serum at night?

Nope! This is designed to be used during the day. For a product that works while you sleep, use the overnight resurfacing peel! The combo of the two is amazing! While the peel works overnight, the Vitamin C serum is designed for day use. It won’t hurt to use it at night, but it includes ingredients to help protect against environmental stressors and potential sun damage you’re exposed to during the day. So, that’s when you’ll get the most out of it! (This post explains more about the overnight resurfacing peel.)

Can You Use Vitamin C Serum Under Makeup?

Yep! I use it as my AM skincare serum, followed by moisturizer, SPF, and then makeup.

Is Vitamin C Good for Melasma?

Yes! Vitamin C helps reduce (and prevent) dark spots and discoloration, such as melasma. It helped keep my melasma at bay while I was pregnant with my first and now my second.

How is it different from the Beautycounter Brightening Oil?

The new serum has a much higher dose of Vitamin C compared to the Beautycounter All Bright Brightening Facial Oil. That means the vitamin C serum will be much more effective at brightening. Think of it this way: the primary job of face oils is to improve hydration and the brightening benefits you’ll get are secondary. If brightening, reducing dark spots, and/or improving dullness are your main goals, you’ll want the Vitamin C serum rather than the Beautycounter Brightening Oil.

Does Vitamin C Cause Purging?

Purging is when a new product causes your skin cells to turn over more quickly and results in a temporary breakout. Since Vitamin C does include fruit acids, it’s possible to experience some purging. However, I didn’t have that issue. I always recommend doing a patch test on your arm before using a new product on your face, so that you can determine if your skin is having a normal reaction while getting adjusted to a new product, or if the product is truly not good for your skin.

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The post Beautycounter’s Vitamin C Serum – my review & results! appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

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 and this Oliveda AHA + HT Serum is a perfect replacement. Also, be sure to join my email list so you can be the first to know when your Beautycounter favorites come back.

Ever since I switched to cleaner skincare products (namely Beautycounter and Colleen Rothschild), my skin has been in pretty great shape. Like any skincare routine, it took a little while to notice a difference but over time (and especially after months and years), my skin definitely improved with a consistent skincare regimen. I’ve gotten more compliments on my skin in the last few years than ever before in my life, and that’s pretty amazing considering I’m almost 40 and have two young kids!

There is one product that I noticed had an immediate difference when I started using it: Beautycounter’s Overnight Resurfacing Peel (this Oliveda AHA + HT serum is a great alternative). The first time I used it, I could tell my skin was softer, brighter and smoother. I used it for years, and then switched to a Retinol Oil for a little while (I’m a skincare junkie and love to try new products). But when we got pregnant with our second child, I switched back to the Overnight Resurfacing Peel since it’s a safe (and SUPER effective) alternative to retinol. And now that I’m breastfeeding, I’m still using and LOVING it. Actually, I’m wondering why I ever stopped using it.

Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel Review

What does a resurfacing peel do?

First, let’s talk about what a resurfacing peel actually does. While it sounds like it may be a product that you “peel off” your skin, that’s not actually the case. A resurfacing peel has active ingredients in it that help your skin cells turnover, which results in brighter, tighter skin. The peels like this are are referred to as “chemical exfoliators” because they penetrate the top layer of skin (epidermis) and encourage new collagen growth in the inner layers of skin (dermis) to reduce wrinkles and promote elastic, healthy skin. (source)

Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel Key Ingredients

• Glycolic Acid – This improves skin texture, resurfaces, and exfoliates.
• Lactic Acid – This stimulates skin cell turnover which results in a smoother, more radiant complexion.
• Citric Acid – This helps refine and renew the skin.
• Arginine & Fatty Acids – These soothe and nourish the skin (perfect when paired with the more active acids).

What acids are in the Beautycounter Resurfacing Peel?

Most acids used in skin care are either alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs). They are effective in improving the appearance of the skin by breaking down dead skin cells on the surface of skin, like a chemical peel. The Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel uses a combination of acids, some that resurface skin, and others that soothe, hydrate, and protect skin. So, it’s an AHA/BHA Peel.

It also contains malic acid, phytic acid, and ascorbic acid to help gently resurface. Rather than hyaluronic acid, it contains sodium hyaluronate. Why do they use that instead? The molecule size! Sodium hyaluronate has a much smaller molecular size so it can more easily penetrate skin. This is a really helpful article about the difference between hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate, if you’re interested!

Benefits of the Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel

• Improves skin texture
• Promotes cell turnover for a smoother complexion
• Boosts radiance
• Minimizes the appearance of pores
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines
• Reduces appearance of dark spots and age spots
• Evens skin tone
• Improves acne (as skin cells turn over, it will be easier to get gunk out of pores, which can lead to breakouts)

How to use the Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel

You’ll only want to use the peel at night, and since it contains active ingredients, you may want to start by using it every other night to allow your skin to adjust.

• First, wash your face to remove dirt and makeup. I like to use a cleansing balm to wash my face at night.
• Follow with your “prep” step. This is typically a toner, but I use an essence for my dry skin.
• Next, apply 1-2 pumps of the Overnight Peel into your hand and gently spread a thin layer across your clean face. Be sure to apply it to your face, neck and décolletage. Applying product all the way down to your décolletage is often neglected, but it’s so important since that area shows signs of aging too!
• Let the peel absorb and dry completely, for 3-5 minutes, before you apply your moisturizer. It’s normal for your skin to tingle a bit, especially when you first start using the product, but it’s safe for all skin types. I use Beautycounter’s Supreme Cream as my night-time moisturizer, but if your skin is less dry than mine, you may like this Adaptive Moisturizer better.

Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel results

Here’s what I’ve noticed about my skin since adding the peel in:

• It’s smoother
• My pores are smaller
• Skin tone is more even and brighter
• It’s SO soft – I have to stop myself from touching my face!
• Acne scars that I thought would be lifelong blemishes are gone – they lightened up in about a WEEK
• The deep wrinkle between my eyebrows has lessened

Beautycounter Peel Before and After

I even think my skin looks just as good without makeup now as it does wearing makeup. That alone is pretty amazing considering I had horrible breakouts for years.

Before

Here’s a photo before I started using the Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel (without foundation, post-workout, no filter added). I mean, it looks fine, right? This was a few years before I started taking my skincare seriously.

After

And here’s a photo (right after washing my face and moisturizing), again without any foundation or concealer, after using the Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel consistently. I particularly notice the acne scars around my lips and on my chin are gone and the sun spots on my nose have lightened. And look how flawless my makeup looks now that my skin is so healthy!

The Overnight Peel will give you quick results vs. some of the other Beautycounter products that take more time to notice a visible change.

A few tips:

• Use the peel in place of your regular serum a few times a week. It’s considered a “treatment” in the “cleanse, prep, treat, hydrate” routine all good regimens should include. And you don’t need to double up on the treatment each night! Just use your regular serum in the morning.
• Skip your face oil the night you use the peel. It won’t hurt anything but some oils may lessen its effectiveness.
• Do not skip a moisturizer afterwards!!
• If the tingling is intense, don’t use the peel again for 3-5 days. You can gradually increase use, using the peel up to 5x a week. If you have extra sensitive skin, you could do a patch test as well.
• Leave the peel on overnight (don’t rinse!) and just complete your usual morning skincare routine.
• Note: You should always be wearing sunscreen, but you especially need to wear it daily if you’re using this product. I love Beautycounter’s sheer face sunscreen and wear it every day under my makeup.
• Your skin won’t actually peel, nor do you peel the product off. It’s the no-peel peel!

Is the Beautycounter Overnight Peel safe for pregnancy?

In short, yes (it’s what I used while pregnant, and I’m currently using it while I’m breastfeeding). It goes without saying because it’s a Beautycounter product (all Beautycounter products are pregnancy-safe), but this peel is a MUCH safer option than most anti-aging serums and peels on the market, including retinol or Retin-A. Beautycounter tests all of their products with safety in mind, especially for those who might be extra vulnerable, like pregnant women and babies. Of course, check with your doctor since every pregnancy is different, but Retinol is on their Never List for a reason. And the Beautycounter Overnight Peel does not contain retinol. (Your OBGYN will tell you to not use Retinol or Retin-A during pregnancy!)

The Overnight Resurfacing Peel is also formulated without synthetic fragrances, PEGs, or formaldehyde-based preservatives that are often be found in other peels. Many peels use high levels of one or two resurfacing acids which may cause irritation. Since this peel uses a combination of resurfacing acids and soothing acids, it improves cell turnover to improve skin texture while still being gentle on the skin. Basically, you don’t have to trade off to get the benefits you want!

More Skin Resurfacing Products

The Overnight Resurfacing Peel is effective on its own, but it works even better when paired with other skincare products. I’ve found that when I use a resurfacing product like the Peel one night, my skin needs to be nourished and hydrated (I call this recovery), the next day. I rotate my resurfacing products with hydrating, soothing products like a face oil, and my skin has never looked better. This is called skin cycling, which you can read more about in this blog post.

Once a week, I use Beautycounter’s AHA Face Mask for deep exfoliation and smoothing. It’s a super strong product, which is why I only use it once a week.

I also use peel pads once a week. I switch between iS Clinical Peel pads (more aggressive – review here) and the Colleen Rothschild peel pads, which are better for sensitive skin.

When I am not pregnant or breastfeeding, I use the Colleen Rothschild Retinol Supreme Night Oil. This contains vitamin C, so it’s a total powerhouse. It helps improve skin texture and cell turnover, while also brightening dark spots. And it’s much better for sensitive skin than a typical retinol since this is in oil form. This is the first retinol I’ve actually liked!

The bottom line

The Overnight Peel is a MUST HAVE in my skincare routine and it’s a great addition to any skincare routine and it pairs beautifully with the All Bright C Serum in the morning!

If you’ve tried the Beautycounter overnight resurfacing peel, I’d love to hear what you think! And if you don’t have a skincare routine you love, fill out this quick questionnaire and I’ll help you!

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The post Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel: the product that made my dull skin glow appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

In today’s post, I shared some basic information on face oils: what they’re for, when to use them, and how they can benefit your specific skin type. I’m also sharing my personal favorite face oils from experience (and I’ve tried a LOT).

Let’s get right to it.

The 3 Best Face Oils for Dry Skin

Many people use a face oil in place of a moisturizer but in reality, an oil should be used in addition to a moisturizer? 

Generally, the goal of facial oils it to either add more moisture to dry skin, to balance moisture and/ or to lock in the moisture that you’ve already added (by combining with a moisturizer). There are lots of facial oils on the market, but not all are created equal. Face oils can range from astringent to lighter feeling, so it’s important to find a facial oil that works well for you.? We’ll get to that part soon!

Why you shouldn’t should a face oil without moisturizer

It’s not uncommon for people using only face oils to have very dry skin. Why? Most moisturizers add hydration to the skin, while a face oil helps retain water and moisture that’s already there. 

Think of face oils almost like a bonus step for targeted care. They are great at soothing, repairing, and protecting skin while keeping hydration locked in. However, they can’t deliver the skin with the essential hydration needed to maintain a healthy moisture barrier. (This is due to their ingredient compounds – humectants vs. occlusive, but I won’t go into all that!) 

If you ONLY use a face oil and have very dry skin, try swapping your oil for a moisturizer since that will ADD hydration. 

1 – Colleen Rothschild Face Oil N°9

I’m in the dry and aging skin camp and have tried LOTS of facial oils over the years. The Face Oil N°9 by Colleen Rothschild is the absolute best. It’s made with 9 oils, but the key ingredients are black seed oil (antioxidant protection), moringa oil (restores luminosity), marula oil (balances complexion), and omegas 3, 6, and 9 which aids in hydration. Not only does this face oil smell heavenly (like a luxury spa), it feels like liquid silk. If you have mature or dry skin, you will be blown away by this face oil- I’ve gotten several friends hooked as well.

While it can be used morning and night, I prefer to use it with my night cream in the evenings for extreme hydration. In the winter months, this is my go-to. Massage a few drops onto your skin after moisturizing.

Make sure to use the code TERILYN20 to get 20% off your Colleen Rothschild order!

2 – Carrie’s Vital Treasures Elixir

Another favorite of mine is Carrie’s Vital Treasures Elixir. This was gifted to me by a friend. It’s a very small company, which I love supporting, and I absolutely love how it smells and feel. It’s made with 100% USDA certified organic, sustainably sourced, high-purity, cold pressed Sea Buckthorn Oil which is known to help with inflammation. It is nourishing and calming while helping to restore your skin barrier. I use this when I feel my skin starting to become reactive (if I’ve used to many drying or exfoliating treatments, etc.)

3 – True Botanicals Renew Pure Radiance Oil

The True Botanicals Renew Pure Radiance Oil is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids that help restore balance and promote healthy cell growth. It targets wrinkles and fine lines, making it a perfect option for aging skin. Also, it has a slightly earthy scent, which makes sense since all of the ingredients in it are natural. It truly makes my skin glow.

Face Oils for Other Types of Skin

Normal or Combination Skin

If you have normal or combination skin, you may not need a face oil! However, if you enjoy a face oil and want some brightening effects, this All Bright Brightening Facial Oil by Beautycounter is a great option. The key ingredients in this oil are vitamin C which helps visibly brighten skin, avocado oil which aids in hydration, and black currant oil which is rich in omegas that aid to a healthy skin barrier. Add a few drops to your skin after applying your moisturizer.

Carrie’s Vital Treasures Elixir is a good option for normal skin too. Like I mentioned above, it’s primary purpose is to help with inflammation, but it also nourishes and calms your sensitive skin while restoring its barrier. I think of this as a basic, great for all facial oil.

Oily or Acne Prone Skin

Oily, Acne Prone skin actually can be DRY. It may seem counterintuitive to use a face oil on oily skin, but remember that this isn’t ?adding? hydration to the skin. It’s helping retain the moisture that’s already there and soothing skin (which acne prone skin often needs!). And oily skin does need to maintain proper hydration or else it will produce more oil.

My top face oil choice for oily or breakout-prone skin is the Primally Pure Clarifying Serum. While the name may be deceiving, this serum is the same consistency as a face oil and applies the same (although you can use this prior to moisturizing). It’s packed with green tea with EGCG, marula oil and prickly pear seed oil which are great for treating active breakouts, acne scarring and sun damage.

Instead of using this post-moisturizer, go ahead and apply it after you wash your face and tone as a “treatment” step.

The post The 3 Best Face Oils for Dry Skin (and other skin types) appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

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.

I’ve been really blessed not to experience many issues with my skin during pregnancy, either time. I was worried about the common issue with hormonal acne since I used to have HORRIBLE acne in my mid to late 20s, but the worst I’ve had is an occasional breakout and some dryness. This pregnancy is slightly different from my first because the weather is drier and colder than when I was pregnant with Thomas, so my skin is drier this go round, but still, nothing serious. And I give a LOT of credit to having a good skincare routine in place long before I got pregnant.

Because I’m quite the skincare junkie, and because I’ve talked about my pregnancy a lot on Instagram, I’ve been asked a lot if I changed my skincare routine. I’ve also been asked if I stopped using any products while pregnant, but I’ve kept everything the same except for one or two serums. Since the majority of my skincare products are from Beautycounter, I know they’ve done rigorous research and tested ingredients to ensure their products are safe. And they specifically evaluate how they impact vulnerable populations like pregnant or nursing moms.

Skincare during Pregnancy

When I got pregnant with Thomas 4 years ago, my doctor sent me home with a handout of products and ingredients to stop using. I was thankful I didn’t worry about anything I used! (When I got pregnant with baby #2, I knew there were only a few products I’d need to stop using, including a great retinol oil from Colleen Rothschild).

But, I know getting pregnant and getting that handout is how a lot of women first start to learn about some of the potential negative side effects of products they are using. And doing that research may have led you here. So, I hope this post is helpful so you have more information about what to look for in your skincare products and what you may want to ask your doctor. (If you’re looking for safe beauty products, you can see my makeup routine here.)

Is Beautycounter Pregnancy Safe?

Yes. Every single Beautycounter product is screened for 23 health and environmental endpoints, including reproductive toxicity. Not only that, but Beautycounter is famous for their Never List, which is comprised of 2,800 ingredients questionable or harmful chemicals that they never use as ingredients in their products.

This includes the nearly 1,700 chemicals banned or restricted in personal care products by the European Union, plus additional chemicals screened by Beautycounter and found to be of concern. None of those are allowed in their products. It says a lot of that there are more than 1,000 other ingredients Beautycounter won’t use, considering the EU is pretty stringent. Beautycounter is one of the best clean beauty brands on the market because they are rigorous with testing but the performance is still SO good.

Here’s what Beautycounter has to say:

At Beautycounter, we craft all of our products with safety in mind, especially for those who might be extra vulnerable – like pregnant women and babies. We carefully screen and assess each of our ingredients for 23 distinct, safety endpoints, including reproductive toxicity. That said, as pregnancy affects everyone differently, check with your doctor before beginning the use of any products if pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant.

If you want to do a deep dive on ingredients and their safety during pregnancy, this blog post from To Make a Mommy is very helpful.

The moral of the story is that every pregnancy is different, every doctor is different and every woman’s comfort level with various things in pregnancy is different. And that’s true for everything, not just skincare.

For example, Beautycounter’s Overnight Resurfacing Peel contains glycolic acid and this Beautycounter SOS Spot Treatment contains 2% salicylic acid. I’m comfortable using both of those since I know the rigorous testing that Beautycounter does on the safety of their products, with special consideration for the concentration of ingredients for those who are pregnant.

But, you may not be comfortable using those. And I’m sure there are things you use that I wouldn’t. So again, you have to do what’s right for you! Educate yourself and go with your gut.

Skincare Product Ingredients to Avoid During Pregnancy

The hard thing about pregnancy and data is that it’s hard to do really thorough studies because it’d be an ethical issue to subject certain women to potentially harmful ingredients. That applies to skincare, diet, drinks, everything. For example, some doctors will say a sip of alcohol here and there is fine and others say absolutely don’t touch a drop.

The same applies to skincare and specific ingredients. Some doctors will say certain ingredients are fine, while others take a more conservative approach. However, Beautycounter’s standards INCREDIBLY high, so there’s no guesswork involved. You can feel good about every single product they carry– from body butter to blush and even mascara.

Remember, every pregnancy is different. There may be additional products or ingredients that your doctor tells you to avoid so if you have questions, check with your OBGYN.

Below are ingredients that are typically recommended to be avoided while pregnant, and I’m going to share which Beautycounter products I use instead.

Retin-A, Retinol, and Retinyl Palmitate

All of these are vitamin A derivatives and may lead to birth defects. Most doctors will tell you to stop using those because of the harmful side effects. I used retinol for years before switching to the Overnight Resurfacing Peel came out. It’s a safer alternative to a retinol product with similar results, and it drastically improved my skin texture.

Accutane and Tazorac

Accutane and Tazorac can both cause major birth defects if used while pregnant. Generally doctors will require a pregnancy test before they prescribe Accutane and will often require you to take them throughout your course of Accutane. I believe they do the same for Tazorac too. (I’ve never personally used either.)

Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone is an ingredient used to brighten skin. It’s often used to address melasma or skin spots. While some say it doesn’t have negative impacts, it is known to have a higher absorption rate than other types of ingredients. That means it could eventually make its way into your blood stream and affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about the risk and benefit for your situation. However, Beautycounter’s All Bright C serum is safe for use during pregnancy. My post about the Beautycounter Vitamin C serum goes into detail on its ingredients and benefits.

Chemical Sunscreens

Most conventional sunscreens use a chemical based sun protection like oxybenzone or avobenzone. These may cause hormone disruption and/or interfere with your baby’s nervous system development. (They also damage coral reef and are banned in Hawaii.)

I switched to non-nano zinc oxide mineral sunscreen years ago and haven’t looked back. This post has lots of non-toxic sunscreen options I like. (Beautycounter’s sunscreen even made the cut in a Women’s Health article about safe sunscreens.)

Laser Treatments 

There are LOTS of opinions on this without a clear answer. Definitely talk to your doctor about your situation.

Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic Acids

Acne during pregnancy is common. Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are the most common treatments for acne. But, those ingredients are controversial when used during pregnancy.

If you do use salicylic acid, most doctors will recommend that you use products no stronger than 2%. (All of Beautycounter’s acne products contain 2% or less.) When applied topically, Benzoyl Peroxide is believed to be safe during pregnancy, but some people still have concerns. So check with your doctor regarding your situation on both ingredients.

If you’re struggling with breakouts, be sure to read this post with more tips for clear skin.

Glycolic Acid

This is yet another highly debated ingredient. While it’s only supposed to penetrate the top layer of skin (i.e., not absorb into your bloodstream or make it to your baby), some medical professionals advise staying away out of an abundance of caution.

Note that this differs from hyaluronic acid, which is safe for pregnancy.

My Favorite Pregnancy Skincare Products

Here’s what I currently use.

Morning skincare routine

Cleanser

Countertime Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil or Countermatch Foaming Face Wash – I like having a non-glass option to keep in the shower, so I sometimes use the Countermatch lotion. Both are hydrating options that don’t leave a heavy film on my face.

Tone/Prep

Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence – this helps balance my skin after cleansing so it’s not too try and helps the products that follow absorb better

Treat

All Bright C Serum – this brightens skin and helps prevent and address melasma, which is common in pregnancy. (Read my review of this Vitamin C Serum here.)

Tripeptide Radiance Serum – this helps tighten and firm skin and improve hydration.

Hydrate

Antioxidant Soft Cream – this day time moisturizer helps prevent fine lines and also provides ample hydration without causing makeup to pill.

Ultra Renewal Eye Cream – the ONLY eye cream I’ve ever liked. Amazing for dark circles, puffiness and fine lines.

Protect

Daily Sheer Defense SPF

Evening Skincare Routine

Cleanser

Countertime Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil or Colleen Rothschild Cleansing Balm – I LOVE the cleansing balm but it’s too heavy for daytime for me. So I often use this at night, alternating with the Cleansing Oil. Both are very hydrating! (This post explains why I prefer the Colleen Rothschild Cleansing Balm over the Beautycounter Cleansing Balm.)

Tone/Prep

Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence – same prep step as my morning routine

Treat

Tripeptide Radiance Serum – same prep step as my morning routine

Overnight Resurfacing Peel – I use this 2-3 times a week in place of the Tripeptide Serum to help with skin spots, large pores and fine lines. (Read my review of the Overnight Resurfacing Peel here.)

SOS spot treatment & Charcoal Mask (as needed) – I get occasional breakouts around my nose and use these to dry them up.

Hydrate

Countertime Tetrapeptide Supreme Night Cream – I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT THIS. It’s amazing for dry skin! It’s incredibly thick, but absorbs quickly without a greasy finish. A little goes a long way too, so it lasts forever.

No. 9 Oil – On the nights that I’m not using the peel, I use and love this hydrating oil. It’s silky and not greasy. Beautycounter’s Brightening Oil is another great option but I do find it’s a bit heavier than the Colleen Rothschild one.

I hope this helps you figure out a solid pregnancy skincare routine. As with everything I share on my blog about pregnancy, I’m sharing my personal experience. Talk to your doctor, be your own advocate and go with your gut on any decisions you make throughout your pregnancy.

The post Is Beautycounter Pregnancy Safe? appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

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.

I used the Beautycounter Counter+ Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm for years until discovering the the Colleen Rothschild Cleansing Balm, which I like better. However, if safe and clean products is the most important factor in choosing a cleansing balm, the Beautycounter Cleansing Balm is the one you want. If you’re a little more lenient in terms of ingredients, I like the Colleen Rothschild Cleansing Balm more. (You can read my full review of the Colleen Rothschild Cleansing Balm here.)

Today’s review is focused on the Beautycounter Cleaning Balm since it’s a cult favorite and I used it for years., so I definitely can speak to it.

Beautycounter Cleansing Balm Review

I used the Beautycounter Cleansing Balm for years (I just recently started using the Colleen Rothschild Balm, which I mentioned above) and it thick balm worked wonders for my dry skin. It’s a daily makeup removing balm and cleanser that removes make-up and nourishes and replenishes skin.

The Cleansing Balm was the first skincare product I tried from Beautycounter that really made me look at switching all of my products to the brand since the results were dramatically better than everything else I was using at the time (including Origins, Ole Henrikson and other high-end brands). I ended up swapping the vast majority of my skincare (and makeup!) to Beautycounter soon after trying the cleansing balm years ago.

Let’s talk about the ingredients:

Beautycounter Cleansing Balm Ingredients & Benefits

Beautycounter’s Cleansing Balm has a few key ingredients that help promote and support healthy, vibrant skin. It soothes irritation while creating luminosity.

• Jojoba Seed Oil and Avocado Seed Oil – for hydration
• Lotus – skin-brightening properties
• Apricot (prunus armeniaca) Kernel Oil – for hydration and to minimize signs of aging
• Shea Butter – protects and hydrates skin

How to Use a Cleansing Balm

1. Apply the balm to dry skin

Before you apply the balm, make sure your face is dry and not damp. Then, take an an almond-sized amount of balm from the container onto your fingertips. (Trust me – you don’t need more since a little goes a long way!)

2. Massage the balm into your skin

Using circular motions, massage an almond size amount onto dry skin, applying gentle pressure to the cheeks, forehead, and eyebrows. This helps relax your facial muscles, promotes oxygen and blood flow in your skin and (perhaps most importantly) helps get the product into your skin and pores to really dissolve impurities and makeup.

3. Remove with a wet washcloth

Once the balm has turned into an oil and you’ve massaged it into skin, wet a cleansing cloth with warm water and gently wipe the balm off your skin. Wetting the cloth with warm water is key to help open up pores and fully remove the balm so your serum and moisturize can more fully penetrate.

Do not try to only rinse it off without a cloth!! The product is NOT designed to be rinsed off. You have to wipe it off with a cloth or your pores will clog.

4. Optional: Splash face with tepid water

I prefer splash my face with tepid or lukewarm water after I wipe it off. Never hot water though, since that will actually dehydrate your skin. Cool water is also okay to use.

5. Complete your routine.

Follow the balm with a toner, treatment (e.g. a serum) and a moisturizer.

To use the balm as an intense overnight moisturizing mask

First wash your face (whether with the balm or another cleanser) and gently pat your skin dry. Then, apply a thin layer (about a black bean size) of the balm to clean skin. Only apply more if you feel you need it – don’t pile it on. You need just a thin, even layer. Then just leave it on overnight and wake up to smoother, softer skin. You’ll just wash your face as normal in the morning. Since it absorbs overnight, you won’t need to wipe it off.

My Honest Beautycounter Cleansing Balm Review

It removes every trace of makeup without needing a second cleanse and without feeling like my skin is stripped.

My skin feels more hydrated after I cleanse with this, which is not what I typically experienced with face washes. Similar to coconut oil, the solid formula turns to an oil when you massage it into skin and it helps remove makeup, dirt and impurities without stripping skin. However, unlike coconut oil, it doesn’t leave your face feeling greasy. I tried washing with coconut oil for a month or so before I found Beautycounter’s Cleansing Balm and it was a total disaster for me! It made me breakout and it was just an oily mess. So while the texture is somewhat similar, the results are entirely different.

It feels easier to use than foaming face washes.

I used to dread washing my face at night – why does it feel like so much work?? But with the cleansing balm, it feels like less effort than foaming face washes, and it certainly feels more luxurious. I think since it’s applied to dry skin and removed with a cloth, it feels less messy than cleansers that get water all over the sink. (Hey, maybe I’m just a little messy but I think that’s part of why I like the balm formula so much!)

It’s a great bang for your buck since it is a multi-use product and a little goes a long way.

It can be used as a daily cleanser, as a replenishing overnight mask, and as a soothing balm for dry spots anywhere on your body. I’m often asked “how long does Beautycounter cleansing balm last?” And since you use an almond-size amount of product, each container lasts 6-12 months! (It will vary on how long it lasts depending if you use it AM and/or PM and how often you use it as a mask.)

It’s travel-friendly and minimizes what I have to pack for trips since I take the balm to act as both my cleanser and moisturizer.

While I don’t typically use the balm as my daily moisturizer, it can work for that. (I just use a tiny amount!) And, since it’s a solid formula, it’s carry-on friendly which means I don’t have to decant into a smaller container like I do with liquids. And that helps me travel with only a carry on!

What I don’t love about Beautycounter’s Cleansing Balm

Stings my eyes

I don’t like using it to remove my eye makeup since it can sting and if it gets on my contacts, it’s a blurry mess. I prefer to use an eye makeup remover or makeup wipes instead.

Quick tip:

Some people with acne-prone skin find that Beautycounter’s Cleansing Balm helps prevent breakouts since many times breakouts are caused by skin that is actually too dry. I personally experienced this for YEARS and couldn’t figure out why nothing helped my acne-prone skin. Then, during a facial an esthetician told me that I actually had very dry skin and I was using products that were far too harsh. My skin was overcompensating by producing more oil, which clogged my pores and led to breakouts. Once I started using skincare products designed for dry skin – like the Cleansing Balm – I very quickly saw an improvement in my breakouts.

So, while some people with oily, breakout skin love the Cleansing Balm, if you have naturally very oily skin you may not find this is the best cleanser for you. Those with oily skin are typically happier with Beautycounter’s CounterControl line, which is specially designed for oily skin. But, if you want to try the Cleansing Balm for your oily skin, Beautycounter has an amazing return policy. If it doesn’t work out, you can send it back in 60 days for a full refund (no matter how much product you’ve used).

My results with Beautycounter Cleansing Balm

After just one day of using Beautycounter Cleansing Balm, my skin felt incredible. It was so nice to not experience the tightness that I typically do with cleansers. After a few months, I started to notice that my skin was more radiant and even.

Now let’s fast forward to four years of using Beautycounter Cleansing Balm. You can see a visible difference and my skin is radiant without a trace of makeup (pictured below!). Okay, well I do have mascara on. But I don’t have any foundation or any sort of coverage on my skin. That’s right after wiping off the balm.

If I am being totally honest, my skin used to be pretty lackluster. Here’s what my skin looked like before I used the Cleansing Balm. While it was clear, there was zero brightness or radiance, even after my breakouts cleared up.

But when I added in the Cleansing Balm (and the Beautycounter Overnight Peel), I really started to notice an improvement immediately and especially over time. Here’s a photo after a few months.

And here’s a photo after three years.

And here’s what my skin looks like after 5 years!

 My skin routine now includes the Cleansing Balm for my PM cleanser (these days I’m using the Colleen Rothschild Cleansing Balm as an alternative since it’s what I have on hand) and the Countertime Lipid Oil for my morning cleanser. (I prefer the balm at night but don’t love it as a morning cleanser for no reason other than habit.)

I use the cleansing balm as an overnight mask 1-2 times a week, and use the Beautycounter AHA Mask  once a week. While they are very different products, it’s perfect balance for me to help keep pores clear and also keep my skin hydrated!

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Every year, Beautycounter rolls out exclusive gift sets for the holidays, and every year, I’m SO excited to try everything, and I gift them as well. I also like to break some of these sets up into smaller gift; Ttere are a few that make the perfect stocking stuffers if you split them up or make cute teacher gifts paired with a coffee gift card.

This year, the Clean Eau De Parfum Duo set is my TOP pick. Beautycounter has never launched fragrance before, so this is VERY exciting, and you can read more about it below. I also love the Hand Cream Trio and the Polish & Plump Facial Trio. I fully anticipate that they will both sell out based on the holiday products that sold out first in the last few years.

As a Beautycounter consultant, I got to shop and try the products early and I’m sharing a few of my favorites!

Ready to see what’s included this year? Let’s dive in!

Beautycounter Holiday Gift Guide

Clean Eau De Parfum Duo

Beautycounter has finally launched PERFUME! Beautycounter has been working on creating a scent category for years, and this perfume duo is the very first launch. Both scents were created in partnership with a fine fragrance house, and they’re EWG verified, safe for even the most sensitive skin, and even I don’t react to them (and I react to many clean perfumes, including Phlur).

There are two scents in this duo: Sun Spill and Miles Away. Sun Spill is an uplifting citrusy floral scent and Miles away is an herbal green scent. Do NOT miss this duo!

Mini Beyond Gloss Vault

Beautycounter’s Beyond Gloss is a great gloss when you’re on the go since it applies perfectly without a mirror and a little goes a long way. This set includes four NEW colors: Daisy Shimmer (a sheer opalescent shimmer), Toffee Shimmer (a bronze gold shimmer), Petunia (a true rose color), and Posy (a cool plum shade). They’re mini sizes, and even the mini will last you months. They’re perfect for your purse, clutch, or car. This is one of those sets that I’ll split up and gift individually! I’ll give them to a few friends of mine with a card. Or give the full set to a beauty junkie who’ll be excited to try all the colors. (This is a great option for nieces!)

They’re all great for fall and winter, and the shades are designed to look good on all skin tones.

Lashes & Lips Makeup Duo

Next up is the Lashes & Lips Makeup Duo which includes Beautycounter’s famous a Thing Big All-in-One Mascara and their Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick in a brand new shade. This set also comes with a reusable makeup bag! Reusable Makeup Bag. While I don’t personally use this mascara, it does have a loyal following. (All oil-soluble mascaras transfer onto my skin so I can’t use them; I only use tubing mascaras, which I explained in this post.) The Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick is another cult favorite. It’s like a blend of lipstick and gloss. And this brand new shade, Transformer, was made to enhance the natural color of your lips.

This set would be a perfect gift for a teenager who’s just starting to wear makeup. Or a beauty junkie who would want some minis to keep in her purse.

Hidden Gem Makeup Set

I was really excited when I saw that the Hidden Gem Makeup Set included my very favorite cream blush + Beautycounter’s famous priming serum. While I really like the priming serum, the blush is the part I’m most jazzed about. When I tell you it lasts forever, I mean forEVER. These have the best staying power, natural finish, and can also be used on your lips in a pinch. Their cream blushes blend the easiest of any brand I’ve tried (and I’ve tried a lot) so it’s a good way to venture into cream products.

The priming serum is a favorite of many Beautycounter junkies because it is a makeup + skincare combo. Not only does it improve the wear of your foundation, but it also makes your skin look plump and smooth all day.

Main Squeeze Lip Jellies

Eeekkk the Lip Jellies are BACK! If you’re new here, these have a cult following and they’re my favorite minis ever! These baby lip glosses are ultra-glossy and have the perfect sweet scent/taste. They aren’t sticky and are so fun to apply since they have a bit of nostalgia to them. They don’t have as much as the glosses but give more of a tinted sheen.

This set comes with 5 shades: confetti (an iridescent shimmer), Oat Latte (a milky peach), Sugarplum (a sheer berry), Lollipop (a sheer, bright pink/red shimmer), and a returning favorite, Sorbet.

While this set would be a perfect one to split up into smaller gifts, I know I’m going to end up keeping them all for myself. I also have to mention that the packaging is SO fun for this set too.

Shimmer & Glow Makeup Duo

I am really excited about the Shimmer & Glow Makeup Duo set. It includes Beautycounter’s talc-free highlight powder in a brand new shade Cava (shimmering rose bronze) along with the fan favorite cream eyeshadow in a new shade, Blaze — a shimmering pink champagne that draws light to your lids. Both of these products are the perfect addition to a makeup junkie’s arsenal, especially for fun holiday festivities.
(Here are some cocktail dresses for holiday parties!)

Brighter Days Skin-Care Set

If you’re a Vitamin C fanatic (like me), then you will LOVE the Brighter Days set. This includes both a mini of the All Bright C serum and a mini of the our All Bright Triple Acid AHA Toner. The toner is designed to refine your pores and make your skin glow (it’s incredibly effective), and the All Bright C serum is the best daily vitamin C serum I’ve tried. It’s helped reduce my dark sun spots SO much (I shared a before and after here). You could easily gift this set to anyone on your list who loves skincare, but I’m keeping it for myself so that I can have travel sizes of my favorite products.

Countermatch Carry-On Set

The Countermatch Carry-On Set is by far the most requested set we’ve had in a while. People who use and love Countermatch products have been begging for a travel-sized set since Countertime got one last year. I’m so happy they made this! Not only is it great for Countermatch lovers but it’s the perfect set to gift to a teen who’s just starting a skincare routine! Countermatch products are designed for normal or combination skin and use gentle ingredients to cleanse, hydrate, and balance.

Keep Cool Radiance Duo

The Keep Cool Radiance Duo set is a fun option for a skincare junkie. This set has a full-size bottle of the best-selling Countertime Tripeptide Radiance Serum which is what I use in my skincare routine. It helps improve the skin barrier function, increases skin radiance, and decreases the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I love how gentle it is too (it’s the perfect serum to alternate with your more aggressive retinol products). Then, you also get these brand new Refreshing Facial Globes to help depuff and improve absorption. They work best when they’re chilled, so just put them in the refrigerator.

Sets like this are super fun to give because I don’t think anyone on my list would buy those Facial Globes, which makes them such a fun and “extra” treat. It’s always fun to receive things like this and get to try them without having to buy them for yourself.

Polish & Plump Facial Trio

The Polish & Plump Facial Trio is a powerhouse set. It would make 3 really good gifts or one GREAT gift for one lucky friend or family member. This set includes a mini Counter+ Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm, mini Reflect Effect AHA Smoothing Facial Mask, and a mini Mighty Plump Ceramide Water Cream. All THREE of these products are best sellers and worth buying on their own, so to get them as minis, all together, is just super fun. I could rave about all three separately for paragraphs, but I’ll just let you read my full blog reviews of each (linked above).

Long story short, if you only get one set, it should be this one.

Goodnight & Glow Duo

The next set is the Goodnight & Glow duo which comes with a Mini Overnight Resurfacing Peel and a mini Reflect Effect Overnight Resurfacing Body Peel. The Overnight Resurfacing Peel is one of the best products Beautycounter makes and truly restores + renews your skin. It’s a safer alternative retinol and what I’ve been using since I got pregnant. The Body Peel is the same thing, but for your body instead of your face. It’s a GREAT option for anyone with Keratosis pilaris.

Sugar & Silk Body Set

The Sugar & Silk Body Set is one of the easiest sets to gift because it’s not skin-type specific! Everyone loves a luxurious bath set, and this one comes with a body polish (my all time favorite body scrub) and a body oil (which is super luxe and smells amazing).

Good Scents Hand Cream Trio

Every single year this limited edition Good Scents Hand Trio set sells out. The hand cream trio is not only an easy gift idea, but the packaging looks so high-end and fancy. AND this set is pretty affordable too! I tend to split these up and gift them along with a small coffee gift card.

Triple Quench Body Butter Set

Brand new to the gifting lineup this year is the Triple Quench Body Butter Set. Similarly to the Hand Crean Trio, I bet this will sell out! Body butter makes a perfect gift for your hair stylist, your nail tech, your mail lady, etc. This is limited edition, so you have to get it now!

Gifting tips

I mentioned above that I like to split these sets up to create smaller gifts. Things like the hand cream or body butter go well with a Starbucks gift card, and the lip gloss is great with a sweet note mailed to friend! There are lots of ways to make these sets smaller, but then again, who doesn’t love a full set of fun skincare goodies? :).

And no shame at all if you keep them for yourself. In fact, maybe go ahead and order 2 so you can keep one ;).

Shopping tips

1. When I first joined Beautycounter as a consultant, I didn’t really believe when they said holiday products would sell out. But… after five holiday seasons with the company, I now know that they do. So if there is anything you KNOW you want, shop sooner than later.

2. I would also be sure to add Band of Beauty to your cart before checking out — It’s kind of like Sephora rewards… but better. You get free shipping on $100+ orders for a year and you’ll also get 10% product credit back on every order (it adds up fast!). You’ll get a free gift with your first order if you spend $50.

3. Be sure to select TeriLyn Adams as your consultant at checkout so I can help with any order questions that come up! I so appreciate it!

4.  Make sure you’re on my newsletter to updates on any promos launching during the holidays, e.g. Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.

5. You have 60 days to make returns, no questions asked. So, if you aren’t sure something will work for you, no worries! They even cover return shipping.

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I’ve been hooked on the same daytime moisturizer for almost 4 years now. And considering how much I love to try new beauty products, that is saying something. I’ve just never found something I like better than the Countertime Soft Cream. That is, until I tried Beautycounter’s most recent product launch: the Mighty Plump Ceramide Water Cream.

When I first heard that this product was in development, I was intrigued but not convinced I’d like it as much as the Soft Cream. But as Beautycounter headquarters started doing clinical trials with the new Water Cream, and I started to hear about the results, I became REALLY interested. I kept hearing people say that it was like “instant filler”, so as soon as I could get my hands on it, I did.

And the verdict? I changed my daytime moisturizer for the first time in 4 years. I can’t get over how much I like this. It’s one of the better skincare products I’ve ever used, and today I’m sharing all the details (including some photos from their clinical trials to prove just how effective this is). I also took some of my own “before” photos and I’ll share a comparison once I have used it a bit longer to see if there is a noticeable difference “after” a few months of use.

If you’re not familiar with what makes Beautycounter different, this post explains what Beautycounter is.

Okay, let’s dive into today’s review. (And you can read more reviews by navigating through the Beautycounter category page on my blog.)

Beautycounter Mighty Plump Ceramide Water Cream Review

First of all, let’s break down what the Mighty Plump Ceramide Water Cream is. This cream is a water-based moisturizer that’s designed to be used daily and it works on all skin types. The formula is incredibly light and is made with two forms of hyaluronic acid along with ceramide, which hydrates your skin while protecting your skin’s barrier AND gives an almost instant plumping effect for many people.

What I noticed instantly is that my skin felt felt firmer, bouncier, and softer after applying this moisturizer. It’s also clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I didn’t notice the instant plumping but a lot of my lines are pretty deep. But, you’ll be shocked by the photos I included below with the results some other women have seen.

What are Ceramides?

Good question. Ceramides are fatty molecules (also called lipids) and create and protect the skin’s barrier. They are already present in your skin naturally, but you can also apply additional ceramides to your skin via skincare products. Ceramides are a popular ingredient in moisturizers because they help increase your skin’s moisture levels and heal cracked or dry skin. The more ceramides on your skin, the healthier and younger your skin will look and feel.

Key Ingredients

Three main ingredients in the Water Cream are what make it unique and effective.

Ceramide

Helps lift and plump the skin to improve the appearance of wrinkles while also helping to provide moisture barrier protection.

Sodium Hyaluronate

Helps to improve appearance of elasticity.

Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate

Acts as a “flash filler” by decreasing the appearance of wrinkles.

How to use the Water Cream

I use the Water Cream as my day-time moisturizer. I cleanse and prep my skin with toner, and then apply whatever serum I’m using that morning. (Typically this is Vitamin C serum.) Next, I apply the water cream on top, let it absorb, and finish my routine with one of my favorite sunscreens. The Water Cream can also be used at night, but I still prefer this ultra thick night cream.

Benefits

• Bouncy, weightless water cream that easily absorbs into skin.
• Improves your skin barrier for plumper looking skin.
• Visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Provides instant hydration for lifted skin.
• Improves elasticity with longer use for skin that appears firmer, renewed, and balanced.
• Has a luxurious, velvety texture.
• Scented with a refreshing blend of crisp water fruits, sea salt, and delicate violet leaf. I’m sensitive to smells but this is SO nice.

Results

The results are the most impressive thing about the Water Cream. Beautycounter did a study with 32 subjects who used the Mighty Plump Ceramide Water Cream for 8 weeks, once a day.

After four weeks of use:

• 97% said appearance of fine lines and wrinkles was reduced
• 100% said overall complexion looked improved

After eight weeks of use:

• 91% said face appeared more lifted
• 94% said skin looked more youthful
• 97% said skin looked renewed
• 97% said skin felt firmer
• 100% said skin looked less dull and tired

While those numbers speak for themselves, what really sold me was the before and after photos. These pictures are taken right before applying the Water Cream and then directly after. Check out just how accurate the term “instant filler” is:

How do I know if Mighty Plump Ceramide Water Cream is right for me?

Hyaluronic acid and ceramides are both great for all skin types (even if you’re pregnant!), so everyone can use the Mighty Plump Ceramide Water Cream. But does everyone need it? Not necessarily. Ceramides are great for dry and aging skin since it helps improve the appearance of wrinkles, therefore this moisturizer will be best for those looking for help in those areas. If you have very normal or young skin, or if your skin is somewhat oily, you may like the Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion better since it’s a more basic option.

You can’t go wrong with the Mighty Plump Ceramide Water Cream, but if your skin feels hydrated as-is, you may want to spend your money on other skincare products that will be more effective for you.

Should I use this or the Countertime Soft Cream?

If you have fine lines and aging skin, you may already be using an anti-aging moisturizer like the Countertime Antioxidant Soft Cream (which is what I was using). Since both are great for aging skin, here’s how I would differentiate them:

The Mighty Plump Ceramide Water Cream bridges the gap between full-on anti-aging skincare and a regular moisturizer. If Countertime feels too heavy on your skin, you will love this; however if your first priority is anti-aging, you may want to stick to Countertime since it’s purely designed for aging skin. I will likely go back to the Soft Cream in the winter months, since I imagine I’ll want a heavier moisturizer in the colder months, but we’ll see!

Bottom Line

I haven’t been this excited about a new moisturizer in years. I love the texture and I love how lightweight it is, but it still provides major hydration. The texture is hard to describe since I’ve never used anything quite like it, but I’ve yet to hear of anyone who doesn’t like it!

Add it to your cart here, and use code CLEANFORALL20 for 20% off your first order when you choose TeriLyn Adams as your consultant at checkout.

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