Disclaimer: The products featured were provided for review.
Earlier this year, I started testing out the Countercontrol skincare regimen from Beautycounter. Designed for oily and blemish-prone skin, the Countercontrol Collection is formulated with clean and gentle ingredients that promise clearer skin without dryness or irritation. So how effective is it at battling breakouts? Read my review to find out......
Beautycounter | Countercontrol Clear Pore Cleanser ($34 CAD for 150 ml):
With a light citrus scent thanks to orange oil and grapefruit oil, this is a gel cleanser formulated with soothing aloe juice and antioxidant-rich, and anti-inflammatory extracts of fireweed and wintergreen. The formulation lathers to create a light foam and the sparsely scattered jojoba beads provide some gentle exfoliation to help remove dead skin cells. The cleanser won't cut through waterproof makeup but it's great at removing dirt and oil without leaving the skin stripped of its natural moisture. This is definitely a great everyday cleanser, not only for blemish-prone skin but all skin types.
Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Lauryl Glucoside, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Citrate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Epilobium Angustifolium (Fireweed) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Gaultheria Procumbens (Wintergreen) Leaf Extract, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Salicylic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Phytic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Canarium Luzonicum Gum Nonvolatiles, Panthenol, Citric Acid
Beautycounter | Countercontrol Instant Matte Toner ($37 CAD for 150 ml):
Formulated with witch hazel, aloe, lactic acid (and AHA), fireweed extract, and wintergreen extract, the Countercontrol Instant Matte Toner is designed to remove residual oil and dirt and minimize the appearance of pores. The watery formulation feels very cooling on the skin but it doesn't contain any alcohol, which is a big plus. However, I personally found the formulation a bit sensitizing. Depending on the state of my skin, the toner will cause some stinging and redness so I'm not sure that I would recommend this to everyone. However, the toner is not drying and it does feel very refreshing.
Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Pentylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Epilobium Angustifolium (Fireweed) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Gaultheria Procumbens (Wintergreen) Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Betaine, Panthenol, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Canarium Luzonicum Gum Nonvolatiles, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate
Beautycounter | Countercontrol Matte Effect Gel Cream ($50 CAD for 50 ml):
A silicone-free mattifying moisturizer, the Countercontrol Matte Effect Gel Cream also contains aloe juice and extracts of fireweed and wintergreen. The moisturizer has a light, non-greasy formulation that spreads easily and layers well under makeup with minimal pilling. Thanks to a dash of corn starch, the moisturizer indeed gives the skin a natural matte finish. A similar product called the Countercontrol All Over Acne Treatment containing 2% salicylic acid is also a part of the Countercontrol Collection and it's a great alternative if you struggle with not just oily skin but also acne.
Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Methylpropanediol, Coconut Alkanes, SD Alcohol 40B (Alcohol denat.), Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Lauroyl Lysine, Gaultheria Procumbens (Wintergreen) Leaf Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium (Fireweed) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Malic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Allantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Zinc Gluconate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Beautycounter | Countercontrol SOS Acne Spot Treatment ($29 CAD for 15 ml):
An invisible, lightweight gel designed to target breakouts, the SOS Acne Spot Treatment is formulated with 2% salicylic acid, allantoin, aloe juice, and fireweed extract. Although helpful at preventing acne, I don't find the salicylic acid very effective at treating existing acne so I would much rather prefer an all-over salicylic-containing product (i.e. Countercontrol All Over Acne Treatment). However, if salicylic acid works for you in eradicating the occasional breakouts, then this is a good option to check out.
Active Ingredients: Salicylic Acid 2%
Ingredients: Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Zinc Gluconate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Availability:
Beautycounter is available at www.beautycounter.com.
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| Beautycounter | Countercontrol Clear Pore Cleanser & Instant Matte Toner |
With a light citrus scent thanks to orange oil and grapefruit oil, this is a gel cleanser formulated with soothing aloe juice and antioxidant-rich, and anti-inflammatory extracts of fireweed and wintergreen. The formulation lathers to create a light foam and the sparsely scattered jojoba beads provide some gentle exfoliation to help remove dead skin cells. The cleanser won't cut through waterproof makeup but it's great at removing dirt and oil without leaving the skin stripped of its natural moisture. This is definitely a great everyday cleanser, not only for blemish-prone skin but all skin types.
Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Lauryl Glucoside, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Citrate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Epilobium Angustifolium (Fireweed) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Gaultheria Procumbens (Wintergreen) Leaf Extract, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Salicylic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Phytic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Canarium Luzonicum Gum Nonvolatiles, Panthenol, Citric Acid
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| Beautycounter | Countercontrol Clear Pore Cleanser |
Formulated with witch hazel, aloe, lactic acid (and AHA), fireweed extract, and wintergreen extract, the Countercontrol Instant Matte Toner is designed to remove residual oil and dirt and minimize the appearance of pores. The watery formulation feels very cooling on the skin but it doesn't contain any alcohol, which is a big plus. However, I personally found the formulation a bit sensitizing. Depending on the state of my skin, the toner will cause some stinging and redness so I'm not sure that I would recommend this to everyone. However, the toner is not drying and it does feel very refreshing.
Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Pentylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Epilobium Angustifolium (Fireweed) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Gaultheria Procumbens (Wintergreen) Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Betaine, Panthenol, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Canarium Luzonicum Gum Nonvolatiles, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate
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| Beautycounter | SOS Acne Spot Treatment & Countercontrol Matte Effect Gel Cream |
A silicone-free mattifying moisturizer, the Countercontrol Matte Effect Gel Cream also contains aloe juice and extracts of fireweed and wintergreen. The moisturizer has a light, non-greasy formulation that spreads easily and layers well under makeup with minimal pilling. Thanks to a dash of corn starch, the moisturizer indeed gives the skin a natural matte finish. A similar product called the Countercontrol All Over Acne Treatment containing 2% salicylic acid is also a part of the Countercontrol Collection and it's a great alternative if you struggle with not just oily skin but also acne.
Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Methylpropanediol, Coconut Alkanes, SD Alcohol 40B (Alcohol denat.), Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Lauroyl Lysine, Gaultheria Procumbens (Wintergreen) Leaf Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium (Fireweed) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Malic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Allantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Zinc Gluconate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
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| Beautycounter | SOS Acne Spot Treatment & Countercontrol Matte Effect Gel Cream |
An invisible, lightweight gel designed to target breakouts, the SOS Acne Spot Treatment is formulated with 2% salicylic acid, allantoin, aloe juice, and fireweed extract. Although helpful at preventing acne, I don't find the salicylic acid very effective at treating existing acne so I would much rather prefer an all-over salicylic-containing product (i.e. Countercontrol All Over Acne Treatment). However, if salicylic acid works for you in eradicating the occasional breakouts, then this is a good option to check out.
Active Ingredients: Salicylic Acid 2%
Ingredients: Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Zinc Gluconate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Availability:
Beautycounter is available at www.beautycounter.com.
