Yup, this is how I roll most days. Zero makeup. Top knot. Yoga clothes. No fear. But about those goodies in my hands..
A few weeks ago my sensitive skin was flaring up. Dry, itchy, irritated. The usual way I combat flare-ups is to moisturize every day after I shower. But I had been jumping around brands of body lotion, having trouble finding one that I loved. No harsh fragrances. Vegan. No animal testing. Feels good going on. No questionable ingredients. I decided to try a new brand.
The brand is Beautycounter! I had first learned about this brand a few months ago from my friend Lily who raved about it for her son's sensitive skin. Her story really resonated with me because I know first hand how challenging it can be to find brands that work for you when you have sensitive skin, acne-prone skin - or even a sensitive immune or endocrine system.
At first, I was really hesitant to try Beautycounter because their branding is so mainstream and I usually seek out very "natural-image" brands. But I was pleasantly surprised (and even shocked) by what I learned from them. The information I learned has really made me scan my "products" in a whole new way. And today I want to share some of those findings with you guys!
So if you struggle with sensitive skin, just want safer products for your family or want to find vegan products you love, Beautycounter is pretty awesome. Their ingredient transparency is like no other brand I have seen. And they are passionately committed to bringing consumers safe and effective products. Their NEVER LIST, is phenomenal.
They are absolutely vegan-friendly. And never test on animals.
Today I want to share my ten favorite Beautycounter products...
First, the basics. Let me introduce you to the brand and why I love it...
Beautycounter's mission is to get safer products into the hands of everyone.
First some facts:
* Fragrances.The term "fragrance" is considered a trade secret, so when companies list "fragrance" in their ingredients list, that means we don't actually know which ingredients we are using or being exposed to - often they are hormone disrupters such as phthalates. Beautycounter only uses essential oils.
* Current Laws. The United States has not passed a major federal law to regulate the safety of ingredients used in personal care products since 1938. Over the past two decades, the European Union has banned more than 1,300 chemicals. The United States has only partially banned 11 to date. Yes, you read that right, 11. Crazy.
Beautycounter standards..
* The Never List. Beautycounter's Never List is made up of more than 1,500 questionable or harmful chemicals that they never use as ingredients in their products.
* Plants! Beautycounter works to source ingredients from non-GMO, sustainable sources, many of which are organic. And over 80% of their ingredients are natural or plant-derived.
* Beautycounter tests for heavy metals in their color cosmetics, 3 times per formulation, which is pretty incredible.
* The Five Beautycounter Standards: Ban intentionally, screen rigorously, learn constantly, source responsibly, share transparently.
*Beautycounter founder, Gregg Renfrew - BC started in 2013 and is based out of Santa Monica, California - hello neighbor!
You can learn more about the Beautycounter's founder, mission and story here.
And if you are curious about their brand and products, definitely check out their extensive FAQs page! They talk all about vegan, soy, gluten, their policy on NO animal testing and more.
Cleaning Up My Beauty Bag. In the past few years have I started to seriously evaluate the products I use in my skin care and beauty routines.
One of the tools I have been using is the EWG App. It scans more than 62,000 products and tells you a number rating. So I was excited when I realized that some of Beautycounters products are EWG Verified, and most have extremely low ratings (the lower the better for EWG.)
I will be 36 in January (oh boy) and I want to take care of my skin and body the best I can. I don't have perfect skin, and I don't strive to. I mean, I know that a lot of how your skin looks and feels has to do with your diet. So really, what you put ON your skin should just be as safe as possible.
Look, if you can get away with DIY plant-based skincare basics like avocado masks, coconut oil, aloe, apple cider vinegar and on and on - go for it. I think in a perfect world, we would all be using plants to nourish our faces! But if you want products, Beautycounter is a great place to start looking.
My Top 10 Vegan Beautycounter Products..
1. Hydrating Body Lotion in Citrus Mimosa
This was the product that turned me into a Beautycounter fan! It has a fluffy, almost custard-like texture and goes on rich and velvety smooth. The light, dreamy citrus scent comes from essential oils. This lotion also contains a blend of marula, mongongo, and safflower seed oils, plus shea and jojoba butters - ingredients rich in antioxidants and amino and fatty acids.
2. Cleansing Balm
This is the most amazing multi-use balm! It melts into your skin to hydrate while it cleanses, removes makeup - but it never strips away moisture. It contains vitamin C and raspberry and cranberry seed oils. It can also be used as an intensely nourishing face mask.
3. Purifying Charcoal Mask
This is my favorite charcoal mask ever because it does not dry out your skin - and wipes away incredibly easily leaving a silky matte finish to your skin. It has a very rich charcoal color so you know it is intensely purifying your skin. I love using this mask on areas where I tend to break out or where a breakout is already in progress.
This mask is a mineral-rich mix of kaolin clay and charcoal. It gently exfoliates, draws out impurities, and soothes.
4. Rejuvenating Toner Pads
These are the ideal skincare step in between when you wash your face and when you apply a serum or moisturizer. I love the refreshed feel they give my face. The toner pads contain mixed fruit acid complex, vitamin C, lentil seed extract, algae extract and Spilanthes acmella flower. Yay plants! These pads help tone, refine and nourish your skin.
5. Body Oil in Citrus Rosemary
I adore a good body oil! This is a nourishing blend of 13 botanical oils. I use a few drops (sometimes a lot more!) right after my shower. It lifts me up with the essential oils aroma (grapefruit, sweet orange and rosemary) and also leaves my skin silky. I like to mix a few drops with the Hydrating Body Lotion too.
6. Color Sweep Blush Duo
I love this blush! It has gorgeous pigments and doesn't upset my sensitive skin. I love the Flamingo/Apricot color best, but all of the pigments are beautiful. This satiny powders contains Porcelain Flower Extract (a Thai bloom known for its antioxidant benefits) to help moisturize the skin.
7. Nourishing Day Cream
I love this day moisturizer. It goes on super rich and fluffy but does not feel heavy or greasy at all. It is an unscented formula containing a mix of organic coconut oil, safflower oil, and aloe - plus antioxidant-rich acai.
8. Lip Sheer
I always get super excited about vegan lipsticks and these lip sheer tubes provide beautiful pigments with safe ingredients. I cannot wait to try all the different colors. The Nude and Scarlet are the colors I love for my skin.
9. Color Shade Eye Duo
This eyeshadow goes on smooth and shimmery and has beautiful pigments. I love the pearl/champagne color. I even use the pearl tone as a highlighter along my cheekbones! Fawn/Night is another option. It contains Porcelain Flower Extract, a Thai bloom known for its antioxidant benefits.
10. Soothing Face Oil
If you are a fan of face oils you will love this product. And guess what, if you are not a fan of face oils you may still love this product! I used to say my skin was too unpredictable for a face oil. But just a few drops of this plant-based blend goes a long way. And I love that this oil has soothing calendula. I add a few drops to my moisturizer at night.
11. Rejuvenating Eye Cream
Ok, I am adding a #11 because I love this eye cream containing wild algae and caffeine. Your eyes are one of the most precious and sensitive parts of your body. So I only want safe and soothing products near them! I love the cooling, hydrating feel this eye cream has going on.
Nourishing Rosewater Mist
Rejuvenating Night Cream
Sugar body scrub in lemongrass
Rejuvenating Radiance Serum
Join Beautycounter's Band of Beauty Club for only $29 and get all this..
* 15% product credit with every order
* free shipping on all orders over $100
* complimentary gift just for signing up
* special offers, exclusively for members
I really hope you enjoyed this post and learned a few things! Please let me know if you plan on checking out Beautycounter or if you have any questions. I would also love to hear what other brands you trust and put your purchasing power behind! Leave them in the comments, or as always, email me. I love hearing what works for other like-minded consumers.
~ Kathy
ps. And if you are giving BC a try now or in the future, be sure to use my link! Beautycounter.com/KathyPatalsky I will be keeping in touch with my BC crew for sure!
pps. I am really excited to be representing Beautycounter as a vegan consultant. I really hope we can show BC how huge the demand is for vegan, plant-based products! BC is already doing an amazing job at producing vegan products, I hope they continue even more in that direction because I believe the demand is grand!
Great video if you want to learn more..
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disclosure: This is not a sponsored post, but I am happy to bring you guys info about Beautycounter as a consultant, and any purchase you make through me will receive a commission. I want to help you find products you love that are safe for you and your family. I am also incredibly impressed by the women behind the BC brand - both consultants and customers - I am excited to join in this community of women and learn more and be able to bring that knowledge to my readers!
