A few months ago, I was lucky enough to get a sneak peak at Beautycounter’s new line of acne products: Countercontrol*. I’ve been a Proactiv user more than once in the past. So of course I wanted to know how the non-toxic line would stack up. I tested the entire line for a week, snapped some pics and have been patiently waiting to share my thoughts for months. And today I’m breaking it all down for you. It’s time for a full Countercontrol* review.
WHAT IS COUNTERCONTROL?
Countercontrol is the newest line in the Beautycounter skincare range. Ideally, it’s for those with oil or acne prone skin. However, if you get the occasionally spot or hormonal breakout, you might find the line useful too.
WHICH PRODUCTS DID I TRY?
I tried the entire line which includes the clear pore cleanser*, instant matte toner*, all over acne treatment*, sos acne spot treatment* and the matte effect gel cream*. And because I love a good face oil, I also added in the Beautycounter Balancing Facial Oil*.
HOW LONG DO THEY LAST?
I borrowed the full line for about a week so I can’t say exactly. But based on previous experience, I’d say that depending on the product you’d probably get a month out of them. If you double cleanse, maybe a little less with the cleanser.
HOW DO THEY PERFORM?
I like to double cleanse when it comes to my nightly routine. Often I’ll use a balm to talk off my makeup before washing my face. But I wanted to know if the Countercontrol cleanser would stand up to the job. And it did great! No issues breakdown my makeup. I found the spot treatment worked well and didn’t overly dry my skin. Overall, my complexion looked calmer and clearer within just a few days.
WHAT’S THE PRICE?
The products range in price from $22 to $38 dollars.
WHAT’S THE SHIPPING LIKE?
Shipping costs depend on the price of your order. They start at $5.95 and go up from there. But if you want more specifics, Beautycounter has a full list breakdown on their site.
CAN I GET THEM IN STORES?
The best way to get Countercontrol is through a consultant. Beautycounter does pop-up shops but finding them in stores is highly unlikely.
HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO PROACTIV?
When I first heard about Countercontrol, my mind immediately went to Proactiv. I spent years using the line with success. But I knew I wanted to be able to move towards more anti-aging and less harsh products. And if my skincare products were bleaching my sheets and towels, I could only imagine what they were doing to my face.
Comparison wise, I’d say it’s on par with Proactiv. The range is solid but there isn’t a dedicated mask to the Countercontrol range. However, Beautycounter has recently brought out a skincare quiz to help you find the best products for your skin type on their website. So you can mix and match to make sure you’re getting what your skin needs. I definitely found it to be less harsh than Proactiv. No bleaching issues or skin drying issues.
CAN I GET A SAMPLE?
Yes but only through consultants. I have a friend who loves to sample out sets of products for potential clients to use over a couple of days. And it’s a great way to get to try the line and really get a feel for the products.
Will I Use Them Again?
Absolutely! I’ve been patiently waiting for this launch for months. My current skin routine is already pretty solid. But when I run out of products, I’ll happily reach for items in this line to swap in.
ANYTHING ELSE?
I really enjoyed testing this line so I’m glad it’s finally been released into the world. And if I’m honest, I would have loved to have this years ago when I wanted to come off Proactiv. In my opinion, the price point is fairly reasonable compared to other lines like it (Murad, Proactiv, etc). Plus, you can buy it as a set or just the individual products. The nice thing about shopping with Beautycounter is that they do have a rewards program. So when you spend with them, you can get cash back towards products to use later. Win win!
Overall, I super excited for people to get to try this line. I know how much having acne sucks. So if there is a non-toxic alternative that’s affordable and can get the job done, I’m here for it!
