Top 21 Beautycounter Alternatives For Clean Beauty Enthusiasts
Written by Irina Webb
In the ever-evolving world of clean beauty, finding products that meet the I Read Labels For You standards is not easy. Additionally, as I’m approaching 50, I prioritize using toxin-free skincare products that help slow down skin aging. Similarly, I need makeup products that are not only safe but also perform well and make me look younger.
As a long-time advocate for clean beauty, I’ve experienced firsthand the benefits of using products free from harmful chemicals. These products not only improve my skin but also give me peace of mind as I know that what I put on my body is safe.
Beautycounter has been a pioneer in the clean beauty movement, for which I am grateful. In fact, I asked Beautycounter for heavy metal test reports many times over the span of two years. Beautycounters’ commitment to addressing heavy metal contamination in cosmetics led me to recommend some of their products. Furthermore, I witnessed how Beautycounter grew, shifting the cosmetic industry towards cleaner ingredients.
21 Beautycounter Alternatives
Due to financial hardships, Beautycounter (Counter Brand) had to close its doors. Understandably, this came as a shock to its many loyal customers and consultants.
In April 2024, the former CEO Gregg Renfrew acquired some of Counter Brand’s assets, including the right to sell some Beautycounter products in the future. However, Renfrew indicated that Beautycounter products would not be available until late 2024. As a result, it remains uncertain whether the entire product line will return.
Beautycounter was known for offering a wide range of clean beauty products catering to various skin types and concerns. However, I did not endorse all Beautycounter products, mainly due to the presence of phenoxyethanol preservative as well as synthetic makeup dyes in many of their products.
Consequently, I am sharing a selection of clean beauty brands that serve as excellent alternatives to Beautycounter. I have reviewed the ingredients in all my recommendations and can confirm they are among some of the safest in the world. Furthermore, I use many of them daily and believe you will enjoy them too!
Beautycounter Countertime Alternatives
To begin, Countertime was one of Beautycounter’s best-selling anti-aging skincare lines. Specifically, Countertime was designed for very dry skin and for combatting the signs of aging. A great alternative to the Countertime line is Crunchi’s youth-activating line, which has been my favorite since its debut.
In fact, Crunchi incorporates the most potent and safe youth-activating ingredients, surpassing Beautycounter’s standards with their extensive “banished list.” You’ll never find acrylate copolymers, carbomer, or phenoxyethanol in Crunchi’s skincare products. Additionally, Crunchi prioritizes organic extracts and oils and uses plastic-free packaging.
For a comprehensive list of the incredible active ingredients Crunchi employs, visit my Advanced Skin Care blog post. Plus, Crunchi offers a 10% discount code on your first purchase – ADVOCATE10.
Countertime Cleansing Oil Alternative
Let’s start at the very beginning of a skincare routine – cleansing. Crunchi’s cleansing balm is expertly designed to remove even the most stubborn waterproof makeup without drying the skin. Featuring turmeric, plant-based squalane, and sweet almond oil, it nourishes and hydrates your skin. In fact, it protects the skin’s natural barrier, which is essential for maintaining a healthy skin routine. This versatile balm can be used on its own or followed by Crunchi Gentle Facial Bar for an even more thorough cleanse. I believe this is a perfect swap for cleansing oil and suitable for a variety of skin types, including very dry skin.
Countertime Essence Alternative
Next, just like Beautycounter’s essence, Crunchi’s facial essence does not dry the skin. Instead, it soothes, hydrates, and prepares the skin to maximize the performance of anti-aging skincare products. This essence ensures your skin is primed and ready to absorb the full benefits of your skincare routine and is recommended for all skin types. It is also available in several skincare sets.
Countertime Tripeptide Radiance Serum Alternative
This is by far my favorite skincare product of all times! Unlike products that feature only one peptide (e.g., n-prolyl palmitoyl tripeptide-56 acetate), Crunchi Goldenlight serum boasts a 15% multi-peptide complex. This includes four collagen-stimulating and elastin-stimulating peptides:
- palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7
- palmitoyl tripeptide-5
- palmitoyl tripeptide-1, and
- palmitoyl tripeptide-38.
In addition to reducing the appearance of wrinkles, it hydrates and soothes the skin. I use it every day and love the radiance of my skin.
Countertime Antioxidant Soft Cream Alternative
Taking a step further, Crunchi designed an advanced facial cream that features a youth-activating complex that includes azelaic acid, bakuchiol, and stable vitamin C. Just like in the Countertime, these potent ingredients come in a soft cream and are designed to reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles as well as firm and plump the skin.
Countertime Supreme Cream Alternative
Similarly to Beautycounter Supreme Cream, Crunchi Nightlight Advanced Cream is a night cream designed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and visibly firm and plump the skin. Specifically, this potent product features a youth-activating complex that includes azelaic acid, bakuchiol, and vitamin C, delivering powerful anti-aging benefits and rejuvenating your complexion. My nightly routine wouldn’t be the same without this facial cream.
Countertime Ultra Renewal Eye Cream Alternative
Lastly, Crunchi’s eye cream not only brightens the eye area but also minimizes the appearance of crow’s feet, delivers a firmer look to the delicate eye area, and helps reduce puffiness. Ticking all the boxes, it features collagen-stimulating and elastin-stimulating peptides, vitamin C, niacinamide (Vitamin B3), plant-derived squalene, and green tea extract. I enjoy visible improvements around my eyes. You won’t find sodium acrylates copolymer in this potent eye cream, which is a great bonus.
Beautycounter Countermatch Alternatives
This skincare line was designed for everyone, or aging skin described as combination skin. Here are some examples of easy swaps you could make if you enjoyed the Countermatch products.
Countermatch Eye Rescue Cream Alternative
Like Countermatch eye cream, Crunchi’s eye cream targets puffiness and dark eye circles. The good results come from harnessed power of green tea extract as well as vitamin C and vitamin B3. Unlike Countermatch eye cream, Crunchi’s eye cream doesn’t contain salicylic acid. In my experience, Crunchi Powerlight Eye Cream works well on even the most sensitive eyes. This is a no-brainer recommendation!
Countermatch Refresh Foaming Cleanser Alternative
- Pure Haven Refresh Cleanser with Pre-Probiotics Bar
- Crunchi Gentle Facial Bar
- Crunchi Charcoal Facial Bar
Just like Countermatch cleanser, Pure Haven cleanser foams and cleans the skin very well for a soft and smooth feel. In fact, since I am normally very busy, I prefer to use Pure Haven’s cleanser because it removes my makeup so well that it allows me to skip using a makeup remover. Yet, it does not dry my skin at all. Importantly, unlike Countermatch cleanser, it does not contain cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine and acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer that increase the risk of an allergic reaction (source).
To clarify, Pure Haven is another one of my favorite brands, in addition to Crunchi. They also use squeaky clean ingredients and make sure there are no contaminants in their products. To specify, Pure Haven requires their ingredient suppliers to provide affidavits and disclose sub-ingredients. Plus, they test for PFAS, heavy metals, stability, mold, and interactions between packaging and products at an independent third-party laboratory. Moreover, they ensure water purity in their products by using a triple sediment filter, reverse osmosis, and a UV process.
Additionally, Crunchi Gentle and/or Charcoal facial bars are also excellent options to swap from Countermatch foaming cleanser.
Countermatch Adaptive Moisturizing Lotion
Much like Countermatch Adaptive Moisturizing Lotion, Crunchi Daylight Facial Cream is lightweight and offers all-day hydration. In fact, Crunchi Daylight Facial Cream is the most hydrating cream I have ever encountered. First, I live in a high desert area and can attest to its hydrating properties. Also, I have the opportunity to get feedback from many people who have used this product, and the consensus is clear – it is truly hydrating.
To achieve this unprecedented level of hydration, Crunchi Daylight features a blend of sea kelp, sea moss, and sodium hyaluronate. Particularly, sodium hyaluronate can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it incredibly effective at maintaining skin hydration levels. For best results, apply this hydrating cream to damp skin to lock in moisture and keep your skin feeling fresh and hydrated all day long.
Unlike Beautycounter’s lotion, Crunchi’s Daylight cream does not contain salicylic acid. Check out why salicylic acid might be a concern for pregnant women.
Countermatch Recovery Sleeping Cream
If you are looking for the way to rejuvenate your skin at night, look no further! Many women have shared with me how much they love the scent of this Crunchi’s night cream. Carefully selected organic plants create a spa-like relaxation experience without irritating or concerning ingredients. Again, unlike Countermatch Recovery Sleeping Cream, Crunchi’s night cream does not contain salicylic acid.
Beautycounter Retinol Alternatives
Just like Crunchi, Beautycounter did not use retinol in their skincare products. Instead, it harnessed the powerful properties of bakuchiol. Without a doubt, I am a big supporter of bakuchiol and like the fact that I can use it both day and night with the application of Crunchi Daylight and Nightlight Advanced Facial Creams. Personally, I appreciate the fact that bakuchiol fits so seamlessly into my routine with these two powerhouse creams.
Other Beautycounter Alternatives
Besides Countertime and Countermatch, Beautycounter had other skincare and personal care products. Let me help you find alternatives for them, too, at Pure Haven and Crunchi. (Remember to use the 10% discount code ADVOCATE10 on your first purchase at Crunchi.)
All Bright Vitamin C Serum Alternative
While both Beautycounter serum and Crunchi serum help even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of dark spots, they have different ingredients. Beautycounter’s serum achieved its goal with the power of two types of vitamin C: tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and bis-glyceryl ascorbate. In contrast, Crunchi’s vitamin C serum contains a stable form of vitamin C called “ascorbyl glucoside.” Plus, it has ferulic acid that enhances the potency of vitamin C without causing irritation.
Additionally, it features potent antioxidants like kakadu plum and snow mushroom which protect from blue light. Furthermore, it contains niacinamide that helps brighten your complexion. Importantly, Crunchi’s vitamin C serum does not contain acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer which can increase the risk of allergic reactions (source). This makes Crunchi’s vitamin C serum a gentle yet effective choice for achieving a radiant and even complexion. Besides, I am happy to report that after I used this serum on my hands for the dark spots, they disappeared after six weeks of use.
I love using Crunchi I AM Bright Vitamin C Facial Serum in the morning after Clarilight Essence and before Crunchi Daylight Advanced Facial Cream. By the way, Crunchi offers a facial oil made with equal attention to effective active ingredients.
Overnight Resurfacing Peel, Reflect Effect AHA Smoothing Facial Mask Alternative
Simplify your exfoliation by replacing two products with just one! Crunchi’s facial exfoliator is the only toxin-free exfoliator that combines safe amounts of natural acids (aka chemical exfoliants) and refined pumice (aka volcanic ash, a physical exfoliant) for effective and non-irritating exfoliation. I can’t recommend this enough as it has made the pores on my nose disappear.
Mighty Plump Ceramide Water Cream
If you need intense hydration, Crunchi Daylight Facial Cream has all the qualities you’re looking for. As I mentioned above, I believe Crunchi Daylight Facial Cream is the most hydrating cream you will ever find.
Beautycounter Sunscreen Alternatives
- Crunchi Sunlight Facial SPF 30
- Crunchi Sunlight Body SPF 30
- Pure Haven Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
- Pure Haven Sunscreen Stick SPF 30
My two favorite companies – Crunchi and Pure Haven – make safe and effective mineral sunscreens. Notably, they are formulated with the safest and most effective UV filter made with non-nano zinc oxide. This amazing ingredient not only shields you from UVB rays but also provides superior protection from long UVA rays which can cause melanoma.
All of these SPF options are light, non-greasy, ultra-hydrating, and leave no white cast. Crunchi Sunlight Facial SPF 30 fits perfectly into my skincare routine, both when I use facial foundation and when I don’t. I apply it every morning after Crunchi I AM Bright Vitamin C Serum, followed by Crunchi Advanced Daylight Face Cream.
When outside or at the pool, I use Crunchi Sunlight Body SPF 30, packaged in a durable, eco-friendly aluminum bottle. Of course, Crunchi took steps to ensure it was made with a BPA/BPS/BPF-free lining, too. I like the fact that it is easy to pump the sunscreen and use the same product for my son’s and husband’s face and body as well as my own.
Beautycounter Shampoo Alternatives
- Pure Haven Supergreens Shampoo
- Pure Haven Sweet Orange Shampoo
- Pure Haven Curl Enhancing Shampoo
- Pure Haven Charcoal Detox Shampoo
My husband used to love Beautycounter’s shampoo – it was a great option for him. But he will switch over to Pure Haven now. Some of Pure Haven bestsellers include haircare products. In fact, after trying an endless number of shampoos over the years, I truly believe that Pure Haven shampoos are the best among clean shampoos. My sensitive scalp has never been happier.
Thus, Pure Haven Sweet Orange hair products are excellent for all types of hair. And Pure Haven Supergreens haircare products are ideal for anyone who wants to grow healthy hair and add volume without frizz. As for Pure Haven Curl Enhancing collection, it is great for people with curls and coils or dry and unruly hair. Lastly, Pure Haven Charcoal Detox shampoo is great for occasional use if you have hard water and/or have used silicone-based shampoos.
Beautycounter Deodorant Alternatives
Many of us know what it’s like to search for a reliable and safe deodorant. Thankfully Pure Haven makes excellent deodorants, too. If you are sensitive to baking soda, Pure Haven offers a baking soda-free deodorant. For more deodorant options, check out my recent blog post about Dove deodorant and what to use instead.
Beautycounter Makeup Alternatives
Thankfully, just like Beautycounter’s, Crunchi’s makeup is high performing. Actually, I use Crunchi makeup almost exclusively – it’s that good! The primary difference between the two brands is that Crunchi does not use synthetic lake dyes.
As you may know, synthetic dyes used to be made from coal tar and are now made from petroleum. Besides the residues of heavy metals, they may contain the residues of carcinogenic and/or endocrine-disrupting by-products of petroleum (source). In addition, some dyes are linked to carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, and hypersensitivity (source).
How do you spot synthetic dyes among the ingredients on a product label? They may be listed by names and/or their CI number (e.g., Ext. Yellow 7 (CI 10316), Orange 4 (CI 15510), Red 4 (CI 14700), Red 31 (CI 15800), Red 36 (CI 12085)). Because Crunchi does not use synthetic dyes in their makeup, you won’t see as many shade varieties in their color cosmetics. However, it is an easy trade-off for me, especially after I discovered how well they work!
Beautycounter Mascara Alternative
Well, first, Beautycounter’s mascara contained phenoxyethanol, a preservative I recommend avoiding. Yet, because I was on the hunt for a well-performing mascara, I tried their mascara and discovered that it did not provide the volume I was looking for.
Of course, it is not easy to find a non-toxic mascara that works well for everyone. Consequently, Crunchi’s mascara has mixed reviews. Some women love it because it provides good volume and definition while others find that it can shed.
In my personal observation, the risk of shedding increases when women have long eyelashes, oily lids, and live in a humid climate. With that said, Crunchi’s mascara’s formula is one of the best preforming among the clean mascaras, making it a great contender.
Beautycounter Foundation Alternative
Unlike Beautycounter’s Skin Twin Featherweight Foundation that provided medium coverage, Crunchi’s facial foundation provides full coverage that can be adjusted. For example, if you are like me and prefer only light coverage, you can still use this clean foundation.
First, be sure to use Crunchi Smart Primer. Then, put three tiny drops of the foundation on Brush No. 1, dot it on your face, and blend it with the brush. Of course, you can add more if necessary.
By the way, the foundation will last a long time if you use it for light coverage. Not sure which shade is right for you? I can help if you email me your picture in the natural light without makeup and tell me what Beautycounter foundation shade you were using. For more on how Crunchi foundation compares with many others, visit my Clean Foundation blog post.
Crunchi Skincare And Makeup Products Review
To sum up, Crunchi offers a variety of great skincare products for different ages and skin types. Not only is Crunchi safe, but it’s also packed with active ingredients that work around the clock. They even have a skincare quiz that will help you learn how to address your skin needs in the best possible way.
And for more information on Crunchi’s makeup, please visit my Crunchi Makeup Review blog post.
Pure Haven Skincare And Personal Care Products Review
Pure Haven has a complete skincare line for different skin types, too. Importantly, they use pre- and probiotics that can help restore the skin microbiome and help heal sensitive skin. I love the fact that Pure Haven manufactures almost all of their clean products in small batches at their own USDA-certified organic facility in Rhode Island. This provides good control and flexibility over the manufacturing processes. To learn more about Pure Haven, check out my Pure Haven Review.
To check out all Pure Haven clean products, visit the Pure Haven website here. Know that Pure Haven has a 60-day empty bottle guarantee on all its products.
Summary: What To Use As A Beautycounter Alternative?
While The Future Of Beautycounter Is Uncertain, Clean Beauty Enthusiasts Have Excellent And Safe Alternatives Available At Crunchi And Pure Haven.
In conclusion, while it’s unfortunate that Beautycounter’s doors have closed for now, there is no shortage of safe and effective skincare, makeup, hair, and body products available to take their place. Among these, Crunchi skincare stands out as one of the safest on the market, offering several lines suitable to replace Beautycounter’s popular Countertime and Countermatch products.
Crunchi has meticulously packed their face creams, exfoliators, and other products with safe active ingredients, delivering impressive anti-aging results that I can personally attest to as a daily user of their skincare and makeup. Specifically, their multipeptide serum is my all-time favorite skincare product. I am confident that Beautycounter lovers will find that Crunchi skincare meets and probably even exceeds their expectations.
Additionally, Pure Haven is another excellent option, going head-to-head with Crunchi in quality and care. As a manufacturer advisor for ingredient safety, I can confidently state that few companies match Pure Haven’s diligence. Their extensive lineup of top-notch products includes standout alternatives to Beautycounter’s offerings, particularly in cleansers, shampoos, and sunscreens.
To sum up, while we bid farewell to Beautycounter for a season, the commitment to safe and effective beauty products continues strong with Crunchi and Pure Haven leading the way. These brands ensure you can maintain your beauty routine with confidence and peace of mind. Please know that for first-time customers, Crunchi offers 10% off on the purchase of $50+ with my link and the ADVOCATE10 discount code and Pure Haven provides 15% off.
For more information, please see my Crunchi Makeup Review and check out my Pure Haven archives to learn even more about their amazing products.
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