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Here's another product from Beautycounter that's labeled "soothing," but actually contains ingredients that could make skin more irritated, not calmed down! That's a downer, because the rest of the formula is made up of gentle, yet thorough, cleansing agents and lesser amounts of some non-irritating plant oils (like apricot kernel oil and grapeseed oil) that would have been great for slightly dry to combination skin, albeit at an absurdly high price!
The ingredients that could cause problems in this foaming cleanser are horsetail extract (listed here as Equisetum arvense), jasmine oil, and rose oil. All three have the potential to cause skin irritation, and rose oil also poses a risk of allergic contact dermatitis.
Another potential problem is the inclusion of Artemisia pallens flower oil. Though there is little research into its impact, if any, on skin, it is a fragrant plant oil—and fragrance itself can irritate skin. While these ingredients aren't present in very large amounts—and this wash is meant to be rinsed off—there is still the potential for the ingredients to irritate skin, and that's not what you want in a soothing product!
Given the risk of irritation, we just can't recommend spending time with Countertime Soothing Face Wash. We suggest selecting one of the superior options on our list of Best Cleansers instead.
Pros:
- Contains a mix of gentle cleansing agents and emollients that are suitable for dry skin.
Cons:
- Contains several fragrant ingredients and plant extracts that have the potential to irritate skin.
- Super-expensive given the rather standard formula and the small size!
Beautycounter At-A-Glance
Beautycounter is the brainchild of self-described serial entrepreneur Gregg Renfrew, a woman who is perhaps best known for serving on the board of Martha Stewart Living after selling her bridal registry company, The Wedding List, to Stewarts media empire. Renfrew has worked as a consultant on cosmetics lines from celebrities like Kate Hudson and Jessica Alba.
Renfrew says she decided to start her own cosmetics line after learning that not all the ingredients used in cosmetics were safe, so Beautycounter was launched in 2013. The brands primary focus is provide what it calls safe skincare to consumers, with its website stating that a rigorous ingredient selection process is used to ensure nothing harmful is used.
For all the interest Beautycounter has stirred up, the line is by and large lackluster, and in many cases overpriced for what you get. Many of the formulas start out with potential, but are ultimately derailed by either the inclusion of potential skin irritants or the jar packaging, which will render many of their beneficial ingredients ineffective over time.
Beautycounter products can be purchased through its website or through product consultants who do home sales parties. For more information, visit www.beautycounter.com.
About the Experts
The Beautypedia team consists of skin care and makeup experts personally trained by the original Cosmetics Cop and best-selling beauty author, Paula Begoun. We’re fascinated by skin care and makeup products and thrilled when they meet or exceed our expectations, but we’re also disappointed when they fail to perform as claimed, are wildly overpriced, or contain ingredients scientific research has proven can hurt skin.
Our mission has always been to help you find the best products for your skin, no matter your budget or preferences. Beautypedia’s thorough and insightful reviews cut through the hype and provide reliable recommendations for all ages, skin types, and skin tones.
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