Beauty Dermatologists Swear These Are the Best Beautycounter Products Overwhelmed by all the Beautycounter skin-care products out there? These are the best Beautycounter products that derms use themselves — and can't live without. By Taylor Jean Stephan Taylor Jean Stephan Taylor is a freelance writer. She previously held the beauty and style editor title at E! News for 5 years where she oversaw the shopping vertical and appeared as an on-air correspondent. Her writing can be found in WWD, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Oprah Daily, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, The Zoe Report, and more. Shape's editorial guidelines Published on January 18, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Courtesy of Merchant / Design by Jo Imperio When it comes to navigating the world of clean beauty, a few brands stand out. Among them is Beautycounter, a leading clean beauty brand with a sterling reputation and more than 150 products spanning multiple beauty and skin-care categories. Take one of their best-selling items for example: Counter+ All Bright C Serum (Buy It, $82, beautycounter.com) boasts more than 6,000 glowing customer reviews. It's safe to say the line has a cult following and it's not uncommon for customers to shop the label exclusively. (More: Is Grapeseed Oil for Skin Everything It's Cracked Up to Be?) The beauty brand is not messing around when it comes to its steadfast brand ethos around truly "clean" beauty, and dermatologists agree. "With so much greenwashing, consumer confusion, and lack of clarity in clean beauty, Beautycounter has been very successful in transparency in their standards of quality, safety, and integrity with ingredients that perform," explains Los Angeles-based board-certified dermatologist Ava Shamban M.D. The brand even created what they call "the never list" comprised of 1,800 ingredients banned from their products. Since U.S. regulations on beauty product ingredients are notoriously lax compared to many other countries, this list includes chemicals and ingredients the brand opts to leave out even if they are technically "allowed." For example, the never list includes formaldehyde (a preservative linked to cancer of the nasal sinuses and leukemia), which is currently not regulated by the FDA, and hydroquinone (a skin-lightening chemical linked to organ toxicity and skin irritation) which was only recently banned in 2020 in the US. Beautycounter is also committed to sustainability through responsible ingredient sourcing and packaging. In fact, the brand claims that by 2025, 100 percent of its packaging will be made with recycled materials, and will be refillable, reusable, or compostable. ( These Innovations Are Making Your Beauty Products More Sustainable Interested in checking out the best Beautycounter products and reviews for yourself? Two dermatologists, who use the brand themselves, share their top Beautycounter skin-care product picks — and what makes them so special — below. The Best Beautycounter Products, According to Dermatologists 01 of 08 Best Beautycounter Makeup Remover: Beautycounter+ Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm Courtesy of Merchants Buy Now Board-certified dermatologist Dustin Portela, D.O., also known as @208skindoc on Instagram and TikTok, is a big fan of double cleansing. To start, he recommends this lotus-powered cleansing balm. "It's a great way to remove makeup, or sunscreen before a traditional gentle cleanser," says Dr. Portela. Meant to be applied without water, this buttery blend melts into skin upon contact. Lotus extract and jojoba seed oil help balance oil production and prevent clogged pores, while avocado seed oil contains antioxidants and essential fatty acids that help keep skin supple. If your skin is feeling extra dry, slather on this Beautycounter product on before bed and wear it as an overnight mask, he says. 02 of 08 Best Beautycounter Brightening Serum: Counter+ All Bright C Serum Courtesy of Merchants Buy Now "Every morning I put on vitamin C before my sunscreen," says Dr. Portela. It's quick-absorbing, which makes it the perfect layering product to use during the day. The star ingredient, vitamin C, is an antioxidant that works double time to protect the skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure. This Beautycounter product is clinically-proven to even skin tone and boost skin radiance, according to the brand. Dr. Portela says he likes this formula for its unique, powerful 10 percent blend of two ultra-stable (meaning less likely to oxidize) forms of the vitamin. It also includes turmeric, which helps with the appearance of fine lines (and gives the serum it's yellow tinge), and camu camu fruit extract that helps to brighten dark spots. 03 of 08 Best Beautycounter Moisturizer for Dry Skin: Countermatch Recovery Sleeping Cream Courtesy of Merchants Buy Now This hydrating night cream sleeping cream is Dr. Portela's favorite nighttime Beautycounter skin-care product. "I tend to prefer a more rich moisturizer before bed and this fits the bill," he says. The thick, reparative texture is thanks to a trio of hyaluronic acid, squalane, and plum oil. This Beautycounter product actually has two forms of hyaluronic acid that, along with squalane oil, deliver deep, lasting moisture. There's a small dose of phytic acid, an antioxidant that helps defend against free radicals, in there too. It's the plum oil, rich in omegas 6, 9 and vitamin E, that helps you get that healthy, dewy glow come morning. 04 of 08 Best for Shaving: Counterman Smoothing Shave Cream Courtesy of Merchants Buy Now Dr. Portela stands by this trusty $20 shaving cream, which can be used by anyone, anywhere on the body. The formula is made with sensitive skin in mind: It's fragrance free and has a soft, lotion-like feel. "I appreciate a shaving cream that is very hydrating to the skin, helping my skin feel smoother and healthier after shaving," he says. The ingredient list is no frills: shea butter, aloe, and the brand's own sequoia stem cell complex — literally stem cells harvested from Sequoia trees. (P.S. No trees are harmed during this process.) (More: Everything You Need to Know About Trying Laser Hair Removal At Home) 05 of 08 Best Beautycounter Lip Balm: Lip Conditioner in Candula Courtesy of Merchants Buy Now It's common to experience chapped lips in the colder months when humidity levels drop. Pair harsh weather conditions with nonstop mask wearing (and the maskne), and it's no surprise your lips are in need of a little TLC. This nourishing lip conditioner will do the job, says Dr. Shamban. This Beautycounter lip product is rich in lipids such as avocado, shea butter, jojoba and castor oil, which lock in moisture. Calendula and chamomile oils not only calm inflammation, but give the product it's sweet signature scent, according to the brand. "This group of ingredients hydrate, calm, soften, and seal to hold in moisture and protect the delicate lip tissue," assures the pro. (Another lip balm shoppers rave about is the new launch from Ilia Beauty) 06 of 08 Best Beautycounter Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin: Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion Courtesy of Merchants Buy Now This lightweight lotion has more than 4,000 reviews and happens to be a brand bestseller. It's perfect for every day and tackles dry skin woes like a champ. "It's always [good] when a light lotion includes triglycerides, aloe vera, squalane, and plum oil," says Dr. Shamban. Triglycerides smooth skin and help bind other ingredients together, aloe vera soothes inflammation, while squalane and plum oil help to draw in moisture and restore the skin's elasticity. It also has sunflower seed oil, which naturally contains oleosomes (natural oil often found in seeds). "Oleosomes helps to release the moisture, which keeps the product working longer," adds Dr. Shamban. (Related: Could Your Sensitive Skin Actually Be ~Sensitized~ Skin?) 07 of 08 Best Beautycounter Makeup Prep Serum: Glow First Priming Serum Courtesy of Merchants Buy Now You know that good makeup starts with good skin care. Enter this Beautycounter product, a prep serum recommended by Dr. Shamban. The gel-like formula gives you a silky smooth canvas for makeup application or a natural glow if you're going barefaced. "It has super powers that can work on the texture and tone of your skin," she adds. The magic is in the ingredients, which include jojoba esters that help smooth the skin and give it a plump appearance. "Algae and tri-peptides also help to keep skin plump and radiant but shield skin from environmental damage and free radical oxidation, which break down our collagen and elastin." 08 of 08 Best Beautycounter Body Wash: Counterman Energizing Charcoal Body Wash Courtesy of Merchants Buy Now Dr. Shamban raves about the ingredient list on this energizing Beautycounter body wash. Perhaps the biggest selling point? The spa-like aromas of eucalyptus, cedar wood, rosemary, and mint that anyone will enjoy. "Charcoal helps to remove impurities from the skin while glycerine, coconut, and grapeseed moisturize the skin," she explains. Tap water from your shower often makes the skin too alkaline, altering the skin's delicate pH, so you want to use a gentle product that won't strip away moisture, says Dr. Shamban. Free of harsh sulfates, "[this product] protects the acid mantle and will help keep skin fit from bacteria and other harmful pathogens or substances," she shares. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit