Clean Products That Work: My Picks

Beauty

Jun 22

I wanted to compile a post with all the products I currently use & love! I will edit and change as a add or take away products. I hope you find it helpful!

If you want a personalized skin care recommendation, fill out my skin care survey here. I will email you back shortly after you fill it out! I love this concierge-like part of my business!
Stay in the know! Sign up for my Beautycounter News Crew & stay up-to date with promotions, new products, & clean living hacks. (I send pretty great emails, if I do say so myself!)
Learn how to save money while shopping with Beautycounter by reading this quick post!
If you’re more of a Facebook guru, join my Clean Living with Paulina group for tips, promotions, and education!
If Instagram is your thing, follow me @paulinacomesclean!
Looking for samples? Fill out my sample request form & I’ll drop some to you in the mail!
Want to read more about which ingredients to avoid? I wrote a blog here.

Personal Note: Let me start by saying, pre-Beautycounter I had the most difficult time finding shades that worked with my fair complexion and products that didn’t irritate my sensitive skin. Turns out, I was using not very safe products. I made the switch to clean & never looked back! I have not only not experienced irritation, but have had incredible results. Products can be both safe & high-performing!

My Minimal Clean Makeup routine:

This literally takes me no more than 5 minutes to accomplish! If you are looking to overhaul your makeup bag, I suggest checking out our Flawless in Five set. It’s 5 products that take 5 minutes & every product is completely customizable.

Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer in No.2: A MUST-HAVE PRODUCT! I hardly ever go a day without wearing this product! Daily SPF is so important and Dew Skin contains SPF 20. It also gives me a nice dewy glow!
Skin Twin Creamy Concealer in Fair 2: I love that we have expanded our shade offerings in this concealer because it makes it so you have a PERFECT fit. I am obsessed with the creamy, easy to blend formula. This is returning Summer 2022!
Brilliant Brow Gel in Medium and/or Brow Pencil in Medium: Brows are something I just started focusing on a few years ago. I have really light brown, almost blonde brows, and my hair is darker. I noticed when I use the pencil to fill in & the gel to hold them in place, it’s a match made in heaven! It really frames my face well. Some days brows are all I do (along with Dew Skin!)
Illuminating Cream Highlighter in Bronze: Since I have more dry skin, this creamy formula is perfect and doesn’t dry out my skin like some powders tend to do. I love the subtlety of this bronzer on my fair skin with just a hint of shimmer (not glitter!). I also use it as an eyeshadow sometimes!
Illuminating Cream Highlighter in Pearl: Again, I love this formulation. The highlighter adds a little oomph and pizazz to my look. I just it above my cheekbones and right under my eyebrows to reflect the light.
Think Big All-In-One Mascara: Clean, safe mascara is arguably the hardest product to formulate. Many of the top ingredients are harmful so it’s basically like creating it from scratch. Although there are some mixed reviews on this mascara, I really have enjoyed it & feel it gives my lashes the boost they need. I do curl my lashes prior to application.
Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick in Terra: This is my go-to, everyday color. I call the Lip Sheers, glorified chapstick. I have never used a more hydrating lipstick than this one. I also like how it’s a neutral shade with a hint of pink.
Beyond Lip Gloss in Rosewood: How Beautycounter created a lip gloss that’s not sticky I will never know! I didn’t know it was even possible! Rosewood is my favorite shade to wear year-round. Also, I love the hint of vanilla!

Booster items:

Skin Twin Featherweight Foundation in Fair 150: This is a buildable, fuller coverage foundation. It has an ingredient called hyaluronic acid, which helps plump & smooth skin. I love that it’s fully a makeup product, but also has incredible skin care benefits. PRO TIP: Mix one pump of this with Dew Skin for a perfectly natural, yet dewy look.
Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick in Rosewood: Again, another Rosewood lip product, but this one if a longer-wear lipstick. I love this for date nights or when I don’t want to have to reapply.
Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick in Orchid: For more color, I like this Orchid sheer. It’s lovely for day or night.
Mattifying Powder: This is a translucent setting powder. My skin isn’t very oily so I use this under my eyes to set my concealer and prevent any mascara smudges. It does a great job setting makeup and combatting oil.

Tools:

Powder Brush: When I use powders, I like to use this larger brush. I feel it gives a nice natural look and applies the product well.
Better Blender: When I am using the Skin Twin, Dew Skin, and/or Concealer I use this fantastic blender. It gives me the perfect application without the caked-on feeling.

Shop Beautycounter Makeup

My Clean Skin Care Regimen:

I am a firm believer in a step-by-step regimen when it comes to skin care. I wrote a blog all about sticking to a 30 day regimen and why it’s so important. You can read it here. I do switch a few products in and out when new things launch or I feel my skin needs something different. Here’s the regimen I have been using for a while now. Notice I use different products in the AM and PM based on my skin’s needs.

AM Routine:

Cleanser- Counterstart Cococream Cleanser
Toner- Countertime Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence
Serum- Countermatch Intense Moisture Serum
Treatment- Counter+ All Bright C Serum
Moisturizer- Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion
Eye Cream- Countermatch Eye Rescue Cream

PM Routine:

Cleanser- Countercontrol Clear Pore Cleanser
Toner- Countermatch Hydra-Gel Radiance Toner
Serum- Countermatch Intense Moisture Serum
Moisturizer- Countermatch Recovery Sleeping Cream
Eye Cream- Countertime Ultra Renewal Eye Cream

My As Needed Products:

Counter+ Charcoal Facial Mask: I like to do this mask in the AM after I have sipped my coffee & finished my workout. It draws out oil and impurities, diminishes pore size, & helps with any blemishes or acne. This also works great overnight as a spot treatment. PRO TIP: masking with a friend is twice as fun!
HERBIVORE Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Face Mist: This has become a newfound favorite! I use it if I’m feeling a bit dry, setting my makeup, or just want a refresher throughout the day. PRO TIP: store it in your fridge for an extra refreshing mist experience!
Countercontrol SOS Acne Spot Treatment: MUST-HAVE for anyone! We have all likely had a blemish pop up at less than convenient times & this spot treatment wipes them out quick! A little goes such a long way.
Counter+ Overnight Resurfacing Peel: I was nervous about first using this on my sensitive skin, but I am glad I finally did! It’s helped my redness and hormonal acne the most of any other product. I use it at night, let it do it’s magic, & wake up with glowing skin. Key ingredients: AHA & BHA gentle, yet effective acids.
Counter+ Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm: I love when products are multi-functional. It’s a cleanser, makeup remover, moisturizer, and overnight hydrating mask. It’s helped with my hormonal breakouts and is my favorite product to use during the dry months of the year. This truly is the #1 product I recommend. Again, with my sensitive skin, I was extremely nervous to use this balm, and again was proven wrong.
Counter+ No.1 Brightening Facial Oil: This oil has been so hydrating for my face at night & it’s liquid gold. It lasts me a long time because I only use 3-4 drops at a time. I also use it when I use my gua sha tool to prevent any pulling of my skin.

Taken right after my morning routine. No makeup, just natural lighting! My skin has never looked or felt better than it does with clean products! — Taken right after my morning routine. No makeup, just natural lighting! My skin has *never looked or felt better* than it does with clean products!

Shop Beautycounter Skin Care

My Clean Body & hair favorites:

Body Wash in Citrus Mimosa: This is a staple in our house. I have it in every bathroom (and a few back-ups) because I could never stand to run out of it! A product being applied to a majority of your largest organ needs to be safe and thankfully, this one is just that! Made with safe & tested extracts for the subtle scent, rather than synthetic fragrances.

Daily Shampoo: I love how this safe shampoo lathers. My hair and scalp did go through about a 3 month detox when switching to clean hair products. This is completely natural and your hair just needs to re-adjust. PRO TIP: I wash my hair 2x and I feel like it gives me more body and a deeper clean!

Daily Conditioner: This is a great basic conditioner. I have used it for over 4 years and my hair has loved it!

Countermatch Adaptive Body Moisturizer: This is my go-to body lotion. I use it every time I get out of the shower. Sometimes, if I am feeling funky, I add a drop or two of my favorite essential oil. Plus, it’s made without parabens.

Counter+ Charcoal Cleansing Bar: I used to struggle hard with back and chest acne. Some of that was hormonal, but since using the Charcoal Bar it’s pretty much cleared it up. I get the occasional breakout here and there, but it’s way better than any other bar I’ve tried. Oh, and it’s not drying!

Sugarbuff Body Polish in Lemongrass: Perfect to remove dead skin cells & get those silky-smooth legs! It smells like a fun summer drink, which is pretty awesome! PRO TIP: use this scrub first, then the Charcoal Bar to shave. Talk about a close shave!

Lip Conditioners in Peppermint & Calendula: Lip care is often overlooked. I have always been a chapstick/lip balm person, and these 2 conditioners by Beautycounter treat any dry skin I may have. Key soothing ingredients: avocado oil, shea butter, meadowfoam seed oil, and jojoba oil.

G.Tox Himalayan Salt Scalp Scrub Shampoo: This is a newer product I have been using the last few months. I have naturally curly, dry, frizzy hair and means I don’t wash my hair very often. My scalp also tends to get dry & this scalp scrub really does the trick! I follow it with the Daily Conditioner to boost hydration and tame the frizz.

Flower Bath: I never used to be a bath person, until this bath soak! It smells so romantic & dreamy and leaves my skin feeling so soft. (Use code PAULINA10 for 10% off your first Primally Pure order!)

Body Butter in Citrus Mimosa: After I bathe, I lather myself in this body butter. I also keep this in my nightstand and apply it to my feet nearly every night. It really helps with dry, rough skin.

Dry Brush: Taking slow moments for yourself is so important. One of my favorite ways (in addition to Gua Sha) is by dry brushing. You do this pre-shower & it’s said to help increase circulation, exfoliate, detoxify, & improve the appearance of your skin. Read more about the benefits here.

Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30: With my fair skin, sunscreen is used frequently. It wasn’t until I switched to clean that I realized how harmful sunscreen can be for me and for the environment. This is a mineral formulation, which creates a barrier on your skin to reflect UVA, UVB, & blue light rays. Also, I notice I don’t sweat or break out from this lotion either! YAY!

Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 30: This stick is perfect for my face. It is great for a pool day, yard work, or anytime I will be in the sun. I am adamant about applying sunscreen whenever I head outside because the sun can damage our skin in really harmful ways. It lasts me a long time & doesn’t clog my pores and create breakouts.

Beautycounter's Clean Deo in Fresh Coconut: Three of the most harmful ingredients that may be found in conventional deodorant are parabens, fragrance, & aluminum. I made the switch to a safer deodorant & it took time to detox, but now it’s so worth it! I love this coconut & refillable option!

Gua Sha tool: I was recently turned on to this by quite a few skin care gurus. I heard it helps release tension and sinus pressure and reduce puffiness, all things I struggle with. I have not be in a routine of doing this every day, but that’s the goal! Read more about it’s benefits here.