Well, it's official. I feel a bit older sitting here raving about an anti-aging skincare line, but I suppose the time has come! And I'm glad mine is here with this amazing collection.
Before I dive into the details about this unique and innovative anti-aging line, make sure you understand the basics of aging skin by reading this post. And it wouldn't hurt to refresh on why retinol is not the best option here. I'll touch a bit on both, but if you want ALL the details, that's where I suggest starting!
Let's dive in!
Meet Countertime
I love this line: At Beautycounter, we believe that age is an attitude and good skin is a science.
The Countertime Collection is designed to visibly reverse signs of aging and deliver high-performance clean skin-care results, thanks to an innovative plant-derived Retinatural Complex (explained under Why It's Safer).
Being in my early 30s, I was a fan of the Rejuvenating collection, however I did hear from clients and members that they felt the clean anti-aging products could be "stronger." The company worked on this new blend for over 3 years and I have to say, they nailed it!
After just four weeks of use:
91% of participants said skin felt renewed and looked revitalized
97% of participants said skin texture felt smoother
88% of participants said skin looked more youthful
88% of participants said Countertime reduced fine lines and wrinkles
*Based on an independent, 32-subject consumer perception study using Countertime Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil, Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence, Tripeptide Radiance Serum, Antioxidant Soft Cream (am), and Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream (pm) for four weeks
The Line-Up
The collection contains 6 products sorted into our recommended 4 steps:
Cleanse:
Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil
This oil is really unique. It was inspired by Asian beauty rituals and Japanese technology using the ideas of "double cleansing." It starts as an oil and turns to a milk when warm water is added. It gently removes makeup and impurities and doesn't disrupt the skin's lipid surface, which leaves the moisture barrier intact (important for aging skin).
Key ingredients include the Retinatural Complex (comparable to retinol without side effects) and Vitamin E + Essential Fatty Acids (help maintain moisture barrier)
I love the way my skin feels after using this oil! It's very lightweight (even the smell) and feels really luxurious. It's a must-try!
Toner:
Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence
I never used an essence product before this, and truthfully, I was always pretty bad about the "tone" step of my routine... but I'm officially converted. I attribute the essence to getting rid of my blackheads and minimizing pore size on my nose!
This essence is lightweight but deeply nourishing, boosting skin's hydration and radiance. It is again formulated with Retinatural Complex, plus Fermented Sugars which help soothe skin and slow effects of aging, as well as Sea Water, which is rich in minerals and has been proven to help restore vital nutrients and minerals to the skin while boosting radiance and minimizing the appearance of pores.
Treatment:
Tripeptide Radiance Serum
Serums have always been too strong for my skin, so I incorporate this product only a couple times a week, but other's whose skin can handle them LOVE this product (see below).
This Rejuvenating treatment visibly increases skin's firmness and elasticity, while also reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
It uses the Retinatural Complex plus Tripeptides, which work to boost skin firmness and minimize look of fine lines and wrinkles, while keeping skin plump and Amino Acids which help protect skin from damaging environmental stressors which leads to aging.
Moisturize:
Antioxidant Soft Cream (I recommend for AM)
This velvety, revitalizing cream works to visibly plump and firm the skin while boosting hydration. Skin looks healthy and glowing.
I find this formula to be super lightweight and non-greasy. It feels wonderful on my skin and performs well underneath my makeup.
The Soft Cream is formulated with the Retinatural Complex + Fermented Sugars, plus Nasturtium Flower Extract which helps reinforce the skin barrier and also helps protect and defend the skin during the day.
Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream (I recommend for PM)
This cream just screams LUXURY. Supremely rich and deeply hydrating, supreme cream supports elasticity and visibly firms while smoothing skin texture to minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles. With continued use, wake up to more radiant, youthful-looking skin.
The Supreme Cream includes Retinatural Complex + Fermented Sugars, plus Tetrapeptides which help increase skin's elasticity, minimize lines, boost firmness, and smooths skins surface.
Ultra Renewal Eye Cream
Finally, this high-performance eye cream revitalizes the eye area for a youthful, brighter appearance. It reduces under-eye shadows and crow’s feet for a smooth, firmed look.
I've been using eye creams for a while (my first true anti-aging product) and this is definitely an eye cream where I have noticed improvements.
It is formulated with the Retinatural Complex + Persian Silk Tree Extract, proven in independent clinical studies to brighten the eye area, fade dark circles, diminish puffiness, and reduce the appearance of crow’s feet.
We also offer a Countertime Regimen. The Countertime Regimen includes 5 products to be used together.
The products included the Regimen are sized to last approximately ten weeks – making re-ordering a breeze (and BOB credits to be used appropriately!)!
Here's what you will get:
Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil (150 ml)
Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence (150 ml)
Tripeptide Radiance Serum (30 ml)
Antioxidant Soft Cream (30 ml)
Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream (30 ml)
U.S. Price: $267 CAD Price: $357 >>> 10% off!
U.S. Value: $297 CAD Value: $399
NOTE: The Countertime Collection contains the same size Cleansing Oil, Hydrating Essence and Serum as the Regimen and each is estimated to last ten weeks. The Soft Cream and Supreme Cream in the Collection are larger and are estimated to last approximately 17 weeks. The Eye Cream is expected to last 18 weeks. All estimated times are approximate... though in my humble opinion, I do believe they will last longer (especially the supreme and eye creams!)
Why It's Safer
Retinol and retinoids are commonly found in anti-aging products because of their effective properties, however they also come with a lot of risks, including skin irritation and speeding up the cell turnover process.
However, Bakuchiol is a plant extract that offers the same skin benefits of retinol without the safe effects. It's also been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties! (Read more about Bakuchiol here).
The Retinatural Complex is an innovative blend formulated by Beautycounter.
Retinatural Complex = Bakuchiol + Swiss Alpine Rose
Bakuchiol: PROTECTS - used in Chinese & Ayurvedic skin-care remedies, Bakuchiol delivers many of retinol's skin benefits without irritation.
Swiss Alpine Rose: REPAIRS - Grown at the highest altitudes of the Alps, this flower is known for its abilities to protect itself against environmental stressors like dehydration and helps boost skin's antioxidant defense.
Also keep in mind that Beautycounter formulates without over 1,500 questionable ingredients called The Never List(TM). So you don't have to worry about SLS, PEGs, parabens, or fragrance being hidden in these bottles.
New Packaging
Transitioning the Countertime line from plastic to glass will reduce the line’s greenhouse gas footprint by an estimated 38%.
Glass is recycled more easily than plastic and does not emit harmful materials as it degrades. After Beautycounter crunched the numbers, they found that across energy, water, and waste, it was more sustainable to put Countertime in glass.
The glass containers are from North America, which means fewer greenhouse gas emissions from shipping products across the ocean. This doesn’t mean glass is always the best option, but for this new line, it was a big win!
My Favorites + Results from the Line
This is really hard to choose because I've genuinely enjoyed using this line... every time I pick a favorite I panic and switch it again!
A product I'd recommend everyone try is the Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence since it's totally unique and also love the innovative technology of the Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil. Ahhh but I also LOVE the Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream, it's seriously luxurious and perfect for dry skin.
I genuinely wake up excited to use my new collection, which looks beautiful on the bathroom sink.
Overall Improvements:
Decreased pore line
Blackheads disappeared
More "bounce" and plumpness to my skin (It used to feel a little dehydrated, now it feels plump... my cheeks actually bounce back)
Better overall texture and tone
Less fine lines
It looks like I have a filter on in real life!
Not sure if its related, but I got carded everywhere we went on vacation this past week, to which I always ask the bartender to guess my age. I got a range of 22-26!! I'm 31 ;) That's enough for me.
Anything I'm unhappy with or words of wisdom?
I switched too fast... I jumped in full force abandoning my old routine and my skin became a bit sensitive after 4-5 days. I also used the peel alternating with the serum every other night (what I did with my old routine) and my skin started having red sensitivity patches. So I scaled back completely (stopped everything for 2-3 days) and then added in the products 1 at a time for about 1-2 days before moving on to adding in the next product:
1. Supreme Cream in PM
2. Soft Cream in AM
3. Mineral Essence AM and PM
4. Cleansing Oil AM and PM
5. Serum 1-2x a week
I still use the Overnight Resurfacing Peel, but find I only need it 1-2x a week (vs. 3-4x).
This was a much better method and my skin has loved the new routine since!!
What Other Consultants* are Saying
*note these are consultants' comments because at the time of writing this post, only consultants had access to the collection!
"Omg I’m in love! The scent of these products is subtle and beautiful! My skin is so hydrated looking and I can’t wait to see it in the morning! A little goes a long way, especially with the serum! One pump will cover your face!!!"
"I used all 4 products last night and woke up to visibly more radiant skin this morning! I was nervous about having a reaction because the Rejuvenating line was too strong for my sensitive skin but this new Countertime is awesome."
"Um! Wow! Just wow! Got my regimen yesterday. Have been able to use it twice! Here’s my thoughts so far! Everything feels ahhhhhhmazing on my skin. Cleansing Oil smells heavenly and feels soooo good being massaged in. The hydrating essence and serum are a dream and ooooh my word, the night cream, it’s what I’ve been waiting for - thick & creamy, yet applies without any weird oily film or anything. Can not wait for my clients and the rest of my team to have access to this line. Game changing"
"I’ve been using it for 2 days and my skin has improved tremendously! I’ve had a dry patch on my chin for 2 years, I’ve tried everything! Including a serum that costs $185. 😳 ... After 2 days, the dryness is almost gone, my skin looks more even and my pores look smaller!"
If you are looking for anti-aging products or a collection for YOUR skin, please reach out to me here.
If you are interested in samples of the Countertime line, email me!
xo, Kate
Comments