Beautycounter Sunblock Review
I was the girl who would tan two times per day when I worked at a tanning salon in the midwest and also use baby oil to get as dark as possible in my summers in the Midwest. I was under the mindset that you didn’t need sun protection you just need a base tan and then you could keep going indefinately without sun protection. I always laugh about this because this is crazy thinking but also it was always that one big burn then you’d peel and then you were like okay I’m good! Lets start the summer! This is where I didn’t think about the future. My future. My skin. I didn’t think about wrinkles, sun damage, or dark spots or even skin cancer. When you’re young you just live in the NOW. Am I right?!
So lets fast forward with my journey…. I landed on Beautycounter because I had some serious healing to do with my body, mind and soul. I was on the search for a safer skincare company that actually worked. I also at the time started seeing a lot of fine lines, hyperpigmentation, sun spots, and my skin was not vibrant at all, and then weird things started popping up on my skin. Meanwhile with slowing down and my healing journey, I also started having conversations with friends at the time that had loved ones with stage 3 melonoma, moles removed because they looked suspicious and a dear friend diagnosed with same.
I was like hmmmm maybe there is something to taking care of your skin afterall and USING sunscreen when you are out in the sun? Little did I know the sunscreen I started using in my early 30’s was highly toxic. A few years later, landed on Beautycounter and at the time I was looking for a sunscreen that didn’t leave my skin looking like Casper the Ghost since most mineral sunscreens I was purchasing were really hard to put on and also leaving casts of white everywhere. This is where Beautycounter blew me away again! I also needed safer products to help with the premature aging I was experiencing.
So what did I do? Well, I started to treat my skin with some extra TLC and use a 4-Step Regimen. This is where I really started to notice that it actually does matter when you carve out a few minutes per day and take care of yourself and your skin. My skin became more vibrant, my premature wrinkles became softer and I overall felt my skin looked more balanced and even. This excited me so I knew when I invested in my skin again, with the sunscreen, that adding this layer of protection would be a really smart and safe step.
Safer prodcuts landed in my life first along with shampoo because most of you know that I suffered really terribly from tinnitis and once I upgraded my life in many ways, switched to safer products overall especially my shampoo, the ringing in my ears started to get better.
It’s all connected friends! Once I started using Beautycounter’s sunscreen this when I really started educating myself on the harmful effects it can have on your body. Basically, non-mineral sunscreen have A LOT of chemicals in it. Like A LOT. Your sunscreen is not only harmful to our health but also harmful to the reefs and the wildlife within our oceans. Who would have thought?! I was shocked! So if your sunscreen can harm the ocean reefs and the wildlife, why in the world would we want it on our skin? Can you imagine what oxybenzone is doing to us? Human health?! Especially when we are applying every day and then heating the sunscreen up with the sun on our skin with our pores expanding while we sweat?
WHY SAFER SUNBLOCK MATTERS and why not all sunscreen is created equal.
The most worrisome is oxybenzone, which can cause allergic skin reactions (Rodriguez 2006). In lab studies, it is a weak estrogen and has potent anti-androgenic effects (Krause 2012, Ghazipura 2017). Oxybenzone is linked to hormone disruption and allergic skin reactions, as well as the bleaching of coral reefs and coral death. This toxic chemical is found in the blood of nearly every American tested for it and has even been found in breast milk.
Active ingredients in sunscreens function as either mineral or chemical UV filters that keep harmful rays from the skin. Each uses a different mechanism for protecting skin and maintaining stability in sunlight. The most common sunscreens contain chemical filters. These products typically include a combination of two to six of the following active ingredients: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide (this is what Beautycounter uses but we go one step further and formulate with non-nano zinc oxide which refers to the size of the particle used to formulate.) Non-nano particles offer greater UVA protection as well which is another win! Be on the lookout as well don’t just pick up a mineral sunscreen and think it’s safer for you. Do your homework and take note if the sunscreen has any chemical filters, which are somewhat better for you but I like to still strive for the least amount of chemicals on my skin as possible since it is our largest organ on our body.
My pick is Beautycounter, of course! Take note, that most mineral sunscreens will require a little more work to rub in generally, but again with Beautycounter, I don’t find I have to do this as much compared to other safer brands on the market.
We also have some fun options like regular spray sunscreens and then tinted spray sunscreen, which are a godsend especially at the beginning of the summer.
Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
This broad spectrum Mineral Sunscreen Lotion is my holy grail of sunscreens—the one that gets the most use and that we go through the most of. It’s a summer essential honestly!
Ingredients
It’s made with non-nano zinc and California poppy and like other mineral sunscreens, it’s a physical SPF that blocks UVA and UVB rays effectively.
Benefits
SPF 30
Limited white cast
Water-resistant up to 40 minutes
Reef-friendly
How to Use Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
Squeeze a liberal amount into hands and massage into any areas you want protected from the sun. After spending time in the water or sweating heavily, make sure to re-apply.
We also have a face stick which is great for my active boys. It literally is sooooo easy!
Ingredients
It’s made with the same ingredients as the mineral lotion, plus cocoa seed butter that hydrates and makes it glide onto skin smoothly.
Benefits
SPF 30
Limited white residue
Water-resistant up to 80 minutes
Reef-friendly
How to Use Beautycounter Sunscreen Stick
Roll up the stick (looks kind of like deodorant), and glide across skin. Rub in gently if needed. Works so well on toddler or active kids’ faces. For kids under 6 months, always ask your doctor!
Our Protect All Over Face Sunscreen is one of our newest product and one I am so excited for! Finding a good facial sunscreen is hard, and this one is really fantastic. It protects against UVA, UVB and blue light, making it amazing for anyone who sits in front of a computer all day. It has no white cast after applying, which makes it great for under make- up. Most mineral based sunscreens can leave a white cast or hue on your body or face, but I can attest that Beautycounter’s facial sunblock is not only safer for you without harmful ingredients for human health but it also performs without leaving my skin feeling greasy or that I have a ton of products on my face. After using the facial sunblock for a few weeks, what I like best of about it is, I apply it AFTER I’ve done my full regime (my favorite is here.)
My biggest complaint of facial sunscreens is that they can feel heavy on my skin and makes me worry that I’ll break out or look greasy. This one is really lightweight, non-greasy and non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores.
Ingredients
This facial sunscreen is also a mineral sunscreen and is formulated with non-nano zinc to actively protect skin from the sun’s harmful rays. It’s also made with……..
Benefits
SPF 20-30
Reef-friendly
Non-greasy
Won’t clog your pores
No white residue
Looks great under makeup
How to Use Face Sunscreen
Squeeze a dime-sized amount onto clean fingers and massage into clean skin after finishing your skincare routine. Let absorb for a couple of minutes then apply makeup if you want to.
My skin feels like it can breathe and sweat, which means less acne for me, especially during the hot sunny days summer is providing for us lately!
One thing to take note as we are talking sunscreen here. I think it’s important to talk about the myth of higher SPF versus lower SPF sunscreens. With a higher SPF the ratio of UVA protection decreases. So the concern is that the higher SPF products lead to greater UVA exposure and potentially greater long-term skin damage. A general rule of thumb is to make sure you reapply and don’t rely on a higher SPF for more protection. More exposure to UVA rays suppresses the immune system, causes harmful free radicals to form in the skin, and is associated with a higher risk of developing melanoma. You want to have the UVA coverage so you again want the extra UVA protection in the lower SPF and reapply more often. As your heading out to the pools this summer or the beach check your sunscreen! I urge you to take a peek at it on EWG. Most sunscreens are very high with levels over 7 or higher and when you are heating the chemicals up on your skin it’s not a great scenerio for you body. Look for chemicals like oxybenzone and octonoxate. It’s a really good idea to steer clear.
Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer
Before our dedicated face sunscreen came out, this was my pick for SPF everyday. I love that it’s lightly tinted, so it’s perfect for days I don’t want to wear much makeup. It’s dewy and hydrating so my skin is never left feeling dry.
Ingredients
Dew Skin is also a mineral sunscreen, which means it’s a physical sunscreen with a little bit of tint to it! It’s made with black currant seed oil, peony root extract, and vitamin C which help to brighten skin and give it more radiance. It adds hydration too!
Benefits
SPF 20
Works like a skincare product too—continued use will give you firmer skin
Adds light color coverage as well
How to Use Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer
After you’ve completed your morning skincare routine with moisturizer, apply a pea-sized amount to clean fingers and massage into skin. I let this absorb for a couple of minutes before applying any other makeup. It also works as a nice base layer before applying Skin Twin foundation which does not have SPF in it.
Beautycounter Tinted Sunscreen Spray
Lastly, the Tinted Sunscreen Spray. This spray gives you a nice tan glow that washes off at the end of the day, but helps cover scars, lumps and bumps and generally adds a beautiful color to your skin safely. I recommend spraying this outside and not near anything white. I use the color light in this and looks gorgeous on without leaving your skin looking orange.
Ingredients
Like the other sunscreens, this is a mineral sunscreen formulated with non-nano zinc and that same California Poppy extract. It comes in two different shades, one for lighter skin shades and one for darker and blends really well.
Benefits
No white cast because the tinted color blends with your skin tone
Water-resistant for 80 minutes
Reef-friendly
Blends imperfections & evens skin tone
Air-based spray, no aerosol
How to Use Beautycounter Tinted Sunscreen Spray
Shake well and hold about 6 inches from skin and spray liberally. Blend with your hands like you would with a lotion. This can transfer to clothing as it’s a mineral sunscreen, so just be aware since this one is tinted.
Sun Protection Tip!
As with most sunscreens, you’ll want to reapply after 90 minutes - 2 hours to make sure your skin is adequately protected from the sun’s UV rays. Re-apply more often if you’ve been swimming or sweating too.
Lets talk post sun skincare.
Taking care of your skin after being in the sun all day is also very important for the integrity of your skin. There are a couple of ways I do this with keeping my skin feeling soft and replenished after a day in the sun. I use the sugar body scrub in lemongrass and proceed with all my other normal shower stuff. This is great to help exfoliate your skin to help create a nice smooth and glowing finish.
Ingredients
Pure citrus and lemongrass oils and organic brown sugar. Hydrating sweet almond, apricot kernel, and sunflower oils and mineral-rich evening primrose = HEAVEN.
Benefits
Energizing exfoliation
Glowing and silky-smooth polished skin
Buffs away dull skin
Hydrates
How to Use Beautycounter Sugar Body Scrub
Apply in shower with a quarter sized amount and gently exfoliate your skin.
Ingredients
Aloe and California poppy extract, which helps cool the skin on contact to help soothe skin post UV exposure and boost hydration—safely.well.
Benefits
Soothed
Hydrated
Cool
Less irritated
How to Use Beautycounter Countersun After Sun Cooling Gel
Use a dim sized amount to help replenish your skin from the sun’s rays. Water and sun can deplete the skin, so an after-sun treatment is a must. This is great if you feel you’ve had too much sun, feel itchy, dry or are experiencing any redness.
Ingredients
Squalane: derived from olives, it draws moisture into skin and visibly restores elasticity.
Plum Oil: rich in omegas 6, 9 and vitamin E, it helps provide nutrients for vibrant, healthy-looking skin.
Phytic Acid: sourced from rice, it gently exfoliates to aid in cell turnover, which helps skin breathe for a natural glow.
Aloe Vera: helps provide a soothing and calming effect.
Benefits
Softer and smoother
Leaves skin hydrated
Moisturizes without a trace of stickiness
How to Use Beautycounter Countermatch Adaptive Body Moisturizer
Use a dime to quarter sized amount to achieve all-day hydration and softer, smoother skin. Countermatch Adaptive Body Moisturizer harnesses the unique life-giving properties of plants to match the composition of skin. Rich yet rapidly absorbing, it softens without a trace of stickiness.
I have had such great luck with this lotion and it’s my absolute favorite! I swear by it! If you experience dry scaly skin or dry patches in the winter months on your legs, arms, elbows or shins, I highly recommend this lotion! My skin has never looked better especially in the winter. Bub BYE dry skin! Hello soft, supple and hydrated skin.
Now if you are feeling like your skin is super dry and you need more hydration you could always use the melting body balm which is SUPER hydrating.
Ingredients
Argan and avocado oils.
Benefits
Softens
Leaves skin hydrated
Luxurious balm transforms into an oil as it melts into the skin
How to Use Beautycounter Melting Body Balm
Use a dime sized amount to achieve all-day hydration and softer, smoother skin. Infused with an intoxicating monoi scent, melts into the skin as it nourishes, giving skin a healthy-looking glow.
You might ask what do I cleanse my face with post day in the sun? I personally like using the Lotus Cleansing Balm. It’s super hydrating and moisturizing and then I gently wipe or wash off then follow with regular regimen steps and finish with moisturizer.
Ingredients
A blend of lotus extract, jojoba seed oil, and avocado seed oil
Benefits
soothes
destresses skin while increasing luminosity
brighter more radiant
nourished and hydrated
smoothes
How to Use Beautycounter Counter + Lotus Cleansing Balm
Use a dime sized amount to achieve all-day hydration and softer, smoother skin. Clinically proven to increase skin’s hydration. It’s perfect for day and night use, hydrates while it cleanses, removing makeup and impurities with nourishing ingredients that won’t strip away your skin’s natural moisture. (Bonus: it can also be used as a mask for a hydrating overnight facial.)
If skincare or skin protection hasn’t been on your radar – definitely take a peek at your products and Beautycounter.
I invite you to challenge yourself to switch just ONE product to safer for you. If you have any questions, or would like to learn more please e-mail me at angie@angiebloom.com
Have questions about health coaching or safer personal care products? Ask below and I’ll be able to help!
Sending you love,
