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This Alternatives to Beautycounter post has been a long time in the making and probably one of the most highly requested posts by you guys. I certainly have not been quiet about my distaste for all things Beautycounter so I find myself fielding your questions and concerns about the brand more often than I anticipated. You can read my review of them here but in a nutshell here’s why I don’t use Beautycounter products:
1. The quality does not match the price – to be fair, no clean beauty products are as cheap as conventional, but the quality of Beautycounter products is not outstanding and certainly not worth the price tag. Such is the reality of an MLM where you have to pay your downline…
2. They’re not THAT clean– now I’m not here to tell you that your skincare products should have no synthetics. I do think there’s value in some synthetic products and especially as you’re transitioning to natural beauty BUT some synthetics are just unnecessary and there are other alternatives out there that are cleaner.
3. I don’t buy from MLMs– This is a heated topic with many sides of the argument but plain and simple I don’t like multi-level marketing. I understand that it is not a pyramid scheme (anyone who sells any MLM products will drill this message home) but the way the structure is built requires someone – or more accurately, many people, to lose. I’ve heard from so many of you who lost money trying to sell Beautycounter and it is not fair that a company should be profiting off their consultants failures and blaming it on them. You’re welcome to disagree but this is my opinion.
SO let’s chat alternatives. I decided to pick some of the more popular products out there and offer equivalent options that cost less and/or are cleaner options. I asked you guys on Instagram to share some of the Beautycounter products you’d like to see alternatives for and picked these 5. Of course there are many others and I’m happy to add more if you want to see them, but for now let’s look at these.
Natural Skincare Alternatives to Beautycounter
Beautycounter: The Cleansing Balm ($80)
Alternative: True Botanicals Calm Ginger Turmeric Cleansing Balm ($52), Evolve Gentle Cleansing Melt ($36)
The Cleansing Balm is actually my favorite product from Beautycounter but HOLY HELL why does it cost $80? That’s absurd. I actually left it in a hotel bathroom and almost cried because it was still halfway full. Luckily I found this True Botanicals Calm Singer Turmeric Cleansing Balm which is still a splurge but equally as wonderful. The ingredients are pretty on par too. I also really like the Evolve Cleansing Melt which is very similar and wayyyy cheaper at $36!
True Botanicals Calm Ginger Turmeric Cleansing Balm
A viral cleansing balm that effectively removes makeup, sunscreen, and dirt.
Evolve Gentle Cleansing Melt
A luxurious cream cleanser that rinses away impurities for skin that’s clean, calm, and hydrated.
Beautycounter: No 1, 2, 3 Facial Oils ($69)
Alternatives: Ann Marie Gianni Herbal Facial Oil ($45), Kora Organics Noni Glow Oil ($29), Biossance 100% Sugarcane Squalane Oil ($34)
I also really like the facial oils from beautycounter because the ingredients are great, but once again you do NOT need to be spending $70 on a bottle. If you are new to clean beauty, opt for something simple like Biossance 100% Sugarcane Squalane Oil. If you’re looking for something with a bit more oomph I swear by the Ann Marie Gianni Herbal Facial Oil, which I use every single day but the Kora Organics Noni Glow Oil is also great!
Ann Marie Gianni Herbal Facial Oil
Nourish skin with normal oil regulation or combination skin with this gentle and calming herbal blend. Our unique grapeseed oil base helps balance natural oils. Skin-enriching oils—tamanu, passion fruit seed, and buriti fruit—enhance the skin’s natural radiance. This lightweight, quickly absorbed moisturizer feels soothing while delivering essential nutrients for healthy skin.
Biossance 100% Sugarcane Squalane Oil
A weightless, multitasking pure squalane oil—harvested from renewable sugarcane—that rapidly hydrates from head to toe.
Kora Organics Noni Glow Oil
This moisturizing oil is made with certified organic noni extract, rosehip oil, pomegranate oil and sea buckthorn oil, which combine to create a rich source of antioxidants and essential fatty acids.
Beautycounter: Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion ($49)
Alternatives: Andalou Naturals Daily Defense Lotion ($17), Acure Brightening Day Cream ($20), Evolve Multi Peptide 360 Anti-Aging Cream ($52),
Honestly, I hated this product. Like truly loathed it, but I also understand why it exists. Many people looking to switch over their skincare to cleaner options oftentimes want the look and feel of conventional skincare. As someone who lives for the oil life, I have a really hard time using any kind of lotion which essentially is just a blend of water, oils and alcohol to get them all to mix together. That being said if you want something a bit more “luxury” the Evolve anti-aging cream is pretty great!
Andalou Naturals Daily Defense Lotion
Andalou Naturals Age Defying Ultra Sheer Daily Defense Facial Lotion SPF 18 is a lightweight daily moisturizer and sunscreen with antioxidants like resveratrol and coenzyme Q10 that provides broad spectrum protection against sun damage and signs of aging while supporting collagen in the skin.
Acure Brightening Day Cream
Brighten up with antioxidant-rich ACURE Brightening Day Cream. Cica and argan oil moisturize and protect, fight dullness and even out skin tone for skin that’s bright and beautiful.
Multi Peptide 360 Anti-Aging Cream
A comprehensive anti-aging cream that leaves skin firmer, brighter, and more hydrated.
Beautycounter: Charcoal Cleansing Bar ($26)
Alternative: Herbivore Botanicals Bamboo Charcoal Soap ($14)
I’m not gonna lie, it seems like theft charging $26 for a bar of soap, no matter how amazing it may be. I still think $12 is pricey for a bar of soap (+ added charcoal I guess?!) but at least Herbivore Botanicals Bamboo Soap is less than half the price and a cleaner product. Beautycounter’s cleansing bar contains alcohol which is probably why I found it so drying on my skin but the Herbivore Botanicals version doesn’t so may fare better for those with dry and sensitive skin.
Herbivore Botanicals Bamboo Charcoal Soap
A gentle yet effective soap cleanses and exfoliates oily, combination, and blemish-prone skin types.
Beautycounter: Overnight Resurfacing Peel ($63)
Alternative: Marie Veronique Intensive Repair Serum ($90)
I’ll be honest, there aren’t a ton of alternatives out there for this product as it’s not very, well natural. Anything with the word peel in it is going to be synthetic. Which I can be cool with because there’s a time and place for everything. That being said, the overnight resurfacing peel is pretty darn synthetic and between the 12 different acids, 3 different alcohols and gums included in the product, I’d probably never use this. The alternative I’m offering is my HOLY GRAIL product. Yes, I’m aware it is more expensive (and hella expensive at that!) but if you’re really into the idea of peels I want to offer you a safer alternative that I can say with 100% certainty it works. I tell people this all the time but my acne did not heal until I started using the Marie Veronique Intensive Repair Serum. Now I only use it about 2 times a week so the $90 goes a long way. I know it’s a splurge but I promise you it’s incredible and the ingredients are way more legit (no alcohol, no gums etc…).
Note: I also think the Mad Hippie Exfoliating Serum ($34) is a great option, however I’ve only used it a couple of times so I can’t speak to its effectiveness.
Marie Veronique Intensive Repair Serum
An AHA/BHA serum that works to exfoliate and help decongest skin.
So there you have it! 5 Natural Skincare Alternatives to Beautycounter. I tried to offer a nice variety where I could and affordable options when possible (damn you Marie Veronique!). Of course, at the end of the day #youdoyou and reach for whatever products you love and want to support. I’m a personal believer in voting with my wallet and choose to spend my money on companies that don’t profit off of other people’s failures. There’s also just cleaner and cheaper options available.
With that, if I didn’t include any products you love (either beautycounter or alternatives) definitely let me know in the comments and I’ll try to offer them as suggestions or find better alternatives. Enjoy!
Note: I am not an esthetician or a licensed dermatologist. Please see someone certified (ideally holistically!) to evaluate your skin and help you determine what is best for you.
I know this post is 2, almost 3, years old but I was wondering if you have done this same kind of compassion on BC’s shampoo and conditioner. I like it but man it’s costly! Thanks.
Thank you for writing this! I have been buying BC off of EBay for the past several months to try and save some of that MLM mark up and I think the company caught on and cracked down because now all I see are used options. BC is just too expensive for me to justify spending $200 a month on my face as a stay at home/homeschooling mama. I really appreciate your alternative options here and am going to give them a try!
Thanks so much for this! I’d love to hear an alternative to their vitamin C serum. I’ve been looking for a clean vitamin c serum, or if you ever did a blog post on vitamin c serums in general I’d love to read it!
I love the resurfacing peel and just ran out so I’m going to try the mad hippie before paying for BC again!! I would love an alternative for their Countercontrol Clear Pore Cleanser and the Countercontrol Instant Matte toner. Oh! And the Charcoal Mask!
Love reading your product reviews. Curious if you will review the Mad Hippy line any more? You have a positive first impression of their Exfoliating Serum would love to read more!
Thank you for all your research!
Hi there my friend! I read all your blogs and value your opinion tremendously. What are your thoughts on Seint beauty line?
If anyone has found and actually used a successful alternative to BC’s charcoal cleansing soap, please let me know. My daughter uses it because she says it’s the only one that works as well but I know there must be something …
I do like BC but love hearing what your thoughts are and what you have to say. I am going to check out some of your recommendations above for sure. I would like to read your answers to the questions above that you haven’t replied to. I don’t fully understand your aversion, and anyone else’s (Katelyn)to buying from a MLM. I completely agree that at times I have bought items, not just from BC, that seem expensive, but how is purchasing from a BC consultant/rep different than buying from a big box/name brand store where employees are working for minimum wage? The difference I see is that instead of giving major department stores, drug stores, Walmart, Target the ridiculous mark up. People that are reps/consultants for the majority of MLM’s do it because the love and believe in the product. At least the commission is going to a person willing and wanting to do the work and loves the product – that many times has a WAY better return policy/warranty! As mentioned, are they experts and/or specialized in this….not necessarily BUT neither are most of the people working behind most makeup counters. It is our responsibility as consumer to do the research we feel is necessary on the products we use. I do feel that people that do sign up for most MLM’s do it because the believe and love the product so it makes for a perfect part time job or full time if that is your goal. MLM’s get a bad wrap. I myself could sell you BC, PC or YL. Do I really make any money from these…NOPE…I use them because I LOVE the products and their quality. ‘KRT’ do you know reps that has happened to or did you experience that when shopping with BC? That is so terrible and would like to know what @beautycounter, @greggrenfrew would say about this.
I need an alternative the foundation…any suggestions?
Would love to know what you think of the GoPure line