Beautycounter Countermatch Refresh Foaming Cleanser

Disclaimer: I am a Beautycounter consultant since November 2021. 

As I continue on my new journey repping for Beautycounter, I am doing my best to try everything that I can reasonably use for my skin type, and can afford. So I will be spacing posts out as I test and evaluate to give you guys my opinion.

Today I would like to share about Beautycounter Countermatch Refreshing Foaming Cleanser. Beautycounter has a few cleansers to choose from; a cream cleanser (for sensitive skin), a daily exfoliating cleanser (for oily, acne-prone skin), A charcoal bar cleanser (to draw out impurities), a men’s exfoliating cleanser, and one I chose, a daily foaming cleanser for (normal, dry, or combo skin).

They also have balms and cleansing oils, but I’ll get to those down the road. 

Before giving this a try, I was rotating between Fresh Beauty Soy Cleanser and First Aid Beauty’s Pure Skin Cleanser. I’m happy with both, in regards to their ability to cleanse, remove makeup and not dry out my skin so I was curious how Countermatch would line up against the two. 

Intial Impression

Countermatch comes in a squeezy flip-top tube. The cleanser dispenses as a creamy white liquid and has no initial scent upon sniffing. It isn’t until you massage it onto your skin you notice “something” coconut and discover that the ingredients include coconut-based foam boosters and surfactants that are less harsh on the skin. It’s pretty faint, but I know some readers don’t like products with any detective scent at all. I didn’t notice it on the first use, actually, not until about a week into using it!

I can get away with about a big pea-sized dollop on my fingers that I can work into a very low foam. It does a really great job of removing makeup, but I still like to double cleanse my eyes because that mascara doesn’t like to budge easily. But don’t expect tons of bubbles — it will still mostly feel like a cream cleanser with a few bubbles that pop up here and there.

A Comparison of Similar Cleansers

This in no way can be compared to Fresh’s soy cleanser but can be compared to FAB’s Pure Skin Cleanser. Both are white foaming cleansers. FAB’s is more of a whipped product whereas Countermatch is purely creamy. FAB boasts a fragrance-free, botanical antioxidant blend to nourish while calming irritated skin. I can attest to all of that. It’s a great cleanser that I’ve used for years and I never have to worry about it drying my skin out. 

Ingredient line up

I have to say…Countermatch Refresh feels SO good to spread across the skin. It truly does feel like a creamy moisturizer that turns into foam. Its key ingredients are Squalane, plum oil, and phytic acid. 

I know phytic acid is a very mild AHA used to brighten the skin and decongest pores. It can be synthetic, but Beautycounter sourced theirs from rice.  It has antioxidant abilities to fight free radical damage and is also known to boost the power of glycolics when used together. I am starting to incorporate glycolics slowly (1-2/week) and will see how that goes. 

Plum oil, which is also rich in antioxidants, is included for its high levels of Omega fatty acids and vitamin E. It can hydrate the skin, and work as an anti-inflammatory as well.  Because it’s such a good hydrator, it plumps the skin and also promotes healthy cell turnover for a fresh glowy complexion.

Lastly, squalane is an oil derived from olives (or sugar cane). It works as an emollient for the skin, drawing in moisture, softening the skin, and supporting a healthy skin barrier. 

Countermatch is formulated without the use of added fragrances, synthetic polymers, formaldehyde releases, or mineral oil. They also make sure to avoid over 1500+ questionable ingredients in ALL Beautycounter products. 

Final thoughts on Countermatch

While I have no issues with my previous cleansers, I’ve pretty much been sticking to Countermatch to make sure it’s a good one for me. My skin feels comfortable throughout the winter and it makes me excited to add in the hydrating serum (I just started doing this) as well as the appropriate moisturizer. 

With Beautycounter’s Countermatch foaming cleanser, you get peace of mind knowing that only quality, safely-regarded ingredients are used for effective formulas. The tube I bought is $32 for the standard 5oz, and FABs is $24 for the same size. 

Honestly, I think it comes down to preference here. They are very similar in effectiveness and avoiding irritation, so it may come down to brand loyalty here. It is tough for me to make a definitive choice because I honestly would just keep using both! Are there ingredients in one I prefer over the other? Is one more easily accessible? Do I believe in the company’s mission? Will it continue to perform the same six months down the road? All questions to ask yourself (well, and myself).

I plan to update you guys once I am using the matching serum and moisturizers and see if my feelings change either way. But I do hope this helps answer some questions you may have about the cleanser!

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PURCHASE: Beautycounter Countermatch Refresh Foaming Cleanser