I recently told a friend,

I came to Beautycounter for the performance of products and I stayed for the safety and social impact.

Besides a short stint in high school where I dabbled in glittery silver eyeliner, I’ve always worn minimal makeup and cared little about skincare. Until I reached adulthood and found that taking care of my skin can not only be a way I steward my body to honor God but a way to bookend my days with a little space to relax and be. I started with a few products and over 2-3 years Beautycounter made up 80% of my bathroom counter. And I really like it. Now being a consultant, I’m having fun trying other products and regiments (like Countermatch… thoughts at the end of this post) but below are the products I have the most experience with.

Here are my honest thoughts about the products I use on a regular basis:

Overnight Resurfacing Peel: This is a product I want to buy for everyone. I’m not exaggerating when I say I noticed an instant difference in my skin. Rich but not heavy. The word ‘peel’ makes it sound like a mask but it isn’t. I put it on under my moisturizer before I go to sleep and it works a little magic, haha. “With glycolic, malic, and botanically derived lactic acid, the formula clears away dull surface cells, while arginine and essential fatty acids help soothe to reveal a brighter, healthier looking, renewed complexion.”

Vitamin C Oil: I use this a few times a week and each time I can tell a difference within hours. This oil brightens and softens my skin like nothing else has. “Omega-rich marula oil provides intense hydration, while antioxidant vitamin C helps brighten and even skin tone.”

Countertime Mineral Essence: I’ve been using this for the last few months as my main moisturizer, and it’s GREAT. “Formulated with our plant-derived Retinatural Complex, mineral-rich sea water, and a fermented blend of sugars, it renews and balances the skin and preps it for the treatment steps that follow.”

Tint Skin Hydrating Foundation: This is a Beautycounter best seller. It comes in 10 shades and lives in my purse. I like it because it’s really lightweight, meaning it doesn’t have the coverage of the Skin Twin, but still offers a little evening of my skin tone. Most days, being a stay-at-home mom, if I put anything on, it’s usually this moisturizing foundation. “It also includes sodium hyaluronate, a natural moisture magnet, to promote smoother-looking skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”

Lip Conditioner: I really should purchase another one of these — one in my car, another in my bedside table. Ever since my lips were sunburned at the beach when I was a teenager I am a chapstick fanatic. And it is aptly named: it conditions. And well. The only downside is it isn’t easy to carry in my pocket, it being in a glass jar and all.

Touch Up Concealer Pen: It comes in 6 shades and has an easy click-pen design and brush applicator. It usually ends up staying in my car for quick moments of freshening up. “It’s formulated with knotgrass extract to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and photoaging—so skin looks firmer, brighter, and instantly more even.”

Skin Twin Foundation: This foundation is really great. It blends easily and seamlessly, lasts a long time and looks natural on (which is important to me). “The skin-loving formula delivers all-day hydration while a potent dose of hyaluronic acid lends a visibly plumped, even appearance from first use—and smoother, healthier-looking skin with each application.”

Lengthening Mascara: It went on well, I just don’t love it. You might. I don’t have sensitive eyes, so my need for a unique mascara is minimal, but I just picked up Honest Beauty’s mascara. It has primer on one end and mascara on the other. I’m excited to try it.

Body Lotion in Citrus Mimosa: Truly, anything in the Citrus Mimosa scent, body wash, shampoo, etc, is amazing. I’ve been using this lotion for probably 2 years.

Countermatch Collection: I used this regimen for awhile and truthfully, the scent isn’t my favorite, but I think it could grow on me. I did notice my face more even in skin tone and brightness, as well as soft and hydrated. The Cleanser is a new product — foamy, less punch and more soft cleansing. I don’t love the thickness of it, but following with the toner, my face feels clean. Speaking of the Hydra-Gel Radiance Toner, it might be my favorite product in this line. It’s intended to remove any residual impurities the cleanser missed, but I liked it because it was cool, refreshing and felt like an extra boost of clean. The Adaptive Moisturizer is a best seller, and I may eventually use it (because dry skin is my skin-care nemesis), but I’m currently impartial to the Countertime Mineral Essence. (See my Beautycounter Instagram highlight to read other thoughts.)