It’s never a bad thing to have beautiful skin. Over the past few days I’ve had the opportunity mix up my usual nighttime skincare routine and test Beautycounter’s new line Countertime. It’s widely known that retinol is the gold standard of anti aging skin products. When applied to the skin, this Vitamin A derivative stimulates cell production which will reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol is very strong and should only be used with your night time skincare routine. It can cause skin irritation when you first use it. I’ve only tired retinol once and wasn’t pleased with the irritation to my sensitive skin, so I promptly stopped. As you know, I’m not a dermatologist - but I do know that I’m not entirely comfortable with applying anything to my skin that encourages cell production and this is why I was intrigued by the new Countertime Line.

Countertime contains a plant based retinol alternative (Retinatural Complex) derived from bakuchiol, which comes from the Asian plant Psoralea corylifolia (don’t worry I won’t test you on this) and Swiss Alpine rose. The benefits of bakuchiol are many including (taken from Beautycounter website):

• reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

• plumping skin

• evening out skin tone

• visibly firmer skin

• skin looks glowing, brighter and luminous

• safe to use during sun exposure

The other main ingredient in the line is Swiss Alpine rose which boosts antioxidants in the skin.

Three days isn’t necessarily enough time to really test a new skin care product and know what the effects will be say - over a month of using it, but I can say that I’ve had absolutely no redness or irritation and my skin has looked dewy and fresh every morning. Remember, I’m almost fifty - so dewy and fresh aren’t words I use to describe myself all the time. :)

The Countertime line includes five key products packaged in beautiful pink glass packaging that you’ll want to display on your bathroom vanity. The packing is produced in the US not Asia, thereby reducing carbon emissions.

• Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil

• Mineral Boost Hydrating Essense

• Tripeptide Radiance Serum

• Antioxidant Soft Cream (AM)

• Terapeptide Supreme Cream (PM)

While buying the full line is always an option, it can be cost prohibitive. I think I’m going to start with the Serum and Supreme Cream. It’s great to work a little of the line into your routine while getting the benefits of the Retinatural Complex.

If you’re interested in trying Countertime, please contact my amazing Beautycounter rep (and friend) Kerri Torrey directly (ktorrey@mac.com) and she’ll be more than happy to tell you more about this innovative new product.

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I also wanted to let you know that this will be my last post until September. I have some travel planned for August which should fill me inspiration for more great posts come the Fall. Feel free to follow me on my adventures over on Instagram.

Enjoy the rest of your summer, and as always I’m full of gratitude for the time you spend here with me!