I have a confession to make.  Despite all my clean beauty knowledge I got duped.  We were going to be camping and I didn’t have any Beautycounter sunscreen on hand, so I just went ahead and picked up some sunscreen at the local drug store.  I won’t say what kind I got.  That’s beside the point.  The point is that I was fooled by the packaging!  And I should know better!  Basically, the front of the package boasted that it was made without Oxybenzone and Parabens.  That’s pretty good, right?!  And–let’s face it–it was probably the best I could do at the drug store that day.  So, I bought it, feeling pretty good about my choice, until I sat down later on to take a closer look at the label.

That’s when I discovered that this particular sunscreen contained PEGs.  If you don’t know, PEG stands for Polyethylene Glycol and they are considered to be unsafe by companies like Beautycounter.   In fact, they are on the Never List – a list of questionable or harmful ingredients that they will never use in their products.  PEGs are widely used in sunscreens and lotions as thickeners, softeners and moisture-carriers.  The problem is that depending on the manufacturing processes, PEGs may be contaminated with measurable amounts of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, which have been known to cause cancer.  So basically, I was trying to prevent one form of cancer by slathering on a cancer-causing agent!  Yikes!

Also, just so you know, as I help you find the best luxe, clean beauty finds out there today, you support my efforts through my independently chosen links, which earn me a commission.  So, thank you!  Read my disclosures here.

Beautycounter Sunscreen & EWG

If you’ve read any of my stuff, you know that I’m pretty obsessed with the Environmental Working Group.  When I’m not using Beautycounter products, I am constantly comparing products on the EWG Skin Deep database.  When I first started learning about Beautycounter products, it was the first place I checked.  The EWG is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment.  Today, the Skin Deep database rates over 70,000 products and almost 11,500 ingredients.

You might be wondering just how well Beautycounter sunscreen rates in the Skin Deep database.  I’m happy to report that Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30, has a rating of 2.  The closer you are to 1 the better.  So that’s pretty good.   

What Is It?

Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

Beautycounter has a bunch of sunscreens to choose from.  The Countersun Mineral Sunscreen line contains a sunscreen spray (available in 3 oz. and 6 oz. sizes), sunscreen lotion and sunscreen stick.

Beautycounter Sunscreen Spray

The Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Mist uses an air-powered spray to continuously mist at any angle.  It is formulated with non-nano zinc oxide, antioxidant rich California Poppy and it reef-friendly.

What’s In It?

Zinc Oxide, Aqua/Water/Eau, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methyl Dihydroabietate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Bentonite, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Caprylyl Glycol, Coco-Glucoside, Jojoba Esters, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Bisabolol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Glycerin, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Fruit Extract, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Cellulose Gum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Eschscholzia Californica Leaf Cell Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Flower Extract

Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Mist Directions

1. Shake well.  This is an important step as it ensures uniform zinc oxide distribution with each use.
2. Unlock the cap by turning it counterclockwise.
3. Apply liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure.
4. Place finger on the rough part of the dispenser and press down to spray.
5. Shake well and hold 4-6 inches away from body when spraying.
6. Blend in with your hands like you would a lotion.
7. For face application, spray on hand and then rub onto your face.
8. Do not spray directly onto face and avoid breathing mist.
9. Reapply after 80 minutes of swimming or sweating, immediately after towel drying and at least every 2 hours.
10. Children under six months: ask a doctor.

Beautycounter Sunscreen Lotion

The Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion is also formulated with non-nano zinc and antioxidant rich California Poppy.  It protects against UVA, UVB and Blue Light.  It is lightweight and water-resistant for up to 40 minutes.

What’s In It?

Zinc Oxide, Aqua/Water/Eau, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate, Cetearyl Nonanoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Glycerin, Isopropyl Myristate, Magnesium Sulfate, Cera Alba/Beeswax/Cire d’abeille, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Sodium Chloride, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Decylene Glycol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Fruit Extract, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Eschscholzia Californica Leaf Cell Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract

Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion Directions

1. Apply liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure.
2. Reapply after 40 minutes of swimming or sweating.
3. Reapply immediately after towel drying.
4. Reapply at least every 2 hours.
5. Children under 6 months: Ask a doctor.

Beautycounter Sunscreen Stick

The Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Stick creates a physical barrier between you and the sun.  It provides UVA and UVB defense and is water resistant for up to 80 minutes. It is formulated with non-nano zinc and California Poppy.  This ultra-moisturizing formula uses cocoa-butter to glide on smoothly without leaving a white residue.

What’s In It?

Zinc Oxide, Coco-Caprylate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Nonanoate, Mica, Coconut Alkanes, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Cera Alba/Beeswax/Cire d’abeille, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Lauryl Laurate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Fruit Extract, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Glycerin, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Silica, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Eschscholzia Californica Leaf Cell Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Oil, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Oil

Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Stick Directions

1. Apply liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure.
2. Reapply after 80 minutes of swimming or sweating.
3. Reapply immediately after towel drying.
4. Reapply at least every 2 hours.

My Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Review

First of all, I just want to say how proud I am of my home state.  Hawaii is the first state to ban the sale of sunscreens that use oxy-benzone in their formulations.  Woot-woot!  With that being said, I am happy to report that this will in no way effect Beautycounter.  Why?  Because they would never put oxy-benzone in their sunscreen.  So, yay!

This sunscreen not only protects against UVA and UVB, but it also protects against blue light, as well.  UVA rays are considered to be the aging rays.  UVB are thought of as Burning Rays.  Blue Light is an oxidizing ager.  It makes the sky blue, its also in our tv and computer screens.

It is a mineral sunscreen.  It uses zinc oxide.  It is a physical filter.  It sits on the surface of your skin and bounces and reflects the sun’s rays from the surface of your skin.  Traditional chemical sunscreens do the opposite.  They are sun filters and scatter the sun’s rays as heat.  They also use ingredients that are harmful.

Countersun uses ingredients that are safer for you and for the environment.

The aerosols typically used on mist cans are bad for the environment and for our health.  This non-aerosol technology is propeller-powered.  With Countersun, when you push the nozzle on top, air compresses and squeezes the bag inside and forces the non-nano zinc out.  It can be sprayed on in every direction.  This product is safe for you.  It will not get inhaled into the lungs.

More Beautycounter Sunscreen Reviews

Here are some other helpful reviews from Beautycounter verified buyers:

Sydell H. says:

 

Final Thoughts on Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen

Here are my final thoughts on Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen: 

The smell is great.  The formula is good.  It doesn’t leave a white cast on your skin.  I really love the mist.  There are a few things I can’t get past though.  The price is very high for all of these formulations.  So while I did love using them, I found myself thinking about making it last which is never a good thing when you’re trying to protect yourself from the sun.  If the price point isn’t a problem for you, it is a really great sunscreen.  It smells nice, works well and is good for you and the environment.