Beautycounter Counterstart Cococream cleanser

Beautycounter Counterstart Cococream cleanser

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Cleansing
Decyl glucoside, Cetearyl alcohol + 9 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Counterstart Cococream cleanser”
Source: Beautycounter

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cetearyl alcohol, cetearyl glucoside, cetearyl olivate, decyl glucoside, glyceryl stearate, hydrogenated lecithin, myristic acid, palmitic acid, sorbitan olivate, xanthan gum) and should be able to cleanse the skin gently. Still keep in mind that any cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Even though this formulation is mild, the following cleansing agents could trigger an irritation or allergy for some people: decyl glucoside

Decyl glucosideEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating~8.3–10.2%
Cetearyl alcoholEffect: HighA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~3.9–4.7%
Glyceryl stearateEffect: HighAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~2.4–2.9%
Cetearyl olivateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~2–2.4%
Sorbitan olivateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~1.4–1.7%
Palmitic acidEffect: HighAn emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it~1–1.2%
Cetearyl glucosideEffect: HighHelps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture~0.7–1%
Hydrogenated lecithinEffect: HighHelps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.~0.4–0.6%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~0.2–0.4%
Myristic acidEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic~0.15–0.3%
Stearic acidEffect: High, below effective doseHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient~0.4–0.6%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Hamamelis virginiana water
Medium risk
We flagged 10 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Decyl glucosideHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritatingHigh~8.3–10.2%est.
Hamamelis virginiana waterA plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritatingHigh~1–1.2%est.
Cetearyl glucosideHelps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product textureMedium~0.7–1%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powderTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skinMedium~0.55–0.8%est.
Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinMedium~0.3–0.55%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.2–0.35%est.
Phytic acidAn alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmeticsMedium~0.15–0.3%est.
Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.15–0.25%est.
Myristic acidHelps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenicMedium~0.15–0.3%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.05–0.1%est.
Comedogenic
3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
3 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Cocos nucifera oilAn emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic3/5~1.7–2.1%est.
Myristic acidHelps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic3/5~0.15–0.3%est.
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~3.9–4.7%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Decyl glucoside~8.3–10.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating

More about Decyl glucoside
Cetearyl alcohol~3.9–4.7%
Comedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

More about Cetearyl alcohol
Glycerin~3.1–3.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin
Glyceryl stearate~2.4–2.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glyceryl stearate
Cetearyl olivate~2–2.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Cetearyl olivate
Cocos nucifera oil~1.7–2.1%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic

More about Cocos nucifera oil
Sorbitan olivate~1.4–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sorbitan olivate
Hamamelis virginiana water~1–1.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatory

A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating

More about Hamamelis virginiana water
Palmitic acid~1–1.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it

More about Palmitic acid
Cetearyl glucoside~0.7–1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture

More about Cetearyl glucoside
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder~0.55–0.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin

More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder
Tocopherol~0.5–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationMoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-aging

Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself

More about Tocopherol
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.5–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function

More about Helianthus annuus seed oil
Bisabolol~0.35–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryReduces irritationAnti-oxidation

An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties

More about Bisabolol
Allantoin~0.35–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryMoisturizingAnti-blemishReduces irritationReduces rednessExfoliation

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

More about Allantoin
Hydrogenated lecithin~0.4–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.

More about Hydrogenated lecithin
Panthenol~0.25–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Reduces rednessMoisturizingReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol
Stearic acid~0.4–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient

More about Stearic acid
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~0.3–0.55%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin

More about Caprylic/capric triglyceride
Xanthan gum~0.2–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Phytic acid~0.15–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmetics

More about Phytic acid
Potassium sorbate~0.15–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate
Myristic acid~0.15–0.3%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic

More about Myristic acid
Citric acid~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Ingredient list view

Water, Decyl glucoside, Cetearyl alcohol, Glycerin, Glyceryl stearate, Cetearyl olivate, Cocos nucifera oil, Sorbitan olivate, Hamamelis virginiana water, Palmitic acid, Cetearyl glucoside, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, Tocopherol, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Hydrogenated lecithin, Panthenol, Stearic acid, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Xanthan gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Phytic acid, Potassium sorbate, Myristic acid, Citric acid

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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
BeautycounterCounterstart Cococream cleanserYOUR PRODUCTFormation.Squalane Cream CleanserJordan SamuelThe Matinee Cream CleanserYes toAvocado Fragrance-Free Daily Cream Cleanser
Match—39%38%38%
Price—$13.86$40.00$9.36
Shared key ingredients—6 of 1912 of 196 of 19
Key difference—Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCamellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractPersea Gratissima Oil
Irritancy Medium Low Medium Low
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
    Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
  5. 5
  6. 6
Beautycounter Counterstart Cococream cleanser
BeautycounterCounterstart Cococream cleanser

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