My Honest Crunchi Review

I was in the market for Beautycounter skincare replacements. Many people recommended Crunchi as an ideal replacement – a skin care and makeup line that’s just as clean, sustainable, and expansive in terms of products. I’ve now been using the products for over 6 months and want to give you my honest Crunchi review.

{If you’re interested in makeup, see my Crunchi makeup review!}

With the announcement of production and availability pause on all Beautycounter products last year, many of us were calmly scrambling to find non toxic beauty brands that we love as much as our (truly beloved) Beautycounter.

When Crunchi was brought up, I had no idea what people were talking about – I’d never seen it or even heard the name, so I was intrigued. Just like Beautycounter, their skincare and makeup are consciously created with strict clean beauty standards in mind.

The name is a little funky and their streamlined black and white packaging doesn’t initially spark that luxurious feeling I was used to with Beautycounter, but things were getting serious as I started running out of my charcoal face mask and brightening serum…

Crunchi Review

Without getting too into the weeds here, I just want to quickly go over the key points of concern before we get to my real life (honest) Crunchi product reviews.

Crunchi doesn’t use any ingredient that is known to cause harm or health hazards. They have rigorous testing for every ingredient used in products. There are no synthetic fragrances, no talc, no retinol, and the entire line is cruelty free. They also third-party test for heavy metals. Nearly the entire line is vegan as well.

Almost all products are in glass and aluminum packaging. Caps and pumps are made of plastic when necessary, but this is a massive reduction in plastic use and limits the amount of products we need to send to makeup recycling. And, just like BC, they have recycling/disposal instructions on every product page!

And in terms of the efficacy of the products. Crunchi uses the highest amount of active ingredients clinically proven to be effective without being irritating to skin, so their products are designed to GET THE JOB DONE!! You can read even more about why I think they’re the cleanest skin care brand!

Ok. So let’s get to this Crunchi review…

Crunchi Products Review

So, just like with Beautycounter, the first product to get me to make a purchase was a charcoal mask. It was just released last week, so this is a new product for them!

In my first order, I picked out the charcoal mask, the Luminating Skin Set that includes their brightening serum and their I Am Luminous Facial oil, and the I am Polished Exfoliator. While I was a big fan of BC’s mask and brightening serum (see more about skin brightening products), I never liked their brightening face oil because it was so citrusy.

Side note: Everyone else I know loved that scent, but I have a funny thing about citrus scents.

I am BRIGHT Vitamin C Serum

As someone who struggled with hyperpigmentation during and after pregnancy, I’m now hyper-aware of sun spots, especially in the summer when I’m outside (yes, with my favorite sunscreen on everyday). With my BC vitamin c serum running out recently, I knew this I Am Bright Vitamin C Facial Serum was going to be one of the first products I tried.

A few people mentioned not liking the scent of this product. There really isn’t a scent, per se. I mean, you can smell the product (almost clinical or medical if that makes sense), but I don’t find it offensive. It just doesn’t lend itself to that luxurious skincare experience.

The first time I used this, I used it after the vitamin c face toner I still have from BC, and I felt tingling on my upper cheeks – where I tend to see my sun spots first. My skin was also a little dry, so maybe a bit sensitive. The feeling dissipated within the hour. It wasn’t ever painful either, but I was definitely aware of the active ingredients…and I started noticing a more even, brighter skin tone within the first week of use!!! See more on what skin toners are for.

If you couldn’t get enough of the All Bright Vitamin C serum, then you’ll like the efficacy of this vitamin c serum.

Crunchi Facial Oil Review

As I mentioned above, the BC face oil was never a favorite of mine. Well, actually, their previous face oils were lovely, but the All Bright oil smelled super citrusy and that wasn’t my jam.

I do, however, LOVE face oils, so the I Am Luminous Facial Oil was the next obvious product to try. I opened up the bottle quickly to see what it smelled like, and I was in love. The main ingredient is sweet almond oil, which I adore.

This face oil has that luxurious skincare experience. I also love that because it isn’t vitamin c, I can easily use it morning and/or night! So this is another one I’m loving so far. (UPDATE: I now consider this the best facial oil – organic or otherwise)

I am POLISHED Exfoliator Review

I love a good exfoliant, nothing too harsh but something that works. The I am Polished facial exfoliator is the best exfoliating mask – seriously. I don’t want to say I love it more than the facial oil, so let’s say it’s a tie!

The polish is a quick scrub you do after cleansing your face. It’s in a cooling gel form that has a wonderfully subtle scent. The scrub can be as intense as you wish, and you can absolutely spot treat – or area treat.

After scrubbing it on, just rinse off with water and follow with your toner, serum, and moisturizer of choice. I’m using it 2-3 days per week and noticing my summer hyperpigmentation spots minimizing already!

Crunchi Charcoal Mask Review

A few things to note about the charcoal mask. It is a gel formula – nothing like I’ve seen before. You MUST shake the container before using it – A LOT. It’s weird because it sounds like liquid in there, but it comes out in a creamy-like consistency.

The mask goes on like a gel. It doesn’t dry, harden, or crack. It’s cooling on the skin. And the BEST PART is how easily it comes off. The only complaint I ever had about the BC charcoal mask was that it took a lot of water (and a bit of a mess) to get it off. This one comes off easily and works fine. But, compared to the Beautycounter one, I don’t love it, so don’t plan to rebuy.

Other Crunchi Skincare Thoughts

This Crunchi review is already pretty long, so I’ll give you a quicker review of each of the remaining products in their skincare line (I’ve tried all but 2)!

I AM The Balm Cleansing Balm – I’ve never enjoyed cleansing balms, loving the one-step BC cleansing oil. But I finally gave this balm a try – first as a moisturizing mask (apply for 5 minutes after cleansing) and then as the first step of double cleansing with their gentle cleansing bar. I’m now a nighttime convert to the balm and bar situation. It’s great for getting off my makeup, moisturizing, and it’s just easy. I don’t like it more than the cleansing oil, but it is nice. And it has the TINIEST grit that makes my skin softer. See how to use a cleansing balm.

Clarilight Facial Essence – This is their toner. See more on what skin toners are for. I’m a firm believer in the need for toners in a skincare routine but I find them all to be fairly effective. Their toner is nice. It’s on the milkier side of essences, which is a good base for moisture. My only complaint on the toner is that a lot comes out of the wide-opening. Since I apply essence/toner with my palms, I don’t need a lot and often get too much.

Goldenlight Multipeptide Facial Serum – This was the last Crunchi skincare product I tried and it’s another winner. Peptides in skincare help fill fine lines. I don’t consider fine lines a big problem, but I’m always here for the prevention of things. Wildly enough, within a few weeks of using this serum, I looked in the mirror and noticed my face looking plumper, fuller, and glowier! Bonkers, right?

Advanced Daylight & Nightlight creams: The Advanced line of their morning and evening creams have bakuchiol – best natural retinol. I find them to be easy and enjoyable to use. I love that the addition of bakuchiol is great because they’re like 2 for 1 products, providing moisture and that cellular turnover. The daylight and nightlight creams are the 2 items I haven’t tried yet but am sure they’re similar to these without the bakuchiol!

Sunlight Facial SPF: This daily sunscreen offers SPF30 and is untinted. I’m a huge proponent of daily sunscreen year round and this one is fine. I’m such a lover of tinted SPF to throw on after my skincare that I just haven’t found a reason to love this one, but it’s still a good product – just a matter of personal preference.

Crunchi Discount Code

I always update this Crunchi discount code page with the current sales and deals. You can also absolutely comment below or email me.

Use Code ADVOCATE10 for 10% off your first order. Saving money already!

Beautycounter vs Crunchi Products

So for those of you fellow Beautycounter lovers, you’re likely just as interested in Crunchi as I was. Depending on what products you were using, here is a complete& list of the Crunchi products to replace the Beautycounter skincare lines. Obviously it isn’t an exact replacement since the brands are different, but here’s generally how to get started.

They also have a skin quiz to help you get just the right products.

COUNTERTIME REPLACEMENTS (the pink collection)
Countertime Collection → Reparative Skincare Routine (15% off as set)
​Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil*
Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence → Clarilight Facial Essence​
Tripeptide Radiance Serum → Goldenlight Multipeptide Facial Serum​
Antioxidant Soft Cream → Daylight Advanced Facial Cream​
Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream → Nightlight Advanced Facial Cream​
Ultra Renewal Eye Cream → Powerlight Eye Cream​

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COUNTERMATCH REPLACEMENTS (the white collection)​
Countermatch Refresh Foaming Cleanser → Gentle Facial Bar​
Countermatch Hydra-Gel Radiance Toner → Clarilight Facial Essence
Countermatch Intense Moisture Serum → Goldenlight Multipeptide Facial Serum​
Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion → Daylight Facial Cream​
Countermatch Recovery Sleeping Cream → Nightlight Facial Cream​
Countermatch Eye Rescue Cream → Powerlight Eye Cream

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ALL BRIGHT REPLACEMENTS (the yellow collection)
All Bright Duo → Luminating Skin Set
All Bright Facial Oil → I AM Luminous Facial Oil​
​All Bright Serum → I AM Bright Vitamin C Facial Serum​

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*Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil – My most beloved Beautycounter product probably, this product doesn’t have a direct replacement in Crunchi’s lines. They do have the balm and two facial bars (gentle and clarifying) for cleansers. They’re designed to be used together for a double cleanse that is great. But I do love this cleansing balm as a replacement (use code 20LUCI for 20% off).

Have questions? See what order should I do my skincare? And reach out with any questions!

Clean Beauty

Since clean beauty is an important part of sustainable living (what we wash down the drain matters as much as what we put on our skin), be sure to check out:

Non Toxic Makeup Brands
Crunchi Review (skincare)
Crunchi Makeup Review
Clean Beauty at Nordstrom
Clean Beauty at Sephora
Clean Beauty at Target
Clean Beauty at Walmart
Clean Beauty at ULTA

Common items of interest include shampoo bar reviews and how to you use them? What natural deodorant actually works? Are there refillable deodorant options? What’s the best double edge razor blades (the best safety razors and how to use them properly). And the best makeup brush cleaner (on the cheap and easy)!

There are also great natural skin care products for men, including hair care! And you’ll want to check out these wonderful natural bar soaps as well as the answer to the ever popular question: what are skin toners for!