If your beauty philosophy is "skin first, makeup second," chances are you're already a fan of Glossier and Milk Makeup. These brands perfected the art of the dewy, effortless look with iconic products like Cloud Paint and Boy Brow, making minimalist, no-makeup-makeup routines the new standard for modern beauty lovers.
For those who can't get enough of that fresh-faced, glowy vibe, the good news is there are plenty of other brands that share a similar approach. Here are 17 brands like Glossier and Milk that every minimalist beauty enthusiast needs to know.
Think of Milk Makeup as Glossier's cool, edgier sister from downtown. They are champions of clean, cruelty-free beauty with an emphasis on multi-use products that you can apply on the go - think versatile cheek and lip sticks and their iconic Hydro Grip Primer. Their formulas are often more innovative and high-impact, like the best-selling KUSH Mascara, but they share the same skin-first ethos.
While Glossier is all about the soft, sheer glow, Milk isn't afraid to pack a punch with creative textures and bolder pigments, all housed in sleek, utilitarian packaging. If you love minimalist beauty but want options that lean a bit more expressive and daring, Milk is for you. Shop now at milkmakeup.com
If you love the simplicity of Glossier but are more interested in the science behind your skincare, The Ordinary is your match. This brand strips away all the frills, focusing entirely on a transparent, ingredient-first approach to skincare and makeup primers. Instead of lifestyle branding, you get potent, clinical-strength formulas like Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% at incredibly affordable prices.
The Ordinary sits at a much lower price point than Glossier, making high-performance ingredients accessible to everyone. It’s perfect for the "skintellectual" who wants to build a routine based on specific skin concerns without the marketing fluff. Shop now at theordinary.com
Imagine getting luxury-quality skincare and makeup manufactured in the world's finest labs, but without the designer markup. That's the idea behind Beauty Pie, a membership-based club that gives you access to high-end products at factory prices. The packaging is minimal and chic, letting the high-performance formulas inside do all the talking.
Like Glossier, the focus is on effective, beautiful products, but Beauty Pie elevates the experience with a touch of luxury. If you're ready to commit to a membership, you can get serums, foundations, and lipsticks that rival brands ten times the price. Shop now at beautypie.com
For those with sensitive skin, Tower 28 is a total game-changer. Inspired by the sunny, laid-back vibe of Santa Monica beach, this clean beauty brand creates non-toxic, non-irritating makeup and skincare designed to be safe for even the most reactive skin types. Their ShineOn Lip Jellies are a cult favorite for a reason, delivering a glassy finish without any stickiness.
Similar to Glossier, Tower 28 is all about enhancing your natural features with lightweight, easy-to-use products that give you a healthy glow. Their formulas, like the SunnyDays SPF Tinted Sunscreen, are perfect for achieving that effortless, "I just got back from the beach" look. Shop now at tower28beauty.com
Versed makes clean, effective skincare uncomplicated and accessible. Found at retailers like Target, the brand offers straightforward, dermatologist-tested products that get straight to the point. With items like the Dew Point Moisturizing Gel-Cream and Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm, their focus is on building a solid routine with formulas free of parabens, sulfates, and other questionable ingredients.
They share Glossier's commitment to prioritizing skin health but stand out with a strong emphasis on sustainability and affordability. If you want a no-fuss, results-driven skincare line that's easy on your wallet and the planet, Versed is a top contender. Shop now at versed.co
Rihanna's Fenty Beauty shook up the industry with its radically inclusive shade ranges and focus on "beauty for all." While known for game-changing launches like the 50-shade Pro Filt'r Foundation, the brand's core philosophy is all about creating radiant skin that looks like skin. Products like the Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint and Gloss Bomb deliver a flawlessly natural yet polished finish.
Fenty shares that modern, minimalist aesthetic with Glossier and Milk but brings a more high-fashion, high-performance edge. It offers the best of both worlds: skin-enhancing formulas for daily wear and vibrant, bold options for when you want to make a statement. Shop now at fentybeauty.com
Kosas is where comfy, wearable makeup meets active-level skincare. This clean brand infuses its products with skin-loving ingredients, so your makeup actually works to improve your skin while you're wearing it. Think foundations with niacinamide and caffeine, or lipsticks packed with hydrating hyaluronic acid.
The aesthetic is sleek, modern, and effortless, perfectly aligning with the Glossier vibe. They’re known for their Revealer Concealer and Tinted Face Oil, which provide beautiful, comfortable coverage that lets your skin breathe. Kosas is for anyone who wants their makeup to be as hardworking as their skincare. Shop now at kosas.com
Drunk Elephant is a powerhouse in the clean skincare world, known for its potent, biocompatible formulas and iconic, brightly-colored packaging. By eliminating what they call the "Suspicious 6" (like essential oils and silicones), the brand focuses on ingredients that directly benefit the skin’s health. Products like the C-Firma Day Serum are cult classics for a reason.
While Drunk Elephant is at a higher, more luxury price point than Glossier, they share a philosophy of simple, effective skincare without unnecessary additives. If you're willing to invest more in a research-backed routine, this is the brand for you. Shop now at drunkelephant.com
Grounded in science and sustainability, Biossance centers its products around squalane, a powerfully hydrating and ethically sourced ingredient. Their approach to skincare is clean, effective, and environmentally conscious. Their Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil is beloved for the glow it builds, creating beautiful, dewy skin from the inside out.
Like Glossier, Biossance has a clean, minimalist aesthetic that looks great on your vanity. However, they place a much stronger emphasis on sustainability, from their sugarcane-derived squalane to their eco-friendly packaging, appealing to the eco-conscious beauty lover. Shop now at biossance.com
Founded by Jessica Alba, Honest Beauty was built on a foundation of transparency and clean ingredients. The brand offers a full range of skincare and makeup that is simple, safe, and effective. The vibe is effortless and natural - perfect for creating that coveted "clean girl" look.
Honest sits at a similar affordable price point to Glossier and appeals to an audience that wants trustworthy, uncomplicated products. Their Fresh Flex Concealer and Tinted Lip Balms are great for enhancing your features without feeling heavy or overdone. Shop now at honestbeauty.com
Aesop offers a more luxurious, sensory take on minimalism. Known for its apothecary-style amber bottles and sophisticated, botanical fragrances, the brand transforms daily routines into rituals. While primarily focused on skincare, hand, and body care, their formulas are crafted with meticulous attention to detail.
Compared to Glossier's playful and trendy vibe, Aesop is more refined, timeless, and chic. It's the go-to for someone who appreciates understated elegance and is looking for a sensorial experience rooted in plant-based ingredients and intelligent design. Shop now at aesop.com
Herbivore combines the power of natural, plant-based ingredients with truly beautiful, minimalist packaging. Their products, from stone facial rollers to vibrant blue tansy masks, make skincare feel like a self-care indulgence. There are no synthetic fillers - just pure, concentrated formulas designed to deliver visible results without irritation.
The aesthetic feels more luxe and bohemian than Glossier's Gen-Z pink, but the core ethos of safe, effective, and gentle skincare is the same. It’s perfect for anyone who loves an Instagram-worthy vanity setup and products that harness the best of nature. Shop now at herbivorebotanicals.com
Youth to the People blends superfood extracts with clinical science to create consciously-sourced, pro-grade vegan skincare. Their Superfood Cleanser is a cult favorite for its ability to gently remove impurities without stripping the skin. Housed in minimalist glass bottles, the brand has a fresh, youthful energy.
YTTP shares Glossier’s focus on happy, healthy skin but with a stronger lean into powerful, superfood-packed formulas. It's for the person who wants their simple routine to be loaded with antioxidants and phytonutrients. Shop now at youthtothepeople.com
For the ultimate in luxury minimalism, Clé de Peau Beauté is unmatched. This Japanese brand blends cutting-edge science with exquisite textures to create skin-perfecting makeup and skincare. Their products, like the iconic Concealer SPF 27 and Radiant Cream Foundation, deliver a luminous, flawless finish that still looks incredibly natural.
While at a much higher price point, Clé de Peau executes the 'skin first' philosophy at a couture level. If you love the effect of Glossier's Perfecting Skin Tint but are looking for a high-end luxury version with more coverage and radiance, this is where you'll find it. Shop now at cledepeau-beaute.com
Vintner's Daughter epitomizes a luxurious, "less is more" mindset. With just two core products - the Active Treatment Essence and Active Botanical Serum - the brand argues that you don't need a 10-step routine to get incredible results. Their philosophy is that a few meticulously crafted, nutrient-dense products are all you need for your best skin.
This approach mirrors the streamlined efficacy that Glossier fans love, but in a super-luxe, potent form. It’s a significant investment, but for those committed to skincare minimalism, these holy-grail formulas are designed to replace multiple steps in your routine. Shop now at vintnersdaughter.com
Farmacy champions "farm-to-face" skincare, combining farm-grown botanicals with clean science for fresh, potent formulas. Their hero product, the Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm, effortlessly dissolves makeup while leaving skin hydrated. The brand's commitment to clean, conscious sourcing is clear in its ingredient lists and eco-friendly packaging.
Similar to Glossier’s emphasis on natural formulas, Farmacy takes it a step further by directly partnering with farms to grow or source their non-GMO ingredients. They're a perfect pick for minimalists who value ingredient transparency and sustainability from start to finish. Shop now at www.farmacybeauty.com/
Saie is built on delivering dewy, luminous looks with clean, good-for-you ingredients. This eco-conscious brand has quickly gone viral for products like the Glowy Super Gel and Dew Blush, which create an effortless, healthy flush that looks good on everyone. The packaging is chic, minimalist, and designed with sustainability in mind.
Of all the brands, Saie feels the most like a direct contemporary to Glossier, sharing a very similar target audience and skin-first philosophy. If you're a devout fan of Cloud Paint and Futuredew, you'll feel right at home with Saie's easy-to-use, glow-enhancing formulas. Shop now at saiehello.com
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