If you love skincare that's elegant, effective, and straight to the point, you're probably already a fan of Minimalist. The brand has won hearts with its transparent, science-backed formulas that deliver real results without mystery ingredients or over-the-top claims. Their sleek, understated vibe proves that great skincare doesn't need to be complicated.
For anyone who appreciates this less-is-more approach, you're in luck. There's a whole world of brands that share that ethos of simplicity and efficacy. Here are 19 similar brands that focus on clean, powerful, and elegant skincare you'll want to add to your top shelf.
Famous for its science-driven, single-ingredient focus, The Ordinary is the ultimate accessible skincare brand. They sell highly effective serums, oils, and acids, with most products priced between $5 and $20. Like Minimalist, they prioritize transparency and no-nonsense formulas so you know exactly what you're putting on your skin.
The Ordinary has a more clinical, utilitarian feel and offers a wider range of potent active ingredients. If you love Minimalist's affordability and want to build a highly customized routine targeting specific concerns like acne or dullness, this is your perfect starting point.
Shop now at theordinary.com
CeraVe is a dermatologist-recommended staple known for its gentle, barrier-repairing formulas. Focused on key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, their cleansers and moisturizers are perfect for sensitive or compromised skin. With most products sitting in the $10 to $20 range, it delivers clinical results without a high price tag.
While Minimalist's aesthetic is sleek and modern, CeraVe’s vibe is more practical and doctor-approved. If you want ultra-reliable, hydrating essentials that won't irritate your skin, CeraVe is an easy and effective choice.
Shop now at www.cerave.com
The Inkey List makes powerful ingredients easy to understand and afford, with most of their serums, cleansers, and treatments priced between $6 and $15. Their whole mission is to demystify skincare, breaking down complex ingredients like retinol and niacinamide into simple, targeted solutions.
Think of The Inkey List as Minimalist's slightly more playful cousin. Both champion simple, potent formulas, but The Inkey List’s branding feels a bit more friendly and approachable, making it perfect for those just starting to experiment with active ingredients.
Shop now at www.theinkeylist.com
Grounded in science and transparency, Paula’s Choice is a go-to for effective, research-backed skincare. They offer a huge range of exfoliants, serums, and treatments targeting everything from acne to aging, with prices generally from $15 to $35. Their BHA liquid exfoliant is a cult classic for a reason.
Compared to Minimalist, Paula's Choice offers more intensive, problem-solving formulas and a wealth of educational guides. It's a fantastic fit if you're serious about tackling a specific skin concern and want reliable products that truly work.
Shop now at www.paulaschoice.com
Ren Clean Skincare combines plant-based bio-actives with a commitment to sustainability. They offer gentle yet effective cleansers, serums, and moisturizers typically priced between $20 and $40. Their focus on eco-friendly packaging and clean, non-toxic ingredients makes them a favorite among conscious consumers.
While both brands focus on simple, effective formulas, Ren places a much stronger emphasis on natural and eco-friendly ingredients. If you love Minimalist's simplicity but want a skincare routine that’s kind to both your skin and the planet, you'll love Ren.
Shop now at www.renskincare.com
Known for its bright packaging and "biocompatible" philosophy, Drunk Elephant creates clean formulas by avoiding what they call the "Suspicious 6" ingredients. Their popular serums, creams, and cleansers are in the premium range, from $30 to $80, but deliver powerful, noticeable results.
Drunk Elephant's formulas are more complex than Minimalist's, often blending multiple high-tech actives. It’s perfect for someone who loves Minimalist’s clean approach but is ready to invest in a more luxurious, multi-tasking skincare routine.
Shop now at www.drunkelephant.com
Biossance centers its entire line around plant-derived squalane, a powerfully hydrating and sustainable ingredient. Their award-winning serums, oils, and moisturizers focus on effective, clean, and eco-friendly hydration, usually ranging from $20 to $50. The brand marries clinical efficacy with a strong-rooted ethos.
Like Minimalist, Biossance offers straightforward, results-driven skincare. However, its unique focus on sustainably sourced ingredients like squalane gives it a special edge for anyone passionate about both great skin and environmental responsibility.
Shop now at www.biossance.com
Founded on a "less is more" philosophy, Krave Beauty encourages you to "press reset" and pare down your routine. Their small but mighty collection of gentle cleansers and serums, priced from $15 to $30, is designed to support a healthy skin barrier without overloading it.
Krave Beauty captures the same spirit as Minimalist but with a more playful and approachable branding style. It's the ideal brand if you feel overwhelmed by too many steps and want to get back to effective, skin-loving basics.
Shop now at kravebeauty.com
Herbivore combines clean, plant-based ingredients with beautiful, shelfie-worthy packaging. Their luxurious facial oils, serums, and masks range from $30 to $70 and turn daily skincare into a truly enjoyable ritual. The focus is on natural, effective, and aesthetically pleasing products.
Where Minimalist is sleek and utilitarian, Herbivore is all about curated indulgence and sensory experience. If you value clean ingredients but also want your routine to feel like a moment of self-care, Herbivore delivers on both fronts.
Shop now at www.herbivorebotanicals.com
Evolve makes beautiful, handcrafted organic skincare in small batches. With prices from $20 to $50, their eco-conscious line of serums, cleansers, and moisturizers uses gentle, effective ingredients that are good for you and the planet. It’s great for people looking for truly 'au-natural' skincare that feels elegant.
Similar to Minimalist, Evolve values simplicity and transparency. The key difference is its strong and all-encompassing lean into certified organic formulas and sustainable practices, making it a dream for eco-aware shoppers who prioritize natural and clean living.
Shop now at www.evolvebeauty.co.uk
As a clean, dermatologist-approved drugstore brand, a staple at stores like Target, Versed makes effective skincare incredibly approachable. Almost all of their products, from brightening serums to retinol treatments and cleansers, are under $25. Versed follows transparent, simple formulas and packaging that make their offerings easy to understand.
Think of Versed as the über price-conscious and accessibility-focused version of Minimalist. It's great for shoppers on a budget who refuse to compromise on an efficient, well-designed product that uses the best clean, on-trend ingredients available.
Shop now at www.versedskin.com
Grown Alchemist brings together cutting-edge science and potent natural botanicals, wrapped in ultra-chic, minimalist packaging. Their luxurious skincare, from nourishing cleansers to advanced serums, sits at a higher price point of $40 to $100. It's the go-to skincare line that focuses on your holistic well-being.
While Minimalist provides a functional aesthetic, Grown Alchemist offers a sensory, more curated experience - a step toward the luxury skincare market that's well worth it for shoppers on this end of the spectrum who prefer a more in-depth and complex routine.
Shop now at www.grownalchemist.com
This brand packs its formulas with superfoods like kale, spinach, and goji berry for potent, plant-based results. Their creams, serums, and their popular superfood cleanser range between $30 and $70. Everything is clean and effective as well as sustainably and ethically made and sourced.
Youth To The People takes an innovative and effective approach similar to Minimalist, focusing on super-nutrients rather than isolated chemicals. Both brands appeal to eco-driven consumers committed to skincare formulas that are effective, transparent, and easy to incorporate into daily routines.
Shop now at www.youthtothepeople.com
Harnessing the power of wildcrafted botanicals from the mountains of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Alpyn Beauty offers truly incredible products. Its skincare range combines hardy, resilient plants with a rustic flair and uber-clean ingredients. These serums and moisturizers are priced on a higher scale.
Like Minimalist, Alpyn offers simple, effective solutions. However, it stands out with eco-conscious buyers who value the wildcraft origin story.
Shop now at www.alpynbeauty.com
For lovers of facial oils and luxe UK skincare, Votary is the definition of simple elegance. This luxury brand focuses on pure plant oils and sleek, apothecary-inspired packaging. Their creams and cleansing oils cater to those in search of a premium skincare experience.
Votary offers a great choice for fans of Minimalist who appreciate simplicity but want to elevate their skincare routine with a touch of luxury using different ingredients.
Shop now at www.votary.co.uk
Fusing French skincare principles with green California living, Odacité emphasizes fresh, pure ingredients. Best known for their targeted serum concentrates priced from $30 to $70, they offer highly potent solutions that you can mix and match to create a personalized routine.
Odacité mirrors Minimalist’s quest for efficacy but feels more like a luxury apothecary. It's a fantastic brand if you want to move beyond a basic routine and start customizing your skincare with high-potency, natural formulas.
Shop now at odacite.com
For those who love small-batch, artisanal skincare, Herb & Elder offers a rustic charm. Their botanical-infused products focus on simplicity and efficacy, providing a personalized approach to skincare.
With a simple skincare philosophy, Herb & Elder pairs perfectly with Minimalist for those who value simplicity and effective results.
Shop now at herbandelder.com
May Lindstrom transforms skincare from a chore into a decadent, indulgent ritual. Using only the highest quality, wild-sourced ingredients, her line of masks and balms - priced from $60 to $150 - is pure luxury. Products like The Problem Solver mask are famously potent and effective.
This brand takes the natural principles of Minimalist and elevates them to the highest end of the market. It's an investment, but for those seeking a truly hedonistic experience with uncompromisingly clean and powerful formulas, there’s nothing quite like it.
Shop now at maylindstrom.com
One Love Organics is all about creating simple, straightforward, and award-winning organic skincare. Its gentle cleansers, toners, and hydration products ($20-$50) focus on pure formulations made in small batches in the beautiful coastal town of St. Simons, Georgia. They define gentle skincare that feels refreshing.
Sharing similar values to Minimalist, One Love Organics offers a pure skincare routine, perfect for those looking to avoid all the fuss of packaging and brand messaging that doesn’t shout luxury.
Shop now at oneloveorganics.com
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