The 11 Best Minimalist Skincare Brands For Simple Yet Effective Skincare

best minimalist skincare brands

02/14/2023

Konstantina Antoniadou

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Updated on April 18, 2024

Looking for the best minimalist skincare brands to help you perfect your healthy skincare routine in 2024 and beyond? 

We made a list of the most natural skincare companies that harvest the power of plants, seeds, and oils to give you that effortless, glow-from-within look. 

These clean formulas cut out all the unnecessary additives, and instead, focus on a handful of powerhouse ingredients that work wonders for your skin. That’s especially amazing for folks with sensitive skin like me. With fewer ingredients comes less chance of irritation or allergic reactions.  

P.S. For more natural and skin-friendly options, check out The 5 Best Sustainable & Refillable Skincare Brands.

best minimalist skincare brands

Best Minimalist Skincare Brands in 2024!

I think I speak for most of us – who has time for a 12-step skincare routine these days? 

Surely, at some point in our lives, we’ve all tried a slew of expensive products that for some reason only end up breaking us out or causing unexpected allergic reactions.

With a long list of ingredients comes a higher chance of encountering potentially harmful substances.

Oxybenzone, parabens, sulfates, phthalates – just to name a few.

Not to mention that mixing and matching multiple skincare products with different formulations can sometimes lead to unexpected interactions.

Did you know that certain ingredients may cancel each other out or even become less effective when used together? This completely undermines the overall effectiveness of your skincare routine.

Luckily, most of us learned our lesson! 70% of U.S. consumers aged 18 to 29 stated that prefer natural and organic skin care products!

That’s because minimalist skincare keeps it simple and straightforward. You don’t need a gazillion products to achieve glowing skin. Just a few well-chosen essentials that deliver maximum results with minimal effort.

Whether you’re dealing with acne or dryness, or want to maintain healthy skin, skincare brands with minimal ingredients have got you covered. They’re versatile enough to address a variety of concerns without overwhelming your skin.

Read on to find the 2024’s most top-rated formulas to add to your minimalist skincare kit.

What is the best minimalist skincare routine?

Pros and minimalist skincare enthusiasts alike have been raving about the benefits of the 3-step skincare routine for quite some time. 

This healthy and natural skincare routine consists of a cleanser or cleansing oil, products that contain active ingredients used to target a specific skin area (like serums), and a moisturizer or finishing oil.

This is mostly because applying multiple products increases your risk of skin irritation. Plus, you can’t know for sure whether the active ingredients in all the products are even compatible. 

Luckily for us, the best non-toxic skincare brands of 2024 have created the most high-performing combos.

What are the 3 most important skincare products?

A truly healthy skincare routine should include a cleanser or cleansing oil, a moisturizer or top layer oil, and a non-toxic sunscreen

However, it’s important to choose products that suit your own skin type. There are many natural skincare options specifically for normal, oily, combo, dry, acne-prone, and sensitive skin – so make sure to do your research. 

Why invest in 10 questionable formulas when you can achieve the same results with a powerful 3-step skincare routine? 

The best minimalist skincare brands listed below offer amazing solutions to treating acne, clogged pores, uneven texture, and dry skin. 


The Best Minimalist Skincare Brands Of 2024: 


1. Activist Skincare

minimalist skincare kit

Activist is a beloved natural and effective skincare brand that “houses” its tried-and-trusted, minimalist skincare routine products in eco-friendly refillable packaging. 

This woman-owned, self-made business chooses premium-quality, USDA-certified organic, plant-based ingredients, and natural botanical extracts to create sensitive-skin-friendly formulas. 

No fillers, endocrine disruptors, or toxic chemicals are added –ever! 

I also love that all products are vegan, cruelty-free and, and come in glass containers and refill pouches. 

Take your pick from cleansing gels, oils, toning mists, serums, and sunscreen.  

Price Range: From $28+

Discount Code: SKL15 for 15% off 

Ethics: USDA Certified Organic, environmentally sustainable ingredients, cruelty-free, vegan, eco-friendly packaging, 1% for the planet 

Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide 


Our Top Picks from Activist Skincare:


2. Plaine Products

minimalist skincare routine products

Plaine Products is the go-to destination for affordable organic skincare that are high-performing and zero-waste. 

The formulas are loaded with potent antioxidants and nutrients that help soften the skin, refine texture, and diminish wrinkles, scars, and fine lines. 

You can also find an array of travel-size vegan skincare options for on-the-go pampering. 

Face toners, moisturizers, body oils – you name it, they have it. 

Your order will arrive at your door in a refillable bottle, when your current bottle is empty rinse it out and switch the pump to the refill bottle. How amazing is that?

Our Top Picks from Plaine Products: 

Price Range: From $13+ 

Discount Code: SKL20 for 20% off 

Ethics: Certified B Corporation, Leaping Bunny Certified, biodegradable formulas, cruelty-free, vegan, refillable packaging, zero-waste 

Location/Shipping: United States 


3. Meow Meow Tweet

Best Minimalist skincare brands

When it comes to amazing, minimalist skincare for oily skin and dry skin, Meow Meow Tweet is among my top options. 

The USA-based, B corporation harvests the benefits of a wide range of mostly certified organic ingredients that are naturally nourishing and deliver a much-needed super-hydration boost. 

On top of that, Meow Meow Tweet also offers a stellar refill program to restock your Leaping Bunny Certified cleaners, hydrators, moisturizers, exfoliating masks, and serums. 

Last but not least, they use zero-waste packaging options, ranging from compostable, FSC-certified, and post-consumer recycled paper to aluminum bottles.

Our Top Picks from Meow Meow Tweet: 

Price Range: From $28+   

Ethics: Certified B Corporation, Leaping Bunny Certified, Certified Plastic Negative, Climate Neutral Certified, small-batch production fair wages, cruelty-free, vegan, sustainable packaging 

Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide 


4. Annmarie Skincare

Minimalist anti aging skin care

Wildcrafted, natural skincare for a non-irritating healthy skincare routine? Yes, please!

Aside from using consciously sourced ingredients that are non-GMO and organic, Annmarie Skincare also ships its formulas in recycled and recyclable boxes produced by wind power.

From cleansers and toners to anti-aging serums, balms, and body oils, you can find an array of See Made Safe-Certified and Leaping Bunny-Certified products lovingly made in the USA.

Our Top Picks from Annmarie Skincare: 

Price Range: From $24+ 

Ethics: MadeSafe® Certified, Leaping Bunny Certified, organic & wildcrafted ingredients, sustainable packaging, non-GMO, transparency  

Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide 


5. BLK + GRN

minimalist skincare brand review

The black-owned, affordable minimalist skincare brand BLK + GRN is an all-natural marketplace.

Otherwise known as the mecca for black-owned skin, body, makeup, and hair products, BLK + GRN’s carefully curated collection has been chosen, vetted, and verified by Black health experts who know what an all-natural product truly looks like.

Are you looking for all-natural, fragrance-free skincare formulas to help you battle dark spots, signs of aging, eczema, or dry skin? There is a product just for you! 

No wonder why they are lauded as one of the best minimalist skincare brands for a healthy skincare routine.

Price Range: From $10+ 

Discount Code: SKL10 for 10% off 

Ethics: Black women-owned, carefully chosen by black health experts, sustainably made, plant-based or cruelty-free

Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide


6. Uviña Skin

best minimalist skin care products

If you are ready to scale down your 10-step skincare routine and finally get back the power of TIME, Uviña Skin is here to help you do just that.

The Latina-owned skincare brand aims to make it easy for busy people to have glowing, healthy skin with a high-performing 3-step skincare routine.

The 3-piece Uviña power bundle is designed to cleanse, calm, brighten, and hydrate using ingredients inspired by tradition and culture. 

You can also find a completely organic, travel-friendly facial cleansing bar formulated with ethically and sustainably sourced palm oil.

No matter your preferences, every natural skincare product on Uviña Skin is developed to give you the best version of your skin without sacrificing your well-being.

Price Range: From $44+  

Discount Code: SKL15 for 15% off

Ethics: Leaping Bunny Certified, Latina-owned, women-owned, vegan, cruelty-free 

Location/Shipping: United States, ships to Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Italy, France, Belize 


7. Dew Mighty

minimalist skincare routine

Dew Mighty formulates minimalist skincare routine products that are great for all skin types. 

Their raved-about cleansing powder and serum bars are ethically made with skin-friendly ingredients like jojoba oil, coconut oil, vitamin C, rice powder, and kaolin clay. 

If you want to give your healthy skincare routine an extra boost, don’t forget to check out their starter kits and bundles. 

You’ll definitely find a vegan, cruelty-free, simple skincare formula that fits your needs. 

Lastly, all products come in customized refill packaging – bloom or lucid metal container, to be exact. 

Price Range: From $16.50+  

Ethics: Vegan & cruelty-free ingredients, made in California USA, FSC Certified recyclable & compostable packaging, carbon-neutral shipping, plastic-free 

Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide  


8. Earth Harbor

minimalist skincare products

Sure, Earth Harbor is by far one of the most beloved fragrance-free, simple skincare brands. 

But did you know that they are the first-ever skincare brand that became Climate-Neutral, Plastic-Negative, and 1% For The Planet Certified? That’s right! 

Whether you want to create a 3 step skincare routine or simply add some stellar formulas to your existing roundup, the brand’s ethically sourced, synthetic-free, ingredients are here to treat, hydrate and nourish our complexion. 

The natural skincare line includes toners, moisturizers, cleansers, masks, hair texturizers, body serums, and soaps –all made in small batches using solar power.

Price Range: From $16+ 

Ethics: Leaping Bunny Certified, PETA Vegan Approved, fair trade, women-owned, made in small batches, ethical & sustainable products, zero-waste, 100% recyclable/reusable plastic-negative packaging, carbon-neutral, 1% for the planet 

Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide 


9. Cuerpa

minimalist skincare for oily skin

Cuerpa is on a mission to create simple skin care with innovative, high-performance formulas packed with raw, natural ingredients from partners that sustainably hand-harvest the plants and minerals.

The Latina-owned minimalist skincare products brand promises to help you achieve rapid and visible results without any traces of parabens, phthalate, fillers, chemicals, animal testing, mineral oils, petroleum, or sodium laurel sulfate.

So rest assured that your new favorite lip balms, facials, and body oils are vegan, cruelty-free, and otherworldly nourishing. What more can we ask from our healthy skincare routine?

Price Range: From $32+  

Ethics: PETA Vegan Approved, responsibly sourced natural ingredients, made in small batches, non-GMO, FSC Certified paper packaging 

Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide 


10. Wild Seed Botanicals UK

skincare brands with minimal ingredients

Wild Seed Botanicals is not only one of the most beloved Black-owned, eco-friendly skincare brands of 2024 but also a plant-powered holistic wellness company rooted and planted in African holistic traditions.

Their chemical-free products list includes facial serums, shea butter creams, and body oils. Clay masks and splurge-worthy bundles are all handmade in small batches.

On top of that, all ingredients are ethically sourced, active, and included for their therapeutic effects. 

This means that with a simple 3 step skincare routine, you’ll be able to harvest the power of mother nature to heal, nourish, and restore. 

Price Range: From $11+  

Ethics: Black-owned skincare brands, handmade in small batches, ingredients ethically sourced, wildcrafted, organic cold-pressed ingredients  

Location/Shipping: United Kingdom, ships worldwide 


11. Coconut Matter

minimalist skincare brand review

Coconut Matter is evidently one of the best minimalist skincare brands for everyone who is on the hunt for vegan, cruelty-free, fair-trade natural skincare. 

What makes them stand out from the natural skincare crowd? Their handcrafted cosmetics and personal care items are based on the health benefits of coconuts. 

If your healthy skincare routine needs a boost in the form of non-toxic deodorants, lip balms, bug repellents, oils, soap scrubs, or moisturizers, Coconut Matter has you covered.

Plus, the plant-based formulas come dressed in sustainable packaging! 

Price Range: From $15+  

Ethics: Natural ingredients, fair trade, cruelty-free, vegan, sustainable packaging

Location/Shipping: Hong Kong, ships worldwide 


This was your full guide to the best minimalist skincare brands!

There you have it – 2024’s top-rated companies that deserve a place in your minimalist skincare kit.

No matter your specific skin type or individual concerns, the best minimalist skincare brands will introduce you to a high-performing, non-irritating, 3-step skincare routine that works. 

Clean, minimalist skincare ditches the nasty stuff, opting for natural and non-toxic ingredients that love your skin back. Plus, most formulas are very budget-friendly, so you don’t need to break the bank to achieve flawless skin.


This post was graciously sponsored by Activist Skincare. As always, we only work with brands that we stand behind. Would you like to sponsor one of our sustainable round-ups? Contact us here.


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best minimalist skincare brands

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