Is Minimalist a good brand? Confused about what to buy from this clean skincare brand? This post is for you. We present you a consolidated review of all the Minimalist Products we’ve tried so far.
Table of Contents
Minimalist Brand Overview
Minimalist is an Indian Brand that was launched in 2020. The brand offers no-nonsense, clean & transparent active-based products that do what they are expected to do. It became popular overnight for being an Indian Dupe of The Ordinary. Minimalist Products are affordable yet are highly effective in treating skin concerns.
Minimalist is committed to bringing Transparency in Beauty. Minimalist strives for ‘Clean Beauty’ products. Products that are free from well-researched toxins and do not sensitize your skin – irrespective of their natural or naturally derived tag.
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Best Minimalist Products Review
1. Minimalist Alpha Lipoic Glycolic Acid Cleanser
Product Type: Minimalist Alpha Lipoic+Glycolic 07% Cleanser is a brightening face wash that promises to exfoliate our skin, stimulate skin turnover, and give us radiant skin.
Suitable For: All Skin Types
Texture: Runny and Transparent Gel
Fragrance: Odourless.
My Experience:
I didn’t give it much thought for the first week or so. It felt like using a typical cleanser. However, after the second week, I observed smoother skin texture, especially on my forehead. And I had some blackheads around my nose. I wasn’t aware when it started to work, but all of a sudden I realized: “Oo, I don’t have those little blackheads around the sides of my nose anymore”.
I can confidently state that it exfoliated, but it did so extremely gently and gradually that you wouldn’t notice instantly, So that is probably why it’s for daily use.
My Rating: 4.8/5
Price*: ₹379 for 100 ml
Where to buy? Amazon.in
*at the time of publication
2. Minimalist Aquaporin Booster Cleanser
Product Type: Minimalist Aquaporin Booster Cleanser is a gentle, hydrating cleanser that makes the skin clean, soft, and supple.
Suitable For: All Skin Types.
Texture: Runny, clear gel.
Fragrance: Contains no added fragrance. But has a barely-there gel smell to it.
My Experience:
This sure works on par with my favourite Bioderma Sensibio Face Wash. The gentle lather it produces gives a nice cleansing experience. I love how clean and refreshing my skin feels after using this.
It’s a simple face wash – but that’s what I want my face wash to be. It’s affordable, has great ingredients, is easy to wash off – no slimy residue left behind, and leaves the skin clean and fresh with soft supple skin – zero stretchy feeling.
A great face wash that would suit all skin types.
My Rating: 4.5/5
Price*: ₹284 for 100 ml
Where to buy? Amazon.in
*at the time of publication
3. Minimalist 0.3% Ceramide Moisturizer For Oily Skin
Product Type: An everyday lightweight gel moisturizer with ceramides to repair and restore skin’s natural barrier.
Suitable For: Oily and Combination Skin.
Texture: Gel-like consistency that effortlessly spreads over the skin like butter.
Fragrance: No added fragrance. But has a mild scent that reminds me of Avene skin relief moisturiser.
My Experience:
I loovve this moisturizer. After using this gel, my skin is noticeably softer and plumper. When I say it made my skin more plump, I mean it genuinely made my skin more plum plum. The texture is also. The texture is also light and easy to work with – I mean it soaks up really fast. But it’s extremely good at moisturizing and makes the skin visibly smoother.
It also contains a bunch of ceramides that are great for the skin barrier and to help maintain healthy radiant skin.
My Rating: 4.8/5
Price*: ₹569 for 50gm | $12 for 50gm
Where to buy? Amazon.in | Amazon.com
*at the time of publication
4. Minimalist 10% Vitamin B5 Moisturizer
Product Type: Minimalist 10% Vitamin B5 Moisturizer is an everyday moisturizer to hydrate, nourish and repair the skin.
Suitable For: Combination Skin and Acne Prone Skin.
Texture: Proper thick gel texture – thick but blends easily.
Fragrance: Contains no added fragrance. But has a noticeable chemical scent, relatable to pharmacy products.
My Experience:
The gel texture is nice – I need just a pea size for the whole face. It spreads, blends easily, and instantly moisturizes the skin. It has a shiny, dewy finish and some might find it sticky – it might not be the best for oily skin as claimed. It might be heavy for oily skin and the summer.
On my combination skin, it gave me good hydration that lasted long. It worked well under my mattifying Qurez Sunscreen which cancelled the shine and under my night serums to boost their performance.
It didn’t break me out or anything. But once when my skin barrier was weak, this stung me. This might be due to the high concentration of Panthenol?
It’s a decent moisturizer overall. I didn’t regret trying it out, but I wouldn’t repurchase it.
My Rating: 3/5
Price*: ₹331 for 50gm | $9 for 1.7 oz
Where to buy? Amazon.in | Amazon.com
*at the time of publication
5. Minimalist Sunscreen SPF 60 PA++++
Product Type: An antioxidant-rich sunscreen with modern UV filters that offers broad-spectrum protection.
Sunscreen Filters: Tinosorb S, Uvinul A Plus, & Uvinul T 150 & Titanium Dioxide.
Suitable For: All skin Types, except very oily.
Texture: Creamy texture that’s light and fluffy.
Fragrance: Odourless.
My Experience:
This was such a disappointment.
Sure, it’s nice on paper – modern filters, pregnancy & lactating safe, rich in antioxidants, light moisturizer like sunscreen feel, no white cast, no pilling, protects well and even independently tested. But this doesn’t stay put on hot days. It makes me sweat crazy and it just melts away so there is barely any protection. It’s not waterproof or sweatproof too.
I finished using this up during the monsoons and winters. That time it had a a barely there moisturizer feel on the skin and protected the skin from sun damage quite well.
My Rating: 3/5 (only for the winters)
Price*: ₹569 for 50gm | $19.50 for 50gm
Where to buy? Amazon.in | Amazon.com
*at the time of publication
6. Minimalist Invisible Sunscreen
Product Type: This is an anhydrous, silicone-based, water-resistant sunscreen offering broad spectrum SPF 40 PA+++ for UVA and UVB protection.
Sunscreen Filters: Uvinul A Plus, Avobenzone, and Octocrylene.
Suitable For: All Skin Types.
Texture: Thick, waxy, balm-like texture. Has an oily, Vaseline-like feel on the skin.
Fragrance: Contains no added fragrance. No noticeable smell.
My Experience:
I had high expectations as this was widely loved and had great reviews compared to the other Minimalist Sunscreens.
But again, this wasn’t for me.
It surely is invisible on the skin – like I have nothing on the skin – zero white cast, natural finish. But the texture and feel of it on the skin is weird. I’m not a fan of it.
The waxy balm sits on the top of the skin without getting absorbed. I don’t mind film forming – but this is uncomfortable there even after half an hour of application. Setting it with a powder was a must for me.
I also noticed that this made my skin look dull and oily as the day went on.
However, it did protect my skin really well, even though it’s only SPF 40 PA+++. I used it outdoors during the day and it protected my skin from tanning..
It didn’t sting my eyes while applying. However, if I sweat and if the sunscreen residue runs down, it makes my eyes watery.
It’s a water-resistant sunscreen, and double cleansing is absolutely necessary, as the sunscreen stays put there. Failure to do so, lead me to have tiny whiteheads the next day. With proper removal, there were no acne breakouts.
Overall, it’s a good sunscreen in terms of protection, but the texture and skin feel is a major turn-off for me.
My Rating: 3/5
Price*: ₹499 for 50gm
Where to buy? Amazon.in
*at the time of publication
7. Minimalist 5% Niacinamide Serum
Product Type: A 5% Niacinamide Serum with 1% Hyaluronic Acid to clear, heal and soothe the skin.
Suitable For: Combination, Dry and Sensitive Skin Types.
Texture: Clear, thin serum.
Fragrance: Odourless
My Experience:
Niacinamide at 5% is the best to soothe and give clear skin without irritating the skin. And this one from Minimalist is a keeper.
I’ve used this for 2 months in my PM routine every day. And it works. It is soothing and makes my skin glowy and healthy. Its effects on acne marks and pigmentation are slow but noticeable.
The serum is also hydrating and has that signature hyaluronic acid serum slip to it. Using a moisturizer to lock the moisture is a must, otherwise, it might feel drying as hyaluronic acid pulls moisture from the skin.
It’s also great at improving the skin texture -subsiding small bumps and evening out the skin tone.
This is surely one of the Best Beginner-Friendly Niacinamide Serums to give you clear and glowing skin.
If you are particularly looking to fade acne marks and you don’t mind using Alpha Arbutin, the Deconstruct Clearing Serum with 5% Niacinamide and 2% Alpha Arbutin is a good choice.
My Rating: 5/5
Price*: ₹569 for 30 ml | $12 for 1 fl oz
Where to buy? Amazon.in | Amazon.com
*at the time of publication
8. Minimalist Vitamin C 10% Serum
Product Type: It is a Vitamin C Serum that reduces dark spots, and pigmentation and boosts glow to the skin.
Suitable For: All Skin Types, except Sensitive, Damaged Skin.
Texture: Transparent watery fluid.
Fragrance: Pungent chemical scent.
My Experience:
So I started using this serum twice a day after cleansing and moisturizing my face, and I noticed that it felt really sticky on my skin and fingers once the application was done. The stickiness settled down in no time. and left my skin with a subtle dew.
After consistently using it for over a month, I could see an enhanced skin radiance. However, it took a little longer (almost two months) to work on my dark spots. So all in all, you need to be a bit patient with this product. It slowly reduces the hyperpigmentation as well and evens out the skin tone & texture. Not the top Best Vitamin C Serum out there, but it’s still quite good.
You also might want to avoid using it on sensitive skin as it triggered some acne and rashes on the damaged area of my skin.
My Rating: 4/5
Price*: ₹664 for 30 ml | $13 for 1 fl oz
Where to buy? Amazon.in | Amazon.com
*at the time of publication
9. Minimalist Squalane Facial Oil
Product Type: This is a lightweight, vegan-friendly squalene oil that seals in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss thereby improving elasticity & firmness of the skin.
Suitable For: All Skin Types. Great for Dehydrated Skin & Damaged Skin Barrier.
Texture: Colorless, lightweight, runny oil.
Fragrance: No scent.
My Experience:
On my oily to combination skin, I need just two drops of the oil after cleansing in my PM routine. Initially, I thought this would cause acne breakouts, but it didn’t.
The Squalane Oil is extremely lightweight and provides an instant boost of moisturization. It makes my skin look and feels plump. It acts as a nice occlusive on top of my actives and does not reduce their efficacy. I have also tried this squalane as a prep step for makeup application. It helps the base makeup to blend and also gives a nice dewy finish.
Overall, it’s the best in the market that is not only of high quality but is also pocket-friendly.
My Rating: 4.8/5
Price*: ₹664 for 30 ml | $13 for 1 fl oz
Where to buy? Amazon.in | Amazon.com
*at the time of publication
10. Minimalist Niacinamide 10% Serum
Product Type: Minimalist Niacinamide Serum is a lightweight aloe-based formula containing pure 10% Niacinamide and Zinc PCA to balance excess sebum production, improve skin complexion, and keep your skin resilient & healthy.
Suitable For: Acne-Prone & Blemish Prone Skin to fade acne marks, smoothen skin texture
Texture: Colorless, slightly thicker-than-water consistency but got absorbed within seconds without any sticky residue
Fragrance: Odourless
My Experience: (Update 2024: This is the older formulation)
I used this serum for 6 weeks. For the first two weeks, my skin purged a little. I had sudden pimples here and there that took 2-3 days to heal. My pimples generally take at least 5-6 days to heal. For the 3-4th week, I used only a salicylic acid face wash and applied Minimalist Niacinamide Serum; no other active ingredients. From the 4th week, my skin looked a lot clearer and, pigmentation started fading. For the 5-6th week, I added one more active to my skincare routine. I then used niacinamide in the morning and retinoids at night.
This is a bomb product. My skin used to look textured due to clogged pores. This serum has helped in clearing those. I still have pigmentation spots but they are less evident than before.
My Rating: 5/5
Price*: ₹569 for 30 ml | $12 for 1 fl oz
Where to buy? Amazon.in | Amazon.com
*at the time of publication
11. Minimalist Granactive Retinoid 2% Face Cream
Product Type: This is an anti-aging serum containing a milder form of Retinoids to reduce all signs of aging resulting in youthful skin.
Suitable For: Blackheads, Dullness, Uneven Skin, Excess Oiliness, and premature aging issues.
Texture: Thin gel-cream texture with an off-white color.
Fragrance: No scent.
My Experience: (Update 2024: This is the older formulation)
I used it in my PM routine for 7 weeks. It had a dense texture compared to usual serums. But then it gets absorbed in 20 to 30 minutes. I followed it up with the Squalane Oil.
For the first two weeks, my skin was a little itchy and there was extreme skin peeling. There was a sudden pimple outbreak as well. I gave the product a break for a week. I slowly started to use it regularly twice a week from the 4th week onwards. After my skin got familiar with the product, it didn’t give any sensation or redness after application. I didn’t face any skin peeling or flakiness as well. Remember, I used this as my first beginner’s retinol cream. If you are used to retinol, it might not be that harsh for you.
The face cream made my skin smooth and controlled the appearance of the enlarged pore to a good extent. I woke up with fresh and glowing skin every time I used this.
Overall, this is a highly effective retinoid serum that works great for the dryness & dullness of maturing skin. I wouldn’t recommend it to a newbie.
My Rating: 4/5
Price*: ₹664 for 30 ml | $13 for 1 fl oz
Where to buy? Amazon.in | Amazon.com
*at the time of publication
Those were some of the Minimalist Products that I tried. Have you tried these? Share your experience with them in the comments section below.
Safiya is the editor and founder of TheBeautyInsideOut. With 7 years of experience in the beauty industry, she has been contributing content since its inception in 2016. She’s keen on trying out skincare from various verticals – be it Western skincare, Korean beauty, or Indian Ayurveda and sharing their unbiased opinions on them.
