As clean beauty continues to dominate the cosmetics industry, two brands stand out as pioneers in the movement: Ilia Beauty and RMS Beauty. Both offer high-performance, ingredient-conscious products that aim to bridge the gap between makeup and skincare. But when it comes to choosing between the two, beauty lovers often ask: Which clean brand truly reigns supreme?
In this in-depth comparison, we’ll explore Ilia and RMS across key categories—ingredients, performance, product range, packaging, and price—to help you determine which one best fits your clean beauty needs.
1. Brand Philosophy: Skin-First Meets Raw Beauty
✨ Ilia Beauty
Founded in 2011, Ilia blends makeup performance with skincare benefits, focusing on formulas infused with active ingredients like niacinamide, squalane, and hyaluronic acid. Ilia’s mission is to protect and revive skin with every use—while offering a modern, polished finish.
Philosophy Highlights:
- Skincare-infused makeup
- Lightweight, breathable wear
- High SPF integration
- Sustainability in packaging and sourcing
🌿 RMS Beauty
Launched in 2009 by makeup artist Rose-Marie Swift, RMS stands for Raw Mineral Skin. The brand is deeply rooted in purity, using organic, food-grade ingredients with minimal processing to preserve their benefits. RMS emphasizes healing, nourishment, and makeup that supports natural skin function.
Philosophy Highlights:
- Unrefined, organic ingredients
- Coconut oil-based formulas
- Minimalist, skin-healing approach
- Makeup with a no-makeup feel
2. Ingredient Integrity and Clean Credentials
Ilia:
- Free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, talc, synthetic fragrance
- Uses active skincare ingredients like niacinamide, vitamin C, and peptides
- Cruelty-free, vegan options available
- Focuses on performance-grade clean beauty
RMS:
- Free of synthetic preservatives, gluten, GMOs, and nano-particles
- Uses raw, organic ingredients like coconut oil, jojoba, and beeswax
- Certified cruelty-free
- Very minimal ingredient lists, ideal for sensitive skin
Winner:
- RMS for purists who want fewer, food-grade ingredients
- Ilia for those who want performance and skincare in one
3. Star Products Showdown
| Category | Ilia Top Product | RMS Top Product |
|---|---|---|
| Tinted Base | Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 | “Un” Cover-Up Foundation + Concealer |
| Mascara | Limitless Lash Mascara | Straight Up™ Volumizing Peptide Mascara |
| Lip & Cheek | Multi-Stick | Lip2Cheek |
| Concealer | True Skin Serum Concealer | “Un” Cover-Up Concealer |
| Highlight | Liquid Light Serum Highlighter | Living Luminizer |
Performance Insight:
- Ilia products tend to be longer-wearing, ideal for everyday and glam use.
- RMS products melt into the skin, perfect for dewy, natural looks.
4. Texture, Finish, and Wearability
Ilia:
- Lightweight but buildable formulas
- Natural to dewy finishes with long wear
- Great for normal, dry, and combination skin
- Offers SPF and sweat-resistant options
RMS:
- Cream-based textures
- Dewy, radiant finish
- Best suited for dry or mature skin types
- May not wear as long in hot/humid conditions
Winner:
- Ilia for modern, everyday wear with longer staying power
- RMS for minimal makeup lovers and dry skin types seeking glow
5. Shade Range and Inclusivity
Ilia:
- Offers a wider shade range, especially in foundation and concealer
- Super Serum Skin Tint includes 30+ shades with diverse undertones
- More inclusive for deeper skin tones
RMS:
- More limited range, especially in deeper tones
- Foundation and concealer shades are expanding but still behind larger clean brands
Winner:
Ilia takes the lead in diversity and inclusivity.
6. Sustainability and Packaging
Ilia:
- Uses recycled aluminum, glass, and post-consumer recycled plastic
- Offers a recycling program through Pact Collective
- Refill options are growing
RMS:
- Simple, glass jars with aluminum lids
- Emphasis on minimal packaging and reduced waste
- Packaging may feel more artisanal than polished
Winner:
- Tie — Ilia edges ahead in innovation, but RMS maintains low-waste simplicity
7. Price Point and Value
| Brand | Average Price (USD) | Value Proposition |
|---|---|---|
| Ilia | $28 – $48 | Skincare + makeup + clean SPF |
| RMS | $22 – $52 | Ultra-pure ingredients + multitasking |
Winner:
Depends on your priority:
- Choose RMS if you want purity and simplicity.
- Choose Ilia for multi-functional, performance-based products.
Final Verdict: Which Clean Brand Reigns Supreme?
🏆 Choose Ilia If You Want:
- Makeup + skincare in one
- Longer wear and modern finishes
- More shade variety
- A polished, everyday makeup look
🌿 Choose RMS If You Want:
- Ultra-clean, raw, and minimal formulations
- Dewy, skin-like finishes
- Fewer ingredients for highly sensitive skin
- A more artisanal, minimalist beauty approach
Bottom Line:
Both Ilia and RMS are standouts in the clean beauty world. If your priority is high-performance, inclusive, and skincare-focused makeup, Ilia is likely your best match. But if you want barely-there, ultra-pure products with a “skin first” mindset, RMS will feel like home.
Either way, you’re investing in makeup that truly cares for your skin.