Selena Gomez vs. Hailey Bieber: Which Skincare Brand Is Better — Rare Beauty or Rhode?
Two pop culture icons, two booming beauty empires. Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty and Hailey Bieber’s Rhode are dominating vanities across the globe. But when it comes to real results, ethics, and staying power—which brand truly shines? Let’s break down the battle of beauty, ingredient by ingredient.
1. Brand Philosophy & Identity
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Rare Beauty (launched in 2020 by Selena Gomez) is built around self-acceptance, mental health awareness, and inclusive beauty. The brand donates a portion of profits to the Rare Impact Fund supporting mental health services.
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Rhode (founded in 2022 by Hailey Bieber) focuses on minimalist skincare for glazed, healthy skin. It’s a curated, clean-beauty line designed for everyday simplicity and radiance.
🎯 Rare Beauty speaks to the heart; Rhode speaks to the skin.
2. Product Focus
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Rare Beauty is primarily a makeup line, featuring beloved products like liquid blushes, foundations, lipsticks, and now body care.
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Rhode is a skincare-first brand, offering essentials like the Glazing Milk, Peptide Lip Treatment, Barrier Restore Cream, and the newer Pineapple Refresh Cleanser.
🧴 Rare = pigment and performance. Rhode = hydration and glow.
3. Market Impact and Sales
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Rare Beauty has become a beauty powerhouse, generating $370 million USD in 2023 and projected to be worth $2.7 billion by 2025.
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Rhode was acquired by e.l.f. Beauty in 2025 for $1 billion USD, with Hailey staying on as creative director and brand visionary.
💸 Both brands are winning—but Rare has the lead in size and reach (for now).
4. Customer & Expert Reviews
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Rhode is praised by skincare experts and publications like Marie Claire and Byrdie for its clean formulas and visible results. The Peptide Lip Treatment is a best-seller and the Barrier Cream is ideal for sensitive skin.
🗣️ “Rhode makes my skin feel like glass without the weight.” — User review from Reddit
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Rare Beauty regularly wins industry awards (Allure, Cosmopolitan) for its lightweight textures and skin-positive approach. Its Soft Pinch Liquid Blush and Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer are cult favorites.
🗣️ “It’s makeup that makes you feel seen, not filtered.” — Rare Beauty fan on Instagram
5. Sustainability & Ethics
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Rare Beauty is vegan, cruelty-free, and uses FSC-certified recyclable packaging. The brand puts a strong focus on mental health advocacy and social responsibility.
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Rhode also uses clean, vegan-friendly formulas and maintains a dermatologist-developed, minimalist ethos, but with less emphasis on activism.
🌍 Rare shines in social impact; Rhode shines in simplified skin science.
6. Which Should You Choose?
| If you want... | Choose Rare Beauty | Choose Rhode |
|---|---|---|
| Makeup that enhances natural beauty | ✔ | — |
| Skincare that gives you "glazed donut skin" | — | ✔ |
| Strong commitment to mental health causes | ✔ | — |
| A full face of color + performance | ✔ | — |
| Lightweight, dermatologist-backed skincare | — | ✔ |
| A minimalist daily routine | — | ✔ |
✅ Final Verdict:
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Rare Beauty is your go-to if you want expressive, inclusive makeup backed by a mission of emotional wellness.
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Rhode is your brand if you’re chasing dewy, glowing skin with a minimal-effort skincare routine.
Both are industry standouts. The better brand? It depends on your vibe: self-expression or skin obsession.