Summer is in full swing, and that means glowy, radiant skin is a top priority. Of course, not all of us were blessed with naturally dewy, supple skin, so sometimes we have to fake it until we make it, and that means investing in the right products. Two fan favourites currently taking the beauty world by storm are the Rhode Highlight Milk and the Saie Glowy Super Gel.

Both products promise healthy, glowing skin and can be worn as a primer, mixed with foundation, or on their own. At first glance, they seem pretty interchangeable, but once you dig into the nitty-gritty details, the differences become much more obvious.

I put them to the test in the name of science, comparing their texture, finish, ingredients, price, and overall value to help you decide which one deserves a spot in your routine.

Now let’s get into the details.

Rhode vs. Saie at a Glance

Rhode | Highlight Milk

Texture and Formula

If you’ve ever used Rhode’s Glazing Milk, you already know what to expect from this formula. It’s an incredibly lightweight liquid that sinks into the skin almost immediately, drying down in seconds so you can move on with the rest of your routine. It’s not sticky or greasy — in fact, you can barely feel it on your skin — making it a great choice for anyone who prefers lightweight, barely-there formulas over heavier, makeup-like finishes. It also layers beautifully, but in the interest of transparency, if you apply foundation — even a lightweight skin tint — over top, the glow doesn’t really shine through.

Glow

The Rhode Highlight Milk delivers a subtle, lit-from-within glow that makes your natural complexion look dewier and healthier (not greasy!). It looks especially beautiful on bare skin, making it perfect for days when you want to skip the heavier complexion products and embrace a more natural look while still giving your skin a little boost. You can also use it as a mix-in or apply it as a highlighter, though the effect remains quite muted. If you’re after a bold, high-impact glow, this probably isn’t the product for you.

Key Ingredients

The Rhode Highlight Milk helps reinforce the skin’s natural barrier while smoothing and moisturizing with the help of glycerin and a ceramide trio (NP, AP, and EOP). It also nourishes and defends against free radicals with a mineral complex of magnesium, zinc, and copper, while vitamin E helps protect against environmental stressors.

Packaging

Packaged in a plastic bottle with a standard dispensing nozzle, it lets you control exactly how much product you use by pouring out just a few drops at a time. Rhode recommends using 2–4 shakes of the bottle to enhance your glow.

Saie | Glowy Super Gel

Texture and Formula

As its name suggests, the Saie Glowy Super Gel has a gel texture that holds its shape when pumped onto your hand. A quick blend with your fingers instantly sheers it out, but unlike the Rhode formula, it sits on top of the skin briefly before drying down. It only takes about 30 seconds, but the difference is noticeable compared to Rhode, which absorbs almost immediately. While it isn’t heavy or uncomfortable, you can definitely feel it on your skin once it has dried down. I find it wears best under makeup, mixed into foundation, or applied as a highlighter. For me, it’s a little too intense — both in feel and finish — for no-makeup days.

Glow

The Saie Glowy Super Gel delivers a more intense highlight and noticeably stronger luminosity. Its reflective finish makes it great for adding dewiness to more matte formulas or bringing extra glow to the high points of your face. It’s incredibly versatile, too. While I don’t typically wear full glam, I do reach for it as a mix-in with my skin tint whenever I wear makeup, and it never looks overdone (I usually use about half to one pump). If you’re looking for versatility or prefer a higher-impact glow, this one is the clear winner.

Key Ingredients

Like Rhode, Saie takes a skincare-first approach with its Glowy Super Gel. Plant-derived glycerin gives the skin a healthy dose of hydration, while olive-derived squalane helps lock in that moisture to keep skin soft and nourished. Rosehip seed oil provides an extra boost of hydration and is rich in antioxidants that help brighten the complexion.

Packaging

Packaged in a sleek glass bottle with a convenient pump, it dispenses the perfect pre-portioned amount of product with each press. Most people use one to two pumps for the face or mix it into foundation.

Pros & Cons

Rhode Highlight Milk

Pros

• Lightweight
• Melts into skin quickly
• Feels and performs like skincare
• Good for no-makeup days
• Lower price point and more product

Cons

• Won’t pull double-duty as a highlighter
• Only available in one size

Saie Glowy Super Gel

Pros

• Next-level radiance
• Works as a primer, highlighter, and make-up mix-in
• Supercharged with skincare ingredients
• A little goes a long way
• Available in travel and full-size bottles

Cons

• Can be a bit much for those with oily skin types
• Too bold a shine to be worn on its own

Which one is the winner?

Choose Rhode Highlight Milk if you…

• Prefer a more natural glow
• Plan to wear your luminizer on no-makeup days
• Are already a fan of Rhode skincare, specifically the Glazing Milk

Choose Saie Glowy Super Gel if you…

• Are looking for a high-impact finish
• Plan to wear your luminzer under makeup or want to mix it with your foundation
• Want a more flexible product you can also use as a highlighter