Estée Lauder vs Simple
Estée Lauder and Simple are established skincare lines offering distinct approaches to daily routines, with the former being an American brand founded in 1946 and the latter a British brand founded in 1960. Estée Lauder is beloved for its comprehensive range of moisturizers, serums, eye products, cleansers, and more, all expertly formulated with hydrating hyaluronic acid and glycerin to suit acne-prone skin and mature skin best. Meanwhile, Simple is deeply loved for its gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners that incorporate niacinamide and glycerin, which suit oily skin and acne-prone skin best due to this thoughtful formulation. While both brands feature glycerin to improve skin hydration and barrier function, the American brand relies on hyaluronic acid and targeted treatments like the Micro Essence Treatment Lotion, DayWear Moisturizer, and Futurist Peptide-Power Serum Primer, whereas the British brand utilizes niacinamide in solutions such as the Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner, Micellar Cleansing Water, and Micellar Water.
Estée Lauder is an American skincare brand founded in 1946 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..
en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.com
Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.
en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk
This page compares some of the most popular Estée Lauder and Simple products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Estée Lauder vs Simple products
People Say
Calms redness and irritation Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
- “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
- “no artificial perfume — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
- “doesn't strip the skin — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée”
Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “skin drinks it up immediately — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
- “The formula is incredibly hydrating and leaves my skin feeling smooth. — Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv”
- “texture is dreamy — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme”
- “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
Non-drying formula Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
- “Leaves my face feeling soft, not tight. — Simple Micellar Water”
- “Skin feels soft not dry — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
- “Doesn't strip my skin — Estée Lauder Soft Clean Moisture Rich Foaming Cleanser”
Lightweight feel Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Absorbs quickly into the skin — Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+”
- “watery — Estée Lauder Micro Essence Treatment Lotion”
- “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
- “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
Affordable value Not notedOften Mentioned
- “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
- “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
- “Can't beat the price for the quality. — Simple Micellar Water”
Makeup compatibility and base Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “makeup lays well — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
- “works well under foundation — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
- “foundation sits beautifully on top — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
- “doesn't pill — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme”
High price point and expense Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “way too expensive for the size — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
Strong fragrance and scent complaints Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “Smells like chemicals — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
- “Scent is too overpowering — Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+”
Bulky or poor packaging Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
- “Worried about the snap top bottle leaking when travelling. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
- “The cap broke off immediately. — Simple Micellar Water”
- “hard to get last bit out — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
- “lid is hard to open — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée”
Estée Lauder vs Simple routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Refreshing Facial Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 24.78
-
Moisturizer
Replenishing Rich Moisturiser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 11.84
-
SPF
Dr.G Green Mild Up Sun+
Morning
AED 81.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
AED 17.15
-
Cleansing Toner
ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Water
Evening
AED 38.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
AED 168.76
-
Enzyme Powder
VT Cica Mild Powder Wash
Once a week
AED 47.62
-
Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
AED 65.00
-
Cleanser
Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 75.44
-
Hydrating Toner
Micro Essence Treatment Lotion
Morning
AED 397.18
-
Moisturizer
Revitalizing Supreme+
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 605.21
- SPF DayWear Moisturizer Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion
Evening · Once a week
AED 241.00
-
Cleansing Toner
ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Water
Evening
AED 38.99
- Serum or Treatment Perfectionist Pro Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
VT Cica Mild Powder Wash
Once a week
AED 47.62
-
Nourishing Mask
Nutritious Melting Soft Creme/Mask
Once a week
AED 247.62
Buy Simple routine · AED 455.14 · 83% fit
Buy Estée Lauder routine · AED 1,653.06 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Estée Lauder vs Simple routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Refreshing Facial Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 24.78
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
AED 49.99
-
Moisturizer
Replenishing Rich Moisturiser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 11.84
-
SPF
d'Alba UVessence Mild Waterfull Sun Cream SPF 50
Morning
AED 92.70
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
AED 17.15
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
AED 120.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
AED 168.76
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
AED 204.00
-
Cleanser
Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 75.44
-
Hydrating Toner
Micro Essence Treatment Lotion
Morning · Once a week
AED 397.18
-
Moisturizer
Revitalizing Supreme+
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 605.21
- SPF DayWear Moisturizer Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion
Evening · Once a week
AED 241.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
AED 120.00
- Serum or Treatment Perfectionist Pro Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
AED 204.00
Buy Simple routine · AED 790.31 · 88% fit
Buy Estée Lauder routine · AED 1,743.92 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Estée Lauder vs Simple routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Refreshing Facial Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 24.78
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
AED 145.00
-
Moisturizer
Replenishing Rich Moisturiser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 11.84
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
AED 17.15
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
AED 53.12
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
AED 168.76
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
AED 122.93
-
Cleanser
Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 75.44
-
Hydrating Toner
Micro Essence Treatment Lotion
Morning · Once a week
AED 397.18
- Moisturizer Re-Nutriv Morning · Evening · Once a week
- SPF DayWear Moisturizer Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion
Evening · Once a week
AED 241.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
AED 53.12
-
Serum or Treatment
Advanced Night Repair
Evening · Once a week
AED 235.20
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
AED 122.93
Buy Simple routine · AED 644.67 · 85% fit
Buy Estée Lauder routine · AED 1,225.96 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Questions and answers
Estée Lauder or Simple: which is better?
Both Estée Lauder and Simple are great options, as Lovi rates their overall routines equally high across all skin types. Estée Lauder features key ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help provide deep hydration, whereas Simple relies on niacinamide to help improve skin pigmentation and texture.
What is the difference between Estée Lauder and Simple?
Estée Lauder features key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin across the products on this page, whereas Simple relies on niacinamide and glycerin. Estée Lauder excels at deep hydration and moisturization, while Simple offers better value and a soothing touch for sensitive skin.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
Estée Lauder or Simple for dry skin?
Both Estée Lauder and Simple are a High fit for dry skin on this page, but they differ in key benefits and ingredients. Estée Lauder focuses on deep hydration and moisturization with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, while Simple features gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly cleansers and makeup removers with glycerin and niacinamide.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
Estée Lauder or Simple: which cleanser is better?
Both Estée Lauder and Simple feature good cleansers, but Estée Lauder stands out for its high fit levels across multiple skin types on this page, such as the Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée which achieves a High fit for acne-prone, mature, combination, and oily acne-prone skin.
Which is more affordable, Estée Lauder or Simple?
Simple is more affordable, as reviewers often mention its value-friendly moisturizers, whereas Estée Lauder's high price point is a frequently reported drawback for the products on this page.
Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Estée Lauder or Simple?
Simple has more fragrance-free products on the page, as every single Simple product lists no fragrance, whereas 12 of the 14 Estée Lauder products list no fragrance.
What are the key ingredients across Estée Lauder products compared to Simple?
The products on this page for Estée Lauder feature hyaluronic acid and glycerin as key ingredients, which helps with skin hydration. In contrast, Simple products on this page rely on niacinamide and glycerin as their key ingredients, which may help control skin aging and pigmentation.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
Which brand fits best for skin with dark spots according to its brand-focused routines?
Simple fits best for skin with dark spots according to its brand-focused routines. The products on this page for Simple achieve high fit levels for skin with dark spots in key routines like the toner, whereas Estée Lauder products on this page mostly show lower or average fit levels for dark spots.
Estée Lauder or Simple for oily skin?
Both Estée Lauder and Simple are a High routine fit for oily skin. The products on this page for Estée Lauder feature hyaluronic acid, while Simple relies on niacinamide.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
Estée Lauder or Simple: which moisturizer is better?
Both Estée Lauder and Simple offer moisturizers with similar routine fit levels for various skin types on this page. Estée Lauder provides key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin hydration, while Simple focuses on budget-friendly formulations containing glycerin and niacinamide.
Estée Lauder or Simple for sensitive skin?
Both Estée Lauder and Simple feature high routine fit for sensitive skin among the products on this page, but they differ in formulation. Estée Lauder uses key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps hydrate the skin, while Simple relies on niacinamide and glycerin without any added fragrance.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
Estée Lauder or Simple for acne-prone skin?
Both Estée Lauder and Simple are a High fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Estée Lauder products on this page feature key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps with wound healing, while Simple products utilize ingredients such as niacinamide, which may aid in reducing pigmentation.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
Research behind their key ingredients
Chrysin protects epidermal keratinocytes from UVA- and UVB-induced damage
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
Another Reason for Using Caffeine in Dermocosmetics: Sunscreen Adjuvant
Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Topical Application of N-Acetyl Glucosamine
Borage Oil Treated with Immobilized Lipase Inhibits Melanogenesis
Skin recovery by Lavandula angustifolia leaf callus extract: Redox control of Nrf2 signaling
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Saccharide isomerate ameliorates cosmetic scalp conditions in a Chinese study population
Behind this comparison
Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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