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Simple vs Elemis

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

Simple and Elemis are British skincare brands known for their thoughtful formulations and distinct strengths. The former offers gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners with niacinamide and glycerin that suit oily and acne-prone skin best, whereas the latter provides serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners with glycerin and shea that suit mature and dry sensitive skin best. While both utilize glycerin to improve skin hydration and barrier function, the first brand relies on niacinamide to reduce hyperpigmentation and improve aging signs, and the second brand incorporates shea to reduce inflammation and relieve skin pruritus.

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

This page compares some of the most popular Simple and Elemis products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Simple vs Elemis products

People Say

SimpleElemis
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “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”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “cloud-light gel formula — Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
  • Skin smoothing and radiance Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “healthy glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
  • Affordable price and value Often MentionedNot noted
    • “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”
  • Effective cleansing and makeup removal Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Takes off any makeup residue and makes my face feel refreshed. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Best morning cleanser — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “melts waterproof mascara — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
  • High price point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Caused breakouts or skin reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “terrible spots — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “clogged my pores — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Insufficient hydration or richness Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “not hydrating enough for winter — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “Great product, a bit heavy. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “need more moisture — Elemis Peptide4 Eye Recovery Cream”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”

Simple vs Elemis routines for dry skin

Buy Simple routine · AED 455.14 · 83% fitBuy Elemis routine · AED 2,268.50 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Simple vs Elemis routines for oily skin

Buy Simple routine · AED 790.31 · 88% fitBuy Elemis routine · AED 1,630.94 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Simple vs Elemis routines for combination skin

Buy Simple routine · AED 644.67 · 85% fitBuy Elemis routine · AED 1,644.88 · 79% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or Elemis: which is better?

Simple is better if you want affordable, fragrance-free products that are gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Elemis is better if you prefer luxurious textures that help smooth skin texture and add a radiant glow.

What is the difference between Simple and Elemis?

Simple offers more affordable, fragrance-free products that reviewers find gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Elemis provides luxurious textures and formulas that reviewers often note for delivering a radiant glow and smoother skin texture. Both brands feature high routine fit levels across most skin types on this page.

Simple or Elemis for dry skin?

Both Simple and Elemis have an equal High routine fit for dry skin. Simple products on this page list no fragrance, whereas most Elemis products contain fragrance.

Simple or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Simple is better for sensitive skin, while Elemis is often chosen for smoothing skin texture. The products on this page show that Simple excels at gentle makeup removal, whereas Elemis offers a wider variety of exfoliating cleansers.

Which is more affordable, Simple or Elemis?

Simple is more affordable because reviewers mostly mention it for its value-friendly prices, whereas high price points are a commonly noted downside for Elemis.

Simple or Elemis: which brand is better suited for mature skin?

Both Simple and Elemis have an equal routine fit level of High for mature skin, but they suit different preferences. Simple helps provide affordable, fragrance-free care that is gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Elemis focuses on luxurious, anti-aging formulas with ingredients like glycerin and shea butter that help smooth texture and provide a radiant glow.

Simple or Elemis: how do their company origins and ownership compare?

Simple was founded in the United Kingdom in 1960 and is owned by Unilever PLC, while Elemis was founded in the United Kingdom in 1989 and is owned by the L'Occitane Group.

Simple or Elemis: which brand offers fragrance-free products across its entire line?

Simple offers fragrance-free products across its entire line, as every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas Elemis includes fragrance in the majority of its products.

Simple or Elemis for oily skin?

Both Simple and Elemis have a High routine fit level for oily skin. Simple provides oil-friendly formulations with key ingredients like Niacinamide, which may help regulate oil and pigmentation, whereas Elemis offers lightweight moisturizers and balancing products that help smooth skin texture.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Simple or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Simple offers more lightweight and value-friendly moisturizers, whereas Elemis provides more luxurious, highly hydrating options that help smooth skin texture.

Simple or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Simple tends to be better for sensitive skin because the products on this page are fragrance-free and reviewers frequently mention that the brand is gentle, whereas Elemis often features strong fragrances and reports of skin irritation.

Simple or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Simple stands out as a better choice for acne-prone skin because the products on this page are gentler and less likely to cause breakouts. Reviewers frequently mention that Simple is gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Elemis products sometimes cause skin reactions.

Research behind their key ingredients

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

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