Simple vs Galderma
Simple and Galderma are established skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily wellness. The British label, founded in 1960, is celebrated for its gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners enriched with niacinamide and glycerin, which suit oily and acne-prone skin best. Meanwhile, the Swiss company, founded in 1981, features targeted serums such as Epiduo Gel and Benzac treatments for specialized needs. While both brands address acne and aging concerns, they differ in their heritage, core formulations, and product range.
Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.
en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk
Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.
This page compares some of the most popular Simple and Galderma products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Simple vs Galderma products
People Say
Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedSometimes 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”
- “didn't burn my face — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
Clears acne and prevents breakouts Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “cleared up my skin — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
- “cystic acne gone — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
- “stops new pimples — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Hydration and non-drying Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
- “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”
No residue or lightweight absorption Often MentionedNot noted
- “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
- “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
- “absorbs really well — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
Affordable 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 Often MentionedNot noted
- “Takes off any makeup residue and makes my face feel refreshed. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
- “Best morning cleanser — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
- “removes last traces of makeup — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
Intense burning and dryness Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Acne purge and irritation Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Bleaches fabrics Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “bleached my towel — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
Formula and packaging issues Often MentionedNot noted
- “New bottle ingredients do not match... lower amounts of beneficial ingredients. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
Questions and answers
Simple or Galderma: which is better?
Simple is better for daily hydration and sensitive skin, featuring gentle makeup removers and lightweight moisturizers, whereas Galderma is better for targeted acne-clearing serums, though it often causes severe dryness and irritation.
What is the difference between Simple and Galderma?
Simple stands out for being gentle on sensitive skin and offering hydrating, lightweight, and affordable products on this page, whereas Galderma is known for its effective acne-clearing serums that may cause severe dryness and peeling. Simple features key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin to help reduce pigmentation and support skin hydration, while Galderma utilizes acne-fighting ingredients like benzoyl peroxide.
Which is more affordable, Simple or Galderma?
Simple is more affordable than Galderma, as the products on this page offer affordable value.
Which causes fewer breakouts, Simple or Galderma?
Galderma does better at clearing acne and preventing breakouts, whereas reviewers note that Simple sometimes causes breakouts or irritations.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018
Which brand has products that are better suited for mature skin, Simple or Galderma?
Simple has products that are better suited for mature skin, achieving fit levels up to Superior, whereas Galderma's products on this page receive Caution ratings for mature skin.
Do any products from Simple or Galderma contain fragrance in their ingredients?
No, every product on this page from both Simple and Galderma lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
How does the founding year and country of origin compare between Simple and Galderma?
Simple was founded in 1960 in the United Kingdom, whereas Galderma was founded in 1981 in Switzerland.
Research behind their key ingredients
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
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
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.










