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Simple vs Grown Alchemist

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

Simple and Grown Alchemist are distinct skincare lines serving diverse complexions through thoughtful, specialized formulations. The British brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011 offers gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners incorporating niacinamide and glycerin to suit oily and acne-prone skin best. Meanwhile, Grown Alchemist is loved for its cleansers and serums, as well as its formulas, which suit sensitive, dry, and combination skin best. Both differ notably in their target complexions, as the former relies on niacinamide to reduce hyperpigmentation and glycerin to improve barrier function, while the latter utilizes standout products like the Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser and Instant Smoothing Serum for specific concerns.

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 Simple and Grown Alchemist products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Simple vs Grown Alchemist products

People Say

SimpleGrown Alchemist
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedMostly 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”
    • “Perfect for sensitive skin — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
  • Hydration and non-drying formula 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”
    • “Doesn't dry out my skin — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
    • “Skin version of chugging water — Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy absorption Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs really well — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Very light weight — Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum”
  • Effective cleansing and daily use Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Takes off any makeup residue and makes my face feel refreshed. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Best morning cleanser — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “Gets everything nice and clean — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
  • Pleasant or soothing scent Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “Smells amazing — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
    • “smell is divine — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
  • Affordable price point 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”
  • Struggles with makeup removal Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Won't budge my waterproof mascara. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “Isn't going to be your makeup remover — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
    • “doesn't remove mascara — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
  • Packaging and leaking issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “tube cracks easily — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
  • High price point Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive for what it is — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”

Questions and answers

Simple or Grown Alchemist: which is better?

Simple is better for shoppers seeking affordable, lightweight options, as the products on this page offer great value and gentle makeup removal. Glycerin helps maintain skin hydration across both brands.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What is the difference between Simple and Grown Alchemist?

Simple offers more budget-friendly and lightweight moisturizers alongside popular sensitive-skin makeup removers, while Grown Alchemist features gentle, hydrating cleansers. Reviewers note that Simple provides better value and lighter absorption, though both brands offer effective daily cleansing. Glycerin helps maintain skin hydration across the products on this page.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Simple or Grown Alchemist: which cleanser is better?

Simple offers more budget-friendly cleansing options like its Micellar Cleansing Water, which Lovi rates as a High fit for sensitive, oily, and dry skin. Grown Alchemist features the Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser, rated as a High fit for sensitive, dry, and acne-prone skin.

Which is more affordable, Simple or Grown Alchemist?

Simple is more affordable, as reviewers often note its affordable price point and value, whereas Grown Alchemist has a high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Simple or Grown Alchemist?

Simple offers products that fit oily and acne-prone skin best, while reviewers frequently mention that some Simple products may cause breakouts or irritations. Grown Alchemist does not feature acne-focused routines on this page, and reviewers do not emphasize breakout issues for its cleansers.

Which brand offers a better fit for dry skin and sensitive skin, Simple or Grown Alchemist?

Grown Alchemist offers a better fit for dry skin and sensitive skin through its Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser, which has a High fit level for both skin types, whereas Simple products on this page generally have Average or Low fit levels for dry skin.

How do the review sentiments regarding fragrance and scent compare between Simple and Grown Alchemist?

Simple offers fragrance-free products on this page, while reviewers note that Grown Alchemist provides a pleasant or soothing scent.

Which company has been around longer and who owns them currently, Simple or Grown Alchemist?

Simple has been around much longer, having been founded in the United Kingdom in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011, while Grown Alchemist was founded in 2008 and has been independently owned since 2024.

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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