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Medik8 vs Simple

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

Medik8 and Simple are British skincare brands offering tailored solutions for distinct complexions. The 2009 British brand features serums, moisturizers, eye products, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, suiting dry and dry sensitive skin best. Conversely, the 1960 British brand is lovingly known for gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners that thoughtfully feature niacinamide and glycerin, suiting acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin best. While both lines respect delicate barriers, they differ in their core active ingredients and target skin types.

Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.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 Medik8 and Simple products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs Simple products

People Say

Medik8Simple
  • Gentle and non-irritating formulation 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”
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
  • Hydrating texture and formula Rarely NotedMostly 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”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft, not tight. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “sinks in beautifully — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
  • Lightweight and elegant texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
    • “Absorbs fast — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Improves skin texture and smoothness Often MentionedNot noted
    • “smoother skin — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
  • Value for money and affordability Rarely 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”
    • “better value than Skinceuticals — Medik8 Super C Ferulic”
  • Fades dark spots and brightens Often MentionedNot noted
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “pigmentation lightened slightly — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “immediate glow — Medik8 Super C Ferulic”
  • High price point Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Caused breakouts Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “made me break out constantly — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “caused breakouts — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “caused me to breakout — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Packaging issues and fragility 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”
    • “Glass bottle breaks easily — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”

Medik8 vs Simple routines for dry skin

Buy Medik8 routine · A$283.59 · 97% fitBuy Simple routine · A$208.81 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Medik8 vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy Medik8 routine · A$409.86 · 94% fitBuy Simple routine · A$388.80 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Medik8 vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy Medik8 routine · A$444.44 · 93% fitBuy Simple routine · A$322.10 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Medik8 or Simple: which is better?

Medik8 tends to fit better across the skin types on this page, offering targeted anti-aging and brightening options, whereas Simple provides more budget-friendly, gentle daily formulas.

What is the difference between Medik8 and Simple?

Medik8 stands out for improving skin texture and brightening dark spots with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, while Simple focuses on budget-friendly, gentle hydration using niacinamide and glycerin. Lovi rates the routine fit for Medik8 as Superior and for Simple as High across all skin types.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Medik8 or Simple for dry skin?

Medik8 provides a Superior routine fit for dry skin compared to Simple, which has a High routine fit. The products on this page for Medik8 feature hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid that help improve moisture levels.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Medik8 provides better cleansers than Simple for most users, as the Surface Radiance Cleanse on this page achieves a Superior Lovi fit for acne-prone skin, oily acne-prone skin, and skin with dark spots. Simple products like the Refreshing Facial Wash are more budget-friendly, but they have lower Lovi fit levels for dry and sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or Simple?

Simple is more affordable than Medik8, as reviewers often mention high price points as a downside for Medik8 compared to the value-friendly moisturizers offered by Simple.

Medik8 or Simple: which brand has fragrance-free products?

Both brands offer fragrance-free options, as every product on this page from Simple and 11 of the 12 products on this page from Medik8 list no fragrance.

Medik8 or Simple: which brand is better for fading dark spots?

Medik8 is better for fading dark spots, as the products on this page achieve a Superior fit level for skin with dark spots compared to Simple. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Simple: which has better options for mature skin?

Medik8 has better options for mature skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Simple's Average fit on the products on this page. Medik8 serums like CRYSTAL RETINAL 3 and Oxy-R Peptides help target signs of aging.

Antioxidants, 2021Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Simple for oily skin?

Both brands are a good choice for oily skin, with Lovi giving Medik8 a Superior fit and Simple a High fit. Medik8 helps improve skin texture and brightness, while Simple offers lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers.

Medik8 or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Medik8 provides superior routine fit for dry skin compared to Simple. Medik8 features options like Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream and Hydr8 B5 Intense, which helps deliver deep hydration.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Simple for sensitive skin?

Medik8 has a Superior fit level for sensitive skin, whereas Simple has a High fit level. The products on this page help deliver gentle hydration with ingredients like hyaluronic acid.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Medik8 is the better choice for acne-prone skin, offering superior routine fit on this page. Its targeted serums help improve skin texture, while Simple products on this page are more basic and value-friendly.

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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