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Simple vs Minimalist

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

Simple and Minimalist are two skincare lines offering gentle essentials for various routines. The British brand is known for its moisturizing formulas, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners featuring niacinamide and glycerin, while the Indian brand focuses on sunscreens, moisturizers, and cleansers. Both suits acne-prone and oily skin types, though they differ in their specific targeted formulations and founding years.

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

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

Minimalist is an Indian skincare brand founded in 2020 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2025.

m.economictimes.comunilever.combeminimalist.copersonalcareinsights.com

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

Popular Simple vs Minimalist products

People Say

SimpleMinimalist
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedNot 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”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs quickly and doesn't feel greasy — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
  • Hydrating 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”
  • Fragrance-free formula Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “zero smell — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
    • “great for sensitive skin — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”
    • “Love that it has absolutely no scent. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Good for oily skin Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “perfect moisturizer for oily skin — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
    • “keeps skin oil-free for hours — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”
  • Moisturizing formula Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “very moisturizing — Minimalist SPF 50 Sunscreen”
    • “calmed it when my skin was super irritated — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
  • Caused breakouts or reactions Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “kinda got some closed comedones — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Chemical or unusual smell Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smells like chemicals — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “smells like chemicals — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”

Simple vs Minimalist routines for dry skin

Buy Simple routine · A$208.81 · 84% fitBuy Minimalist routine · A$165.09 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Simple vs Minimalist routines for oily skin

Buy Minimalist routine · A$398.16 · 93% fitBuy Simple routine · A$388.80 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Simple vs Minimalist routines for combination skin

Buy Minimalist routine · A$282.02 · 92% fitBuy Simple routine · A$322.10 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or Minimalist: which is better?

Simple and Minimalist both offer fragrance-free products on this page, but they suit different needs. Simple is noted for being gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Minimalist performs better for oily skin.

What is the difference between Simple and Minimalist?

Simple features gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers and hydrating moisturizers, while Minimalist offers fragrance-free formulas that are particularly good for oily skin and moisturizing.

Simple or Minimalist for dry skin?

For dry skin, both Simple and Minimalist achieve a High routine fit on Lovi.

Simple or Minimalist: which moisturizer is better?

Simple offers lightweight and value-friendly moisturizers, while Minimalist provides moisturizing formulas that reviewers find better for hydration on this page. The products on this page for both brands list no fragrance in their ingredients.

Which is more affordable, Simple or Minimalist?

Simple is noted by reviewers for being value-friendly, while Minimalist does not have specific reviewer mentions regarding affordability on the products on this page.

Between Simple and Minimalist, which brand was founded earlier and in which country?

Simple was founded earlier in 1960 in the United Kingdom, while Minimalist was founded in 2020 in India.

Which brand's products are noted by reviewers for being lightweight and value-friendly moisturizers?

Simple products are noted by reviewers for being lightweight and value-friendly moisturizers.

Simple or Minimalist for oily skin?

For oily skin, Minimalist has a Superior routine fit while Simple has a High fit. Reviewers note that Minimalist does better for oily skin.

Simple or Minimalist for sensitive skin?

Simple has a High fit for sensitive skin on Lovi, and reviewers note that the products on this page are gentle on sensitive skin. Minimalist also has a High fit for sensitive skin.

Simple or Minimalist for acne-prone skin?

Simple has a High fit for acne-prone skin, while Minimalist has a Superior fit for it. The products on this page from both brands list no fragrance in their ingredients.

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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