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Simple vs Shiseido

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

Simple and Shiseido are a British brand founded in 1960 and a Japanese brand founded in 1872, respectively. Simple is lovingly known for its gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners featuring niacinamide and glycerin, while the brand is beloved for its sophisticated moisturizers, gentle cleansers, protective sunscreens, and nourishing serums formulated with glycerin. Both brands suit acne-prone skin, oily skin, and oily acne-prone skin best, though they differ as their formulations respect delicate barriers or offer balanced preparations.

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

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

Shiseido is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872 and owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.

corp.shiseido.comen.wikipedia.orgmarketscreener.com

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

Popular Simple vs Shiseido products

People Say

SimpleShiseido
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Immediate sensation of comfort — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “skin feels plump, soft and nourished, eliminates dryness, bouncy feel — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Skin feels more hydrated — Shiseido Activating Essence”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
  • 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 irritation — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs really well — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Airy-soft texture — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • Luxurious texture and feel Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “silky smooth, rich but non-greasy, absorbs quickly, melts into skin — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Velvety, rich cream texture — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “Velvety texture — Shiseido FUTURE SOLUTION LX”
  • Effective cleansing Often MentionedRarely 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”
    • “face feels squeaky clean — Shiseido Clarifying Cleansing Foam”
  • 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”
  • High price point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “Very expensive for the size — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
  • Strong fragrance and scent Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “old lady smell — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
  • Not enough moisture Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Not enough for winter — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
    • “feels a bit oily — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream Enriched”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”

Simple vs Shiseido routines for dry skin

Buy Simple routine · A$208.81 · 84% fitBuy Shiseido routine · A$515.52 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Simple vs Shiseido routines for oily skin

Buy Simple routine · A$388.80 · 86% fitBuy Shiseido routine · A$737.92 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Simple vs Shiseido routines for combination skin

Buy Simple routine · A$322.10 · 84% fitBuy Shiseido routine · A$614.44 · 81% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or Shiseido: which is better?

Simple is better for value-friendly pricing and sensitive skin, whereas Shiseido excels in luxurious textures and deep hydration. On this page, Simple offers fragrance-free formulations, while many Shiseido products contain added fragrance.

What is the difference between Simple and Shiseido?

Simple offers budget-friendly, fragrance-free products focused on gentle care, while Shiseido provides a more luxurious, higher-priced range featuring many scented formulations. Both brands deliver effective hydration through key ingredients like glycerin, but Simple is often noted for being lightweight whereas Shiseido is known for deep moisture.

Simple or Shiseido for dry skin?

For dry skin, the routine fit for Simple is High, while Shiseido has an Average fit on this page.

Simple or Shiseido: which cleanser is better?

Simple offers more effective cleansing on this page, while Shiseido provides deep-cleansing and efficient cleansers with luxurious textures. Reviewers note that Simple cleansers are effective, but some Shiseido formulas may feature a strong fragrance.

Which is more affordable, Simple or Shiseido?

Simple is more affordable because Shiseido has a high price point.

Simple or Shiseido: which brand is better for dry sensitive skin?

Simple has a High fit level for dry sensitive skin on the products on this page, and reviewers frequently note that the brand provides gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers. Shiseido also offers products with a High fit level for dry sensitive skin, but reviewers mention that the brand often features a strong fragrance.

Which brand has a stronger fragrance in its products, Simple or Shiseido?

Shiseido tends to have a stronger fragrance, as many products on its page list fragrance in their ingredients, whereas every product on Simple's page lists no fragrance.

Simple or Shiseido for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi rates both Simple and Shiseido as having a High routine fit. Simple helps provide lightweight moisture with niacinamide and glycerin, while Shiseido offers deep cleansing and hydration using ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Simple or Shiseido: which moisturizer is better?

Shiseido is often noted for providing deeper hydration and luxurious textures with its moisturizers on this page, whereas Simple is known for lightweight and value-friendly moisturizers. Reviewers mention that Shiseido moisturizers help with firming and line-reducing benefits, while Simple features fragrance-free options that are gentle on sensitive skin.

Simple or Shiseido: which brand is better for mature skin?

Simple has a High fit level for mature skin, and the products on this page are noted for being lightweight and value-friendly. Shiseido also offers products that fit mature skin well, though reviewers mention a higher price point and strong fragrance.

Simple or Shiseido for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, Simple offers a better option as the products on this page are rated as gentle and sensitive-skin-friendly. Shiseido also provides good hydration, but its formulas often include fragrance which may cause irritation.

Simple or Shiseido for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, both brands work well because Lovi rates the routine fit as High for each. Simple is often preferred for being gentle on sensitive skin and lightweight, while Shiseido offers luxurious textures and deep hydration.

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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