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Neutrogena vs Simple

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

Neutrogena and Simple are two renowned skincare brands offering reliable moisturizers, sunscreens, cleansers, and toners formulated with nourishing ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. The American line, founded in 1930, uses glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone to suit mature skin and combination skin best. Conversely, the British line, founded in 1960, features niacinamide and glycerin to suit oily skin and mature skin best. While both brands support skin health through enhanced hydration and barrier function, they differ in their specific formulations and targeted regional origins.

Neutrogena is an American skincare brand founded in 1930 and owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026.

investor.kimberly-clark.comen.wikipedia.orginvestors.kenvue.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 Neutrogena and Simple products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Neutrogena vs Simple products

People Say

NeutrogenaSimple
  • Acne-Safe and Gentle Formula 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”
    • “leaves skin soft and balanced — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
  • Deep and Intense Hydration Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Skin looked plumper and radiant — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “Quenches dry skin instantly — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Lightweight and Non-Greasy Texture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs instantly without sticky residue — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “absorbs instantly — Neutrogena COLLAGEN BANK Moisturizer”
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue. — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Base Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Foundation glides right over it — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Concealer doesn't cake or get stuck in crevices — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream”
    • “makeup lays well — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “works well under foundation — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
  • Affordable Price and Value 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”
    • “great price point — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
  • Fast Absorption Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “Absorbs quickly — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
    • “Absorbs really well into my skin without leaving a greasy residue behind. — Neutrogena Retinol Regenerating Cream”
    • “Applies easily and quickly absorbs. — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “absorbs really well — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
  • Insufficient Hydration or Dryness Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Not moisturizing enough for winter months — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Not rich enough for very dry mature skin — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream”
    • “not rich enough — Neutrogena COLLAGEN BANK Moisturizer”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Packaging and Design Issues Often MentionedRarely 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”
    • “Formula change ruined it — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
  • Poor Makeup Removal and Waterproof Issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “doesn't remove mascara — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”

Neutrogena vs Simple routines for dry skin

Buy Simple routine · CA$156.25 · 83% fitBuy Neutrogena routine · CA$95.37 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Neutrogena vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy Simple routine · CA$271.73 · 87% fitBuy Neutrogena routine · CA$269.33 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Neutrogena vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy Simple routine · CA$214.83 · 86% fitBuy Neutrogena routine · CA$222.43 · 81% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Neutrogena or Simple: which is better?

Neutrogena and Simple both provide high routine fit levels across most skin types, while Simple achieves a High fit for sensitive and dry sensitive skin compared to Neutrogena's Average fit. The products on this page from Simple feature fragrance-free formulations, whereas Neutrogena offers specialized anti-aging ingredients like retinol.

What is the difference between Neutrogena and Simple?

Neutrogena and Simple both offer products on this page that fit dry, oily, combination, acne-prone, mature skin, and skin with dark spots at a High level. However, Simple achieves a High fit level for sensitive and dry sensitive skin, whereas Neutrogena reaches an Average fit level for those skin types.

Neutrogena or Simple for dry skin?

Both Neutrogena and Simple achieve a High routine fit level for dry skin based on the products on this page. Hyaluronic acid helps provide deep hydration to the skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Neutrogena or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Neutrogena offers a wider variety of cleansers on this page that achieve High to Superior fit levels across most skin types, while Simple provides more value-friendly options. Reviewers note that Simple tends to be better for an acne-safe and gentle formula.

Which is more affordable, Neutrogena or Simple?

Simple is more affordable than Neutrogena, offering better value-friendly moisturizers and products on this page. Reviewers note that Simple provides a more budget-friendly approach, while Neutrogena often receives packaging and value concerns.

Between Neutrogena and Simple, which brand offers better fragrance-free options?

Simple offers better fragrance-free options because every product on its page lists no fragrance, whereas Neutrogena includes fragrance in a few of its items.

Neutrogena or Simple: which brand performs better for mature skin and skin with dark spots?

Both Neutrogena and Simple achieve a High routine fit for mature skin and skin with dark spots, meaning either brand helps address these concerns effectively.

Which brand has more lightweight and non-greasy texture according to reviewer feedback?

Neutrogena does better than Simple for a lightweight and non-greasy texture.

Neutrogena or Simple for oily skin?

Both Neutrogena and Simple achieve a High routine fit for oily skin on this page. Neutrogena is noted for its lightweight and non-greasy textures, while Simple offers value-friendly formulations.

Neutrogena or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Neutrogena and Simple both offer moisturizers with a High routine fit for dry, oily, combination, acne-prone, mature, and dark spot skin types, while Simple achieves a High fit for sensitive and dry sensitive skin compared to Neutrogena's Average fit. Neutrogena features deeply hydrating and lightweight moisturizers with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and retinol, whereas Simple is noted for value-friendly and gentle formulas.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

Neutrogena or Simple for sensitive skin?

Simple is the better choice for sensitive skin because its products on this page achieve a High Lovi fit level compared to Neutrogena's Average fit. Additionally, Simple features fragrance-free formulas across all products on this page, whereas some Neutrogena options contain added scent.

Neutrogena or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both Neutrogena and Simple achieve a High routine fit for acne-prone skin with the products on this page. Simple does better for acne-safe and gentle formulas, while Neutrogena offers superior fast absorption and lightweight textures.

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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