Simple vs Galderma
Simple and Galderma are two distinct skincare lines offering targeted solutions for various complexions. The British brand features gentle moisturizers, soothing makeup removers, dependable cleansers, and refreshing toners with niacinamide and glycerin, whereas the Swiss counterpart provides specialized serums. Both suit oily skin, while the former also benefits mature skin and the latter supports combination skin. Ultimately, the two differ in their product types and foundational ingredients, with the first focusing on daily barrier care and hydration, and the second addressing specific acne and spot concerns.
Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.
en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk
Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.
This page compares some of the most popular Simple and Galderma products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Simple vs Galderma products
People Say
Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedSometimes 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”
- “didn't burn my face — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
Clears acne and prevents breakouts Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “cleared up my skin — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
- “cystic acne gone — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
- “stops new pimples — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Hydration 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”
No residue or lightweight absorption Often MentionedNot noted
- “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
- “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
- “absorbs really well — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
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”
Effective cleansing Often MentionedNot 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”
Intense burning and dryness Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Acne purge and irritation Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Bleaches fabrics Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “bleached my towel — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
Formula and packaging issues Often MentionedNot noted
- “New bottle ingredients do not match... lower amounts of beneficial ingredients. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
Simple vs Galderma routines for dry skin
-
Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$20.19
-
Hydrating Toner
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Morning
CA$27.99
-
Moisturizer
Tata Harper Repairative Moisturizer
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$162.00
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
CA$38.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
CA$17.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Benzac AC 5
Evening · Once a week
CA$45.40
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
CA$29.99
-
Cleanser
Refreshing Facial Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$12.79
-
Hydrating Toner
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Morning
CA$27.99
-
Moisturizer
Replenishing Rich Moisturiser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$13.40
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
CA$38.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
CA$11.99
-
Serum or Treatment
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Fresh Ampoule
Evening · Once a week
CA$22.09
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
CA$29.99
Buy Galderma routine · CA$341.56 · 89% fit
Buy Simple routine · CA$156.25 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Simple vs Galderma routines for oily skin
-
Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$20.96
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
CA$37.60
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$29.98
-
SPF
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
Morning
CA$35.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
CA$23.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
CA$28.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Benzac AC 5
Evening · Once a week
CA$45.40
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Tatcha The Clarifying Clay Mask
Once a week
CA$95.00
-
Cleanser
Refreshing Facial Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$12.79
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
CA$37.60
-
Moisturizer
Replenishing Rich Moisturiser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$13.40
-
SPF
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
Morning
CA$35.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
CA$11.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
CA$28.90
-
Serum or Treatment
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Evening · Once a week
CA$6.60
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Tatcha The Clarifying Clay Mask
Once a week
CA$95.00
Buy Galderma routine · CA$347.28 · 94% fit
Buy Simple routine · CA$271.73 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Simple vs Galderma routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$44.95
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
CA$37.60
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$29.98
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
CA$20.96
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
CA$23.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
CA$31.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Benzac AC 5
Evening · Once a week
CA$45.40
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
Once a week
CA$50.00
-
Cleanser
Refreshing Facial Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$12.79
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
CA$37.60
-
Moisturizer
Replenishing Rich Moisturiser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$13.40
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
CA$20.96
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
CA$11.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
CA$31.99
-
Serum or Treatment
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Evening · Once a week
CA$6.60
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
Once a week
CA$50.00
Buy Galderma routine · CA$314.37 · 94% fit
Buy Simple routine · CA$214.83 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Questions and answers
Simple or Galderma: which is better?
Simple tends to be better for gentle hydration and sensitive skin, offering High or Average Lovi fit levels across its products on this page. Galderma excels at clearing acne and breakouts with High fits for its serums, though reviewers note that it may cause severe dryness and peeling.
What is the difference between Simple and Galderma?
Simple features gentle, hydrating, and value-friendly products on this page like micellar waters and moisturizers that fit sensitive skin well. In contrast, Galderma offers targeted acne-clearing serums that may cause dryness and peeling.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2021
Simple or Galderma for dry skin?
Both Simple and Galderma provide a High routine fit for dry skin. Simple offers lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers and gentle cleansers, while Galderma's products on this page are mostly serums that may cause severe dryness and peeling.
Which is more affordable, Simple or Galderma?
Simple offers affordable value across the products on this page.
Between Simple and Galderma, which brand performs better for mature skin?
Galderma is the better performing brand for mature skin, achieving a Superior fit level compared to Simple's Average fit level.
Do any products from Simple or Galderma contain fragrance in their ingredients?
No, every product on this page from both Simple and Galderma lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
Which brand is better suited for someone looking for effective acne-clearing serums?
Galderma is better suited for acne-clearing serums, as its acne-clearing serums are mostly mentioned by reviewers for being effective, whereas Simple does not feature acne-clearing serums on this page.
Simple or Galderma for oily skin?
For oily skin, Lovi rates Simple as High and Galderma as Superior. Reviewers note that Galderma offers effective acne-clearing serums, while Simple provides lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers.
Simple or Galderma for sensitive skin?
Simple and Galderma both achieve a High fit level for sensitive skin on Lovi. Simple does better for being gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Galderma's acne-clearing serums may cause severe dryness, peeling, and irritation.
Simple or Galderma for acne-prone skin?
Galderma is better suited for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its fit as Superior while Simple has an Average fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Galderma features effective acne-clearing serums, though reviewers note that it may cause severe dryness and peeling.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018
Research behind their key ingredients
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
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.
-

Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.













































